I stayed at Yinxing Yisu Inn on Guanqian Street—great location, clean rooms, and friendly owners!

Love the picture you posted!

Let me burst your bubble here: it's mostly because you're new customers and get a discount. It'll get more expensive later on, hahaha!

And don't forget Ashin (Chen Xinhong from Mayday)! He often emphasizes his Quanzhou ancestry. For years, this has led to some labeling his band 'Quanzhou Mayday,' and he's been taking a lot of heat for it again these past few days.

Are there usually earthquakes around the end of April, or just minor tremors?

Would an 8 AM flight be any better?

Alright! This title is intriguing; I clearly understand that feeling! Let's modify it into a more suitable post for foreign friends to read - both witty complaints and travel tips, keeping it authentic!

On the first day in Shenzhen, oh my gosh, I almost packed up and went home!

Hey, friends planning to visit Shenzhen, let me give you some advice: there are a few things you should know before you arrive!

• Shenzhen might seem like a futuristic city filled with skyscrapers and tech companies, which indeed is modern. However, as someone who grew up in inland areas (you can specify your origin like being from the north or inland regions), coming here initially made me feel quite out of place.

• The transportation made me doubt myself:

  • Eager to take the metro to get from the airport/train station to the hotel, but that subway map looks like an intricate maze filled with twists and turns!
    • Cultural Tip: Shenzhen has an extensive and well-developed metro system (Metro). It has numerous lines with massive interchange stations, so using it for the first time could be confusing. Plan your route in advance, such as by using apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps.
  • In desperation, I decided to order a taxi ride through Didi, app equivalent to Uber or Grab in our country. I was surprised to see how pricey these ride fares were! It seemed much more expensive than in the northern cities where I originated.

• My God, this weather!

  • I visited it during the heavy and humid seasons ("Sihan" period or Summer season). Walking around felt like moving in wet clothes, and I was sweating all the way, feeling like I had molded.
    • Geography Knowledge: Located in the south, near the coast of China, Shenzhen has a relatively high humidity rate throughout the year, especially during Spring and Summer. If you come from relatively dry places, you need to bring several sets of clothing and be prepared for some steam sauna experience.

• Not all popular spots are surprising:

  • People call Shenzhen young and dynamic, which may be true because of the towering skyscrapers filled with tech presence. But it gave me initially a cold feeling since it seemed too new, lacking the warmth of old cities that carry slow-paced lives or the subtle charm. Maybe I haven't strolled the right part of such big cities yet.

Pay close attention, dear friends traveling to Shenzhen:

• Some popular "must-go" tourist attractions:

  • Some sites that have been hyped up online and considered as "must-visit", particularly food streets or creative markets, actually might turn out to be very long queues, wasting your time, with average taste, and a low cost-effectiveness.
  • Tips to avoid disappointment:
    • Try going on weekdays or taking advantage of peak-hour-free periods such as early morning hours or evenings.
    • Read different platforms' genuine reviews beforehand (like Dazhong Dianping, similar to Yelp; Xiaohongshu, similar to Instagram, but focuses mainly on living experience). Do not just judge based on the beautiful official promotional pictures.
  • What about souvenirs?:
    • At popular scenic zones, those so-called “local specialties” or souvenir goods in beautiful packaging often come at an extraordinary price and the quality isn’t guaranteed at all sometimes.
    • Cultural Context: We consider the behavior of deliberately raising price levels mainly due to tourists to be "harvesting leeks," where we treat tourists as easy-to-harvest targets.
  • Ways to save money:
    • If you really want to buy something, try shopping in supermarkets nearby that locals frequent (such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, or local chains like CR Land); or branded shops in large commercial center.
    • Trying local delicacies would give you a more genuine insight into local culture rather than buying unnecessary commodities.

• About Accommodation Choices:

  • Do not solely depend on the cheap hotel price. Look carefully at its location and convenience of transport. Otherwise, you might end up spending the whole day commuting.

Certainly, Shenzhen is not entirely without its unique charm. For instance, the night views here are amazing, standing atop high buildings, looking at the sparkling skyscrapers, making you feel as if you're in a sci-fi city. It's definitely worth an inspection.

Of course, this is only my early impression as a newcomer. Tomorrow, I'll explore different places, taking some time off to enjoy the sea breeze or look for old and distinctive neighborhoods tucked away in hidden places, just to make new discoveries and add some fun experiences to my travels. Hoping my insights can help you!

Those folks are just new migrants here for work; they might even be from your own hometowns.

But what if...?

How was the Home Inn?

You're drenched in sweat just sitting still. One moment the sun is shining, and the next it's pouring rain.

Not cold.

Me too. I'm graduating in June and planning to leave Beijing for Hangzhou. Life in Beijing has been so tough...

I felt the same warmth and was so touched when I visited as a tourist. Then I moved here for work, and boy, do I regret it.

So, Hangzhou's tourism market has regulation issues too? That's quite surprising.

Many of us only went there for school spring and autumn field trips.

I'm sure someone will complain about me for saying this.

You actually bought something?! You should've checked the comment section first!

Suzhou South Station is so far out, it's practically outside of Suzhou itself.

Do you have any rooms available for two people from May 1st to May 5th?