Thanks for the tips! Can't wait to visit.
Mr. Otis Schaefer
Posts
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A Shocking Two-Day Suzhou Travel Guide by a Local! -
Is It Really My Fault?A family of four came to Hangzhou for a trip. Since the elderly are not familiar with booking tickets online, I took charge of all the arrangements for accommodation and transportation. Due to a mistake in purchasing the train tickets, we had to change our original plan from a 10:00 PM high-speed train to the last one at 9:00 PM that day. To ensure they wouldn't miss the night view, I went alone to the hotel to fetch their luggage (four large bags) and agreed to meet them at the station. The family arrived at the station by 8:30 PM, but told me they couldn't go down and asked the staff to find me. I reassured them that I could make it, and confirmed if they had their IDs (for direct boarding). I rushed to the station, arriving just as the gates were closing at 9:55 PM. Once on the train, I called to ask where they were, only to be told they had left the station and were waiting for me at the subway, intending to help me with the bags... I was utterly shocked and asked why they didn't board the train. They blamed me for not informing them after getting off the subway, saying they hated me, that I had gone crazy and lost my mind... even cried. I really don't understand why they didn't just get on the train. Here's some background info: 1. The three elders are 70, 60, and 50 years old, while I'm 20. 2. One of the elders has experience with high-speed trains within the past two years. 3. We've traveled together before, but everything was handled by the family then. 4. In the end, they rescheduled for the next day, and I returned to Hangzhou to stay another night before leaving together the following day. #Sometimes you really feel helpless
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No More Shanghai for MeEvery day since I returned home from Shanghai, I've regretted it.
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A Local's Stab at a Suzhou Guide: Eat/Drink/PlayWe'll be there on the 6th, 7th, and 8th! Awesome!
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Mainlanders in Taiwan: Gonna Be Disliked? β Nope, All Cool! π€When I visited Taiwan before, I was randomly singled out by passersby who started discussing us being mainlanders. It really made me feel quite bad at the time.
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Mainlanders in Taiwan: Gonna Be Disliked? β Nope, All Cool! π€Sure, here's the translated version in English:
Hey, I think it should be fine! Here are my revised points, so that foreign friends can easily understand:
- Hey, I believe it should still work out!
- When traveling abroad, the most important thing is to respect one another.
- There is an old saying that goes, βWhen in Rome, do as the Romans do.β
- In simple terms, this means, when arriving at a new place, it is best to try to understand and adapt to the ways of life and rules of the locals.
- For instance, some places may discourage speaking loudly in public spaces, or there might be certain etiquette surrounding dining.
- Preparing yourself beforehand by doing research, or upon arrival, by observing and learning from how the locals behave will make things easier for everyone.
- The benefits of doing this are not only making your journey smoother, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings, but also showing the locals how friendly you are!
- In simple terms, this means, when arriving at a new place, it is best to try to understand and adapt to the ways of life and rules of the locals.
- In reality, most people are just focused on their own little lives, and as long as you show basic respect, it is rare for anyone to be too concerned about small cultural differences among visitors.
(by the way, this comment is addressed to #εε°Όηη's note)
#Taiwan #Travel #TaiwanTravel #Bentang
- Hey, I believe it should still work out!
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Aaaargh! Is it just me, or is Shenzhen kinda boring?Kicking off the day by queuing for dim sum at Zhuyuan Hotel, then hitting up Dongmen or Shekou for late-night snacks in the evening β you'll never be bored.
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Forbidden City Taxi Ride: Got Schooled by a Beijing Cabbie! (You've Been Warned!)Let me put it this way: Beijing locals rarely take taxis because they're such a rip-off; watching that meter climb is heartbreaking. Just use a ride-hailing app. Don't go to places recommended by taxi drivers like that; they get a kickback if you spend money there. I had the same experience in Hangzhou: the taxi driver would try every trick in the book to persuade you and take you to a silk shop. It's usually not far from your actual destination, but they'll drive you straight to a nearby silk store instead.
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Beijing: Total Yawn. Just Wanna Do My 'Touristy Duty' and Bolt!The mountains have a surprisingly artistic vibe.
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Beijing Tourist Traps: The No-BS Survival GuideI want to go home right now. This is absolutely disgusting.
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Hangzhou: Love the City. Living Here? Good Luck With That.You're probably just facing some issues in your work and personal life, that's all.
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Let's Talk About...I went to Nanjing East Road yesterday... it wasn't fun.
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That North Bund 'Little Egg' Boat? Aaaand It's Sailed!Go in the evening!
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Suzhou: Just Got Here & Already Want Out π₯²Hey sis, why not a Qipao photoshoot? A Qipao in the gardens is a true Suzhou signature! Pair it with a simple hairpin β it'd look incredibly elegant!
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Suzhou: Just Got Here & Already Want Out π₯²Honestly, any place with a long queue isn't worth it. After waiting for an hour or two, you'll realize the food isn't any better than places without a line. For Suzhou-style noodles, the braised pork noodles are the star. No need to go out of your way to find a specific place; pretty much any noodle shop on the street will do. Just remember this: braised pork noodles should cost around 11-12 RMB. If it's over 15, just leave β it's a rip-off, no doubt. For shengjian bao (pan-fried pork buns), don't bother queuing for Ya Ba; any Xin Zhen Yuan branch will do just fine. For egg pancakes (jidan bing), definitely skip Lao Wang. Besides the long queue, they're incredibly greasy. If you have a sensitive stomach, you'll regret it for days. Instead, take Line 4 three extra stops to Tuanjieqiao for jidan guanbing (egg-filled pancakes). Mung bean soup is an acquired taste. And again, if it's over 15 RMB, just skip it. The normal price range is 8-12 RMB.
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Pingjiang Road? Hard Pass. THIS is Where You *Actually* Wanna Be.Yeah, true. But I feel like many shops on Pingjiang Road sell pretty much the same things. If the weather's good, it's still nice for a stroll. I was with two kids and two elderly folks, so I was looking for something a bit less tiring.
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Hangzhou: 3 Days, Ripped Off 3 Times!Do ride-hailing apps have a base fare too? I thought only regular street-hailed taxis had that.
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Lingyin Temple: Hard Pass Incoming!Okay, I agree that the combined ticket for Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple can feel like a rip-off, as Feilai Peak itself isn't that spectacular. But complaining about the price of vegetarian noodles or the Caishen Temple (God of Wealth Temple) ticket? That's a bit much. Eight yuan for the Caishen Temple, and you think it's expensive? Then why even go? Just skip it. The portion sizes for vegetarian noodles are pretty standard everywhere; I've had them at Longhua Temple, and it's about the same. Besides, are you really going to a temple for vegetarian noodles expecting a huge meal? It's more about trying the flavor and the experience. And why didn't you mention that Lingyin Temple gives out free bottled water at the summit? I've visited many temples and never encountered one that gives free bottled water to tourists. I was exhausted after climbing to the top, and they gave me a bottle. Honestly, if you want to talk about ticket prices, Jing'an Temple in Shanghai is far worse value than Lingyin Temple.
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So, THIS is a Hangzhou taxi?No, it was from Hangzhou West Station to the venue. I took a taxi because I thought getting a handwritten receipt for company reimbursement would be quick, allowing me to claim it as soon as I got back. But the moment I got in, the driver started grumbling, saying I was costing him.
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Shanghai vs. Tokyo: The Ultimate Showdown (for Clueless Tourists)They're just entirely different concepts.