Duration: 8 days. Time: July. Per capita cost: 8000 yuan. With whom: Parent-child. Ways of playing: Gourmet food, self-driving, independent travel. The author went to these places: Zhengzhou Millennium Plaza, Gaochun Old Street, Mandarin Hotel Shanghai The Bund, Zhongyuan Tower, Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, Huangpu River. Published on July 19, 2021, 04:04. Preface: It is said that traveling is going from a place where one is tired of staying to a place where others are tired of staying. In fact, traveling is not only about the destination, but more importantly, the way of traveling on the road. And self-driving is the most beautiful way of traveling I can think of, without exception! So this summer vacation, take a spontaneous self-driving trip with family and children. There is no advance preparation or detailed plan. Just because of Tanya Chua’s song ‘Runaway’, start from a new intersection in a different direction and take a walk. Take children to see a different world. Perhaps there is fatigue and hardship on the journey, but novel things can always light up the excitement of life. About the itinerary. Zhengzhou: [‘Zhengzhou East Station – Millennium Plaza – Erqi Tower – Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Square’]. Nanjing: [‘Librairie Avant-Garde – The Lalu Nanjing – Gaochun Old Street’]. Wuxi: [‘Rezen One Kowloon Bay Wuxi’]. Shanghai: [‘The Bund – Songcheng Performing Arts Kingdom – Mandarin Hotel Shanghai The Bund’]. Return journey: [‘Back to Zhengzhou’]. About Zhengzhou. Ten years of rapid development has made the place where you and I live both familiar and unfamiliar. Erqi Tower, Zhongyuan Tower, Olympic Sports Center, CBD Corn Tower, Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Hall… The once green city has been replaced by numerous high-rise buildings rising from the ground. The new rise of one landmark after another also witnesses the historical development of this city. Time flies, and youth is only left with a tail. While still maintaining a young mindset, let’s take a good tour of this city where we are tired of staying! Zhengzhou East Station welcomes and sends off countless passengers every day. This is also a place I often visit on business trips. Passing by again and again, feeling it again and again. It is familiar so it is relatively friendly. As soon as you exit the station, you can see the Twin Towers, one of the landmarks often photographed by photographers. It can also be regarded as one of Zhengzhou’s first postcards! You can see the whole view of Zhengzhou from many rooftops in the urban area. Here is one of the places with the most comprehensive and widest view. Those familiar ground buildings have a different feeling from another angle. When the weather is good, the mountains in Xingyang are also within sight! The 388-meter-high Zhongyuan Tower is currently the tallest all-steel structure in the world. At this moment, it is only a corner of Zhengzhou. At an altitude of 284 meters, blowing the chilly wind, as the sun sets, overlooking Zhengzhou, there are numerous high-rise buildings. The bustling streets represent the development of Zhengzhou in recent years. This small city that belongs to me contains too much beauty. It is also advancing towards internationalization at a rapid pace… Millennium Plaza. The CBD is the best proof of the development of this city. Every big city has a beautiful and prosperous CBD. The Millennium Plaza, known as the ‘tallest building in Central Plains’, stands in the center of CBD in Zhengdong New District and deservedly becomes the landmark here.
In the night, from afar, the building appears entirely yellow, resembling a giant ‘corn cob’. It’s indeed a good choice to sit here in leisure time, not only for tourists but also for residents who take this place as a leisure spot. The clean lake water, modern high-rise buildings, and vast green areas all exude the aura of a metropolis! Once, the Zhengzhou of the past was small, and the Erqi Tower was tall; from the top of the tower, one could see the edge of the city. Today, the Erqi Tower still stands in the heart of the bustling city, surrounded by high-rise buildings, but its historical height of 63 meters is unsurpassable. We have passed by this place countless times but have never climbed it, perhaps because it is a familiar sight right at our doorstep. The纪章 Memorial Square in Zhengdong New District is Zhengzhou’s most dazzling business card towards internationalization. The overall planner and designer is the world-renowned architect, 紀章 himself, hence the public art center named after the designer in the North Longhu of Zhengzhou – the 紀章 Memorial Square. With white as the main tone, the circular building is constructed on a vast green meadow, with subtle wood-colored accents full of modern artistic sense. Even in the rain, many people come to take photos; it has become a photography hotspot even before its opening! The lawn is off-limits, but the cement path on the slope is a good place to stop. Both the front and side views are excellent photo spots. The combination of people and architecture feels different under various weather conditions. In fact, there are many places to visit around Zhengzhou besides the city center. The significance of Zhengzhou food travel comes in many forms: for the unique scenery, for the long-standing cultural history, and for the joyous dance of taste buds on the tongue. The taste of life in a place is always closely linked to local cuisine. The legend of the Central Plains is not only the unchanging history over thousands of years but also the various Henan dishes born and grown here. Zhengzhou stewed noodles are a type of pasta that most people can accept and love. Compared to the stewed noodles eaten in other cities, the authentic taste can be found at Zhengzhou’s Heji, Xiaoji, and the western suburbs’ Yufengyuan, and Sanchang stewed noodles. Fang Zhongshan’s spicy soup is also a gathering place for Zhengzhou’s breakfast crowd. High-quality spicy soup paired with oil cakes and beef pies seems to give a reason to get out of bed every morning… Banu Hotpot is also a recommended choice for out-of-town friends. There are so many hotpots in the world, but there are not many places where you can enjoy Banu. Since you are in Zhengzhou, you might as well experience it; the service and taste are not inferior to Haidilao, of course, the price is not far behind either. In fact, most Henan dishes have integrated the characteristics of various regional cuisines, becoming the most unremarkable cuisine, which in turn satisfies the tastes of people from all regions.
