Definitely avoid Hangzhou during Golden Week!

Then just book Haiyou Hotel, it's right next to Jinji Lake.

Solid advice!

@Today also want to eat chicken leg

Sure, no problem! I'll help improve this visit Taiwan (Taichung) story to make it more suitable for foreign friends to read while maintaining your down-to-earth style.

● Taichung: Our Experience
Honestly speaking, compared with Taipei, Taichung feels a bit old-fashioned and resembles a small town. There are not many particularly interesting attractions in the city center.
I personally think the most worthwhile place to visit is Sun Moon Lake (which is quite famous, but unfortunately, time was tight and I could not travel to Alishan this trip).

• Accommodation: "Chance Hotel" next to the Taichung Station.

  • It felt decent; its hygiene standards may be a bit lower than previously found places. However, its transportation was very convenient.
  • Also, near the station is a huge shopping mall, where dining is hassle-free.

• No. 1： Gongyuan Ophthalmic Hospital

  • This place used to be an ophthalmic hospital but has since turned into a trendy store selling souvenir food items and ice cream.
  • I do not understand why so many people recommend it. The shop is quite small (as shown in the pictures), and I did not find it particularly worth visiting.
  • Travel Tip: If you happen to want to buy some sweet treats or ice cream, you could stop by for a quick look.

• No. 2： Rainbow Village

  • "Villages" refers to former villages where soldiers and their families lived. This particular one got nicknamed Rainbow Village due to an elderly uncle who painted colorful drawings on his houses and surroundings.
  • To be honest, this place is minuscule; there are only several old houses. I think just viewing photos online would suffice; driving far for a special trip seems unnecessary.

• No. 3: Zhongyi Night Market

  • This night market feels rather unremarkable, featuring mostly food stalls and clothing vendors.
  • The benefit is that it's closer to the hotel's location, making a casual stroll relatively convenient.

• No. 4: Taichung Park

  • It’s located next to the hotel, nearby enough for a leisurely walk. The park is quite spacious along with some cute squirrels around too!

• No. 5: Sun Moon Lake

  • One of the most famous lakes in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake boasts incredible natural beauty. I highly recommend! I joined a one-day tour package covering Sun Moon Lake and Gao-Mei Wetlands. Our tour guide was friendly and patient.
  • Major Thoughts/Advice：
    • My regret is choosing the wrong tour package! If given a chance to revisit, I'd select the Sun Moon Lake + Qingjing Farm combo!
      • Reasons：Qingjing Farm boasts stunning European-like scenery with sheep shows, adding more fun to the overall visit.
    • Enjoying the beautiful natural landscape by cruising lakes is worth it. After completing the boat ride, consider the tour done.
    • In addition to the cruise, my particular package included bike rides and visits to local temples, but unfortunately, it rained on the day, the weather got bad and made cycling hard, not to mention my own disinterest in those temples.

• No. 6: Gao-Mei Wetlands

  • This place ranks high among Taichung’s popular sunset and late summer evening attractions.
  • It is important to keep the weather in mind. When the weather was clear, the scenery was out-of-this-world picturesque.
  • Unfortunately, it rained while I visited making scenes look merely good rather than excellent. Intended shoe-off exploration was impossible due to the lack of spare shoes and wind chills, leading me to abandon this idea.

● In summary, my thoughts on Taichung:
- Taichung has quite many culinary delicacies to try; its variety has greatly surpassed my expectations during stays abroad (more so than in Hong Kong).
- Taiwanese are genuinely friendly and generous people; despite being usually introverted, I could sense myself gradually becoming more sociable.

Alright, alright, that's clickbait! As a Guangdong person (yes, like me), of course we can visit Taiwan. Otherwise, where would I have gone this time?
But since you ask with sincerity, I'll gladly tell you some things you should know before going.

#TravelInnovations #GlobalTourism #TaiwanTrip

• First, the positives:

  • As for Taiwan, the scenery is indeed breathtaking. Some places even carry their own flavor.
  • Most people there are quite kind and are willing to help when asked directions.

• However! There are a few places that made me, as a Guangdong person, just a little ill at ease:

  • Eating, eating, eating!
    • You know how picky we are in Guangdong! Though Taiwan offers many delightful street foods on night markets and food stalls, aside from the highly acclaimed ones (like the Braised Pork Rice and Oyster Omelet), many others... Well, they're okay, let's say so.
    • If you go there with the mindset that "Taiwan's food is heaven," you may want to lower your expectations a bit. Not that it’s bad, but compared with our Cantonese cuisine, it might feel a little lacking in soul (purely personal opinion, no need to flame me over this!).
  • Some so-called "must-see" internet-famous spots:
    • Oh my Lord! It's crowded everywhere! Just like the way we squeeze into tourist attractions during holidays. Wanting to take a picture without people all around? Good luck!
    • Some places are too commercialized, and seem to cater exclusively to tourists, rather than preserving their genuine, local charm.

• ️️️**Warning: Notes and points to be aware of for foreigners in particular!**️️️

  • On money:
    • Exchange currency beforehand! Whether you exchange it in China or at the airport in Taiwan, do it before the trip.
    • Why? Although most big stores and chain shops accept Alipay or WeChat Pay, cash is still king when it comes to things like night markets, food stalls, and many other local shops. Don't assume cashless payment will work everywhere; just in case, have enough local currency to get you through all the shopping and food experiences.
  • On transportation:
    • It's convenient to take the mass transit system in big cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung.
    • But if you want to visit more remote locations, like Kenting or Hualien, make sure to check the frequency of transport services. Decide whether renting a car, or taking the Taiwan’s "Good Journey" shuttle service (a kind of scenic site transfer bus) would fit your needs better.
  • On communication:
    • Most Taiwanese speak what we call Mandarin, but they have different accents and phrases that might lead to minor miscommunication occasionally. It's nothing major though, just slow down a bit and you'll get along well.
    • Many young people also speak English, so for foreign friends who worry about communication, you should be fine.
  • On choosing souvenirs ("gifting goods"):
    • A lot of souvenir shops mainly target tourists, as you’d expect.
    • Tip: Shop where locals go, such as supermarkets or markets, or compare prices of similar items among different shops to avoid ending up at the wrong side of the price-setting scheme.

