Yes, if you start early but it will be quite rushed.

Come to the Shanghai Museum's Egypt exhibition and see mummies. Message me if you need a private guide.

I don't enjoy shopping anymore either. In the 90s, Shanghai's malls had a wide range of products for both the rich and the poor. Now, even the stuff that looks cheap is priced in the thousands, and I don't get it.

Let's talk more about Shiquan Street. It's now largely dominated by trendy, 'influencer-popular' restaurants, making it a good spot for younger crowds to explore. A well-known classic spot there is the 'Xiangxin Jizhua' (Xiangxin Chicken Feet) snack shop. Their chicken feet are very tender and glutinous, and their red bean sweet dumplings (chìdòu yuánxiāo) are also nice, though on the sweeter side.

You can check Suzhou's list of banned drivers for hit-and-runs. This year, out of over 30 banned, only one was a local – that's less than 5% locals. While it's wrong to say 'it's definitely an outsider,' it's statistically very likely to be an outsider. That's a fact.

Okay, thanks.

To think these kinds of things still happen in China today! That driver even boasted he was from Henan and implied he was some kind of tough guy, not to be messed with.

Yes, it is.

Nansha is trash. Puzhou Garden is temporarily closed again. You can't get in when they're holding the lantern festival. When they're not, they start demolishing and redesigning it for next year, so you still can't get in. They hold this event once a year, and it feels like the setup blocks access for the entire year.

It's true, it can be pretty dull. I usually recommend Chimelong, Canton Tower, Yongqing Fang, Lizhiwan, and Huangpu Ancient Port. Besides Chimelong, Guangzhou doesn't really have major tourist attractions. It's more suited for city walks, just strolling around and grabbing some food.

I have just returned from Universal Beijing Resort, and there are some things I truly feel compelled to share!

• If you’ve been to Universal Osaka in Japan, the discrepancy becomes clear. The staff at Beijing’s Universal Studios feel almost... robotic. They seem like they are merely going through the motions, with a lack of warmth that won’t make you feel particularly happy.

• Despite selecting a non-holiday period for my visit, the average wait time for each attraction was still around 30 to 45 minutes.

• Since I have experienced many of the attractions at Universal Osaka previously, I focused on the ones I hadn’t tried in Beijing during this visit:

  • Transformers: Velocity Coast –Racer ( This ride is incredibly thrilling! It accelerates even faster than Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle motorcycle ride. I absolutely loved it and went on three times. Definitely worth the experience!
  • WaterWorld ( Spectacular scenes and definitely worth seeing.
  • Hogwarts Castle Nighttime Lights Celebration ( A magical light show with a full sensory experience.
  • Lights, Camera, Action! ( Many people may overlook this attraction, but it really surprised me. With a wait time of just 5 minutes, it is highly recommendable!
  • Pteranodon Whirlwind ( A milder roller coaster suited for kids or those with lesser courage.
  • Jurassic World - T.Rex Adventure ( An indoor attraction with a dinosaur theme.
  • Kung Fu Panda: Quest for the Wuxi Finger Hold ( Located in the family zone, staying here in the summer should be cool and comfortable, making it an ideal place for rest stops.
  • Sing Street Celebration ( Mediocre musical performances.
  • Universal Parade ( Not as captivating as Disney’s parade.

• On a side note – I would like to recommend the following attractions, which I played at Universal Osaka before:

  • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ()
  • Minion Land ()

• Important notice regarding Butterbeer!

  • In Beijing Universal Resort, I tried the milkshake version of Butterbeer. It was extremely sweet, making it quite greasy and unpleasant to me.
  • Comparatively, the regular version at Universal Osaka tasted much better. (In the Harry Potter story, Butterbeer is a magical drink, but it’s a non-alcoholic sweet drink in real life, often comes in cold, ice, or hot drinks.)
  • I am not sure whether the sweetness was reduced intentionally in Japan or there is a problem with this milkshake version in Beijing. Nevertheless, I would not highly recommend trying the one here in Beijing.

Alright, everyone, after a long wait, I have finally had the chance to head to Beijing and experience what it feels like to be a "Princess" (from the Qing Dynasty)!