Beyond the recommended dishes, those seemingly ordinary home-cooked meals also offer delightful flavors, worthy of your slow and savoring taste. The memory of a day’s high-speed journey in Nanjing leaves behind not only fatigue but also the exhilaration of a refreshing escape! In fact, all cities are more or less similar; some people want to come in, while others want to leave. I still remember the bookstore I visited many years ago—a quiet and beautiful place. The faint music, the leisurely rotating ceiling fans, sofas available everywhere to sit on, and posters filled with ‘independent’ colors. Not far away, the faint aroma of coffee wafts through the air… These seemingly mismatched elements, when combined, become the ‘Pioneer Bookstore’. This cultural landmark that Nanjing residents take pride in successfully transformed around 2008, becoming a cultural venue recognized by both scholars and the ‘yuppie’ crowd. Each book is a story, and each bookstore is a world. With greenery on both sides, walking downhill to the entrance, the shelves placed at the door quietly stand here to welcome every customer. Upon entering, instead of books, you are greeted by a whole row of various postcards—hand-drawn, printed, black and white, colored, scenic, portrait, and more. If time allowed, I would really want to spend the whole day here, or perhaps greedily take all these books away… But at this moment, I can only take these photos, leaving them in my memory, and finally, I completely understand the regret of being a passerby. Further inside, there is a long corridor… Neatly arranged with various books, the owner’s meticulous arrangement fills every corner with an artistic atmosphere. The disorderly yet orderly ropes filled with postcards and train tickets from all over the place… Some write of missing, some of sorrow, and others of vows and happiness. For a moment, I was mistaken in thinking that this was not a bookstore, yes! This is not just a bookstore, because here I have everything I like about literature and art… I like such a place full of love, I like the handicrafts, arranged here in rows, filled with warmth and tenderness. This seems not just a bookstore, but also the sustenance for a group of people. No matter where you go, you will always encounter foreign friends who are not shy in front of the camera and give you a big smile. Following the alleyways, seeking a trace of persistence, take away a book, some photos, and some postcards without addresses. The bookstore is not just a place for book transactions, but also a yearning for the spiritual world. Nanjing’s food, accommodation, and travel are always in a hurry, and a day on the road will inevitably bring some fatigue. A good hotel is the most important choice during the journey.
This time, we chose to stay once again at the Nanjing Hanbi Lou Hotel, allowing the family to experience the comfort it offers. It’s a hotel that allows me to find tranquility. From the first encounter with Nanjing Hanbi Lou, I fell in love with the leisurely lifestyle here! In the early morning, there’s a relaxed breakfast that can be ordered to your room. As the sun sets, the lawn is the perfect spot for afternoon tea, and at night, the special turndown service, a glass of red wine, and a relaxing bath mark the end of a day filled with both physical and mental enjoyment… I particularly admire the architectural design of Nanjing Hanbi Lou, which takes the central axis as the main theme, complemented by water features and bamboo elements, creating an enclosed courtyard water feature that exudes a sense of Zen comfort, echoing the beauty of Chinese gardens! The lobby bar, book bar, fitness center, and other public areas all have their own unique aesthetic appeal! The guest rooms offer endless river views, and the first sight upon entering the room is one of sudden enlightenment. Sitting in front of the panoramic glass windows to drink tea and bask in the sun, or standing on the balcony to feel the breeze from the river, is incredibly pleasant, which is the life one should experience when staying at a hotel. In addition to comfortable rooms and bedding, good food is essential for a good mood! We experienced all the restaurants at Nanjing Hanbi Lou. From the abundant buffet, to the extremely delicious Chinese cuisine, to the exquisite Western meals, every dish was a delightful surprise! The leisurely time at Gao Chun Old Street, with the gentle breeze and light rain, is my impression of this place. Located in the southern part of Nanjing, it is known as the backyard and southern gate of Nanjing, and is the first ‘International Slow City’ awarded by the World Slow City Alliance in China. On a whim, we drove from Nanjing into this small town, and the fresh greenery along the way was invigorating. A wonderful journey is always inseparable from good food. Huajian Hall is a well-known inn in Gao Chun, and the food served there is also very distinctive. Moreover, its location is very convenient, right across from Gao Chun Old Street. Thus, the restaurant of this artistically特色的 homestay marked the beginning of our new day’s journey. The rain in Jiangnan is gentle and lingering, not abrupt, and there is always a long prelude before it arrives, giving people time to prepare their umbrellas. As pedestrians open their umbrellas, the drizzling rain begins its long performance. It hits the tiles, flows down along the eaves, splashes on the newly sprouted leaves, and drips onto the umbrellas placed outside by pedestrians. The outside light rain is long and leisurely, and the life on the streets is relaxed. When people think of Jiangnan, their minds always conjure up such images: black and white elegance, horse-head walls, and small green tiles. On the ancient streets, next to the white walls and black tiles, a few early trees seem to grow within the walls, and the nourishing rain also moistens this beautiful scene. These remembered images are of the Huizhou that one is infatuated with in a lifetime, of the ancient town with small bridges and flowing water, but they seem to have nothing to do with Gao Chun Old Street.
