It seems your family isn't confident in using high-speed trains, so they hesitated to act without you. Many older people are reluctant to ask for help. It's best to guide them like children.

I used to go to the Bund at night, but during my last few days, I went during the day and sat there for a long time. You moved from one big city to another, while I returned to a small village.

What's wrong? Do you want to blow up Shanghai?

Honestly, I don't care if they go ahead with it or not.

We rode down a small path, with fields and weeds all around.

You could go to Hong Kong. The mountains and sea there seem a bit better.

For that kind of money, you're better off going to Happy Valley.

My overall impression of Shenzhen is as follows:

• The city gives off a very modern vibe, with well-planned structures. There are few old buildings visible on the streets.
• The city is friendly towards people with disabilities. There are designated seats reserved for them in the subway system, and indeed, I saw some disabled friends out and about.
• Near tourist attractions, you can see quite a few peddlers selling goods on tricycles. From time to time, sanitation officers (similar to urban administrators) would chase them away, leading to fights that somehow seem like "real life".

Specific places I have visited:

• Lianhuashan Park

  • Attention: In the late afternoon around 5 PM, I was stopped by security guards at the entrance not allowing entry from the main gate. But still, there's always a workaround; I took a smaller trail up the hill.
  • On top of the mountain, there is a large monument (said to be Deng Xiaoping, a key figure who drew the circle marking the development of Shenzhen), from where you can also take a glimpse of what the city center looks like.
  • Honestly, this site is just average.

• Shenzhen Bay Park

  • It's a long path and green spaces along the beach, something quite common for coastal cities. You can ride the bike, watch sea birds, or even catch a view of Hong Kong on the opposite shore if the weather is nice.
  • Nothing special really.

• Huanle Harbor Square

  • This is another seaside commercial and recreational district. An especially large Ferris wheel inside, which looks fine at nighttime when they turn on the lights.

• Xianhu Botanical Garden

  • The garden is quite spacious, with many tropical plants – good for botanists and those who love flowers.
  • Be Careful: Although the inside of the garden has sightseeing buses, the line for those buses is extremely long.
  • After you enter the door, to your right, there is a stepped path. If you're physically fit, you can try taking this route to climb the hill for exercise. It’s said you can walk all the way to a little peak named something like Shitou (Peach Tree). But I got tired before I could explore further.
  • Inside the garden, there is a temple (Hongfa Temple). I observed that many people go there to worship as it is bustling with people. However, I found it unremarkable and similar to any other temples.
  • There is a pagoda on the back mountain, which I initially intended to visit, but apparently it’s off-limits for visitors, perhaps due to ongoing religious events.

• Five Fingers Mountain

  • I initially planned to visit Five Fingers Mountain too. However, after researching, I learned access involves quite several routes, and climbing isn’t an easy task. If you want to go, set aside a whole day for the ascent. I decided not to make the effort.

• SeaWorld

  • Just another seaside commercial and recreational area that doesn’t stand out much compared to others, though its bustling crowds catch my eye.
  • Small Complaint: The signatory giant ship (Minghua Wheel) is actually covered with a cloth, possibly under maintenance. That was somewhat disappointing.
  • At 8pm, there’s a fountain show but the performance is only 4 minutes long – rather short and thrifty.

• Observatorium

  • Important Tip: Visitors wishing to sightsee at the Observatory must make reservations beforehand. Entry tickets are released every Monday morning at 10 AM on their official channels, so act quick. As I didn’t set the alarm in time, I had to miss out.
  • Nonetheless, visitors do not need booking for the walkway next by the shore, they can meander down to the seaside. And there, people often share a water taxi ride back to the starting point – quite an experience.
  • There’s a beach nearby that’s ok to enjoy.

• Dameisha

  • Just a normal, decent beach with not much distinctive features, though it’s crowded with tourists.

• Yangmeping

  • This place has featured as a filming location in Stephen Chow’s hit movie “The Mermaid.” Visitors would need to take a long queue for a boat ride to reach the shoot location, but I wasn't keen to join in the fun.
  • Besides this small selling point, there’s not much left to see there.