• Final thoughts:

  • Is it worth it to travel to Taiwan? From my perspective, it's definitely worth giving it a try.
  • Just don’t set the bar too high in your fantasy, every place has its pros and cons. As for us Cantonese people traveling somewhere new, we want to taste the freshness of a different life and enjoy something unique. The key lies in having a balanced mindset!

Hope you find my review helpful and wish you a pleasant journey.

My fracture hasn't been healed for long, so I'll pass on this for now.

Well, I didn't exactly get 'humbled.' I stayed. When you're young, you should be full of energy, venture out and take risks. Even if you fail, at least when you're older, you won't feel like your whole life was predictable from the start.

There's not much to do in Shenzhen, and I'm saying this as someone who grew up here. It feels like it's just malls for shopping, eating, drinking, and afternoon tea. Even the nearby beaches aren't that impressive.

Exactly. When you've seen similar sights a few times, it's hard for them to make much of an impression.

Not there yet, still on the high-speed train.

Really? ... I can barely speak Cantonese anymore myself, and I feel pretty hopeless about it.

Walking the entire way would be unbearable.

Oh wow, what an amazing trip to Hangzhou! I must share it with everyone!

• Budget Tour Group, Destination Hangzhou!

  • It was in the off-season (the tourist low season - fewer people, possibly cheaper prices), and my sisters and I were brainstorming where to enjoy a trip. Since we are budget travelers with limited budgets, we set our sights on Hangzhou!

• Arriving at Hangzhou East Station, High Impression Value!

  • We just got off the train and arrived at Hangzhou East Station (a major station in Hangzhou). First impression? A+!
  • In contrast to the chaos at Nanjing South Station (another major city in China) when we waited for a Didi (ride-hailing service using third-party apps like taxis or private cars that are summoned by the app), full of aggressive solicitors, Hangzhou East Station was quiet. During our walk to the Didi pick-up point, we only encountered one person asking if we required a ride. After refusing, we didn't have any further trouble. Goodwill instantly skyrocketed!
  • The driver who picked us up was also super friendly! He enthusiastically recommended places worth exploring in Hangzhou. We later encountered a small mistake with the navigation set-point, but the driver, using his experience, skillfully transported us to our destination without getting flustered at all. Our good feelings towards Hangzhou rose again!

• A Sweet Incident at Wulin Square!

  • At night, we walked around Wulin Square (a famous commercial district in central Hangzhou). Three girls walking side-by-side probably obstructed the path of a delivery rider, commonly seen in Chinese cities, riding electric scooters.
  • Feeling his urgency to deliver food, he did not rage or honk recklessly; instead, sweetly shouting, "Ladies, quick sprint, run run run!" like jesting with us in a friendly manner — so cute! Our love for Hangzhou increased once more!

• The Blessings for the Forgetful: High Mores of Hangzhou Residents!

  • We three young women are rather forgetful. When something goes missing during our walks, we have no choice but to return to search.

  • However! Every time! We find our lost items returned to their original location, absolutely untouched — the residents of Hangzhou's high spirit is extraordinary! Our love extends towards the sky!

  • Travel Tip (and Praise): If you happen to lose something while traveling in Hangzhou, don’t despair yet! Quickly retraverse your route and search because the people there are great — very likely your item will still be waiting for you.

• Warmhearted Guide Beside the West Lake!

  • On the second day, we headed for the West Lake (the most famous tourist attraction in Hangzhou, a vast lake with stunning scenery). While on the bus, we were unsure about the correct stop to get off as we kept looking at the route map.
  • A friendly passer-by (locals often call strangers they perceive as older men "brother" to show respect and friendliness) approached us, asked about our destination, and advised us which stop to alight from. Are all residents of Hangzhou such warm-hearted people? So moved!

• Warm-hearted Reception Again at the Station's Luggage Storage Service!

  • On the last day, prior to heading out for sightseeing, we planned to store our luggage at a locker facility inside Hangzhou East Station. As we were at somewhat of a loss navigating our luggage into the storage facilities, another nice fellow appeared!

  • After observing our box, he said we could easily rent a large compartment and fit all the luggage inside it. To our surprise, he even offered to assist us load the luggage!

  • Reminder (From a Helpful Resident): If facing confusion about locker sizes at stations or tourist sites, don’t hesitate to approach nearby staff for guidance or politely ask locals around; warm-hearted helps are more readily accessible than expected.

Oh my goodness! Why are the people in Hangzhou all so kind and warm?

After traveling multiple times, I’ve never met a city with this many kind souls! The overall pace of life in Hangzhou feels tranquil, unpressured, unhurried. Only can I say that Hangzhou truly deserves its fame as a tourist marvel!

If you’re undecided where to travel next, I genuinely recommend Hangzhou! You Hangzhou people are simply too good and undemonstrative — allowing me to loudly acknowledge it!

Which place is that? Check mine out.

Yeah, what a huge ship!

That's terrifying! What you're all saying makes me want to head home right now.

We folks from Guangdong are just here in Shanghai to experience it for a bit, then we head back home.

It's truly a complete mess.

I've seen quite a few aerial videos online. What problem did the blogger run into?