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Breakfast in China
In western countries, breakfast tend to be different from other meals. Yogourt, a toast with jelly, choco paste, scrambled eggs.
In China, like in most Asian countries, breakfast is similar to the other meals. Rice, vegetables, meat dishes and soup.
I found it disturbing at first, but it grew on me. The breakfast buffet in hotels were actually quite good, and probably healthier than toast with jelly !
In China, like in most Asian countries, breakfast is similar to the other meals. Rice, vegetables, meat dishes and soup.
I found it disturbing at first, but it grew on me. The breakfast buffet in hotels were actually quite good, and probably healthier than toast with jelly !
Cute and comfy
When it comes to cuteness, China is unique.
It makes cute practical stuff - slippers, fluffy jackets or wind protection on scooters to keep warm.
Everyone will wear them like it's no big deal. I love it.
It makes cute practical stuff - slippers, fluffy jackets or wind protection on scooters to keep warm.
Everyone will wear them like it's no big deal. I love it.
Helpful strangers
In 2023, China was difficult for tourists. Well, for me it was. I had been to China several times, and it was never this difficult.
Before, you could pay with bills and coins. Now, Chinese people had apps for everything - gaode maps, wechat pay and alipay for payments, wechat mini-apps for public transportation, didi for rides, etc. - And those apps were mostly unusable for foreigners.
Every day life apps who became the norm during covid were simply not made for tourists. When the country opened up again, it took a while to catch up. I was too early.
So in many occasions, I found myself stuck. Unable to pay. Unable to figure out how to get somewhere.
And many times, strangers went out of their way to help me. Making phone calls for me. Getting train tickets for me. In all my travels, I have never been helped as much. And I never asked, they all did it spontaneously.
There was this subway employee who tried to sort out my SIM card problem. Seeing how I was unable to buy a subway ticket - my SIM card died at the station - he made 2 phone calls for me. A 30 minute call with multiple operators trying to fix my issue. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do in the end, but he tried so hard.
There was this woman who tried to help me get a bus ticket. I was unable to buy a ticket because the local transport app would not install on my phone. She talked to the bus officer and tried to fix things for me. Unfortuntaley, there was no solution here either.
Before, you could pay with bills and coins. Now, Chinese people had apps for everything - gaode maps, wechat pay and alipay for payments, wechat mini-apps for public transportation, didi for rides, etc. - And those apps were mostly unusable for foreigners.
Every day life apps who became the norm during covid were simply not made for tourists. When the country opened up again, it took a while to catch up. I was too early.
So in many occasions, I found myself stuck. Unable to pay. Unable to figure out how to get somewhere.
And many times, strangers went out of their way to help me. Making phone calls for me. Getting train tickets for me. In all my travels, I have never been helped as much. And I never asked, they all did it spontaneously.
There was this subway employee who tried to sort out my SIM card problem. Seeing how I was unable to buy a subway ticket - my SIM card died at the station - he made 2 phone calls for me. A 30 minute call with multiple operators trying to fix my issue. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do in the end, but he tried so hard.
There was this woman who tried to help me get a bus ticket. I was unable to buy a ticket because the local transport app would not install on my phone. She talked to the bus officer and tried to fix things for me. Unfortuntaley, there was no solution here either.
And then, this guy.
It was a national holiday, when chinese people travel to visit their family. I also had to travel that day -- not the smartest timing, but I thought it would at least be a memorable experience.
At the long distance bus station, the line for the tickets was not a good sight. After 30 minutes, I reach the cashier. The lady does not speak English. I use my little Chinese to say I want to go to Song shan. She says "No". I try to ask why it's not possible. She just says "No".
At the long distance bus station, the line for the tickets was not a good sight. After 30 minutes, I reach the cashier. The lady does not speak English. I use my little Chinese to say I want to go to Song shan. She says "No". I try to ask why it's not possible. She just says "No".
My best guess was that the tickets were sold out, which, given the crowd, made sense.
So I start thinking about my options. I notice there is a local train station next to the bus station, so I check it out.
In the hallway, this guy notices I am running out of options, and asks me what I am looking for. I explain where I am trying to go.
He tells me there are no trains to where I need to go, but there should be a bus. Since I didn't know why I was refused a ticket, he goes back in line with me. Yes, that long line. 30 minutes later, we reach the cashier and he talks to the lady. She explains to him that as a foreigner, I need an official authorisation from the police. She could not sell me the ticket without it.
So I start thinking about my options. I notice there is a local train station next to the bus station, so I check it out.
In the hallway, this guy notices I am running out of options, and asks me what I am looking for. I explain where I am trying to go.
