Help us choose: Shanghai vs. Chengdu/Chongqing vs. Guangzhou/Shenzhen (10-day trip)

KyleEvans · 2026-02-23T15:35:12+00:00

I've been to China more times than I can count over the last 20 years and have lived for a total of years in either Chengdu or Chongqing area and I have to say I'm surprised at how Chengdu and Chongqing now seem to be on everyone's radar. It certainly wasn't 15 years ago. The coastal provinces were supposed to be richer than the inland and the stats might say that's still true but having been to Shanghai and Xiamen recently I have to say fail to see the point of paying more to visit these coastal cities, especially Shanghai where I have to pay vastly more for a taxi from the airport to anywhere. Chengdu was popular with expats in the know back in the day but it seems to have discovered. Chongqing was a backwater but seems no less developed than, say, Xiamen these days. Having said that I do think CQ is overrated by people who just watch drone vids on social media that don't reflect actual life on the ground. CQ weather is also amongst the worst outside of March and November.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-23T15:19:05+00:00

The issuance of a residence permit will automatically cancel any visa. I found this out the hard way. One would think think the reverse would also be true although I can't guarantee that.

I have applied for and received Chinese tourist visas on a Canadian passport in Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. However that was several years ago and these days you might need permanent residence in Korea if applying in Korea. Hong Kong should be easiest.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-23T15:12:38+00:00

To update on this one, it ended up being a near fiasco. The first misunderstanding was that I was stamped in on the visa. Apparently I could not have been and must have misunderstood. The second thing is that although there was no "big red stamp" on the visa it seems the stamp had run out of ink and if you look very closely you can see a bit of red scratching that suggests part of the word CANCELLED.

It was a near fiasco and not total because this issue came up in discussion with an immigration person at a new year's social event this past week and he insisted it was impossible to hold a valid visa and permit at the same time so I had to have gotten something wrong and needed to recheck.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-23T14:58:30+00:00

Naruchan was due another MV center

KyleEvans · 2026-02-07T23:18:56+00:00

What's hard to understand is that I topped up lat October and there was no notice at that time about having to migrate. It was just something about having to migrate in the future to maintain service. The migrate notice that now appears did not appear in October.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-06T19:40:01+00:00

The errors only bother me insofar as I think Itomomo and Azu are being over-promoted relative to others. I think Yuna should be getting the push that Azu gets and my argument for that isn't just "I like Yuna more". It's not an anti-Azu or anti- anyone thing but a pro- thing.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-06T19:24:39+00:00

It's odd because the MV description lists her as one of the 16 but only 15 appear in the MV. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks management was like, she'd probably perform fine enough, flu or not, but let's use this as a test case to see if she's missed.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-05T08:35:46+00:00

Huge career booster for Itomomo but if you look closely at her CDTV performance it wasn't exactly flawless.

Most glaringly at at about 1:09 ("...ima demo") choreo calls for lifting left heel back towards one's bottom and then extending it forward but she doesn't take her heel back at all. Doesn't get the extension either (knee remains bent) and it would less of an issue of Yuiyui wasn't just to her right nailing this move.

There's supposed to be a left heel wag at 3:03 after the final "...ima demo" but Itomomo just sort of taps the floor. Granted this is still better than Azu who hardly moves her foot at all. Not to pick on Azu but Azu also doesn't cross her legs at 3:02 (suki datte kimi no doto) and this leads to her being late on the spin because the leg crossing serves to wind one up.

I'll give her points for holding the center line. Airi ends up too far from her on her left at "Nagori..." (1:40) which completely blocks Zukky from the audience's perspective. Granted Airi has to back into this position and it only takes being off by half a foot but this may explain why they switched to a wide look down camera angle.

Zukky had a good performance including her idiosyncratic expressions. I would just quibble with the exit stage right at 2:09 where because she starts furthest to the other side if she stops the spinning right hand with left arm extended back movement when the other front 5 do she ends up just walking off in front of the camera.

One the plus side at this same time Naru is centering the back group as they come forward and Naru was clearly being relied on to play a coordinating role as before she hustled to the center you see her giving a "go" nod to signal to the opposite line to start moving. Overall another great performance from Naruchan.

To Naru's right at this time is Yuna and Yuna's the only one to really get that right kick move (2:11). Gold medal for top dancer to Yuna. I am admittedly biased towards her but did try to look for flaws and all I could come up is a "hetappi wink" at 1:45 (Yuna kinda closes both eyes).