Duration: 8 days. Time: July. Per capita cost: 8000 yuan. With whom: Parent-child. Ways of playing: Gourmet food, self-driving, independent travel. The author visited these places: Qianxi Square in Zhengzhou, Gaochun Old Street, Manxin Hotel on the Bund, Zhongyuan Tower, Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, Huangpu River. Posted on July 19, 2021, 04:04. Preface: It is said that traveling is going from a place where one is tired of staying to a place where others are tired of staying. In fact, traveling is not only about the destination, but more importantly, the way of traveling on the road. And self-driving is the most beautiful way of traveling I can think of, without exception! So this summer vacation, take a spontaneous self-driving trip with family and children. There is no advance planning or detailed plan. Just because of a song ‘Runaway’ by Tanya Chua, start from a new intersection in a different direction and take a walk. Take children to see a different world. Perhaps there is fatigue and hardship during the journey, but novel things can always light up the excitement of life. About the itinerary. Zhengzhou: [Zhengzhou East Station – Qianxi Square – Erqi Tower – Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Square]. Nanjing: [Librairie Avant-Garde – The Lalu Nanjing – Gaochun Old Street]. Wuxi: [Rezen One Nine Kowloon Bay Garden Hotel]. Shanghai: [The Bund – Songcheng Performing Arts Kingdom – Manxin Hotel]. Return trip: [Back to Zhengzhou]. About Zhengzhou. Ten years of rapid development has made the place where you and I live both familiar and unfamiliar. Erqi Tower, Zhongyuan Tower, Olympic Sports Center, CBD Maize Tower, Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Hall… The former green city has been replaced by numerous high-rise buildings rising from the ground. The new rise of one landmark after another also witnesses the historical development of this city. Time flies, and youth is only left with a tail. While still maintaining a young mindset, let’s take a good tour of this city where we are tired of staying! Zhengzhou East Station welcomes and sees off countless passengers every day. This is also a place I often visit on business trips. Passing by again and again, feeling again and again. It is familiar so it is relatively friendly. As soon as you exit the station, you can see the Twin Towers, one of the landmarks that are often photographed by photographers. It can also be regarded as one of the first postcards of Zhengzhou! From many rooftops in the urban area, you can see the whole view of Zhengzhou. Here is one of the places with the most comprehensive and widest view. Those familiar ground buildings have a different feeling from another angle. When the weather is good, the mountains in Xingyang are also within sight! The 388-meter-high Zhongyuan Tower is currently the world’s tallest all-steel structure. At this moment, it is only a corner of Zhengzhou. At an altitude of 284 meters, blowing the chilly wind, as the sun sets, overlooking Zhengzhou, there are numerous high-rise buildings. The bustling streets represent the development of Zhengzhou in recent years. This small city that belongs to me has carried too many beautiful things. It is also advancing towards internationalization at a rapid speed… Qianxi Square. The CBD is the best proof of the development of this city. Every big city has a beautiful and prosperous CBD. The Qianxi Square, known as the ‘tallest building in Central Plains’, stands in the center of CBD in Zhengdong New District and justifiably becomes the landmark here.
In the night, looking from afar, it is all yellow and looks like a ‘big corn’. Sitting here in leisure time is indeed a good choice. Not only tourists but also citizens regard this place as a leisure place. Clean lake water, new-style high-rise buildings, and large areas of greenery give off an air of a metropolis! Erqi Tower. In the past, Zhengzhou was very small and the Erqi Tower was very tall. Climbing to the top of the tower, what you could see was the edge of the city. Now the Erqi Tower still stands in the center of the busy city, surrounded by high-rise buildings. But the historical scale of 63 meters cannot be surpassed. We have passed this place countless times but have never climbed up. Perhaps this is the scenery at our doorstep, a kind of familiarity. Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Square. Zhengdong New District is Zhengzhou’s brightest business card towards the international stage. The overall planner is the world-renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa himself. Therefore, in Beilong Lake of Zhengzhou, there is this public art center named after the designer – Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Square. With white as the keynote, the circular building is built on a large expanse of green meadow. The faint embellishment of the original wood color is full of modern artistic sense. Even when it is raining, many people come to take pictures. It has really become a photography holy land before it even opens! The lawn is prohibited from being trampled on. However, the cement path on the slope is a good place to stop. The front and side are both good shooting positions. In different weather, the combination of people and architecture gives a different feeling. In fact, in addition to the urban area, there are also many places to play around Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou cuisine. The meaning of travel has many kinds. For the unique beautiful scenery, for the long human history, and also for the cheerful beating of taste buds on the tip of the tongue. The taste of life in a place is always inextricably linked with delicious food. The legend of the Central Plains is not only the unchanging history for thousands of years but also these various Henan cuisines born and grown here. Zhengzhou stewed noodles are a kind of pasta that most people can accept and love. Compared with the stewed noodles eaten in other cities, the Zhengzhou Stewed Noodles from Heji, Xiaoji, Yufengyuan in the western suburbs, and the Third Factory Stewed Noodles are the authentic taste. Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup is also a gathering place for Zhengzhou people’s breakfast. High-quality spicy soup with oil cakes and beef cakes seems to give people motivation to get up every time they think about it… Banu hot pot is also a good choice recommended to friends from other places. There are so many hot pots in the world but there are really not many places where you can eat Banu. Since you are in Zhengzhou, you might as well go and feel it. The service and taste are not worse than Haidilao. Of course, the price is not much different either. In fact, most Henan cuisines combine the characteristics of various cuisines from all over the country and become a cuisine with the least unique features of its own. And this point precisely meets the tastes of people from all regions.
