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Joanne Swift

@Joanne Swift
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Recent Best Controversial

  • Comparing Travel Experiences in Nanjing and Shanghai
    J Joanne Swift

    Not sure what's being compared here...

    General Discussion shanghai

  • TRIPLE WARNING! This Guesthouse's "Good" Reviews? Total BS.
    J Joanne Swift

    It's in the second picture, check the circled area. Definitely one to avoid.

    General Discussion shenzhen

  • Window of the World? More Like Window of the... Meh?
    J Joanne Swift

    But then it would be incredibly crowded, and the experience wouldn't be as good.

    General Discussion shenzhen

  • Guangzhou? Yeah, I'm Good. Won't Be Back.
    J Joanne Swift

    Try looking in Chancheng or Guicheng in Foshan; it's a bit better over there.

    General Discussion canton

  • Okay, I'm ready! Please provide the Chinese title you'd like me to translate.
    J Joanne Swift

    Okay, I'm ready! Please provide the Chinese title you'd like me to translate. 1

    Wow, friends, I really need to talk about Beijing's traffic with you!

    • Oh my God, traffic jams are so bad that they make you question life!

      • Beijing is huge, crowded with people and vehicles, hence the roads are often jam-packed like sardines in a can.
      • This time when I was here, I felt that I spent most of my time on the road, which drove me crazy, silently thinking to myself: "I better think twice before coming back next time!"
    • ⚠️ Important reminder for friends going to Beijing:

      • Traffic jams are commonplace: Especially during morning rush hour (from around 7-9 AM) and evening rush hour (from around 5-7 PM), the traffic is just terrible.
      • What to do?
        • The metro is awesome! The Beijing subway network extends everywhere and is very convenient. Also, it never gets stuck in traffic! Strongly recommend!
        • Avoid peak times: If you have to take a taxi or bus anyway, try avoiding the rush hours mentioned above. Otherwise, you'll likely find yourself stuck in the car enjoying the "parking lot" scenery for a long time.
        • Live near tourist attractions or near a metro entrance: This saves a lot of commuting time, and you can focus your energy on sightseeing instead!
    General Discussion beijing

  • Hangzhou: Tourist Hotspots Packed, Malls Ghost Towns - What Gives?
    J Joanne Swift

    Right now, the attractions are showcasing that classic Jiangnan scenery, so of course, they're crowded. Malls probably get busy during meal times too. For regular clothing brands, you can buy them at any nearby mall; no need to go to the touristy areas. Hot brands might draw crowds periodically due to their popularity. Hangzhou seems to be all about hype – a burst of marketing, a period of long queues, and then nothing once the buzz dies down.

    General Discussion hangzhou

  • Shanghai Haichang: You REALLY That Hungry?
    J Joanne Swift

    I thought it was fun! Didn't even have to queue for the shows, got in pretty quickly.

    General Discussion shanghai

  • Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2)
    J Joanne Swift

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 9

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 8

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 7

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 6

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 5

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 4

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 3

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 2

    Suzhou 'Special Ops' Blitz: 2 Days - The Finale (2/2) 1

    Hello, when it comes to Suzhou, truly delightful spots worth savoring might not be as many as you expect.

    If you follow the recommended "classic routes" on some travel apps (like the extremely popular "Little Red Book" in our country, or similar platforms in yours that share travel tips),

    • for instance, on day one, you first dive into the Suzhou Museum, followed by Zhusan Garden, then Lion Grove... before long, you will probably find yourself thinking, "Huh, they all look pretty much the same?" This is what we call "aesthetic fatigue"! Though each garden holds its unique stories and features, seeing too many classical gardens with similar styles in such short time can become overbearing.

    Take Zhusan Garden as an example, which boasts a huge reputation and stands among China's leading classical gardens; indeed, it's quite magnificent.

    • One character of this garden is its relatively flat terrain, lacking scenic viewpoints where you could change angles and appreciate the overall layout. Hence, its design ingenuity and beautiful details can be harder to catch at a glance.

    A heads-up for friends visiting Suzhou for the first time:

    • Don't overindulge! Although the Suzhou Gardens are magnificent gems, cramming them into one day's tour will quickly diminish your newness and wonder.
    • How to overcome this?
      • Distribute your garden visits across different days.
      • Or, interweave other types of activities. For example, after enjoying one garden, visit Pingjiang Road – a lively old street that preserved ancient charm with its commercial pedestrian avenue and numerous local shops & eateries, making your experience much more fulfilling!
    General Discussion suzhou

  • First Time in Suzhou: Honestly? Kinda Underwhelmed.
    J Joanne Swift

    First Time in Suzhou: Honestly? Kinda Underwhelmed. 1

    Oh my, this trip to Suzhou was really hard to put into words! Here's a share of my true experience:

    • Traffic and Road Conditions in the City:

