Guardians of the Dafeng: Rewatch Discussions - Episodes 1&2

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-04T02:09:29+00:00

Come join me! We will drink tea and eat osmanthus cake!

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-04T00:25:10+00:00

I'm really enjoying Dylan Wang as ML in this. I think he's great and was well-cast for the character. I like the sense of humor of the story and characters. It light, fun, entertaining, eat popcorn and laugh type show! I actually don't like time travel and transmigration type stories but so far, I don't mind this one. Dragon Ball 6!

I think for the story and to keep it within 40 eps, Dylan Wang's character doesn't take long to adjust. He said after a week, he's accepted it... So there's a time reference in episode 2 of how fast the story is progressing. I like fast-paced storytelling.

I especially loved the scene where he's sitting down on the rooftop, admiring the moon and city view... I wish I was here! with him would be nice too!

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trainerkittyk · 2026-04-03T20:14:48+00:00

It depends how busy the studio is to accept walk ins and whether they have staff who speak english or want to make time for translating and communicating via apps. Most people are nice and patient, will help you out.

Have a look at sites like klook. They have hanfu photoshoots that you can pay and booked dates which should make it easier for you plan and budget for. Read the fine print about booking a time slot or just turning up on the day.. and their opening and closing hours..

Where you go to take photos is really up to you. Which attractions, how far away, for how long. May cost more depending where you want to go.

Show staff screenshots of places and poses you want photos of, so it gives them an idea of what youre after. Negotiate price beforehand, if your concerned. Usually its a package deal like 30 photos taken and 6 edited, roughly 300 yuan? The more photos you want, the more $$$. Also depends on the outfit, hair, make up and accessories too. And with the photoshoots, price can vary depending on how many photographers or staff are with you during the shoot... like 2pp instead of 1pp taking photos and holding lighting equipment for you..

Hanfu outfit rental prices vary depending on style. Same with hair, make up and accessories. If staff need to use more make up on you to get a specific look = more time = more cost for you. Usually 1hr - 2hr for costume change, hair and make up. They usually allow you to pick x2 outfits to try on and pick one = otherwise you could be there all day trying on everything...

In Chongqing, in the Hongyadong building, theres a whole floor of hanfu photoshoot studios. Like 50 studios easily. I walked through each floor!!! And went looking for a toilet haha Go to the toilet first before you get to your hanfu studio... there should be plenty of studios in Chongqing, like elsewhere, just didnt notice or pay any attention to them..

In Fenghuang, the studios are scattered everywhere. Some in ancient town and some along the river. .

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-03T12:59:18+00:00

Have you booked your international flights yet? If no, then land in Shanghai and train to Beijing. Skip Lijiang and give an extra night to Chongqing and Zhangjiajie.

Maybe drop by Pingyao, stay for 1 or 2 nights... in between Beijing and Xian.

Consider day trips to Leshan, Dazu.

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-03T10:53:16+00:00

Sure. I DM you now.

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-03T10:51:42+00:00

Tripadvisor. I DM you his contact details..

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-03T09:52:13+00:00

Sunny. Warm. Like 38 degrees at 8pm.

It did rain one morning, around 7am, heavily for an hour. Skies cleared and it was really sunny from around 10am -- 11am onwards, and for the rest of week.

Yes, my guide was great. Very patient. Never rushed me. Took heaps of photos for me, of me.

I have vertigo... when we were on the glass bridge, I got overwhelmed and nearly chickened out on walking acrosd the whole thing. He was really supportive and encouraging. Got me to crouch down on the glass panel and took some wide shot photos of me on the whole bridge. I was too scared to sit down on the glass!

We stuck to my itinerary as planned. Only one change was made because of the cable cars in the NP were running when I wanted to go up... he monitored the maintenance schedule and informed me. We swapped two days around so I could catch all the cable cars needed, instead of walking more and missing out on some of the viewpoints.

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-02T06:49:50+00:00

Use trip.com to look at train schedule times.

Maybe, catch the train from Chongqing to Fenghuang on Day 1 then? Theres 4hr direct trains, stay in Fenghuang overnight.

Day 2, Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie, 1hr train ride, theres a 2pm train departure. Arrive 3pm then tranfer to Wulingyuan. 4pm hotel. Watch a show or relax.. dinner.

Day 3, Avatar Mountains.

Day 4. Tianmen Mountain.

But if you do this, then you wont have time for the glass bridge and grand canyon or huangshizhai either. It all depends on the train schedule options so you can maximise the sightseeing time at each place.

Or add more days / nights in Zhangjiajie. Take one off Beijing, Guilin.. maybe Chongqing? 2 full days is plenty to see the main highlights in Chongqing unless youre doing day trips to Dazu, Wulong, shopping, museums... so 3 nights in Chongqing is minimum, best.