In addition to the recommended items, those seemingly ordinary home-cooked dishes also have delicious tastes and are worth savoring slowly. Memories of Nanjing. After a day of high-speed driving, what is left is not only fatigue but also a hearty escape! In fact, all cities are more or less the same. Some people want to come in, and some people want to leave. I still remember the bookstore I visited many years ago. It is quiet and beautiful. Faint music, ceiling fans spinning slowly overhead, sofas available everywhere to sit on, posters full of ‘independent’ colors. Not far away, there is also a faint aroma of coffee… These things that seem out of place in a bookstore, when combined together, become the ‘Librairie Avant-Garde’. This cultural landmark that Nanjing people are proud of successfully transformed around 2008 and became a literary and artistic place that can be recognized by scholars and ‘petty bourgeois’ people at the same time. Every book is a story, and every bookstore is a world. Accompanied by the greenery on both sides, walk down the slope to the entrance. The shelf placed at the entrance stands quietly here to welcome every customer. As soon as you enter, what greets you is not books one by one, but a whole row of various postcards. Hand-painted, printed, black and white, colored, landscapes, portraits, all kinds. If there were enough time, I really want to soak here for a whole day. Or I really want to be greedy and take all these books away… But at this moment, I can only take these photos and keep them in my memory. Finally, I thoroughly understand the regret of being a passerby in a hurry. Walking further inside, there is a long corridor… Neatly stacked with various books. The careful arrangement of the store owner makes every corner full of literary and artistic atmosphere. The messy but orderly hemp ropes become a decorative wall. The postcards and train tickets from all over the place clipped by the hemp ropes… Some are filled with thoughts, some with sorrow, or vows and happiness. For a moment, I mistakenly think this is not a bookstore. Yes! This is not just a bookstore because here are all the literary and artistic things I like… I like such a place full of love. I like handicrafts. The handicrafts arranged in rows here are full of warmth and tenderness. This seems to be not just a bookstore but also the sustenance of a group of people. Wherever you go, you will meet foreign friends who are not shy in front of the camera and give you a big smile. Follow the alley to search, feel a trace of persistence, and take away a book, some photos, and some postcards without addresses. A bookstore is not only a place for book transactions but also the yearning of the spiritual world. Accommodation and food in Nanjing. Travel is always in a hurry. After a day on the road, there will be more or less some fatigue. A good hotel is the most important choice in a trip.
This time, I chose to stay at The Lalu Nanjing again to let my family feel the comfort here. It is a hotel where I can calm down. When I first met The Lalu Nanjing, I fell in love with the lazy life here. In the early morning, there is a breakfast that can be reserved in the room without haste. At sunset, there is still afternoon tea time on the lawn. At night, with special turndown service, take a sip of red wine and take a bath. The whole day is spent enjoying the body and mind… I really like the architectural design of The Lalu Nanjing. With the central axis as the main melody, combined with water feature culture and bamboo forest elements, the atrium water feature surrounded by the enclosed building is Zen-like and comfortable, and one can see the shadow of the beauty of Chinese gardens! The lobby bar, book bar, gym and other public areas all have remarkable beauty! The guest room has an endless river view. At first glance when entering the room, there is a sudden feeling of openness. Sitting in front of the panoramic glass window, drinking tea and basking in the sun, or standing on the balcony and enjoying the river view breeze. How pleasant it is. This is the life that staying in a hotel should have. In addition to comfortable rooms and bedding, only when you eat well can you be in a good mood! I experienced all the restaurants of The Lalu Nanjing. The sumptuous buffet, super delicious Chinese food and exquisite Western food. Every dish will not disappoint! Leisure time in Gaochun Old Street. With gentle breeze and drizzle, this is my impression of Gaochun. Located in the south of Nanjing, it is known as the back garden and south gate of Nanjing. It is the first ‘International Slow City’ in China awarded by the World Slow Cities Union. On an impulse, I drove into this small town from Nanjing, and the fresh greenery along the way greeted me. A beautiful journey is always inseparable from delicious food. Huajiantang is a relatively famous inn in Gaochun, and the meals of the inn are also very distinctive. Moreover, its location is very convenient, just opposite Gaochun Old Street. Therefore, the restaurant of this inn with literary characteristics starts a new day’s journey for us. The rain in the south of the Yangtze River is gentle and lingering, not abrupt. There is always a long notice before it comes, giving people time to prepare umbrellas. When pedestrians hold up their umbrellas, the pattering rain begins its long performance. It hits the tiles, drips down along the eaves, splashes on the newly grown leaves, and then drops on the umbrellas placed outside by pedestrians. The drizzle outside is long, and the life on the street is leisurely. When it comes to the south of the Yangtze River, such pictures always appear in people’s minds. Black and white, simple and elegant, horse-head walls, and small black tiles. On the ancient street, by the white walls and black tiles, several early trees seem to grow in the wall. The drizzle that moistens everything is also nourishing this wonderful picture. These pictures in memory are Huizhou, a place of eternal infatuation in one’s life, and ancient towns with small bridges and flowing water. But it seems that they have nothing to do with Gaochun Old Street.
