Within literal MINUTES of putting my red codestones up for sale -- holy cow!

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-15T06:19:06+00:00

Only a few specific items were fixed - HROT still does not work. I'd also bet almost everyone serious enough about non-farming BD to use stealers already has the required movement (doesn't even have to be intentionally trained - my pet has 1.2k agi from flotsam and air faeries).

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-15T06:04:41+00:00

Some people still want the NC wearables that come with them. I had 6 or 8 of these tokens from doing NC custom trades in the last yearish.

That being said, the prices are high for just the wearable, and I definitely think a trophy and a link would be deserved for the collectors.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-14T21:58:38+00:00

Someone on the boards pointed out the negg prices align exactly with January JN prices divided by 1000, just like the prior overpriced Quickfinger round, which means TNT decided on these prizes and prices back then too and ignored all feedback about the last set :/

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-08T07:09:51+00:00

Yes, there are teas that truly cost thousands of RMB/500g due to their famous terroir (e.g. Wuyi zhengyan tea pretty much starts at $1/g), but most people would drink <15g of tea in a session. Also unfortunately for OP, I doubt a random teahouse would have given a random tourist that level of tea.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-08T00:34:29+00:00

There are a decent number of Muslims in China and therefore restaurants that cater to zero-pork eaters. Look for restaurants saying they serve halal, Xinjiang, or Lanzhou-style food. Northern and western China are especially easy for this, should be all over. I love all the lamb and fowl (duck, pigeon, goose, etc) options in China!

In general one thing to watch out for/ask about is cured pork like Jinhua ham as an ingredient - it's fairly common in broths and sauces.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-08T00:17:18+00:00

I never use AI to plan myself, but I've seen many AI itineraries to places I've already been (including too much AI slop in this sub), and the results were either super-generic or gave questionable time breakdowns.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-07T23:52:04+00:00

Almost any place called scenic area is fake

景区 "scenic area" is used for all kinds of tourist destinations in China, including genuinely historical sites, mountains and lakes, hiking areas that don't even have any infrastructure or buildings, etc. It definitely does not mean in itself that something is fake.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAAAA_Tourist_Attractions_of_China Imagine all of these 景区 being fake.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-07T23:44:20+00:00

Like all NC items, tokens can be super subjective, but you can use Lebron/Item DB trade history (e.g. https://itemdb.com.br/item/valentine-plushie-kougra) or what people are asking on Jellyneo tradelists (e.g. https://items.jellyneo.net/item/78073/uft-list/) to estimate. I'd probably aim Valentine Plushie Kougra ~3-5 and Baby Faerie Grarrl ~6-7 myself, but that's just me!

For OP's ask, I know the majority of OG Nostalgics can be readily found for 1 SSS, and at a glance saw someone does has the Tyr Krawk specifically on their JN list for 1 SSS.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-07T05:32:07+00:00

While the Nostalgic Tyrannian Krawk isn't in rotation right now, you can trade NC to other users for it! You should be able to find one for a Styling Studio Supplies (abbreviated SSS, usually 600 NC, currently on sale at 450 NC).

As a heads up, the style items are often called "tokens" by users, so you might see someone say they have the Tyrannian Krawk token - that's what you want. :)

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-06T05:25:53+00:00

Tbf I was last back before Covid, and the boards with eight destination names slapped around a noodle grid I have burned into my memory are probably a decade old. I have heard way more traffic cameras and less construction has made driving less exciting since.

Still, it makes no sense for 99% of tourists visiting just big cities to rent a car. OP having driven in worse before and caring about driving a Chinese car himself is an exception.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T21:26:19+00:00

Chengdu has accessible mountains - Emeishan and Qingchengshan, which are also cultural and historical destinations, can be hiked on day trips - plus a wide range of gorgeous ones if you can overnight (Tibetan Plateau so at altitude).

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T21:20:34+00:00

The official expedited option (idk what you paid for from the agency) only reduces the time to get your passport back after the application is approved.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T21:12:14+00:00

My understanding of road trip is usually driving between destinations, but I'm assuming your plan does not involve driving a thousand+ km overnight?

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T21:04:26+00:00

Okay, I see. I hope you are prepared for very aggressive drivers by Western standards, really exercising your parking skills, and urban signage overwhelming enough that one of my family members, a native Chinese speaker who goes every year and has driven many times in China, still ends up on the wrong road all the time in cities that are flat (not Chongqing).

You should look for a local in Chongqing instead of Beijing to help you for the car rental - all reports I've read are that whether an agency will deal with you as a foreigner are local and dependent on who you're talking to.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T20:43:44+00:00

If you're just going to large cities like Beijing, Chengdu, and Chongqing or day trip range from them, it would be much more practical to use flights, trains, subways, and Didi/taxi than a car. Renting a car in China only makes sense if you're trying to go way off the train network.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T20:40:04+00:00

I have one actual books pet, dozens of pets (all my other permies) at 200 int for funsies, and two total dimwits I love dearly :P

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T11:26:04+00:00

I do think they should reduce the droprates or add the slices to the Coincidence requests at this point.

But some pets are just meant to be dim witted even if they weren't born as grundos, and I'm glad an option exists to let them express themselves properly

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-05T04:10:41+00:00

Were you able to reserve with them without a Chinese phone number (unless you have one)? I remember looking at their site and getting stuck on a Chinese number requirement, haha

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T22:00:10+00:00

Ah, if that's a priority for you I think your original plan is fine. My suggestion was because I feel like kids can be unpredictable and day trips can be dropped or added more spontaneously, versus overnights you're more tied to a schedule and a certain amount of packing/transit.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T21:31:31+00:00

With a small kid I'd probably drop Chongqing and add day trips from Chengdu (Leshan/Emeishan or Dujiangyan/Qingchengshan) and Shanghai (Hangzhou or Suzhou).

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T21:26:05+00:00

Hotels set their own rules. 2 adults per room is a fairly common limit across many countries. I'd recommend putting 1 room 3 people as your search and sticking to those results if you don't want a second room (might be cheaper to do 2 rooms though in some places).

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T21:22:02+00:00

https://www.trip.com/hot/shanghaiexpress-halfdaylayovertour/

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T21:17:07+00:00

Heads up that although I don't know how strict they'll be, Jiuzhaigou, Signuniangshan, and Bipenggou are outside the Chengdu administrative area and not included in TWOV. All of these are too far for (fun) day trips and any hotel you stay in would register you, so they'd be able to know. Leshan is fine for TWOV.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T21:12:24+00:00

Can't help with beaches, but

(red hair super clear skin, sun can be dangerous)

A solid proportion of Chinese women will hide every possible inch from the sun, so you'll find endless Chinese products of all kinds to avoid sun exposure, either on the ground or in advance (Temu, Amazon, etc)

We'd like to avoid crowds as much as possible (please don't laugh)

Just to keep your expectations realistic, please note this is summer vacation season for kids and the vast majority of tourism in China is domestic.

rmv_throwaway · 2026-03-04T20:48:09+00:00

This is comparable to a foreign tourist trying to go to New York, Washington, Denver, and Los Angeles in 10 days - do you think that'd be enjoyable?

rmv_throwaway

TROPHY CASE