There are direct flights from Hong Kong to Hualien now.

You know too much

Compared to my fourth-tier hometown, I still prefer Shenzhen. At least here, when you call the 12345 complaint hotline, it's effective. Back in my hometown, nobody pays any attention if you call.

Ouch, that stings, bro!

My experience has been terrible, precisely because I joined a tour group.

It's actually pretty tasty!

Every time I see posts like this, it feels like I'm the one being praised.

Wow, the first day of attending CP31 in Hangzhou was really like a hellish mode!

• The heat and exhaustion left me feeling that I barely got to have any proper meals apart from enduring tough conditions.

But, after the event concluded, as everyone trudged along in lines stretching endlessly towards the metro station, my friend beside me joked, "Are we taking the Hunter Exam from Hunter x Hunter?" This made me burst out laughing.

• Friends who have read Hunter x Hunter may know how ridiculous this exam is, each stage being more difficult than the last.
• When put like that, it felt like finally making it through the hunter exam, having labored our way through CP31 all day long.

Additionally, just before reaching the "end station" - or the entrance of the metro station:

• A group of staff members in orange uniforms, probably exhausted from their duties, decided to take a break and sat right outside the station.
• Upon seeing us finishing up our attendance, they warmly waved goodbye to us and cheered that we did an excellent job fighting for tickets with a loud-hearted laughter.
  • "Fight for tickets" implies that it's not always easy to buy the tickets for CP events, making those who secure them truly deserving respect.
  • "Xin Kǔ Le (辛苦啦)" is also an Chinese expression that means they appreciate your efforts.

In that moment, I genuinely felt a sense of warmth and romance that couldn't be expressed by mere words.

• Having visited Hangzhou for some travels before, I had always maintained a lukewarm connection with the city.
• However, the two times I attended the CP events here, it was clear how diligently Hangzhou has strived behind-the-scenes to provide excellent hosting for this event.

Thus, should another opportunity arise, there is a high chance that I would still choose to visit Hangzhou again for CP!

Everyone works hard indeed! 🥰

A heads-up for future attendees:

• Be prepared for a battle
  • Heat and Exhaustion: Especially during summer, it can be blazing hot with crowds packed into the venues; stay hydrated, wear light clothing and expect to drain a lot of energy.
  • Issues with food: There might be limited options or food items being priced high inside the venue, or you simply don't have enough time to consume anything. Bringing some snacks of your own into the venue, or eating before/during entry can be considered to solve this problem.
  • Endless queues: Whenever signing up at the entrance, queuing for purchases, or leaving and seeking transport later on, expect extremely long lines. Be patient and consider staggering your arrival/departure time.
  • The fight for tickets: Popular events usually sell their tickets like hot cakes - be sure to get notifications on their timing in advance and act quickly.
• Staff working hard behind-the-scenes: They are probably even more tired than you imagine them to be. Show some gratitude and give them a friendly smile!

Certainly, here's the translated text into English, aiming for a smooth and natural style that still conveys the original tone and ideas accurately:

---

Hello there, fellow enthusiasts of travel!

• Recently, I keep pondering what really makes a fun trip?

  • Personally, I’ve grown increasingly disenchanted with the “checklist-style” trips. This means heading to crowded, well-known destinations, taking a quick snapshot as proof of your visit, and rushing off to the next item on the list.
    • A friendly reminder: especially in China, famous attractions such as the Great Wall or Forbidden City tend to be incredibly crowded during holidays, reducing the authentic experience.
  • It feels so exhausting, and somehow, you seem not to have truly "seen" anything.

• I believe, now it’s our turn (yes, speaking of us young people!) to experiment with some “updated” styles of travel?

  • For example, staying longer at a location experiencing life like a local — strolling through an open-air market, finding a cozy café for a break, or learning about local crafts.
  • That’s what “seeing the world” should be about — exploring, tasting, rather than completing tasks.

• Speaking of which, do you find the saying that “travel is a test of human nature” quite fitting?