In fact, experiencing the life of a Qing Dynasty princess was not originally on my travel itinerary. However, after visiting the Forbidden City (an ancient imperial palace with great fame), I found the palace scenery so beautiful that I couldn't help but want to dress up and take some pictures. By asking around from other beautiful "princesses" who were already dressed up and by visiting a few shops myself, I summarized a super-comprehensive strategy for avoiding pitfalls in the hair and makeup as well as costume design of a "Qing Princess." It is hoped that this will be helpful for everyone!

• The World of Wangfu (Wángfǔ Shìjì)

  • This building comprises almost all of the Qing Princess-related dress-up shops.
  • Conveniently located near the Forbidden City, it is indeed convenient.
  • You may encounter shopkeepers trying to entice customers (which we refer to as inviting). Don't reject their attempts outright; they may guide you through several stores. However, remember to negotiate prices!
  • Mini Tip: If coming through the main entrance, you can only access floor B1 through the staircase. To reach upper floors, enter through another door.

• Time Scheduling and Recommendations

  • The dress-up shops at World of Wangfu usually open at 7AM.
  • Major Reminder: Make sure to arrive early! Doing so allows you more variety in your choice of costumes, and there are shorter lines!
  • Some establishments provide till late evening even up until the following morning for return of rented outfits. Thus, if you have a packed itinerary, it’s best to pick a place that allows late returns!
  • Having compared a few spots in Beijing, the Forbidden City and the "Princess" photo set look most harmonious together. Set your costuming to coincide with a trip to the forbidden city!

• Outfit Selection （To Avoid Mistakes / Pitfalls）

  • Reiterating again, arrive early and aim to visit multiple stores! Plenty of styles would be gone before you know it!
  • Heading to Beijing in winter? You might opt for styles adorned with fur borders, paired with capes and scarves - these would be pretty and protective against the cold!
  • If you are one who shivers easily, wear thermal tops or thin sweaters beneath, and if possible, apply heating patches to keep up the warmth. But never put on too many layers - it'll make you look bloated!
  • Short sisters, roughly 1.5 meters tall needn't worry - sizes suitable for your height exist!
  • Designs cater to virtually every age group, both male and female.
  • For footwear, suggest wearing light-colored shoes, despite the option to use provided store shoes, personal comfort is always first choice.

• Regarding the Hair-do and Makeup （To Avoid Mistakes / Pitfalls）

  • Don’t paint yourself into too striking a “red carpet" face! Such makeup style doesn’t suit ancient costume.
  • Communicate regularly with the makeup artist to express your ideas. You better speak out more to avoid common “assembly line” makeup if you don’t like it!
  • It would be best to bring your own eyelashes! Styles available may not be desirable.
  • For "Empress", generally, decorations such as large bun or big wings (both traditional decorations for Qing-era women hairstyle) which look luxurious and noble are recommended.
  • On “Princess” hairstyles: If you possess an oval-face or square-jawed face, avoid small or completely flat buns since they accentuate facial features!
  • Don’t forget to get props and accessories like fans and hankies from the store when shooting!

• Photography Tips:

  • Ancient costume fits greatly with camera lenses – this costume suits anyone!
  • Playing a "princess" could have playful or slightly comical poses to match the innocent spirit.
  • Playing an "Empress" should appear elegantly calm. Graceful positions highlight noble character and charm!
  • Pay attention to ensure that your shoes and fringes of your hair-dos remain neat in pictures!

To anyone I met who asked me about this, I just answered here: the Qing Costume customization at World of Wangfu is somewhat "assembly line," thus with lower end experience. Later, I went to another studio called "Floral Story Ancient Costumes (HuaYuJi GuZhuang)," and it was a much better experience! A trip to Beijing is precious, leave the most lovely memories behind!

I am back from Beijing, feel free to ask questions anytime!
✿
‍️ I’m @YanSiSi, thank you very much and (like, follow)
………………ᵕ̈ Until next time, bye! ᵕ̈………………

Huh? Is it not allowed? I was planning to arrange a photoshoot at the Forbidden City...

I studied and worked in Guangzhou for 8 years, and I still almost got heatstroke when I came to Hangzhou.

Any food recommendations?

OP, are you a '23 or '24 graduate?

Is it that fast-paced vibe you're talking about?

Don't we all go to places other people are tired of and treat them like treasures to explore?

Don't come during the holidays. Seriously, you'll be squeezed to death by the crowds.

Lion Grove Garden is actually quite nice! It's home to the largest surviving ancient rockery complex in China, and they often host flower exhibitions there.