Prior to Gaochun, there was indeed no connection, but after Gaochun, the Jiangnan rain also fell upon Zhenjiang. The history and soul of a city often condense into an ancient street. In this era where history and modernity blend, Gaochun Old Street has become the most authentic portrayal of the past. Some of the original residents still live here, and the shop doors remain as they were, with door slabs sliding into door frames. After the rain, Gaochun Old Street has a bit more dampness, but the streets remain as clean as ever. Walking along the stone-paved road towards the depths of the old street, one finds the Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, which narrates the historical changes, lifestyle characteristics, and language culture of Gaochun. After a visit, a vivid image of Gaochun involuntarily springs to life in one’s mind! Located between Jiangsu and Anhui, Gaochun’s main drama form is Xiqu, formerly known as Tanhuang, a significant branch of the storytelling arts in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, originating from the ancient Wu songs. The main forms of expression include mountain songs and tunes, ballads, storytelling, Xuanjuan, and Huagutanhuang, among others. The local dialect nurtures the people of the region, and it is a sentiment that expresses the most genuine emotions… Dialect is an emotional complex, expressing the most authentic attachment to one’s hometown. Gaochun’s historical expert, Puyang Kangjing, informed Mr. Shi Tou that the official name of Gaochun Old Street is ‘Zhongshan Street’. This street, which dates back to the Song Dynasty and was originally called ‘Zhengyi Street’, was renamed ‘Zhongshan Street’ in the early years of the Republic of China to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and this name has been in use ever since. How many sounds of rain have these doors and windows heard, and how many years have they witnessed? As the sun rises and sets, people come and go. After many years, at those places that have stood for a hundred years, they still attract attention, not for any other reason, but because they have fallen behind the times. Yet in this flashy society, the old street attracts us to quietly approach. The meaning of travel is to go to more places, to see the more beautiful distances, or the sunrise and sunset, or the corners of the streets. Nature and life, capturing those scenes with a camera and complementing them with words, make for a complete and enchanting journey. On the streets and in the alleys, those who live here continue their lives and peaceful happiness. Vacationing in Wuxi and encountering the Licheng Hotel Wuxi is a livable city. Upon arrival at the Jiulongwan Licheng Garden Hotel in the evening, passing through the hotel’s main gate and along a winding path, a large expanse of lake water comes into view. As the sky gradually darkens, the blue sky collides with the warm yellow lights, creating a beautiful scene! The Jiulongwan Licheng Garden Hotel is located in the Jiulongwan Valley of the Lianhua Mountains in Wuxi City, covering an area of over 400 acres with a total construction area of 27,000 square meters. Nestled against the mountains and waters, with lush green grass, it is a particularly suitable place for leisure, vacation, and tourism! The enclosed guest rooms visually expand the hotel, and the sightseeing elevators and leisure tables and chairs add more leisurely atmosphere to this corner! In the evening, light a mosquito coil, sit here to enjoy some tea, and the tranquil time is also a nice enjoyment.
Perhaps in the book bar next to the lobby, telling children stories, accompanying them to watch a movie, casting aside the trivialities and fatigue of life, and filling time with small expectations and joy. For this trip, a family suite was chosen from various room types, decorated warmly and comfortably, with bright yellow bed sheets that the child loves, and a cute little tent, which the child was eager to play with inside upon entering the room! The room is thoughtfully equipped with many small toys, a bathroom with a wet and dry separation, a spacious area, and comes with a children’s special toiletry kit, toilet seat, footstool, and even a cute dinosaur pajamas. The happiness of children is really simple～It’s very happy to take out time to bring her out this time, away from electronic products, to feel the magic of nature, a ladybug can make her watch for a long time, hiding in the Li Cheng Hotel for two or three days is the most relaxed days of this trip, without any arrangements to visit scenic spots, without the hustle of going out early and coming back late, just staying in the hotel to enjoy every moment of the holiday life! The hotel’s food, about the Hua Ting restaurant’s food, I highly recommend! With local characteristics, the improved Wuxi creative dishes taste really good, the ingredients are fresh, and you can have different lunch and dinner every day for three days, and both the appearance and taste are excellent! Or in the evening, let the hotel set up a tent for free, sit in the breeze, drink tea and chat, and enjoy the holiday more wantonly! Then have an outdoor barbecue, the stove is free and the food cost is only over a hundred, it’s hard to believe that a resort hotel’s catering can be so affordable! Surrounding the hotel for play in the morning, accompanied by the fragrance of flowers and plants, jogging, yoga, and enjoying flowers in the natural oxygen bar are all part of the vacation mode of the Garden Li Cheng Hotel! You can accompany friends and family to pick in the fields in the afternoon, drink tea in the courtyard, and watch the most beautiful sunset by the lake! You can also go to the Hua Xing Qiu in the Jiu Long Wan Hua Cai Town owned by the hotel to enjoy the flowers and watch the light show! There are thousands of plants that bloom all year round, and the light show is a welfare program held during the summer vacation! Shanghai City has been to Shanghai more than once, and every time it has different feelings, this place called the Magic Capital, carrying many people’s dreams, and for me, it is just a city to see and leave, so with this mentality, you can play more unrestrainedly. The Bund is still bright with lights, and the busy streets are full of passers-by, some of whom may be tourists like me who are in a hurry, and some may be Shanghai people who have struggled here for many years, rooted or unrooted… and our eyes are only on these cityscapes that photographers have taken many times! The Magic Capital Shanghai, the long-awaited performing arts park Shanghai Songcheng Performing Arts Kingdom is different from the past Qian Gu Qing scenic area, located on the Huangpu River side of the World Expo Park, the entire building from the first to the sixth floor, each floor has different surprises! Many indoor programs also add some coolness to summer travel, which is a must-visit project in Shanghai.
Duration: 8 days. Time: July. Per capita cost: 8000 yuan. With whom: Parent-child. Ways to play: Gourmet food, self-driving, independent travel.
The author visited these places: Zhengzhou Millennium Plaza, Gaochun Old Street, Bund, Manxin Hotel, Zhongyuan Tower, Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, Huangpu River.