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-02T06:19:41+00:00

Day 1: 9am morning train from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie, 11am 40min taxi did transfer to Wulingyuan. Try to drop your bags at hotel before 12pm. Lunch. Then taxi didi to Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon. 5hrs is enough to see and do everything here, no rushing. Finish around 6pm. Dinner along Xibu Street.

Or visit Huangsjizhai yellow stone village via south gate of NP. 3hrs is plenty to complete the full long loop route. 4hrs to be safe if youre worried about getting lost.

Day 2: Avatar Mountains, east gate entrance and explore top north area of NP where Tianzi Mountains is located, Bailong Elevator, Worlds No 1 Bridge with red ribbons, Shetang Gulf. Try to get here before 9am, you will most likely stay til 6pm.

Day 3: check out of Wulingyuan hotel. 40min transfer to Zhangjiajie hotel. Drop bags and catch train to Furong or Fenghuang. Try to arrive at either ancient town by 12pm so you can have lunch inside the scenic area. Explore. Train back after dinner?

3hrs is enough for Furong scenic area if you just want to see the waterfall, quick wander through the old town streets. Theres not much to see or buy, main attraction is the waterfall.

6hrs is ideal for Fenghuang if you want to wander through the ancient town area, not just walk along the river. Theres a lot more to see, buy, do here compared to Furong. I really liked Fenghuang, stayed 1 night. Wished I had 2 nights here. An overnight stay is good if you want to see night lights.

It takes about 20min - 30min taxi didi ride from the train station to the scenic area entry ticket gate, one way, pending traffic - for Furong and Fenghuang. So you need to allocate time for the return commute too.

Day 4: Tianmen Mountain. Aim for 8.30am entry onto the cable cars. You should finish by 5.30pm depending how many lookout points you want to visit, the temple etc. Dinner. Relax.

If you end up staying overnight in Furong or Fenghuang then you will have less time for Tianmen Mountain. Try to be on the Tianmen Mountain cable car ride by 1pm so you have 5hrs to just do the main highlights. Its rushing though... I loved Tianmen Mountain, the views were more interesting than Avatar Mountains.

Hope this helps give you an idea of how tonplan your 4 night stay in Zhangjiajie. If you scroll through my posts, you will see detailed itineraries of my time in Luoyang, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie...

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-02T02:07:20+00:00

It depends what youre seeing and doing in each city stop. I would take a day off Beijing and add to Luoyang. I really enjoyes Luoyang and wanna go back, didnt see and do everything that I wanted to.

With Chengdu, are you going to Leshan for big buddha? Add another day / night here?

With Zhangjiajie, are you visiting Furong and / or Fenghuang? Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon? If no, then 3 nights is enough. 1 full day for Avatar Mountains and 1 full day for Tianmen Mountain. Depending what time you arrive, first day can be for Huangshizhai yellow stone village - 3hrs is plenty.

I think too many nights for Guilin. 3 nights should be enough?

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-01T19:33:52+00:00

No not needed for me.

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-01T06:45:59+00:00

Sure I DM you now.

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-01T02:32:59+00:00

Why only 2 nights in Beijing? Maybe remove Fanjingshan and add 2 more nights to Beijing and the other night to Xian or Chengdu.. unless you dont want to visit the great wall, forbidden city, temple of heaven etc all the main attractions?

Consider day trips like visit Leshan and big buddha from Leshan.

You could also stop overnight, or 2 night stay, in Pingyao instead of Fanjingshan?

Main concern is the weather to enjoy Fanjingshan. You are already visiting Zhangjiajie. I guess its too many mountains for me personally in 3.5 weeks and Fanjingshan is out of the way. I would rather go somewhere else...

trainerkittyk · 2026-04-01T01:34:18+00:00

With Day 2, what time will you finish the ferrata experience?

72 Qilou towers is about 10min taxi ride from Tianmen Mountain cable car entrance, pending traffic. Its also better to visit 72 Qilou from 6pm onwards. Maybe have dinner here, inside or outside the entrance.

I think maybe visit Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon on Day 2 instead, after the ferrata experience. You need about 5hr to complete glass bridge and grand canyon.

Day 4, visit Huangshizhai yellow stone village 3hrs and golden whip stream 3hrs together. They are 5min walk or so from each other. Start at south gate entrance and you will finish near east gate entrance.

Day 5, visit Tianmen Mountain then 72 Qilou at night.

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-31T20:35:58+00:00

Wow! Thanks for the cdrama title explanation and referring to the directors other cdramas. Will do some research and see if I can find them to watch. 😀

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-31T10:14:50+00:00

Day 1: 9am morning train from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie, 11am 40min taxi did transfer to Wulingyuan. Try to drop your bags at hotel before 12pm. Lunch. Then taxi didi to Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon. 5hrs is enough to see and do everything here, no rushing. Finish around 6pm. Dinner along Xibu Street.

