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Posts: 7715

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Q: Do you see much of your city?

It's not just a China related question - but it's basically a thought I had recently.

 

I'm used to catching buses where I am.

 

But when I go to other cities, I'm usually on a metro to get around (or taxi). Being in a metro, underground, I miss so much of what's above me...

 

Thus - I wonder... are there bits of your town that you've never seen, because you were underground instead of above-ground?

8 years 17 weeks ago in  Transport & Travel - China

 
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Yes, but not because I'm underground.

 

I take buses / taxis most places that I can't walk to but I really don't go anywhere new much, I just don't need to and I'm kind of over my exploring phase.

 

When I do though, it's often like Wagon said, the same old things in a different place. But not always...

 

Sometimes I'll be in a different part of town looking out the window and noticing a lot of interesting restaurants I'd like to try, or maybe a street market or park that looks like it would be fun checking out one day, just for the sights and to do something different.

 

I really recommend jumping on a bus you've never been on before and just seeing where it takes you, or going out exploring on a bike. Stop for lunch in a small restaurant somewhere and get out of your everyday comfort zone. Get a little  bit lost in a new area.

 

I dunno, to me it's still kind of exciting and interesting going somewhere new, even if it's mostly the same as where you live, you never know when you'll find something cool.

 

 

 

 

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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As long as it is just different cities around the province or neighboring provinces, I don't see the point. The telecom shops are all the same. No differences to look at. Heck, even the metros are all the same.

Shining_brow:

I was thinking places more like Nanjing or Shanghai. etc....

8 years 17 weeks ago
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Scandinavian:

but then again, why would I go to Shanghai ;) 

I will always favor speed over sightseeing. In Zhuhai, when driving around I actually often take the scenic route along the South China sea rather than going from traffic light to traffic light inside the city.

8 years 17 weeks ago
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Hotwater:

Are you still in zhuhai Scandi?  ScotsAlan and are planning to drive over tomorrow for the weekend with our wives 

8 years 17 weeks ago
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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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No subway here, so I've seen most of the city.  Surprisingly, it's a lot like every other Chinese city:convenience store, hair salon, real estate agency, hair salon, restaurant, women's clothes, hair salon, convenience store...repeat.

Shining_brow:

...convenient hair restaurant salon for women's real estate...

8 years 17 weeks ago
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wagon:

I forgot the guy selling sweet potatoes out of an oil drum, bank and dessert shop.  Could you work those in?

8 years 17 weeks ago
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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Yes, but not because I'm underground.

 

I take buses / taxis most places that I can't walk to but I really don't go anywhere new much, I just don't need to and I'm kind of over my exploring phase.

 

When I do though, it's often like Wagon said, the same old things in a different place. But not always...

 

Sometimes I'll be in a different part of town looking out the window and noticing a lot of interesting restaurants I'd like to try, or maybe a street market or park that looks like it would be fun checking out one day, just for the sights and to do something different.

 

I really recommend jumping on a bus you've never been on before and just seeing where it takes you, or going out exploring on a bike. Stop for lunch in a small restaurant somewhere and get out of your everyday comfort zone. Get a little  bit lost in a new area.

 

I dunno, to me it's still kind of exciting and interesting going somewhere new, even if it's mostly the same as where you live, you never know when you'll find something cool.

 

 

 

 

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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I sometimes set a target destination. A camera shop for example. Then I just wander in a general direction towards a familiar landmark.

I done the same when I lived in London.

I do the same in my local area on the ebike. I stand my daughter on the bike and ask her what direction to go.

A few weeks ago we found a Christian Church a few hundred yards from where I work.

Amazing what you can find when you go into wandering mode Smile

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Exploration is important to me. I used to pretend I was Indiana Jones as a kid, haha. I still explore the city every chance I get. I sometimes go somewhere and walk i a random direction for an hour then explore.

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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The city where I live has no subway.

 

When I first came here I would catch a random bus, travel for 20-30 mins, get off, have a look around then catch another random bus. I did this for about a month to get a good idea of the layout of the city and to know where certain things were. It was quite confusing for a while.

 

Fast forward a few years....I like to ride my bike and take the opportunity to explore the urban villages. I have eaten some great food and found some interesting things.

 

I now know this city better than most local people. My wife calls me" xxxname of cityxxx tong"

 

This may sound great but it seems no one but me knows the names of streets.

Hotwater:

No subway but might have a sky train soon :-)

 

There are some interesting urban villages around your way. My favourite, though not so urban, is Yakou. Not been spoiled too much by ugly concrete houses. Lots of older ones falling apart though. Would love to know how to get a very long-term lease on one to renovate. 

8 years 17 weeks ago
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iWolf:

Yakou is down by Cuiheng and the former residence of Dr Sun Yat Sen? Very good seafood along the river there

8 years 17 weeks ago
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Hotwater:

Yep, in that direction, along the road out of Nanlang. Spot on about the seafood down there. Nice village with an interesting older area, including one diao lou tower

8 years 17 weeks ago
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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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My City is small. An e-bike is more sufficient. I've seen almost all of my City.

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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I have been in Shenzhen for nearly five years,but I couldn't say I am familiar with the city.Though I go out quite often,I just walk around the park nearby at most of the time.And I will move to Chengdu in the next year.

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Yeah, I really enjoy walking into unknown parts of Chinese cities to see same-o  same-o. Same style of buildings, same looking people, more or less same tasting and looking food, and the same stares, pointing, and comments like. "oh, look a foriegner is here", "hmm, I wonder why a foriegner is in this part of my city."  "dammit, more and more foriengers are coming to MY country, what the hell!", "ah, lets go greet the foriegner with a "harro"". etc.

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Don't do this, why would I? Everywhere is the same, I have my area, my hangouts and stick to it.

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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I'm the same as iWolf.  I'm quite sure I know my city better than anyone else.  And every Chinese person I know thinks this too.  I know the names of all the streets and haven't met anyone else who has even the slightest clue.

The other foreigners in this city all take cabs from home to work to the restaurant to home and likewise don't have a clue.

I should mention my city is quite small and there are only  a dozen or so foreigners here.

Most unusually for a Chinese city this place is different.  A wealthy city that is being transformed, at no doubt massive cost, into an 'International City'.

I do all my exploring by bike, easily the method for doing so.  If something requires closer inspection it's a simple matter to get off the bike and start walking.

 

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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No, because the smog usually obscures it.

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8 years 17 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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I also have a similar feeling with you. Since you live in a city, you may familiar with it. And when you new to another city, of course you may feel strange.

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8 years 16 weeks ago
 
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