In the night, looking from afar, it is all yellow and looks like a ‘big corn’. It is indeed a good choice to sit here in leisure time. Not only tourists but also citizens regard this place as a leisure spot. Clean lake water, new-style high-rise buildings, and large areas of greenery give off an air of a metropolis! Erqi Tower. In the past, Zhengzhou was very small and the Erqi Tower was very high. Climbing to the top of the tower, what you can see is the edge of the city. Now the Erqi Tower still stands in the center of the busy city and is surrounded by high-rise buildings. But the historical scale of 63 meters cannot be surpassed. We have passed by this place countless times but have never climbed up. Perhaps this is the scenery at our doorstep, a kind of habit. Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Square. Zhengdong New District is the brightest business card for Zhengzhou to move towards the international stage. The overall planner is the world-famous architect Kisho Kurokawa himself. Therefore, in Beilong Lake of Zhengzhou, there is this public art center named after the designer – Kisho Kurokawa Memorial Square. With white as the keynote, the circular building is built on a large expanse of green meadow. The faint original wood color decoration is full of modern artistic sense. Even when it is raining, many people come to take pictures. It has really become a photography holy land before it is even opened! The lawn is prohibited from being trampled on. However, the cement path on the slope is a good place to stay. The front and side are both good shooting positions. Under different weather conditions, the combination of people and architecture gives a different feeling. In fact, in addition to the urban area, there are also many places to play around Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou cuisine. There are many meanings of travel. For the unique beautiful scenery, for the long human history, and also for the cheerful beating of taste buds on the tip of the tongue. The taste of life in a place is always inextricably linked with delicious food. The legend of the Central Plains is not only the unchanging history for thousands of years but also these various Henan cuisines born and grown here. Zhengzhou stewed noodles are a kind of pasta that most people can accept and love. Compared with the stewed noodles eaten in other cities, the Heji, Xiaoji stewed noodles in Zhengzhou, and Yufengyuan and No.3 Factory stewed noodles in the western suburbs are the authentic tastes. Fang Zhongshan’s spicy soup is also a gathering place for Zhengzhou people’s breakfast. High-quality spicy soup with deep-fried cakes and beef pies seems to give people the motivation to get up every time they think of it… Banu hot pot is also a good choice recommended to friends from other places. There are so many hot pots in the world, but there are really not many places where you can eat Banu. Since you are in Zhengzhou, you might as well go and feel it. The service and taste are not worse than Haidilao. Of course, the price is not much different either. In fact, most Henan cuisines combine the characteristics of major cuisines from all over the country and become the cuisine with the least unique characteristics. And this point precisely meets the tastes of people from various regions.
In addition to the recommended dishes, those seemingly ordinary home-cooked meals also offer delightful flavors, worthy of your slow and savoring taste. A day of high-speed driving in Nanjing leaves behind not only fatigue but also the exhilaration of a refreshing escape! In truth, all cities are more or less similar; some people want to come in, while others wish to leave. Do you remember the bookstore I visited many years ago? It was tranquil and beautiful. Subtle music, a ceiling fan rotating leisurely above, sofas available everywhere, and posters filled with an ‘independent’ vibe. Not far away, a faint aroma of coffee wafts through the air… These elements, seemingly mismatched with a bookstore, when combined, create the ‘Pioneer Bookstore.’ This cultural landmark, a source of pride for Nanjing locals, successfully transformed around 2008 into a literary venue recognized by both scholars and the ‘petit bourgeoisie.’ Each book is a story, and each bookstore is a world.
Accompanying the greenery on both sides, as you walk downhill to the entrance, you’ll find a shelf standing quietly at the door to welcome every customer. Upon entering, instead of books, you’re greeted by a row of various postcards—hand-drawn, printed, black and white, colored, scenic, and portrait. If time allowed, I would love to spend a whole day here or, perhaps more greedily, take all these books with me… But for now, I can only capture these photos to keep in my memory, finally understanding the regret of being a fleeting passerby. Further inside, there’s a long corridor… Neatly arranged are various books, and the owner’s meticulous arrangement fills every corner with a literary atmosphere. Disorderly yet orderly, the hemp ropes stretched across become a decorative wall, filled with postcards and tickets from all over, perhaps carrying thoughts of longing, sorrow, or promises and happiness. For a moment, I was mistaken in thinking this wasn’t a bookstore. Yes! It’s not just a bookstore because it has everything I love about literature… I love such a place filled with love. I love the handicrafts, lined up here, filled with warmth and tenderness. It seems not just a bookstore but also a sanctuary for a group of people. Wherever you go, you’ll encounter foreign friends who are unabashed in front of the camera, offering you a big smile. Following the alleyways, feeling a sense of persistence, taking away a book, some photos, and some postcards without addresses, the bookstore is not just a place for book transactions but also a longing for the spiritual world. Nanjing’s food, lodging, and travel are always in a hurry, and a day on the road will inevitably bring some fatigue. A good hotel is the most important choice during travel.This time, we chose to stay at the Hanbilou Hotel in Nanjing again, allowing the family to experience the comfort here! It is a hotel that can make me calm down. From the first encounter with Hanbilou, I fell in love with the leisurely life here! In the early morning, there is a leisurely breakfast that can be ordered to the room. As the sun sets, the lawn is still the time for afternoon tea, and at night, there is a special bed-opening service, followed by a sip of red wine and a bath. The whole day is spent in the enjoyment of body and mind… I really like the architectural design of Hanbilou, with the central axis as the main theme, combined with water culture and bamboo elements, and the enclosed courtyard water features create a Zen-like comfort, where you can see the beauty of Chinese gardens! The lobby bar, book bar, gym, and other public areas all have commendable aesthetics! The rooms offer endless river views, and the first sight upon entering the room is a sudden enlightenment. Sitting in front of the panoramic glass windows to drink tea and bask in the sun, or standing on the balcony to feel the breeze of the river view, it’s too comfortable. This is the life that should be enjoyed in a hotel. In addition to comfortable rooms and bedding, good food is essential for a good mood! We have experienced all the restaurants at Hanbilou in Nanjing. The abundant buffet, delicious Chinese food, and exquisite Western food, every dish is satisfying! Gaochun Old Street’s leisurely time, gentle breeze and light rain, this is my impression of Gaochun, located in the south of Nanjing, known as the backyard and southern gate of Nanjing, it is the first ‘International Slow City’ awarded by the World Slow City Alliance in China. On impulse, we drove from Nanjing to this small town, and the fresh greenery came face to face all the way. A good journey is always inseparable from good food. Huajian Hall is a well-known inn in Gaochun, and the food at the inn is also very distinctive. Moreover, the location here is very convenient, right opposite Gaochun Old Street. Therefore, the restaurant of this artistically featured B&B has started our new day’s journey. The rain in Jiangnan is gentle and lingering, not abrupt, and there is always a long forecast before it comes, giving people time to prepare umbrellas. Pedestrians hold their umbrellas, and the patter of rain begins its long performance. It hits the tiles, drips down along the eaves, splashes on the newly sprouted leaves, and drips on the umbrellas placed outside by pedestrians. The outside light rain is long, and the life on the street is leisurely. When it comes to Jiangnan, people’s minds always appear such a picture, black and white elegance, horse head walls, and small green tiles. On the ancient streets, beside the pink walls and black tiles, a few early trees seem to grow in the walls, and the moistening rain is also moistening this beautiful picture. These memories of the picture are the Huizhou that one is infatuated with in a lifetime, and the ancient town with small bridges and flowing water, but it seems that there is no relationship with Gaochun Old Street.
