If you work and live in nearby Hong Kong or Macau for a year, you're pretty much guaranteed to be able to go.

Wow, we both actually went to Ella's show in Wuhan!

Hello, fellow wanderers! Lately, many of our friends have complained about the chaotic environment outside some subway stations in Shenzhen.

So, I took it upon myself to go to a few stations for a "field investigation" and discovered some delightful surprises waiting for us there (sarcasm).

Dazed and Confused Upon Exit:

• As soon as we step out of a station, oh wow, it's a sea of bicycles! By "cars, " I mainly refer to shared bikes and electric scooters, which are quite common in large Chinese cities like Shenzhen. And it leads to mountainous piles at the subway entrances.
• Trying to find a place to park your own bike? Good luck! Want to retrieve your bike parked nearby? Even more challenging! Bicycles overcrowd each other, making movement nearly impossible.
• When walking through such a scene, it feels like playing a game of Snake - zigzagging through the crowd is the only way to go.
• As you walk by, worried thoughts race through your head: "I hope I don't bump into anything or anyone!"

Genuine Travel Advice & Reminders for Foreign Friends (Attention!):

• Travel TIP 1: If you feel dizzy or overwhelmed whenever faced with a sea of bikes (let me clarify, here I mean ‘a bike-clogged thoroughfare’), get ready for it mentally when exiting a subway station.
• Travel TIP 2: If you're in a rush, riding a bicycle or electric scooter to the station might not be the best choice because finding a parking spot could drive you up the wall.
  • Ways to Avoid: Try walking instead or plan your route and allot enough time to find a parking spot or retrieve your bike.
• Safety Alert: Watch your steps when walking! Otherwise, you might accidentally crash into those bikes or people around you.
  • Ways to Avoid: Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas filled with bikes.

Don't worry, our complaints do have good intentions behind them. Our city is our shared home but it's currently facing some challenges. By voicing these issues, we hope that it will 'heal' sooner!

Have you encountered any interesting or frustrating situations like these? Please share your stories in the comments below!

You can tell at a glance it's grease from street food stalls.

Where is this?

Shenzhen might not seem to have a lot of 'fun' attractions, but Shenzhen Bay at dusk, during the 'blue hour,' is stunning. Also, the restrooms in Shenzhen's malls are impressively clean, and its parks are quite relaxing. There are plenty of beautiful spots that aren't crowded. Alternatively, you could stay in Shenzhen and make day trips to Hong Kong.

Ten years ago, I came to Shenzhen with just 1,000 yuan to try and make it. Now, I have pretty much everything. Thank you, Shenzhen! And I only have a vocational college diploma.

Haven't noticed, I'll check it out in a few days.

You can contact me for food delivery from places like Taotaoju, Diandude, and Da Ge Fan. I can pick up multiple orders in one trip for a single delivery fee.

Perhaps you could step out for a while? They can arrange for a late check-out, and cleaning does take time!

Why even bother with a tour group in Hangzhou? Just spend a few minutes on Xiaohongshu to check out some guides. They clearly list what to avoid and what's recommended.

It's not explicitly stated, but it's possible they do. If your own qualifications aren't particularly strong, it might be better to hold off. Even with excellent credentials, approval is never 100% guaranteed.

Sure, I'll translate it for you.

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Hey, foreign friends! A Shanghai local tells you which tourist attractions we locals rarely visit (just my personal opinion).

Note in advance that this is purely my fragmented thoughts, and not representative of all of Shanghai's residents. Since you've come this far, there's no problem if you still want to experience these places, but just a precaution for you.

• Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (referring to the part with lots of tourists)

  • I must tell you, Nanjing Road isn't really a place that Shanghai natives would frequent. Why? Too many people! It can push you into a "meat pie" on holidays.
  • Cultural trivia: Nanjing Road used to be one of the busiest shopping streets in Shanghai. There are a lot of long-standing brands and now it’s mainly for visitors who want to feel the hustle and bustle of “China's first business street.”
  • Warning!: If you only want to feel the crowdedness, go ahead! But if you want to buy something, most chain brands are ubiquitous so unique small stores are hard to find. Beware of pickpockets and “forced sales”!
  • Local tip: If you do want to enjoy a leisurely stroll, consider Nanjing West Road (near Jing'an Temple) or Huaihai Middle Road, which attract more local residents and have a denser concentration of brands.

