There are no good places to visit in Shanghai during the Dragon Boat Festival!\(>_<)\\\nPopular spots like the Bund are so crowded that you can barely move! Try me, name three fun places. \(¬_¬)\\\n**#TravelTips: If you're planning to visit famous attractions in Shanghai during holidays, be prepared for massive crowds. Consider visiting lesser-known spots or going off-peak.**

It feels like you have a strong bias against Nanjing. Even as someone from Zhejiang, I think your comments are quite deliberate. I've lived in Nanjing for a few years and found it to be a great place.

I truly adore the place called Tainan!

• As for Taipei, it feels like any other bustling international metropolis to me - tall skyscrapers and a fast-paced rhythm, with a bit less of that unique charm.
  • You know what I mean, it's kind of a generic and ubiquitous vibe anywhere you go.
• But I have more affection for Tainan, because it is my idea of "traditional Taiwan."
  • Here, even the clouds in the sky seem to be taking a leisurely stroll, slowing down the tempo of the entire city.
• After spending years in big cities, I always feel that people are somewhat shielded by an invisible wall.
• However, in Tainan, I rediscovered those simple and warm conversations with human warmth:
  • For example, shopkeepers will kindly remind you: "Do drink the beef soup while it's hot; there's ginger strips beside you if you want some added flavor!"
    • Tip: Tainan beef soup is famous for its authentic local taste and is often enjoyed by locals for breakfast. It’s refreshing and warmly satisfying—make sure to enjoy it at its peak heat!
  • Or ice shop owners will enthusiastically ask: "How about a bowl of shave ice? I’ll add a speciality of ours called 'pow kao' for you to try!"
    • Cultural Reference: "Pow kao" (粉角) are chewy and transparent chunks made from tapioca or potato starch, a characteristic ingredient in Tainan-style shaved ice. It is definitely worth trying!
• I used to imagine that kind of early 21st-century society filled with retro charm and warmth.
• To my surprise, I found this atmosphere right here in Tainan!

I took the same route last year, heading north and stopping by Yilan along the way. Of all the places I've traveled, Taiwan is where I've made the most warm memories connected to its people.

I actually thought Window of the World was free before I came. Then I checked and saw it costs over 100 yuan... Instantly made me not want to go.

Wow, this time visiting Guangzhou, I must give a massive thumbs up to the metro of the "City of Goats"!

1. First of all, the signage on the trains and platforms of the Guangzhou Metro (Guangzhou is also affectionately called "the City of Goats," which sounds quite interesting; it’s one of the city's nicknames) is notably uniform and details are considered thoughtfully.
2. I even looked up some information, and found that the Guangzhou Metro Line 1 was opened around the same time as Shanghai Metro Line 1 back in the 1990s. But! The Guangzhou Metro Line 1 is maintained so well, looking almost brand new. I really wonder how they manage to keep it like that.
   • By the way, I need to complain a bit: some station platforms on Shanghai’s metro are pretty dimly lit; the contrast is too strong!
3. I had a chance to experience the newly opened loop line in Guangzhou (that’s the Metro Line 11, circling the urban area), and the screen displays were designed with clarity and simplicity.
4. Honestly, whether from the platform designs or the ease of use of screen interface, the Shanghai Metro doesn’t seem to stand a chance compared to the Guangzhou Metro.
5. Next time, I definitely need to come back to visit Guangzhou again!

Wow, I just arrived in Beijing for the first time, and I was immediately scammed by a taxi driver right outside the Forbidden City! It's just maddening!

