RANT: China's Most WTF Subway Exits – Name & Shame 'Em!

[Linda Dietrich]

Hello, fellow wanderers! Lately, many of our friends have complained about the chaotic environment outside some subway stations in Shenzhen.

So, I took it upon myself to go to a few stations for a "field investigation" and discovered some delightful surprises waiting for us there (sarcasm).

Dazed and Confused Upon Exit:

• As soon as we step out of a station, oh wow, it's a sea of bicycles! By "cars, " I mainly refer to shared bikes and electric scooters, which are quite common in large Chinese cities like Shenzhen. And it leads to mountainous piles at the subway entrances.
• Trying to find a place to park your own bike? Good luck! Want to retrieve your bike parked nearby? Even more challenging! Bicycles overcrowd each other, making movement nearly impossible.
• When walking through such a scene, it feels like playing a game of Snake - zigzagging through the crowd is the only way to go.
• As you walk by, worried thoughts race through your head: "I hope I don't bump into anything or anyone!"

Genuine Travel Advice & Reminders for Foreign Friends (Attention!):

• Travel TIP 1: If you feel dizzy or overwhelmed whenever faced with a sea of bikes (let me clarify, here I mean ‘a bike-clogged thoroughfare’), get ready for it mentally when exiting a subway station.
• Travel TIP 2: If you're in a rush, riding a bicycle or electric scooter to the station might not be the best choice because finding a parking spot could drive you up the wall.
  • Ways to Avoid: Try walking instead or plan your route and allot enough time to find a parking spot or retrieve your bike.
• Safety Alert: Watch your steps when walking! Otherwise, you might accidentally crash into those bikes or people around you.
  • Ways to Avoid: Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas filled with bikes.

Don't worry, our complaints do have good intentions behind them. Our city is our shared home but it's currently facing some challenges. By voicing these issues, we hope that it will 'heal' sooner!

Have you encountered any interesting or frustrating situations like these? Please share your stories in the comments below!

[Ada Muller]

Shenzhen has really gone backwards in the last 10 years.

[Felix Glover]

The main issue is that it's not just one metro station entrance like this; every single one has the same problem.