Hahaha, tomorrow I'm braving the most crowded spot!

So, you're saying it's better to get a ride-hail instead of a taxi?

You should check out the new district in Nansha; it's a completely different story over there. Much easier to get around.

It must be really cold in Beijing now, right?

I love Beijing. After just three days here, I feel like my lack of 'yang energy' (vitality) has improved. I'm walking 30,000 steps daily without feeling tired, sleeping soundly, and eating well.

Feeling down? Visit this place in Beijing to help you recharge!

If you're having a bad day or need some perspective on things, I strongly recommend paying a visit to Beijing!

• Watching the National Flag-Raising Ceremony at Tian'anmen Square

  • Wake up early and head to Tian'anmen Square, where you can join hundreds of people watching the flag-raising ceremony. As the Five-Star Red Flag rises, the People's Liberation Army soldiers march with impeccable precision, and everyone around gets incredibly激动和充满力量的情绪感染。那一刻，你会感觉自己瞬间振奋起来了！
  • Cultural Tip: Tian'anmen Square is a symbolic landmark of China, and the daily flag-raising ceremony is very solemn. For Chinese people, it is an event that embodies a strong sense of patriotism. The atmosphere there is bound to make you feel empowered.

• Strolling through the Forbidden City

  • Next, take a stroll in the Forbidden City, the dwelling of emperors back in the day. Those palaces and high walls were absolutely majestic!
  • Although we no longer see emperors or their imperial concubines in person, you can still get a glimpse of their glory of the past by looking at the red walls, yellow roof tiles, elaborately painted beams, and columns.
  • Think about it: Despite all the power they had, emperors eventually left this life as well. It’s important to live in the present!
  • Cultural Tip: The Forbidden City, also known as the Purple Forbidden City, was the home of the emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With a history spanning hundreds of years, the Imperial Palaces are vast and splendid buildings.

• Visiting the Prince Gong's Mansion for a dose of “Blessings”

  • If time permits, you could also visit the Prince Gong's Mansion. This was the residence of Prince He Shen (hé shēn), a wealthy influential official of the Qing dynasty.
  • Legend has it that He Shen was extremely intelligent and savvy, and that his mansion contained a "福" word stele written by Emperor Kangxi, which is said to bring luck and wealth!
  • But let’s be honest. Even though He Shen was once rich and powerful, it’s only fleeting wealth. In the end, everything that comes and goes in this world is impermanent.
  • Cultural Tip: He Shen is the famous corrupt official in Chinese history, yet exceptionally talented. The "Fu" word on the stele in the Prince Gong's Mansion symbolizes multiple layers of blessings (abundance in virtue, longevity, children, wealth, and talents). As such, many visitors touch the monument, hoping to inherit some of the good fortune.

In sum, if you’re feeling blue, I sincerely recommend visiting Beijing.
Experience the uplifting spirit at Tian'anmen, wish yourself good luck at Prince Gong's Mansion, or explore the Forbidden City or the Great Wall—these historic landmarks remind us that civilization keeps moving forward. Most importantly, enjoy each moment in the present!🥰

#TheForbiddenCity #Beijing #TiananmenSquare #NationalFlagRaisingCeremony #PrinceGongsMansion

I just had a fantastic time in Beijing! The red palace walls, the green glazed tiles (which are characteristic features of ancient Chinese imperial architecture), and the national flag of China fluttering everywhere (the Five-Star Red Flag) really gave me quite a feeling! I'll first go over my previous three trips to Beijing.

• First: I went for Zhang Jie's concert (he is an extremely famous Chinese singer). As a girl from Hunan, I made it all the way to Beijing to support this Sichuan-born singer by myself. The atmosphere at the concert was absolutely amazing! However, due to limited time, I only stayed for two days before I had to rush back to work. Beijing is a huge city with many tourist attractions far apart. So, I quickly visited some well-known attractions, feeling a little regretful in the end.