• The Bund Crossing Tunnel

  • Well, you have to understand, it can't be summed up with just a few words. This tunnel crosses the Huangpu River through a ride under the river bed. Shanghai locals would usually cross the river by ferry or metro. Who would spend this money?
  • Cultural trivia: The Huangpu River divides Shanghai into Puxi (home to historical areas like the Bund) and Pudong (known as a modern new district that includes Oriental Media City). Crossing the river has several options available.
  • Warning!: Poor cost-benefit ratio; if you only want to cross the river, ferries (just 2 RMB) provide stunning views at low prices. The metro is also so convenient. Except for kids who might think it fascinating, adults would feel a bit “huh…is that all?”.

• Certain "trending" but underwhelming dining experiences

  • A few are talked about online and famous for long queues, but their taste might be...subpar, even falling short of nearby street-side small eateries.
  • Cultural trivia: Shanghai natives love food, but we trust old traditions and taste rather than some suddenly hyped-up “trendy” restaurants.
  • Warning!: Don't blindly follow trends; look up reviews or ask the hotel front desk for any local recommendations before queuing for hours to try something that might not worth it.
  • Local tip: Try those hidden small eateries tucked away in the old alleys or areas near markets frequented by locals. Examples include Yuannan Lu food street (though heavily tourists but some long-standing brands are still great) and area-specific lanes with unique features in each district.

• City God Temple handicraft market (specifically those selling forcefully)

  • Yu Garden and City God Palace are places rich in cultural history and worth seeing. However, people seldom buy souvenirs at these peripheral markets.
  • Cultural trivia: City God Palace is a Daoist temple and Yu Garden is a private garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. This is the core area of the old town of Shanghai with many traditional buildings and delicacies.
  • Warning!: Beware of expensive knock-off goods, prices can be inflated and remember to haggle! Watch out for the so-called “century-old store's” signs; you get the idea.
  • Local tip: Yu Garden's garden itself is beautiful, worth exploring. If looking for soup buns, consider going to renowned brands with consistent taste assurance (such as Nanxiang Mantou Store, though queues may still exist) or asking local friends if they have any favorite hidden gems.

• Tzim Fong (on holidays and weekends)

  • Tzim Fong was once an arts-focused art park with numerous unique small shops, but commercialization has degraded its experience. Crowds become unbearable, making shopping difficult.
  • Cultural trivia: Tzim Fong is a unique stone-laneway building cluster remodeled in Shanghai. Narrow lanes lead to dense shops. The style blends Chinese and Western architecture, epitomizing Shanghai's uniqueness.
  • Warning!: Crowded; narrow lanes packed with people, making shopping hard. Homogenized goods; similar items sold across shops at high prices.
  • Local tip: If you truly want to go, try visiting on weekdays when crowds thin. Or explore nearby "Siming Gongjian" or "Wukang Road", where environment is better and ambiance more fashionable.

Lastly, travel is about having fun, so my tips are just there to allow you to play more wisely. Shanghai has many appealing spots; the key is finding ones suitable for you. Have fun exploring Shanghai!

Ever since the old-school local Shanghainese 'uncle' drivers retired, the taxi and Didi services in Shanghai have become a complete mess.

Next time, try storing your luggage at a subway station. Many of them have lockers now.

Where exactly is it located? And do you have any availability for this Sunday?

Where is this?

Likewise, did you truly experience Hangzhou? The sheer volume of tourists isn't even comparable.

As a Shanghai local, I still get this feeling of being a bit of a 'country bumpkin' whenever I go downtown.

That's true if you're only looking at the streetscapes. But Taiwan is small, so even if you live in the countryside, getting to a city doesn't take much time. Life is still very convenient.