Before Gaochun, there was indeed no connection. After Gaochun, the rain in the south of the Yangtze River also falls on Zhenjiang. The history and soul of a city often condense in an ancient street. In this era where history and modernity blend, Gaochun Old Street has become the most true portrayal in the past. Some original residents still live here. The doors of shops are still made of wooden planks inserted into door frames. After the rain, Gaochun Old Street has a bit more moisture, but the street still maintains its original cleanliness. Walking along Gaochun Old Street on the stone pavement and going deep into the old street, the Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall located in the old street tells about the changes of times, living characteristics, language and culture of Gaochun. After visiting all the way, a vivid Gaochun can’t help but jump in the mind! Gaochun is located between Jiangsu and Anhui. The drama is mainly Xiju. Previously known as Tanhuang, Xiju is a major tributary of rap art in the areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It originated from the ancient Wu songs. The main forms of expression include mountain songs and ditties, storytelling and ballad singing with stringed instruments, religious scriptures chanting, and flower-drum Tanhuang. One side of water and soil nourishes one side of people. Dialects are connected with the hearts of rural people. Dialects are an emotion. They most truly express simple emotions… Dialects are a complex. They express the most real attachment to one’s hometown. According to Puyang Kangjing, an expert on Gaochun literature and history, in fact, the official name of Gaochun Old Street is ‘Zhongshan Avenue’. This street has existed since the Song Dynasty. The old street was originally called ‘Zhengyi Street’. In the early years of the Republic of China, in order to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, it was renamed ‘Zhongshan Avenue’ and has been in use until now. This door, that window, and the stone archway in front of the house. How much rain have they heard and how many years have they witnessed? As the sun rises and sets and people come and go, after several years, in those places that have stood for a hundred years, they still attract attention. Not for anything else, just because they can’t keep up with the pace of the times. But in this flashy society, the old street just attracts us to go there silently. The meaning of traveling is to go to more places and see more beautiful distant places, either at sunrise or sunset, or in the streets and alleys. Outside nature and in life, record those pictures with a camera and add words to make a complete and graceful journey. On the streets and in the alleys, those people living here continue their lives and comfortable happiness. Vacation in Wuxi. First encounter with Rezen Hotel. Wuxi is a livable city. Arriving at Rezen Garden Hotel Kowloon Bay in the evening, passing through the hotel gate and walking along a winding path, a large lake comes into view. The gradually darkening blue sky and warm yellow lights collide to form a beautiful picture! Rezen Garden Hotel Kowloon Bay is located in the Kowloon Bay valley of Wuxi’s Lianhua Mountain Range. It covers an area of more than 400 mu and has a total construction area of 27,000 square meters. Surrounded by mountains and waters and covered with green grass, it is a particularly suitable place for leisure vacation tourism! The enclosed guest rooms make the hotel visually more open. Sightseeing elevators and small leisure tables and chairs add more leisure atmosphere to this corner! At night, light a mosquito-repellent incense stick and sit here and drink tea. The quiet time is also a good enjoyment.
Or tell stories to children in the book bar next to the lobby and watch a movie with her. Throw away the cumbersome and tired life and let the time be filled with tiny expectations and happiness. For this trip, a parent-child suite was chosen from various room types. The decoration is warm and comfortable. The bright yellow bed sheet is very liked by the baby. There is also a cute little tent. As soon as entering the room, she lies inside and plays with plasticine! Many small toys are thoughtfully placed in the room. The bathroom has a dry and wet separation. The space is spacious. It is also equipped with children’s special toiletries bag, toilet seat cover, footstool, etc. Even the pajamas are cute little dinosaurs. The happiness of children is really simple. I am very happy to take time to take her out this time. Stay away from electronic products and feel the magic of nature. A seven-spotted ladybug can make her watch for a long time. Staying in Rezen Hotel for two or three days is the most relaxing days in this trip. There is no arrangement to visit scenic spots and no busy schedule of going out early and returning late. Just stay in the hotel and enjoy every moment of vacation life!
