Welp, Hangzhou Got Hustled by the Capitalists.
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Wow, the statements about Hangzhou online are truly conflicting! It feels like this world is completely topsy-turvy, there are just some things I really don’t understand.
Some say that the beauty of West Lake in Hangzhou is a breathtaking landscape picture, but there are quite a few complaints:
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About food:
- Some refer to it as a "food desert" – meaning the local cuisine lacks distinctive dishes, or perhaps not enough trendy restaurants like those found in big cities.
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️ Be Warned! Pet policies may put you in a bind:- For instance, during daytime, dogs can't be walked in some areas, and this is considered as over-regulation and unreasonable.
- To avoid negative or unexpected situations, make sure to research the latest regulations, such as which parks or public areas are pet-friendly, what times dog-walking is allowed for sure! for sure! do your homework before you plan to bring your pets to Hangzhou.
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On local atmosphere:
- Some say that Hangzhou is somewhat xenophobic – meaning local residents show less hospitality towards out-of-town visitors.
- A common criticism about the marketing hype and photo manipulation (online) has to be mentioned:
- In short, what seems super beautiful on screen may not always be what it's cracked up to be; in-person experiences might fall behind such exaggerated portrayal. It is preferable to compare multiple reviews and slightly reduce your expectations before visiting attractions, as there is a chance that the picture-perfect shots might have been altered in some way or overstated in certain aspect.
- "No Jiangnan Feeling:"
- Jiangnan is typically referred to the area south of the Yangtze river, which is characterized by picturesque landscapes with small bridges and streams, quaint ancient towns, and tranquil gardens. However, some feel that today's Hangzhou looks too modern and commercialized, lacking an essence of traditional Jiangnan life.
- "Economic greediness gone too far:"
- This possibly denotes the relatively high admission fees of some popular spots and the heavy sales pitches, which may leave a few feeling uneasy.
Nonetheless, every time someone bashes Hangzhou, my instinctive reaction is to try and provide some explanations, fearing I might end up being hounded and accused of defending everything.
I simply want to highlight the fact that if someone doesn’t like a place, he can very well choose not to go there. Complaining non-stop about how a place is not up to standard after arriving, such mentality is rather unwelcome anywhere.
Cultures and customs obviously vary from locale to another. We rarely see news headlines of Hangzhou residents facing harsh criticism from the locals they visit, right?
Tolerating each other's differences is essential.
Hangzhou welcomes the vibrant arrival of new friends, but those with bias and disdain should seriously consider holding back. Such kind of people who are always griping won't receive warm welcomes elsewhere either.
Gosh, this world surely brings about a lot of frustration from time to time!
It genuinely feels like a great place to me, the region of Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai is equally fantastic. The phrase “paradise above, Suzhou-Hangzhou below” holds its genuine weight; the scenery in Jiangnan is indeed as beautiful as a painting. I especially love the mountains and rivers here, along with the light yet flavorful delicacies (yes, personal preferences do vary!).
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Honestly, it's great if they don't come. I can enjoy West Lake in peace and quiet.
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I really miss the West Lake of the old days – fewer people and none of those cringey influencers. Ah, those were the days, so relaxing!
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Online: 'It's a food desert!' In reality: People are wondering if they can get a huge Zhejiang feast for just 200 RMB! Yeah, right. (Scoffs)
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The funny thing is, during holidays, the Hubin commercial area near West Lake is absolutely packed. Queues for famous old shops and local specialties are insane. People complain, yet they keep coming, and a whole bunch of them just hang around and won't leave. I just don't get it.
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We don't stoop to their level. We just ignore people like that.
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DMing people just to curse them out – that really ruins your mood. I just ignore them now too.
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The reason is simple: the more successful you are, the more jealous people get. Hangzhou isn't unwelcoming to outsiders, but it does 'detox' – it weeds out the toxic elements.
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Whenever I see the words 'food desert' now, I just see red.
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You were born with everything they desperately want. Of course, they're going to be resentful, wouldn't you say?
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In my next life, I want to be one of those privileged only children from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region who complains, 'The food here is terrible!' Honestly, it makes me feel like those types would starve to death even if they were born into plenty.
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Honestly, fewer visitors would be better. West Lake is more beautiful when it's less crowded.
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People complain about Hangzhou's concert venues too, but they still scramble for tickets like crazy.