If you're planning a summer trip to Hangzhou, here’s some advice from fellow travelers. Hangzhou is famous for its stunning West Lake and rich cultural history, but there are definitely things to keep in mind if you want to make the most of your visit. For example, don’t expect amazing street food everywhere—some snacks like 'cong bao hui' (green onion pancakes) on He Fang Street might cost ten yuan each and taste underwhelming. If you’re visiting during the scorching summer months, consider timing your outdoor activities around cooler parts of the day. Early morning or evening strolls by West Lake can be magical with lush greenery that soothes the soul, while daytime heat could leave even locals gasping. And trust us, skipping Hangzhou in July or August unless you enjoy sweltering temperatures is wise.

Neither seems to give way, in my experience.

Go eat inside and take photos. The food isn't great, but it's super photogenic and you'll get great pictures.

‍️ Count me in!

[Hehe] Actually, I try to be objective and say both good and bad things, but unfortunately, it's the criticisms that people tend to notice more.

So, are there any cities with good weather? I've also grown tired of Beijing's climate these past couple of years. Sigh

Hey, ladies! You wouldn't believe how the trip to Beijing I had been eagerly awaiting turned out.

Originally, three of us were scheduled to meet and explore together, but things did not go as expected. Throughout the entire journey, I felt like an invisible person, revolving almost entirely around them, yet somehow nonexistent.

To provide some background:

• We initially agreed to meet in Beijing with the first stop being the Palace Museum (The Forbidden City, a renowned ancient imperial palace). However, on that day, The Forbidden City was unexpectedly closed, yet they never informed me!

Throughout the entire process, communication was utterly heartbreaking:

• Everything relied on me constantly asking what we should do next, while their replies were concise and cryptic.
• Even worse, they took the wrong direction on the subway without a hint of self-initiative to inform me otherwise!

My patience was stretched to its limits, as I remained at our hotel, waiting, feeling like an idiot for quite some time, expecting them to arrive at Wangfujing, a major commercial street in Beijing.

Let me lay out some incidents that pushed me to the brink:

• Regarding this "别" ("Don't") they sent in response: I repeatedly asked where they were and requested a location marker, but they simply replied with this single character. At the moment, it felt like my world was spinning: did they mean "don't rush," "don't come," or "don't ask?"
• Another instance involved them taking the wrong direction on the subway, which they didn't tell me about until the matter grew increasingly critical.
• About the change from meeting at Wangfujing to eating dinner there instead: Our initial agreement was to meet and then dine there. However, they suddenly switched tracks, indicating we’d meet for a later meal, despite our current circumstances.

Finally, I reached breaking point:

• Tears welling up in my eyes, I questioned their group on Wangfujing Street why no one had communicated with me during the entire journey. Their explanation was they were having fun at the park and couldn’t spare time checking phones. It made no sense. In retrospect, neglecting such a critical detail regarding meet-up details while having time to post on social media was truly irritating.

Here, I’ll share a few insights:

• Having proper manners and respecting others isn’t related to personality traits, such as ENFJ or ISTP.
• Communication, a must-have skill when traveling, especially when you have traveling companions who ignore sharing their plans with others.
• My advice is to learn to “cut losses.” Not feeling respected and ignored may make you feel mentally drained. Leaving the unappreciated company can be a beneficial decision and is also a sign of respect towards yourself.

Some remarks in response:

• Someone suggested I rely too much on friends to go exploring and need to play alone more, but actually, I briefly explored nearby Wangfujing. With fear of not locating each other, I kept nearby before entering Wangfujing.
• An individual also asked if there was any necessity of asking where they are and requesting a location. However, Wangfujing can extend for a significant distance with me guessing they were already there. Asking for a location made it easier for both parties.
• Others questioned my choice of leaving the companions and staying solo. Traveling with friends has always brought joy and satisfaction along the way. Besides, I only wanted to distance myself from the negative atmosphere generated by their disorganized behaviors.
• Lastly, I received inquiries regarding the "别" word. There is no need to explain its multiple implications. The situation called for clarity, not an unnecessary display of "social smarts."

How long do we stay in here?

Is there a specific belief or theory for this too?

Class of '23.

It was quite fun, actually.

So, that's why my third point was about the morning backlight making it hard to take good photos. No worries about that for the night view, though. My explanation wasn't very precise.

Are physical tickets still a thing now?

Already joined a tour group for 80 RMB per person.

Suzhou needs to learn from Japan on how to blend commerce with tradition. In China, many attempts at such integration end up feeling very disjointed.

Totally took the advice! Checked the navigation before heading out yesterday and definitely went with the subway.

I used to take Route 911 to commute daily, starting back in the early 2000s. Thank goodness I'm retired now; otherwise, how would I ever manage to squeeze on with all these tourists?

I've never taken one. I usually rely on the subway, bus, taxi, or my own two feet (the 'number 11 bus' as we say).

