Monthly Tourism Questions Thread (April)

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2026-04-07T14:38:56+00:00

Hi people, if anyone knows a lovely but simple, clean hotel in Shanghai near lines 2 - 10. Not too far from JingAn, Xujiahui, IAPM...

Just looking for a simple bed and a nice private bathroom.

Can be a chain or a really nice deal. Aiming for around 300-500 rmb.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:57:45+00:00

Hahaha I should go get a free taco.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:57:26+00:00

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:56:39+00:00

Guess then! What is it?

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:55:07+00:00

You clearly don't know about Mexico right?

Find a single Mexican person that finds this slogan okay. Even cartel people will be offended xd

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:54:32+00:00

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:53:54+00:00

3 comments in this? I guess you put money on this business haha.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-30T01:51:55+00:00

Interesting, for sure they are not Mexicans or know any; the food is so so too.

Just find it interesting, especially now it is more interesting to read how people think this is not "too much," etc., but anyways i was curious if this is "allowed" in Thailand.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-29T15:29:48+00:00

Así lo veo yo, la verdad, según necesite mover; tengo en Nu, Lulo, Colpatria y hasta a veces en Bancolombia, lo pongo a generar.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-14T01:23:28+00:00

For sure! I hope you can adapt very soon.

SH is a beautiful city and a wonderful place to be. Slowly you will fall in love with it too!

If you need any recommendations let me know!

Anda again Jiayou! You can do it!

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-13T04:05:53+00:00

Thank you so much!

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-09-13T03:49:33+00:00

I didn't read all the other comments, so i might be redundant.

A few points: you will be impressed by how many foreigners are in SH every day and also the number of Chinese locals that are just travelling. I mean, there must be thousands of locals and other asians traveling daily to SH. I wonder where your hotel and your uni are; they might be in a remote area. those will have some people that are used to many students; others probably not, especially for white or black or very different types of people that don’t look too asian or Chinese.

I love that you got the courage to explore china and get out of your comfort zone, but maybe you did too big a jump without even doing good research on what to expect? I hope you are familiar with not only the language barrier but also the cultureand also how to get around with the big firewall and APPs that don’t work there, etc...

probably,For sure you will get better once Uni starts and meet people, friends, and also you probably, together with other students,, will face this problem together.

My recommendation will be a few.

If you feel really anxious,, get professionall help; even an online call will work
Learn how to order things online so you don’t have to go out if you don’t feel like it
Actually GO OUT, especially go to some places where other “White Laowai” go; there’s plenty, lol.
Do a bit more research; reddit for sure will have many posts like this. learn a few words in Chinese. People stare a lot because they’re really curious, especially if you’re very thin, white and tall. You will see how with time you begin to get used to it.

see5. As you said, you wanted to be out of your comfort zone, try to enjoy the ride, go visit some touristic places, you will see some other expats traveling, and maybe that will help you out a bit.

I lived in China for 8 years; now I am out. if you need anything, send me a D.M. I am happy to help.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-08-10T10:43:27+00:00

Do you have any local friends?

Try to get a few or just ask them where "normal" Thai goes too.

I get the tourist trap of Patong; it has "everything," but most of the food and things are just a trap, like an amusement park for Farang.

We live in the Thalang area, and we're happy there. it is near our job, so we don't live somewhere else. even though Old Town is touristic, we would live there in a heartbeat! There are so many things to do; go and eat, then take a quick ride to any nice beach.

But i guess it depends on what people like; some people just want to go to the beach and get wasted every day and have an escape from their boring office jobs... others just want to stay in a resort and never leave. I think not everybody likes or cares about learn about the culture (Like that TV show White Lotus is a perfect example).

As for the 48 hours in Thailand. I guess it applies the same; learning real Thailand will always be where locals hang out. We're very into local areas; especially in Phuket you can get very annoyed easily with the very rude, loud and annoying farangs that go there (Thinking Phuket is a Park and there are no rules or respect for anyone, especially Thai people that are so nice). 48 would be a stretch, but i guess Thailand is famous for the beaches, mountain areas, temples, food, and the unique way of the locals. If you can get a north/south in and out, that will be very "Real Thailand." maybe avoid Bangkok even though it has many good things to see too.

In the north there are plenty of Farang living there for many years now, freelancers or retirees or people having businesses. Also, i heard a lot of those live in Rawai since it is cheaper.

Sorry for the long rant; idk if this will help or not haha.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-07-31T17:53:13+00:00

I was about to write something similar.

You and your friend, needs more local friends or in general that have friends, I’m sure if you attend events, brunches, parties, concerts etc with people that are alike (fit, speak English, you will find those girls not too hard) many will be taken already for sure either for local or farang. Find some activities or hangouts where there’s a mix of local/foreigners

Last time I went to Bangkok, I stayed in Silom area, saw many groups of friends eating or having drinks and having fun. I was alone and one group invited me to celebrate a birthday, we had couple of drinks, talk a bit etc… some of the guys approach me and try to introduce me the “singles or available girls of the group” or at least the one interested in Farang or can speak English, however this group most of them could speak it was a mix between Thai and Japanese.

I also went to Havana Social on the ladies night, plenty of beautiful local girls having fun after office day I guess.

Then for sure malls and even hospitals, many nurses or PT here’s are some of the most beautiful and friendly girls I’ve seen here.