Hotel cuisine Regarding the hotel’s cuisine in Huating Restaurant, I highly recommend it! With local characteristics and improved Wuxi creative dishes, the taste is really good. The ingredients are fresh. In three days, lunch and dinner can be different every day, and both the appearance and flavor are excellent! Or in the evening, let the hotel set up a tent for free. Sit in the breeze, drink tea and chat, and enjoy this holiday more wantonly! Then have an outdoor barbecue again. The fire is free and the cost of more than one hundred ingredients is really cost-effective. It is hard to believe that the catering of a resort hotel can be so affordable! Surrounding attractions of the hotel In the early morning, accompanied by the fragrance of flowers and plants, jogging, doing yoga, and enjoying flowers in the natural oxygen bar are all vacation modes of Garden Rezen Hotel! In the afternoon, accompany relatives and friends to pick in the fields, taste tea in the courtyard, and watch the most beautiful sunset by the lake! You can also go to Huaxingqiu in Jiulongwan Huacai Town affiliated to the hotel to enjoy flowers and watch the light show! There are more than a thousand kinds and hundreds of thousands of plants in bloom all year round. The light show is a welfare program held during the summer vacation! Enjoy the city of Shanghai to the fullest. I have been to Shanghai more than once. Every time I have a different feeling. This place called the magic city carries the dreams of many people. But for me, it is just a city to take a look and leave. Therefore, with such a mentality, I can play more recklessly. The Bund is still ablaze with lights. On the busy street are passers-by coming and going. They may be tourists who are just passing by like me, or they may be Shanghainese who have struggled here for many years and have taken root or not… And in our eyes, there are only these urban landscapes that have been photographed by photographers many times! Magic City Shanghai, check in and plant grass for a long time at the performing arts park. Shanghai Songcheng Performing Arts Kingdom is different from the previous eternal love scenic area. It is located in the Expo site by the Huangpu River. The whole building has six floors. Each floor has different surprises! Many indoor programs also add some coolness to summer play. It is a must-check project in Shanghai.On the sixth floor of the Sky Street, there is an array of creative products and the magical power of crystal balls, which can be felt here! The performance on stage for a few minutes has been practiced for years… The joy of the flash show has made many tourists stop. Free and fantastic performances of ‘Battlefire’ and ‘Ghost Ship’ can also be experienced immersively! However, the Ghost Ship is not recommended for children under 14, so I didn’t go in, it’s a true portrayal of the series that scares the timid! Of course, playing with water in summer is also an indispensable project in Songcheng. Activities such as the magical ventriloquism, forest god birds, and magical bubbles located in the outdoor area of the building are popular among children, and every child wants to get as close as possible… This is a shocking performing arts park and a wonderful fairy tale kingdom. The Elf Valley on the seventh floor is a paradise for children, where they can listen to stories, watch magical light and shadow, and also climb and slide… Don’t forget to stand on the balcony to watch a ballet and listen to a symphony… Here you can also directly enjoy the scenery of the Huangpu River; in fact, when the lights are on at night, it is the most beautiful moment here! Unfortunately, due to some reasons, I didn’t wait until then, so I missed a dazzling night view of the Huangpu River. Next time, I will have the opportunity to experience the eternal emotions of Shanghai again! Speaking of eternal emotions, it is important to mention the big plays in the scenic area. The Shanghai Songcheng Theater is divided into three performances, 399 includes one performance + ticket, and the other two performances are paid separately. In addition to the ‘Shanghai Eternal Emotion’ performance, the other two performances are the parent-child show ‘Wow! Dinosaur’ and the dining show ‘Passionate Samba’! Having seen many times of eternal emotions, I naturally chose a special play this time – ‘Passionate Samba’! For the first time, I watched the performance while eating, and the 399 ticket even saved dinner. In addition to the visual feast, the more important thing is the taste enjoyment! The show consists of many performances, gathering actors from many countries, each time it is a surprising appearance! During the performance, time is also reserved for each dish to eat, but this dining time is only an approximate time, it is very likely that I just took a few bites and had to hurry to watch the program! In addition to the program, I have to say that the catering here, whether it is the layout or the taste, has already paid back the ticket price! The atmosphere is full, and the appetite is greatly increased when the light hits the plate! Salmon salad, mushroom soup, pork ribs, dessert… Seeing these pictures again, I almost drool… ‘Passionate Samba’ is highly recommended, delicious food, visual feast, excellent experience, 60 minutes of performance, not inferior to the past eternal emotion theater! Because I chose the dining show, I didn’t take the little girl to see ‘Wow! Dinosaur’ and was criticized by her. But after watching this show, she kept praising the sisters for their beautiful dancing~ Next time, I will take her to see ‘Wow! Dinosaur’, and I believe she will definitely like it very much! Note: The performance is rich and colorful, be sure to keep the program list! This way, you can’t miss every moment of excitement! While having fun, pay attention to sun protection when watching the daytime outdoor performances! Tickets: 399 includes tickets + any one of the three theaters (‘Shanghai Eternal Emotion’ dining show ‘Passionate Samba’ ‘Wow! Dinosaur’) 158 Shanghai Songcheng Night Tour Ticket (including ‘The Great Earthquake’ performance). First acquaintance with Manxin Hotel, Manxin is the Qianmen Siheyuan in Beijing, and I fell into her design concept at once. Later, I learned about the Suzhou store, and now I am in Shanghai again, as always, I like it, Manxin life, slow time… I always thought that the hustle and bustle of cars and horses, prosperity and noise are the main tone of Shanghai, but the taste of old Shanghai is the essence of this land. Manxin Hotel is like a wisp of warmth, located at the intersection, retro, fresh, elegant… The full intelligent control in the room has a brand new experience, convenient, trouble-free, fast, and adds a perfect end to such a journey! Postscript: Life always needs to be seasoned, needs some slow, quiet, full of fireworks time! Find a moment of rest for the tired mind; also need to fluctuate, seek different, exciting, full of challenging changes! Occasionally, off-road self-driving trips are probably a little bit of excitement added to ordinary life… Go from the place you are tired of to the place others are tired of, discover different beauty, feel different lives, understand yourself, and regain your original intention. This is just a kind of life attitude, a positive life…
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