Hi there, friends planning to visit Beijing in June and July! Let me give you some advice -- don't rush into sightseeing without proper research! Many places require advance reservations; if you don’t make them, entry may be denied. First-time visitors especially need to secure reservations beforehand or else wasting their time and money might become inevitable -🤯

️ Key Point: Reserve, Reserve, and Reserve Again!

• Most attractions in Beijing (particularly popular ones) now mandate online ticket reservations well in advance.
• Without a reservation, you will likely be denied entry! This is especially true for newcomers who wouldn't benefit from Beijing without making any reservations.

Some practical tips:

• ⎇ Pack lip balm and a water bottle (drink plenty of water)! Being in the north, the air is significantly dry. I experienced nosebleeds after only two days of arrival!
• ⎇ Don’t order too much food at once! Northern meals are usually large compared to southern ones — over-ordering can result in wastage. Instead, start with smaller portions and add more as needed.
• ⎇ Yiheyuan (Summer Palace): You don’t necessarily need to buy those all-inclusive tickets that encompass every little site. Yiheyuan is extensive, and exploring it all during one day is out of the question! It is best to pick a few focal points aligned with your interests.
• ⎇ Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven): Do purchase the combined ticket for this one! Otherwise, you won’t gain admission to visit the main Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests (the symbolic circular hall).
• ⎇ National Museum of China: Always ensure timely entry according to your reserved time slot, otherwise, security personnel will not allow you in!
• ⎇ Raising Flag Ceremony at Tiananmen Square: Raising times differ daily, as determined by dawn times, so it is crucial to look up the exact timing beforehand using reliable sources!

Approximate ticket sale times for various attractions (recommended to check via official channels before visiting):

• Tiananmen Square: One day before
• Tiananmen Square flag-raising ceremony: Nine days before Midnight 00:00
• Potala Palace Gate: Seven days before Evening 17:00
• Great Hall of the People: Three days before 17:00
• Chairman Mao Memorial Hall: Six days before Noon 12:00
• National Museum of China: Seven days before Evening 17:00
• Forbidden City: Seven days before Evening 20:00
• Temple of Heaven Park: Seven days before Evening 21:00
• Prince Kung’s Mansion: Ten days before Evening 21:00
• Lama Temple: Seven days before Evening 20:00
• Beijing University: Seven days before Morning 8:00 (generally through university official channels for reservation)
• Tsinghua University: Seven days before Morning 8:00 (same, follow official guidelines)
• Beihai Park: Varies between 1 and 7 days
• Bird’s Nest Stadium: Seven days before Midnight 0:00
• Water Cube: Seven days before Midnight 0:00
• Beijing Zoo: Three days before Evening 18:00
• Badaling Great Wall: Ten days before Evening 20:00
• Mutianyu Great Wall: Two days before
• Beijing Science and Technology Museum: Seven days before Midnight 0:00
• Beijing Natural History Museum: Three days before Morning 11:00
• Friendly reminder: The ticket sale times provided here are just a reference; please verify again from official applets or websites before traveling!

For first-time visitors to Beijing:

1️⃣ Summer Palace: If you enjoy boating, flower sightseeing, and hiking within parks, this perfect scenic spot won’t disappoint!

2️⃣ Old Summer Palace: Fans collecting tourist stamps at each site would be delighted since Old Summer Pavilion provides numerous opportunities to collect them!

3️⃣ Forbidden City: No explanation needed – it’s a must visit!

4️⃣ Great Hall of the People and Monument to the People's Heroes: The landmarks situated around Tian'anmen Square come under Chang An Street's purview with their stringent安检 regulations where multiple ID checks might be required upon entry (Foreign friends are advised to carry passports).

5️⃣ National Museum: A must-go destination for history enthusiasts.

6️⃣ Temple of Heaven Park: The architectural wonders are spread out, implying more walking to explore.

7️⃣ Hutongs (Narrow lanes in old Beijing): Head over to Wushaying Hutong, Nanlou Gulzhu lane and Shi Jia Hutong to capture an authentic Beijing flair.

Places less recommended (especially during summer):

• South Nantang Drum Lane Main Street: Too commercialized with crowded streets and repetitive shopping offerings.
• Gubei Water Town: An artificially constructed holiday resort mimicking southern Chinese water towns (like those seen in Zhejiang province) with heavily commercialized zones and rather distant from city center.
• Great Wall: Not ideal for summer visits, as it gets extremely hot and tiring! You're welcome to go, but proper sun protection is paramount.
• Di Tan Park: Not so much of a draw unless there’s an event on, which may interest tourists otherwise.
• Bejing Zoo: Despite its charm, the peak summer crowds can deteriorate the experience.

Food tips:

• In case you do visit South Nantang Drum Lane, try some snacks such as Xiao Fu Crepes and Qing Yu Yogurt.

🥰 A fun pastime:

• A large number of sites in Beijing offer stamp collecting (e.g., forbidden city, museums, and some creative shops etc.). Lovers of collections can pack a cute notebook to capture their exclusive mark-in-beijing-vestige!

Won't it be cold with nothing much to see along the way?