Can you recommend some vintage shops?

Is it any good? [Er...]

It's not quite the same. Life on Xiaohongshu seems too perfect. Social media mostly showcases people who are doing well; those who aren't usually don't post.

It's easy to spread rumors. You can haggle at street stalls, but supermarkets and shops have fixed prices. Bus fares are like 1 or 2 yuan no matter the distance, who would haggle over that?

I won't comment on other things, but in Japan and South Korea, expenses for minors under 18 are fully covered, and new parents receive domestic help services. These are truly great. Compared to skyscrapers, these are what I consider real government benefits. After all, you still have to buy your own apartment in a skyscraper.

How much is a one-day tour to Jiufen and Shifen? And what's the typical group size?

Piss off!

It's not unreasonable to suspect they might be a fugitive. We had a case here where someone escaped into the mountains. A huge search party was organized, costing a lot of money, but they were never found. They're probably living a semi-feral life by now.

I came to Shenzhen in 2019, single at the time. Now I've got a wife, kids, a house, and a car. Shenzhen is truly a fantastic place! The climate is great, services across all sectors are excellent, and government departments are incredibly efficient. This city is perfect for those without connections, money, or a network – if you work hard and head in the right direction, you can make your fortune relatively quickly.

Oh wow, I've taken so many train rides before, but this one was really surprising!

• On the train, I met some friends from Guangzhou, who, my goodness, haven't stopped talking since they got onboard!
  • I honestly don't know how they managed to have such an endless supply of things to talk about, their conversation lasted the entire journey, and at quite a high volume, too!
• There were plenty of other passengers in the train car that needed rest or prefer peace and quiet, but these friends seemed to be completely unaware of it.
  • To be honest, with all that loud chattering, my head is ringing and it even gave me a bit of a headache.

Tip for anyone taking trains in China for the first time:

• Warning! Sometimes you might encounter a passenger(s) who can't seem to stop talking, and they may be unaware of how loudly they're speaking.
  • How to handle this? If you want some peace and quiet during your ride, it’s best to bring noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, or an eye mask with you. This way, you can make the trip a little more comfortable for yourself, otherwise, you might end up being bothered by the loud chatter.

This is a super helpful guide!

Are you sure that wasn't a regular ride-hailing car rather than an actual taxi?

Has the heavy rain stopped? I'm heading there for work in late July or early August. Not sure what the weather will be like – what kind of clothes should I pack, and are there any daily essentials I should prepare or buy? Thanks!

Just got back from Beijing, and I'm already planning my next trip.

To get to the Badaling Great Wall, take bus 877 from Beitucheng subway station. It's a direct, one-stop ride on the highway. It costs 6 yuan if you swipe a card or scan a code, 3 yuan with a student card, and it's free for seniors or those with concession cards. You get off right at the walking entrance to the Great Wall, no need to transfer to a shuttle bus, which is super convenient. Bus 877 is an official Beijing public bus, so there won't be any tour guides trying to sell you things on board. However, when you get off, be aware of unofficial 'black' guides at the bus door. They'll try to get all 877 passengers to line up and listen to them. They might say they're just informing you about the last bus, but they're actually trying to sell you toboggan/slide rides. They'll claim walking up is exhausting, the cable car station is a 30-minute walk from the bus stop, and that only their slide is convenient. Don't fall for it! Just follow your phone's GPS to the entrance. When I went, I managed to hike the South route (round trip) and the North loop all in one day. Just be mindful of the last 877 bus back. If you miss it, you can take the S2 suburban railway line, a high-speed train, or bus 879 to Nankou and then transfer to bus 919 back to Beitucheng subway station.

Haha, we just got here too! Before this, we stopped by a jade shop where even a tiny peace buckle (Ping'an Kou), about the size of a fingernail, was priced over a thousand. I don't know much about jade, but it looked full of flaws and not very pretty. You'd have to be a real sucker to buy that for over a thousand.

So jealous!

So, any recommendations for good noodle shops?

Certainly, let me share this with your foreign friends in a way that is easy to understand and engaging:

Here we go:

• First, on daily expenses, I think Hangzhou is slightly more expensive than Nanjing.

  • This refers to the cost of buying beverages, cigarettes, as well as parking fees.
  • ️ Pay attention, folks:
    • In my experience, convenience stores (like 7-Elevens or Family Mart) along the streets tend to be a bit more expensive.
    • Parking at shopping malls or at road spots within the city center (not tourist areas) may also cost a bit more in Hangzhou.
    • Money-saving tip: If you want to save money, it's best to buy snacks and drinks at larger supermarkets, or use the price comparison feature on apps when looking for parking.

• Second, regarding transportation, food, and accommodation:

  • The subway fares in Nanjing are higher than those in Hangzhou.
  • When it comes to eating out and staying at hotels, both cities are relatively similar and not much different in prices.
  • 美食外卖(Food Delivery): Hangzhou’s food delivery may be just a teeny tiny bit more expensive than Nanjing. Chinese food delivery is super convenient, but if budget is a concern, pay attention to the costs.

• Third, about the urban environment: I believe Hangzhou looks better!

  • To me, the sidewalks and streets in Hangzhou appear cleaner and more organized.

• Fourth, concerning the general feel of the roads:

  • I have the impression that roads in Nanjing are wider.
  • (I’ll share a little secret with you: the traffic lights in Nanjing are huge! If, like me, you aren’t good at seeing details, you'll love this feature. Super user-friendly!)

• Fifth, in terms of personal taste:

  • I can tell that the food in Hangzhou resonates better with my preferences.

• Just a disclaimer, these are purely my own observations. I’ve lived in Nanjing long-term, occasionally commuting to Hangzhou this year due to various reasons. There’s no ill intent here, it’s just sharing my personal experiences as I shuttle between the two cities!

The hotel's check-in time probably isn't 1 PM. High-tier members usually check out as late as 4 PM, so waiting for a room is quite normal, especially during the May Day holiday. However, the room not being cleaned the next day is indeed unacceptable and should be complained about.