China's 'So-Called' Influencer Cities: Wallet-Friendly or Tourist Trap?
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Let's discuss this rationally. These are just my personal opinions, specifically concerning the travel aspects of these cities. I'm not commenting on other aspects of these cities. This is mainly for friends who aren't familiar with these cities or are undecided about where to travel, to serve as a reference. Just figure out your priorities and choose accordingly. Every place has its interesting points; it all depends on whether those points personally appeal to you.
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I understand that many people feel uncomfortable when their own city or hometown is discussed, but no place is perfect. Some even come to my comments or DMs accusing me of regional bias or something similar, which is really unnecessary. Anyone who has actually visited these places would mostly agree that my points are quite fair. Travel guides are published to help people make choices. If you only want to hear the good and not the bad, you can look for destinations on marketing accounts, where every place is hyped up as a 'must-visit-in-your-lifetime' spot. Not everyone has unlimited money and time, and the objective tourism-related problems in these cities don't just vanish because I don't mention them. I'm pointing out what I consider the biggest pros and cons, and I'll objectively state the flaws even for places I like.
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- Most recommended—Guizhou: Let's start with the cons: Traffic is a real pain with frequent jams, subway coverage is limited, and attractions are quite spread out (there's not much to do in the downtown area itself). The time investment for travel isn't insignificant, but luckily, the distances aren't too extreme. The winter climate is the harshest and coldest I've experienced in any city, period – I'd be shivering when I woke up and shivering when I went to bed. The biggest plus is the food. Guiyang offers the widest variety, but for specific dishes, Zunyi and other cities might surpass Guiyang in taste and quality. The meat is fresh, vegetables are sweet, and prices are likely the lowest among the cities mentioned. In terms of overall taste, my friends from various places all rank it as number one. It's genuinely cool in the summer (except for Zunyi and Tongren, though even they are milder than many other cities). The distinctiveness of the cuisine means it might not be to everyone's taste, so it's a good idea to ask about specific ingredients or preparation methods when ordering. And I'm not just saying this because I've spent the most time in Guizhou, haha. I recommend visiting from May to September.
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I disagree with this. Are you only saying that because your IP address is in Guizhou?
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I stayed in Xi'an for over a year and never tried 'mo' (steamed bun)? If you're truly a foodie who's good at seeking out local specialties, you should at least try it. Out of so many cities, you think Guiyang has the best food? That just shows your personal taste is quite narrow.
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Yes, he said Guangdong isn't suitable for people who prefer strong flavors, but it's actually the opposite. Many people who like strong flavors often have a very inclusive palate and can enjoy both strong and mild tastes. Guangdong food isn't heavy on strong flavors, but it's undeniably delicious.
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So Chengdu has no distinctive food, huh? Alright then...
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I stayed in Chengdu for over half a year and always ate out with my local university classmates, who are true Chengdu natives. The places they recommended shouldn't have been bad. The food wasn't bad, it's just that there wasn't anything uniquely 'Chengdu' that you couldn't find outside the city.
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- Xinjiang: Incredibly beautiful if you go during the right season, but because it's so vast, you'll spend a lot of time on the road. Pack several outfits; you'll get enough social media content for two months. If you're short on time, don't consider this destination. It requires a specific season and at least ten days of travel to have a good experience.
- Tibet: 'A land of Buddhist spirituality' sums it up, but it demands significant financial and time investment. Importantly, two or three women should absolutely not go alone; it's very dangerous (do your own research). People from plains areas might experience severe altitude sickness depending on their constitution, which can ruin the travel experience. The scenery is beautiful, and it's indeed a good travel destination, but I wouldn't go a second time. It doesn't hold a huge appeal for me.
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Is it really dangerous for just two or three women to go to Tibet? I was thinking of going by myself.
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Is it true that you can't go to Shanghai without a lot of money? I was thinking of staying in a youth hostel and exploring on my own for a couple of days, without buying much.
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Shanghai is a city built on consumer experiences. If you don't have money to spend, you can't experience it.
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Hangzhou's subway system was quite decent back in 2022.
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Compared to cities like Xi'an and Guangzhou, its coverage is still insufficient.
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It seems like nothing is good enough in your eyes.
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Every place has its downsides, but how come you never seem to discover the beauty?
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The point of making a guide is to show ordinary people what to focus on in different places, to avoid wasting money, especially for those on a tight budget or students. I'm not a professional travel reviewer; if I only said good things, how would I be different from a marketing account?
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When you said Guangzhou is one of the most inclusive of the four major cities, if not THE most, I got the feeling you haven't actually been to that many places.
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As I've said, this is just my personal opinion. These things are inherently subjective. There's no law stating that if you feel a certain way about a place, everyone else must feel the same. It's precisely because I've been to so many places that I personally feel this way.