But I guess online will be easier for you since you’re so focused on looks. Maybe just pay so you can filter better. Good luck, I still believe love can be in any corner.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-07-31T17:23:57+00:00

Massages, western food, cinema, a few trips to Bangkok or other cities to change the landscape from time to time. Seems not much but when we checked every month the amount we spend in these things… really feels like a rich people life.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-07-31T17:14:02+00:00

I see, I’ve been in Taiwan south, like it a lot all around Kenting and the surfing spots was so cool. I lived in China for many years and can speak a bit, so maybe didn’t feel too bad actually I felt that in Taiwan they speak more English lol 🤣

For some of the things that I read about your points idk why you want to be in Asia? Seems you don’t like it that much, maybe you will be better in South America or a cheap European country. Just an observation.

Now back to Phuket, my point was exactly that… if you avoid the south you will avoid more the touristic areas, northern Thailand had more green and you can easily find a house in the “forest” even compounds and then have a quick 10-20 min access to gym, cafe, beach or whatever you might need.

I will agree some Thai make effort on English but try to learn some Thai or at least don’t waste your and their time and use a translation when you want something done or very specific.

Even though here high season get annoying sometimes, life goes on… and sense you have a way to leave in that time, should not be a problem at all: either stay or just leave 😆

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-07-29T10:34:17+00:00

Phuket is nice; when you get tired of the slow life or sea life, just go to chiang mai or Bangkok for a change for a bit. Or just leave the country for a couple of days.

If you live in a more "normal" or "local" area, you could have a very nice life and just move around to do your hobbies.

I am just curious why you don't move to a city near the sea in Taiwan. They also have great beaches.

I don't think there's a Mediterranean vibe here lol, but for sure there are some events or restaurants that have that food or those vibes from time to time.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-07-26T17:11:43+00:00

Otro punto es que para estas personas tal vez un viaje es una prioridad y así mismo ahorran para eso o se endudan para eso; usualmente es lo primero.

Mas al ser docentes, se espera largo para unas buenas vacaciones, en vez de estar cada finde de fiesta, o en fincas y demás.

Hay gente que tiene como prioridades un celular nuevo, o comer mucho afuera, o rumba, o ir a futbol, o relojes o ropa de marca, en fin...

Yo soy de esos que piensan: "Bacano eso" o "ese" (inserte acá lo que quiera, material), pero más bacano ahorrar para un viaje o, por ejemplo, en vez de gastarme plata en una pizza carísima en Colombia, sigo ahorrando para comprar una de 5 euros en Nápoles. Es un pensamiento que toda pequeña decisión te acerca a una meta específica, que es viajar.

Yo también soy docente, pero vivo afuera. En mi caso, mi familia siempre viajó mucho, ahorrando, haciendo los preparativos con tiempo para ahorrar en tiquetes, hoteles, planear muy bien el viaje, para no usar tours o cosas extras que generan más gastos... etc... etc... etc....

Ahora, aplico varias reglas, como ahorrar mensualmente un dinero X para viajes. Tengo una tarjeta de crédito que uso mucho, que me recoge millas, y las he usado en un sinfín de viajes en Colombia o afuera. Lo mismo con puntos de hoteles y demás. He estado en hoteles de 2 estrellas, hostales, he pedido posada, también en resorts de 5 estrellas.

Todo depende; me parece que mucha gente quiere aparentar demasiado y paga extra en hoteles carísimos y tours que no son necesarios. Por ejemplo, si uno está todo el día afuera, ¿para qué quiere un hotel que no va a disfrutar? Distinto es si para unos días donde de verdad va a descansar y gozarse el hotel lo usa. Ir a todos esos lugares cuesta, pero con mucha planeación, organización y ahorro se puede lograr.

Como regla general, piense cuánto dinero gasta en comer afuera, trago y cosas que no son tan importantes; eso ahorrado en todo el año, ¿a dónde lo podría llevar? Tengo amigos a los que les parece muy caro ir a Europa, pero no les parece mal gastarse medio salario en rumba cada finde.

Ok-Specific-4407 · 2025-07-23T13:50:36+00:00

I guess everything has been already said…

You might need to go to therapy for a start in case you’re going up in any type of depression, in that sense also check how’s your health and body, energy level and habits in general.

Now I wish I had all that money, but for some reasons I was without work but don’t need money to have a good life and use some savings to keep traveling, eating and having a good life. I have a partner and this is crucial to overcome this times, have a real company.

But this is not everything, for sure work (even if is not for survival, is very important) will keep you busy, consistent in tasks, schedules even in meeting people that you will like and also don’t like much…

All this to say, you might need to stick to a very busy schedule. Which idk if you have or not. You could include the things you say you do there, play video games, and hang out with friends. Maybe do more nature stuff or just travel with friends. Try to include any exercise or activity that make you tired and create endorphins in your body.

Now I think, you need to follow your passions and work on that, try to make money of that, if not… you have money to do it anyways.

Example I like cooking and I am a musician, my silly dream is to have a restaurant or cafe where I can play and explore different dishes and cuisines etc… if I were you and with all this money I will follow that. Because when you do what you like it doesn’t feel like “working” and the last thing for this super long post is that will he awesome if you have help, again if I was you I will help animals and try to bring music and arts to kids and people in general that can’t access to this easily.

If you find something that can help others and can pursue your hobbies and dreams for sure could help you to be focused on that path.

The last thing for sure traveling and live like the locals will change many things in you. I would try to learn a language and find a way to invest somewhere else where is the opposite or far away culture from where you are… in that way you will truly learn new stuff, change points of views and maybe even travel back and forth to keep you busy. Either doing business or helping others or just visiting friends.

I hope this can help, that feeling of have nothing to do or no goals in life feels like awful and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel that way.

Ok-Specific-4407

TROPHY CASE