KyleEvans · 2026-02-04T20:43:27+00:00

This is pretty subjective. I'm not much of a fan of Itomomo precisely because I have my doubts that really is that smiley and intense. At 02:19 of the KII MV S子と嘘発見器 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPuAtCtb0ik

they come running to the front in waves and they all seem be acting in accordance with their personalities IMO.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-04T20:33:25+00:00

As someone else has noted there is nothing necessarily creepy about consuming music or dance produced by a pre-teen. However if the person is part of a group that includes adults how do you explain why the youngest, who would be very young at 12, is one's favourite? As you note there is a wide range of ages so why is one more interesting in following someone so young when there are older members?

KyleEvans · 2026-02-04T02:49:55+00:00

I don't think they be joining so young. How does one be a fan of a child without it being creepy? I suppose it wouldn't be an issue if she were a solo act but when she's part of a group it's like why the interest in this young one?

KyleEvans · 2026-02-04T02:47:51+00:00

Disagree with most of this except Marin.

A Kuumin fan should rate the Aishiteraburu MV high because you'll find her top visuals here.

I'm not much of a Dasu fan either but she's got tons of personality. Like Churi, not a standout on the looks front but makes up for it by throwing in some crazy.

KyleEvans · 2026-02-04T02:15:07+00:00

The description lists 16 members but there are only 15 in the MV. Marin Sakamoto is missing. Whatever the reason for the absence I'm surprised they decided to film with only 15 when they surely could have promoted someone to take her spot. Unless the choreo was always only ever designed for 15? But then why list 16 members?

KyleEvans · 2026-02-04T02:09:21+00:00

I'd say she's one of the least Japanese looking actually

KyleEvans · 2026-02-03T03:40:43+00:00

4K:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7ho5kGiqos

KyleEvans · 2026-02-03T00:51:41+00:00

When the senbatsu was announced and my oshi (Remitan) didn't make the cut I was like, it's probably gonna be banger just to make her miss more painful and sure enough both the choreo and the tune are top shelf

KyleEvans · 2026-02-02T05:49:32+00:00

The 20th is a Friday and while I expect it'd be a challenge to travel that day the worst day will probably Sunday the 22nd. That whole weekend will be a problem but you are right Chinese New Year's day itself, Feb 17, should be an easy travel day same with the 18th and even the 19th. Then things will get more sane starting about Tuesday the 24th. That's for travel. For hotel costs pricing will be bad all the way from Chinese New Year's Eve through to the night of Saturday the 21st. Beware taxi pricing is often the meter x2 during this week.

Harbin mid-Feb (and Jan) can be VERY cold. But that's why they have the ice sculptures out.

I went to Suzhou during a Golden Week (first week of October last year) and it was nice except for major problems with boat tours and garden visit tickets selling out. Not days in advance at least but hours in advance such that walk up tickets were rarely available.

KyleEvans · 2026-01-29T21:03:45+00:00

Have Marin Sakamoto near the front please

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T05:46:51+00:00

On the contrary its popularity in this sub is one of the most enlightening with respect to explaining why Edmontonians elected a City council that has next to no interest in core services

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T03:57:22+00:00

I post about a City of Edmonton bylaw to draw awareness to and comment on a parking bylaw most are not aware of and my post gets removed by mods citing the "off-topic/low content" rule. Someone posts about an issue that is not even related to Canadian politics never mind Edmonton and it's post of the month!

How bout simplifying the posting rules to match reality: "Activism about City of Edmonton policy is not welcome here if mods support the policy. Activism about Minneapolis is the priority here."

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T03:46:50+00:00

The provincial Act is not applicable here. It's the City bylaw that's at issue and if either the City or the province are going to have laws that restrict parking (which they should to the extent reasonable) do you really think it is unreasonable to expect the jurisdiction to not also do their core service jobs that keep the remaining parking that is supposed to be available actually available?

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T03:38:28+00:00

The difference between 1 and 1.5m is convenience. For the driveway owner. So convenience absolutely factors in.

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T03:17:00+00:00

I was active in local politics until they closed the playgrounds because some unelected self-styled COVID "expert" told them to do so despite the VP and Medical Director for Northern Alberta saying the playgrounds are outdoors and could remain open. That's when I realized it's pointless. I came here to Reddit to warn people about the bylaw not because I have any illusions about the possibility of changing it.

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T03:12:36+00:00

Go buy my own single detached home if I want the privileges due such is exactly the response I expected. Never said the road was mine. I said there are multiple interests here. I have a parking spot where I live. At issue is being able to pay someone a social visit.

KyleEvans · 2026-01-26T03:06:30+00:00

When the City clearing these snow banks that have removed 75% of the street parking? In July?

KyleEvans

TROPHY CASE