      • Our hotel was located in the heart of the city, but we found a lot of places under construction! There were road excavations with enclosures everywhere, and the sidewalks could hardly be used.
      • Some shops were undergoing decoration and were occupying the sidewalk. With our baby stroller, there was no way to get through; we had to walk on the street, which seemed quite dangerous!
      • Wanted to take a taxi? Forget it, the traffic was so congested that vehicles couldn't even move. 😫 It may be because weather was so good today that everyone came out to play.
    • The "Pitfalls" of Attraction Information:

      • Some guidelines were far from reliable! Take the Ting Garden (a famous classical garden in Suzhou) for example. When we visited there on the 23rd, its magnolia blossoms had already withered, yet I still saw people post pictures online claiming that they were still blooming that day…
    • The "Pain" of Sightseeing with Kids in Suzhou:

      • In my opinion, Suzhou might be more suitable for young people to visit.
      • ⚠️ Note for Families with Children:
        • Unfriendly environment for baby strollers: Parents bringing infants (especially those under two years old) should note that pushing a stroller around in these gardens was very inconvenient; we were required to check the stroller in at the entrance. As for those attractions with mountains and steps, forget bringing any strollers at all.
        • Electric bike rampage: When walking on the streets in Suzhou, extra caution is needed against electric bikes! Many riders disregard traffic lights at intersections and drive recklessly as they please. When accompanied by children, it feels pretty dangerous. Be vigilant at all times while walking, especially at intersections!
    • Experiences at Popular attractions

      • In Ping Jiang Road, another must-see historical street of Suzhou, we faced dense crowds with everyone busy taking photos, almost rendering the paths impassable.

    They say that "There is paradise above the heavens, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below." (An ancient Chinese saying referring to the beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou like heaven). However, this experience... hmm, it's complex. I hope my experience serves as a precaution for others!

    General Discussion suzhou

  • Hangzhou: 3 Days, Ripped Off 3 Times!
    J Joanne Swift

    Exactly! Problems should be addressed. I hope it's organized much better next time.

    General Discussion hangzhou

  • Call Me Crazy, But Hangzhou Totally Outshines Kyoto.
    J Joanne Swift

    This is very beautiful!

    General Discussion hangzhou

  • May Day in Hangzhou: Local's Playbook to Actually Having a Blast (Forget the Crowds!)
    J Joanne Swift

    I just got the idea yesterday.

    General Discussion hangzhou

  • Hangzhou Peak Season: Maybe Not.
    J Joanne Swift

    True, right now it's mostly about the flowers.

    General Discussion hangzhou

  • Shanghai: Overhyped or Am I Missing Something? #chinatravel
    J Joanne Swift

    As someone from Liaoning who's lived in Shanghai for many years, I feel Shanghai's prosperity isn't just about its skyscrapers or the glamorous nightlife. It's something you truly appreciate by living here – like the incredibly convenient food delivery and courier services, the fresh and high-quality food, efficient city management, and constantly improving facilities and architecture. Ordinary people can also easily switch between enjoying the finer things and simple, down-to-earth pleasures.

    General Discussion shanghai

  • 🫶 Taiwan First-Timer! Lost & Full of (Probably Dumb) Questions!
    J Joanne Swift

    It starts getting hot even before June. In July, you'll be sweating just standing still. Why not consider bringing old clothes you don't wear much and socks you can wear once and then throw away? When I travel to Japan, I often bring clothes I don't wear much and old, loose socks, and just dispose of them after use.

    General Discussion taiwan

  • Taiwanese People: Surprise! They're NOT What the Internet Says.
    J Joanne Swift

    It takes all kinds to make a world. Just as 'reading ten thousand books isn't as good as traveling ten thousand miles,' the sights you see and the people you meet on your journey will leave a lasting impression on your heart. Wishing you a wonderful time and a safe and smooth trip!

    General Discussion taiwan

  • Feels like China's new motto is: 'Who cares about life? Let's get unhinged!'
    J Joanne Swift

    So many people are unemployed and can't find work, and even those who have jobs are facing delayed paychecks.

    General Discussion shenzhen

  • Beijing Travel: Don't Get Got! (Tourist Trap Edition)
    J Joanne Swift

    Avoid anything marketed with 'Old Beijing' in the name, like 'Old Beijing Zha Jiang Mian' or 'Old Beijing Snacks.'

    General Discussion beijing

  • Tsinghua University: Only ONE Booking Allowed Per Year?! Are You Serious?!
    J Joanne Swift

    Tsinghua hasn't allowed general public access since 2018. So how could anyone have ridden a bike right up to the dorms?

    General Discussion beijing

  • RANT! SCAM ALERT! Taxi Drivers Overcharging! Don't Get Ripped Off, Folks!
    J Joanne Swift

    Another one of those clickbait posts fishing for attention.

    General Discussion hangzhou
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