Seriously Jelly of Big City Life in China!
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Oh, seeing your carefree and relaxed ways around Hangzhou makes me a little envious!
I have been to Hangzhou twice, but it was always that "elite-soldier-style" two-night, one-day trip.
- My schedule was packed. Racing in and out of the city, leaving me exhausted every time I returned to my small hometown nearby.
- On one occasion, with my large backpack and luggage in tow, I hastily made my way to the train station in the tightly-packed subway car.
- All the while, so many people around me were simply using their phones or carrying small bags, chatting and laughing with friends as they went to places they wanted to visit. The ease they displayed was something I could only admire from afar.
I do truly envy those of you who live in Hangzhou! If you want to stroll around the renowned West Lake – where Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian allegedly met, and known for its breathtaking beauty – or pay homage at Lingyin Temple, one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples, you can easily get there by taking a few steps. In addition, the city has an amazing environment with all modern facilities, coupled with abundant cultural activities and exhibitions. Locations like those idol fan-made photo-taking spots called “Araen Daka” (where fans take photos to show support for their idols) may pass unnoticed by locals on the street; yet for me, getting from afar with hundreds of kilometers is a difficult endeavor.
A Traveler’s Complaint & A Suggestion for Travelers Heading to Hangzhou:
️ Please resist rushing into sightseeing!- Issue: Trying to see all of Hangzhou within such a short time is exhausting! Like my quick two-night, one-day trip, not only did I get physically and mentally exhausted, but also failed to appreciate much about the city.
- Suggestion: If possible, take more than just a few days for your Hangzhou trip. This way, you can enjoy leisurely exploration and properly feel the beauty of the city instead of being left spent like me.
- ️ Packing light equals happiness!
- Issue: Lugging a bunch of luggage around the city, especially on crowded buses and subways, greatly inconveniences you and diminishes your traveling mood.
- Suggestion: Leave heavy items in hotels or stations before heading downtown. Just like local Hangzhou residents, carrying small bags and phones during city tours makes things much easier.
The Ins and Outs of the City’s "Hype Places":- Background: Hangzhou features several popular social media “hype” spots, including those idol-related “Araen Daka” locations.
- Suggestion: These locations might involve long queues; if you are time-strapped or intolerant of crowds, just maintain a casual attitude towards them without feeling obligated to visit each one. After all, there is more to Hangzhou’s beauty and culture than its social media fame.
#HangzhouImpressions #LovelyWestLake #ARegularTouristRamble #City归属感Wanted (Note: "City归属感Wanted" is a direct translate of "I miss the sense of belonging to my hometown." However, in this context, I believe "A Tourist's Dream to Experience City Belonging" better represents the intended message)
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Seriously, what's happening? It's driving me crazy! Just tell me, what events are going on in Hangzhou?
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CP21 was just on these past two days, so cosplayers were everywhere. Next week, Mayday has a 6-show concert at the 'Big Lotus' stadium, and then for Dragon Boat Festival, there's the International Animation Festival...
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I'm from Guangxi and traveled all the way to Hangzhou. The West Lake area is stunning and so vast you can't see it all. I dream of saving enough to live here long enough to experience all thirty of its famous scenic spots.
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Before I left, I took the West Lake outer ring bus and pretty much did a full loop around the lake.
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Hangzhou has a way of making you behave.
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What's it like living in Hangzhou on a 5k monthly salary, renting an apartment? Any girls in Hangzhou who can share? I'm thinking of moving there.
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I used to make a bit over 5k, and I found it was enough to get by.
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My place is just a three-minute walk from West Lake, but I rarely go. I think I've been there less than 5 times in my entire life.
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I'm so envious! If that were me, I'd go at least three times a week. I feel like just strolling by West Lake would make me happy.
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I've got some Hong Kong and US dollars to sell, for anyone needing them for mainland China. A handling fee can be arranged.
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What I envy most is the abundance of chain stores, like 'Mi Cun' and others, which my small hometown just doesn't have.
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Totally agree, it's been great living here for 27 years!
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So envious!
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It's super convenient to get to Hangzhou from Jiangxi now. You can go directly to Hangzhou West Station, which is much faster, and then take Line 19 express to the city center.
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By high-speed rail?
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As a Hangzhou local, I basically never go out. I especially avoid the Hubin area – never go there.
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And I went there both times I visited!