  • When venturing out together, everything from food and accommodation to transport needs to be negotiated. Any unforeseen situations will inevitably reveal a person's true character.
    • Key insight! If you plan to undertake a long trip with your significant other or close friends, prepare mentally; it can either elevate your relationship to new heights or... Well, we get it. Clearly communicating expectations and budget planning beforehand is crucial!

• My ultimate dream is naturally “travelling around the globe”! Although the road ahead might be long, let’s take each step steadily.

  • Hopefully, our travels aren’t just about self-discovery but also sustainable living — perhaps by reducing disposable products usage, respecting local culture and environment.

• So, what say you all —

  • What do you think the essence of travelling is about?
  • Could you share any remarkable “non-checklist” experiences?
  • Or, got any ups and downs with companions during journey that you wish to share? (Or how can one avoid a “disaster” along the way?)

Let’s discuss this together! Looking forward to your stories!

@鱼鱼鱼 P1 (the first photo) looks so futuristic!

Hi! Where are these butterfly pastries located? I've been looking for ages and can't find them. Please reply!! I'm still in Shanghai.

Train stations usually have subway access, so why bother taking a taxi?

Seriously, hardly anyone eats game meat in a coffee shop, right?

It's a catch-22, really. If it's not commercialized, it won't attract people. No people means no money, and no money means no maintenance.

Wow, the streets of Guangzhou really opened my eyes!

• The roads are small and narrow; if you're not paying attention while driving, you may suddenly find yourself on an "elevated road" (高架桥, gāojiàqiáo).
• ️A reminder for visitors to Guangzhou: There are numerous elevated roads, which are highways elevated above ground level, designed to facilitate quicker access. These roads have many entrances, and it's very easy to get lost if you're unfamiliar with the route and your navigation system is not very effective.
• My navigation system had clearly indicated that the restaurant was just ahead, yet it seemed confused and gave me wrong directions.
• As non-locals, we could hardly figure out how to navigate! We ended up taking a detour again once we accidentally entered the elevated road.
• My stomach was already growling from hunger. After all this commotion, I became extremely irritated. 🤬
• Everywhere I looked seemed to be filled with elevated roads. As for the roads under them, they were exceedingly narrow and chaotic.
• It made everything feel so disorienting! #Guangzhou's traffic is something else #Oh my goodness

Go online and you'll see – posts criticizing Hangzhou get tons of views. Things like 'Avoid Hangzhou at all costs' or 'Steer clear of West Lake.' They say Hangzhou is all marketing and a 'food desert.' It feels like these people are just chasing clout and views. As if regular folks like us, who haven't even been to these places, have the time to read endless 'don't go here, don't go there' warnings every day.

There's hardly an off-season.

So, don't you think this is the organizer's fault? Right from when ticket sales began, they used 'Shi Ge Qintian' (note: it's 'Shi Ge Qintian,' not 'Shiyue Qingtian') to draw people in. Naturally, the fans came expecting them. But then, the organizers failed to manage crowd control properly. They were even still using them to boost ticket sales on the very morning of the event! Countless marketing accounts were hyping it up. If there hadn't been so much promotion, far fewer people would have attended.

Even Beijing locals can't stand how dry it is here.

6️⃣ Meals. They said breakfast and lunch were included. Let me show you what kind of 'meals' these were! I've never seen such a breakfast! Some posts even said if you didn't want this breakfast, you had to pay an extra 30 yuan to eat at a restaurant. Lunch was even worse – completely tasteless. I'm truly impressed by whatever 'master chef' could produce such dishes!
Actually, I don't have major issues with the guide's itinerary itself. After all, such travel agencies exist, and whoever wants to buy optional items or shop can go ahead! What's infuriating is how the initial contact person was so vague, making all sorts of grand promises while never mentioning the precise itinerary or the optional expenses after joining the tour! They trick you into joining, sell you off to the travel agency, get their commission, and then completely ignore you!