Follow me to a trip to China

[Ponypoor]

@lightm Wonderful photos of China, I love to see how other people live around the globe. We are all "one" in this life together, and seeing these photos allows us all to connect. Thank you so much for taking the time to update us!

Well stated

 

[ShrekDawg]

That is inexpensive, most hotels I stay in range around $280/night CAD. And no complimentary food at all (or disgusting pre made cereals only).

Yeah, with all of that awesome food it’s an especially good bargain. Here it’s usually disgusting “eggs” and toast or bagel and that’s it. Or cereal like you said.

 

[lightm]

I was going to say dragon fruit Its great.

How does one correctly pronounce Shaoxing?

Gosh I am so stoked with following you along your journey

Maybe like shawshing? But it won't be completely correct. It's a hard one.

 

[rural mouse]

I was going to say dragon fruit Its great.

How does one correctly pronounce Shaoxing?

Gosh I am so stoked with following you along your journey

Mandarin Chinese has 3 voiceless silibants (linguist here). English has 2. "S" pronounced like hissing snake, "Sh" as in "be quiet" and "X" pronounced about halfway in-between. (Dialectal variations can shift stuff around, but standard pronunciation is about there. Vowels are another. English has 5 written vowels and about 9 sounds (still spelled with the 5). "I" and "E" are pronounced at the front of the mouth, lips NOT rounded. "A" (short like apple) is more in the middle, mouth dropped open a bit, still unrounded lips. "O" and "U" are at the back of the mouth (near mut not into the throat), with lips rounded. Chinese, "E" is back of mouth, sort of into the throat with lips NOT rounded. "A", "I", "O", and "U" are all pronounced in about the same place in the mouth as English. However, Chinese has another vowel, "Ü" (note the dots above it). It is pronounced in the front of the mouth as if you were going to say "I" (like iffy), but either lips rounded like for "boot". "He" (river) is like trying to swallow the vowel. "Yü" (fish) at the front. Add in tones and it gets more complicated.

 

[notabitail]

Template is 21c (70f) to 37c (99f) in Beijing today.
View attachment 3541200
Beijing is just so big. Too big for my taste.

Me crossing the street. 22 seconds left.
View attachment 3541199

Bicycle lane
View attachment 3541198

Parking for scooters and bikes.
View attachment 3541197

Convenience store. This reminds me of Japanese convenience stores.
View attachment 3541196

Some rant: soooo many takeout orders in China. On the streets here, maybe a quarter of the people are delivering take-out. Crazy. So much plastic waste too. Also people look at you funny if you don't use a phone to pay for stuff. Usually you are expected to use alipay or wechat pay here.

I would be taking advantage of all the bike stuff.

 

[Isadora]

This thread has been a very interesting read, @lightm
Thanks for sharing.

 

[LhickenChicken]

I've been to Beijing too many times and this trip is more about work and friendship. So no pictures of the usual touristy spots.

I love the complimentary breakfast buffet in my hotel. I ate too much every morning.

Pastries
View attachment 3540999

Noodle and savory pancake station
View attachment 3540998

Cereals View attachment 3540997

Fruits
View attachment 3540996

Sausages View attachment 3540995

A variety of dishesView attachment 3540993View attachment 3540991

Eggs and bacon
View attachment 3540990

They have very decent coffee
View attachment 3540992


My plates. So yummy.
View attachment 3540987View attachment 3540988

All of that for BREAKFAST I will stuff myself

 

[tripletfeb]

Template is 21c (70f) to 37c (99f) in Beijing today.
View attachment 3541200
Beijing is just so big. Too big for my taste.

Me crossing the street. 22 seconds left.
View attachment 3541199

Bicycle lane
View attachment 3541198

Parking for scooters and bikes.
View attachment 3541197

Convenience store. This reminds me of Japanese convenience stores.
View attachment 3541196

Some rant: soooo many takeout orders in China. On the streets here, maybe a quarter of the people are delivering take-out. Crazy. So much plastic waste too. Also people look at you funny if you don't use a phone to pay for stuff. Usually you are expected to use alipay or wechat pay here.

I'm like you, way too crowded for me. Glad you're having fun though! Maybe I missed it somewhere but how long will you be gone?

 

[GregnLety]

Oh wow. Those train stations look way more modern that what we have over here.
How smooth was the high speed train?

Looks better than the bullet train I rode from Tokyo to Nagaoka

 

[GregnLety]

I'm sure I saw one for $75 a night. Very recently too.

Sometimes you get what you pay for..especially cheap hotel rooms