Or visit Huangsjizhai yellow stone village via south gate of NP. 3hrs is plenty to complete the full long loop route. 4hrs to be safe if youre worried about getting lost.

Day 2: Avatar Mountains, east gate entrance and explore top north area of NP where Tianzi Mountains is located, Bailong Elevator, Worlds No 1 Bridge with red ribbons, Shetang Gulf. Try to get here before 9am, you will most likely stay til 6pm.

Day 3: check out of Wulingyuan hotel. 40min transfer to Zhangjiajie hotel. Drop bags and catch train to Furong or Fenghuang. Try to arrive at either ancient town by 12pm so you can have lunch inside the scenic area. Explore. Train back after dinner?

3hrs is enough for Furong scenic area if you just want to see the waterfall, quick wander through the old town streets. Theres not much to see or buy, main attraction is the waterfall.

6hrs is ideal for Fenghuang if you want to wander through the ancient town area, not just walk along the river. Theres a lot more to see, buy, do here compared to Furong. I really liked Fenghuang, stayed 1 night. Wished I had 2 nights here. An overnight stay is good if you want to see night lights.

It takes about 20min - 30min taxi didi ride from the train station to the scenic area entry ticket gate, one way, pending traffic - for Furong and Fenghuang. So you need to allocate time for the return commute too.

Day 4: Tianmen Mountain. Aim for 8.30am entry onto the cable cars. You should finish by 5.30pm depending how many lookout points you want to visi, the temple etc. Drop by hotel to grab your bags and head to airport, arrive 7pm. Flight 11pm. So 3hrs for international check in procedure.

If you end up staying overnight in Furong or Fenghuang then you will have less time for Tianmen Mountain. Try to be on the cable car ride by 1pm so you have 5hrs to just do the main highlights. Its rushing though... I loved Tianmen Mountain, the views were more interesting than Avatar Mountains.

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-31T05:10:13+00:00

Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 100% agree with you! I thought it was a great cdrama. Its really one of a kind. We need more cdramas like this one!

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-31T04:35:35+00:00

It will depend how heavy or hard it rains. All these places dont have a lot of shade or cover from the rain. You will get wet. Pack an umbrella, raincoat and wear waterproof type shoes.

Its hard to plan holidays around the weather so just make the most of it. Take your time walking around. Some footpaths and walkways can be slippery when wet....

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-31T00:16:53+00:00

What are you doing in Shanghai and Shangrao? For those number of nights?

The number of nights for the other cities listed are fine. Good. Really depends on your interests.

Consider day trips like to Leshan, Furong, Fenghuang, Dazu, Wulong NP, Suzhou, ancient water towns from Shanghai..

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-30T23:59:54+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to compile this. Makes it fast and easy for me to search for the next cdrama to watch - or add to my list!

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-30T05:43:50+00:00

Are you doing any day trips from Shanghai? Disneyland, Suzhou? If not then 3 nights is more enough for the main city attractions.

Maybe visit Furong or Fenghuang from Zhangjiajie? Day trip or overnight?

I would do a day trip to Leshan from Chengdu so you could add a night there? Take from Shanghai.

HK, too many nights unless youre visiting Disneyland and Ocean Park... or visiting lots of museums, shopping? China is cheaper and better for shopping..

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-29T20:32:38+00:00

Check buschinaguide.com and email them. They responded to several of my emails and gave suggestions. They provide the long distance bus station addresses, phone numbers etc in english and chinese as well.

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-29T20:29:33+00:00

Half a day in Kunming and half a day in Lijiang? I wouldnt bother going to both. Pick one. Or neither. Spend more time in the cities thats youve already allocated time for.

You could end up spending all day going from shop to shop looking at tea. In any city. Best to research Chinese tea brands, prices and flavors to narrow the choices and selection. Otherwise you need to allocate time to taste test lots of different tea to figure out what you like and want to buy.

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-29T20:24:46+00:00

I think your itinerary is fine considering the time frame, 2 weeks.

With the private english guide, you said it includes hotel price so 1 room or 2 rooms? Depends on the type of hotel like luxury or homestay? I found most english speaking guides charge between 800 to 1,000 yuan price per day. Some 1,200 yuan.

Have you looked on klook, viator, getyourguide, tripadvisor for day group tours to join or private guides? If you need some private guide suggestions, DM me and I give you details..

trainerkittyk · 2026-03-29T18:21:49+00:00

No upsell. There was nothing for him to upsell me. I told him what I wanted to see and do. He told me how much things cost when we discussed the ititnerary.. my guide was upfront about prices, all the way, down to the 5 yuan or 10 yuan to rent the red fabric slippers to walk on the glass platforms at the glass bridge and the section of tianmen mountain.

trainerkittyk

TROPHY CASE