• Second: This trip was purely for sightseeing. To make up for the previous rushed experience, I invited several good friends along. With a large number of travel guides to choose from that can leave one dizzy, and given our unfamiliarity with the area, I decided to join a tour group out of consideration for safety and enjoyment. As someone who doesn't tend to plan things ahead, I joined the cheapest tour offered. Unfortunately, the quality of the group tour was terrible:

  • Despite promising breakfast and lunch in the contract, I received nothing but a terrible roll and a chicken sausage.
  • The lunch buffet served on the tour was also indescribably bad. (I have high standards when it comes to food!)
  • Moreover, the guide's explanation of the sites was less than satisfactory and often brief. Overall, the tour experience was pretty terrible.

• Third: I brought my parents along for this outing. They grew up with a strong yearning for Beijing, hahah! Since I now have the means to do so, I brought them to see it with their own eyes. Considering that my parents had never been to Beijing before, I organized a guided tour to alleviate any potential travel stress. This time, I learned my lesson:

  • I read numerous recommendations online and received many helpful tips from fellow netizens via the Red Book app (a platform widely used by Chinese people for sharing life experiences and recommending products). I also received patient guidance from two very understanding friends, which helped me find a local "pure-experience tour" in Beijing—one that specializes only in sightseeing without forcing customers to shop or participate in other spending ventures). During the entire journey, everything from dining to accommodations and transportation was arranged smoothly, and the guide and driver were native Beijingers who accompanied us throughout the trip, ensuring complete peace of mind.
  • I particularly care about dining—hahaha! The meals provided on this trip were far superior than my last disappointing experience, with different dishes served each day.
  • During my itinerary, we watched the raising of the national flag at the Tiananmen Square, explored the Forbidden City (where previous emperors once lived), visited the National Museum of China, Peking University and Tsinghua University (two of China's most prestigious universities), toured the Shichahai scenic area, climbed the Badaling Great Wall, visited the Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan (imperial gardens), and marveled at the Water Cube (an Olympic venue).
  • Every day's schedule consisted of two to three scenic spots, with a reasonable pace to ensure full enjoyment without exhausting anyone. We all thought it was amazing!

If you also plan to take a guided tour, keep these few tips in mind to avoid disappointment:

• Check if it's a "pure-tour": Confirm that you’re not being forced to buy anything or visit places for additional spending while sightseeing. Also, ask about whether more tourists will be added after confirming the group size.
• Local tour operator: It’s best to opt for a local traveling agency, preferably with a physical store presence. Most tourist affairs office (Cultural Tourism Bureau) generally oversees only local registered agencies, making it easier for them to address any issues during your trip.
• Hotel star status: Carefully verify that the hotel you booked through the travel contract matches its star standard.
• Formal Travel Contract: You must sign a national uniform travel contract from legitimate travel agencies. This contract alone weeds out 80% of unsuitable tour operators!

Just buy a ticket to Tianjin, sleep there, and come back when you wake up.

Take a taxi to the Children's Palace, or take the subway to Fengqi Road Station.

Oh my goodness, what's going on with the US visa today?

• When I first entered that security checkpoint (that's a safety check before the interview, similar to airports), something just felt off.

• Looking around, out of ten people who completed their process, as many as seven or eight had sad looks as if they had been rejected. They seemed pretty depressed.

• It was my turn, and sure enough, I got rejected smoothly - very straightforward without wasting anyone's time.

  • Here's a reminder for my fellow travelers: Although rare, don't take it too hard when you encounter this scenario. There is some sort of intangible element associated with visa application. Having truthful and complete materials is the most important thing; after which, luck and the moods of consular officers will come into play.

• When I completed the process (basically just taking the rejection result and exiting) and took the elevator downstairs, my God, can you believe it? All the people in this single elevator were also just rejected!

• Listening to the people next to me whisper, it seemed like quite a few rejected applicants originally came together - such as one family or a small travel group, but they were apparently "wiped out" - meaning that a group went but none passed. The reject rate today is somewhat shocking!

Which district are the tech companies mainly in? What's Yuexi known for? My future company is here, and it seems pretty deserted.

Where are you coming from that it's so close by?