• We had emerged from the Shenwu Gate, which is the north gate of the Forbidden City, tired and hungry, with the intention of quickly finding somewhere to eat.
• We learned from a local guide that the Dashilɑnr, or Great Wall Street (famous old commercial street), located at the Qianmen District, has more street food and we wanted to taste the Beijing specialty 'expanding tripe'—a dish cooked quickly using beef or lamb stomach that comes out crispy and tender.
• A taxi driver happened to park on the roadside at this moment.
  • I climbed into the cab and told him that we were heading towards Qianmen.
  • He immediately said: "Oh no, it's really jam-packed over there with gridlocks!"
  • Then switched his tone of voice, "I can recommend a great place, we locals often go and it's not far from here, you would only have to pay one base fare!"
    (The driver stressed that he was indeed a local with a nearby residence)
  • I then asked how much it costs per person, to which he replied, "$100 plus?", He further added, "We locals don't even look at the menu, we just place our orders!" (sounds extremely authentic)
• Result:
  • Once we reached the restaurant, he demanded 20 yuan ($base fare).
    (As visitors, we hardly knew what the base fare in Beijing was!!)
  • Entering the restaurant, I almost dropped my jaw, as the diners comprised of travelers of various accents with not even a single Beijing native in sight!
  • So I asked the table a seat away who had just finished eating, "Excuse me, did the driver refer you here?" And as I expected, they confirmed!
  • Just then, a couple entered and said the same, "The driver recommended this place to us as well!"
  • I rushed and enquired how much it cost for them to get a taxi from the 'Tian' an Men' nearby. One replied $13, and the other mentioned $14. What gives? How could there be multiple base fares?!
• Truly beyond comprehension! We immediately departed, completely ruining the mood.

️ Important reminder: Beware of Scam Taxis! ️

• High-risk Locations:
  • Be especially cautious about hailing taxis at crowded tourist areas like the north gate of the Forbidden city, namely the Shenwu Gate.
• Schemes Used By Drivers:
  • The drivers would use excuses like 'traffic lockdown' or 'impossible to go where you planned due to traffic jams'.
  • Then recommend something 'exclusive' to locals and cheap, as well as being a short distance from here - a base fare fee only.
  • These so-called 'local restaurants' mostly consist of misled tourists who may pay higher than reasonable for the meals and higher than normal for the taxi fees.
• Prevention Tactics:
  • Perseverance with original plans: Ask whether there could be alternatives if drivers tell you it's jam-packed or consider switching to another regulated taxi.
  • Use Rideshare App: Applications like 'DiDi', available across China, with clear charges and records, and thus more secure.
  • Familiarize Yourself with Base Fares: Know the base fare and charge rules of the taxicab within your city.
  • Caution with Recommendations: If the driver zealously recommends a place, especially if he tells you it's somewhere 'locals go,' conduct some extra research prior, such as using a pocket map to check the distance and reviews.
  • Get off Taxi When You Have Doubts: If you feel uneasy about the driver before entering the taxi or if you hesitate on the destination, make an excuse and get off early.

My gut feeling tells me you're from Guangdong...

Any travel agency recommendations, buddy?

In that case, I've got to follow Si Laoshi! Could you recommend some fun and photogenic spots in Shanghai?

Isn't Suzhou great?

How much is it?

That just goes to show the increasing number of non-locals (natives are probably only about 20% now). Local Suzhou people don't really eat spicy food.

Pingjiang Road

Non-locals really need to learn how to queue.

Why do you say that?

I honestly don't get why, when you search for Shenzhen guides on Xiaohongshu, eight out of ten recommend Shekou New Street. As someone not born and raised in Shenzhen, I'm looking up guides precisely because I don't know the place! I'm posting this as a reference for other out-of-town visitors like me. I really don't think it's worth being drawn here by all the Xiaohongshu hype. If you don't like this post, just scroll past. And please, keep comments civil—no need for snarky or passive-aggressive remarks!!!

Spitting! Thank you so much for bringing that up! Personally, I find it absolutely disgusting!

Everything has its pros and cons.

Alright, the feeling is as if Hangzhou keeps finding ways to remind me that this city is akin to a "barren wasteland" in terms of "something" (I'll leave you to fill in the blank!)

• To explain to my foreign friends what a "barren wasteland" or "desert of something" means:
  • It doesn't mean the place is really a barren desert devoid of vegetation!
  • Rather, it's like when you're looking for some amazing food, entertainment, or expecting a specific facility to be readily available. But alas! In whatever aspect you refer to as "something," Hangzhou tends to disappoint you with a severe lack thereof, leaving you almost with nothing or with very few options to choose from. This inevitably makes you feel a bit let down and frustrated.
  • What kind of "desert" I'm talking about? Well, it's up to you, dear visitor, which experience in Hangzhou left you disappointed, hahaha!

#HangzhouSubway #AsianGames #HangzhouAsianGames