He tells me there are no trains to where I need to go, but there should be a bus. Since I didn't know why I was refused a ticket, he goes back in line with me. Yes, that long line. 30 minutes later, we reach the cashier and he talks to the lady. She explains to him that as a foreigner, I need an official authorisation from the police. She could not sell me the ticket without it.
Now it made sense ! So we head to the police station, walk into the office of the police chief, explain the situation, and 2 minutes later, I have my authorisation paper.
We go back to the cashier and I finally get my bus ticket !
We go back to the cashier and I finally get my bus ticket !
This guy took 1 hour out of his time to help me, without me even asking, and he barely spoke English.
In one month, I must have been helped by strangers like this 4 or 5 times.
Sure, I am a foreigner and they probably feel intrigued by that. But in the west, we don't help foreigners like this. Not in my country.
China is full of people with a big heart. People who are still beautifully human.
In one month, I must have been helped by strangers like this 4 or 5 times.
Sure, I am a foreigner and they probably feel intrigued by that. But in the west, we don't help foreigners like this. Not in my country.
China is full of people with a big heart. People who are still beautifully human.
Song Shan - day 1
"The 5 Great Mountains of China" are the most renowned and sacred mountains of the country.
Song Shan is one of them.
It is a full day climb, up and down, very popular with Chinese.
Before starting the climb, I stop at Songyue pagoda, famous for being a retreat of empress Wu Ze Tian, the only female emperor of China. I had learned about the pagoda a few years ago, in a documentary about Wu Ze Tian who made a lasting impression on me. Coming here was on my todo list before I knew about Song Shan.
Song Shan is one of them.
It is a full day climb, up and down, very popular with Chinese.
Before starting the climb, I stop at Songyue pagoda, famous for being a retreat of empress Wu Ze Tian, the only female emperor of China. I had learned about the pagoda a few years ago, in a documentary about Wu Ze Tian who made a lasting impression on me. Coming here was on my todo list before I knew about Song Shan.
The pagoda was peaceful. The only other visitors are a group of 3 students. Most Chinese go straight to Song Shan.
On my way out, the guardian lady notices I am looking for my way. She sees the group heading out as well, and in typical chinese fashion, orders them to help the foreigner and take him to Song Shan !
They were a group of friends from the Shanghai area. One of their life goal is to climb the 5 Great Mountains.
I immediately felt comfortable with them and we spent the whole day together, climbing up and down the mountain for what would be a 8 or 9 hour hike.
On my way out, the guardian lady notices I am looking for my way. She sees the group heading out as well, and in typical chinese fashion, orders them to help the foreigner and take him to Song Shan !
They were a group of friends from the Shanghai area. One of their life goal is to climb the 5 Great Mountains.
I immediately felt comfortable with them and we spent the whole day together, climbing up and down the mountain for what would be a 8 or 9 hour hike.
For me the climb was epic. Spectacular, challenging, super fun. Crowded too. Chinese of all ages. Children, teenagers, students, parents, grand-parents. Every one going at their pace. Some struggling more than others, but nobody had it easy. Some 20 year-olds seemed to be struggling a lot. Yet everyone felt united in the same effort, in some type of pilgrimage atmosphere.
It took around 3 hours to climb up.
I got a lot of friendly looks from Chinese surprised and happy to see a foreigner here.
The view on top was nice, but a bit crowded for me.
When it was time to come down, instead of going back the same way, my new friends decide to take the route going down the side of the moutain. But slowly, we realize that this road is less crowded for a reason. It is significantly longer. After a while, the sun starts to come down and we are still far from the exit. We finished the last hour with the flashlights.
I love when those adventures turn challenging. Makes me feel alive.
This day checked a lot of boxes. Nature, physical activity, adventure and nice people. I loved it.
It took around 3 hours to climb up.
I got a lot of friendly looks from Chinese surprised and happy to see a foreigner here.
The view on top was nice, but a bit crowded for me.
When it was time to come down, instead of going back the same way, my new friends decide to take the route going down the side of the moutain. But slowly, we realize that this road is less crowded for a reason. It is significantly longer. After a while, the sun starts to come down and we are still far from the exit. We finished the last hour with the flashlights.
I love when those adventures turn challenging. Makes me feel alive.
This day checked a lot of boxes. Nature, physical activity, adventure and nice people. I loved it.
Song shan - day 2
Mini cars
My favourite restaurant in China
Funky brands
What
Zhengzhou Library
Journey to the West
Everyday life - Pingdingshan
Everyday life - Zhengzhou
