Aside from work obligations, I really can’t pinpoint a single compelling reason to visit this place.
The travel posts on Red (Xiaohongshu) are always heavily edited, and even with all those filters, the visuals still don’t leave much of an impact.
Sure, some of the landscapes are decently picturesque and mildly intriguing. If you happen to be nearby, it’s not a bad idea to take a look. But spending over 30 hours in transit and dropping more than 10,000 RMB on a flight just for that? Not worth it, in my opinion.
I was constantly reminded not to roam aimlessly, not to stare at my phone while walking, and to keep my bag securely close… Doesn’t all this already suggest a certain level of chaos?
A typical meal at a restaurant usually costs around 60-70 RMB. Street food might be cheaper, but I didn’t dare to explore too much, sticking strictly to point-to-point travel [Sigh].
The locals are genuinely warm and incredibly friendly [Thumbs up], though not many speak English fluently—most rely on translation apps to communicate.
The streets carry a distinct post-war vibe, and the disparity between affluent and impoverished areas is glaringly obvious. Sitting in the car, gazing out the window, it feels eerily similar to what you’d see in American TV shows: dreary, gray skies (thanks to the predominantly rainy and overcast weather here)… The photo below showcases one of the safer, more upscale neighborhoods.
Well, I still have another 20 days to endure…
