Zhengzhou - Nanjing - Wuxi - Shanghai: A Leisurely Road Trip to Savor Midsummer
They say travel is going from a place you're tired of to a place others are tired of. In fact, travel isn't just about the destination; more importantly, it's the way you travel. And a road trip is the most beautiful way I can think of, bar none!
So this summer vacation, my family and I embarked on a spontaneous road trip. No careful preparations, no detailed plans. Just inspired by Tanya Chua's song 'Departure,' we took a different direction and set off from a new intersection. We wanted to show our child a different world. Maybe there would be fatigue and hardship along the way, but new things always light up the brilliance of life.
Zhengzhou: Zhengzhou East Railway Station – Qianxi Plaza – Erqi Tower – Kurokawa Kisho Memorial Square. Nanjing: Pioneer Bookstore – The Lalu Hotel – Gaochun Old Street. Wuxi: Jiulongwan Garden Rezen Hotel. Shanghai: The Bund – Songcheng Performing Arts Kingdom – Manxin Hotel.
Return trip: back to Zhengzhou
A decade of rapid development has made the place we live both familiar and strange. Erqi Tower, Zhongyuan Tower, Olympic Sports Center, CBD's 'Big Corn' (Qianxi Plaza), Kurokawa Kisho Memorial Hall... The once 'Green City' has been replaced by high-rises. The rise of new landmarks has witnessed the city's historical evolution. Time flies; youth is only a tail now. While we still have a young mindset, let's first explore this city we're tired of!
Every day, countless travelers pass through here. This is a place I often visit for business trips. Time and again, I pass by and experience it; because it's familiar, it feels relatively warm. As soon as you exit the station, you see the Twin Towers, a landmark often photographed by photographers, a postcard image of Zhengzhou!
Many rooftops in the city offer panoramic views of Zhengzhou. This is one of the places with the widest and most comprehensive views. Familiar ground-level buildings look different from this angle. On clear days, the mountains of Xingyang are also visible! The 388-meter Zhongyuan Tower, currently the world's tallest all-steel structure, is just a corner of Zhengzhou at this moment.
At 284 meters high, with the chill wind blowing, the sun sets, looking down on Zhengzhou. Skyscrapers stand dense, bustling streets represent Zhengzhou's recent development. This small city that belongs to me carries so much beauty, and it's rapidly marching toward internationalization…
The CBD is the best testament to the city's development. Every major city has a beautiful and bustling CBD. Known as the 'Tallest Building in the Central Plains,' Qianxi Plaza stands in the center of the Zhengdong New District CBD, rightfully becoming a landmark here. At night, from a distance, it glows yellow, shaped like a 'big corn.'
Spending leisure time here is indeed a great choice. Not just tourists, but locals also treat this as a recreational spot. The clean lake water, modern high-rises, and extensive greenery exude a metropolitan vibe!
In the past, Zhengzhou was small, and Erqi Tower was tall. Climbing to the top, your gaze reached the city's edge. Today, Erqi Tower still stands in the bustling city center, surrounded by high-rises, but its 63-meter historical stature is unsurpassable. We've passed by this place countless times, yet never climbed it. That's probably the scenery right at home, something taken for granted.
Kurokawa Kisho Memorial Square
Zhengdong New District is Zhengzhou's most shining card on its path to internationalization. Its overall planning designer is the world-renowned architect Kurokawa Kisho himself. Therefore, at Zhengzhou's North Dragon Lake, there is this public art center named after the designer—Kurokawa Kisho Memorial Square.
With white as the base tone, the circular building sits on a vast green meadow. Subtle wood-colored accents add a modern artistic feel. Even when it rains, many people come to take photos—it has truly become a photo mecca even before opening! The lawn forbids trampling, but the concrete path on the slope is a good spot to stand. Both front and side angles offer great photo opportunities. In different weather, the combination of people and architecture creates different vibes. Actually, apart from the city center, there are many places to visit around Zhengzhou.
The meaning of travel is varied—for unique scenery, for profound history and culture, and for the joy on the taste buds. The flavor of a place is always closely tied to its cuisine. The legend of the Central Plains isn't just its enduring history over millennia, but also the diverse Henan delicacies born and raised here.
Zhengzhou stewed noodles are a beloved dish for most people. Compared to those in other cities, the authentic taste is found at Heji, Xiaoji Stewed Noodles, and in the western suburbs at Yufengyuan and Sanchang Stewed Noodles.
Fangzhongshan Spicy Soup is also a breakfast gathering spot for Zhengzhou locals. High-quality spicy soup paired with fried bread and beef patties—just thinking about it gives you the motivation to get out of bed…
Banu Hotpot is also a great recommendation for out-of-town friends. With so many hotpot places in the world, there aren't many where you can eat Banu. Since you're in Zhengzhou, why not give it a try? The service and taste are no worse than Haidilao, and of course, the price isn't much different~
Actually, most Henan cuisine blends characteristics from various regional cuisines, becoming a cuisine with the least distinct identity. Yet this precisely caters to the tastes of people from all regions. Besides the recommended dishes, those seemingly plain home-cooked meals also have a delicious taste worth savoring slowly.
A day of highway driving left not only fatigue but also a refreshing escape! Actually, all cities are pretty much the same; some people want to come in, some want to leave. I still remember that bookstore I visited many years ago—quiet and beautiful.
Faint music, ceiling fans spinning leisurely, sofas to sit on everywhere, posters with an 'independent' vibe, and the faint aroma of coffee not far away... These things that seem out of place in a bookstore, when combined, became 'Pioneer Bookstore.' A cultural landmark that Nanjing people are proud of, it successfully transformed around 2008 into a literary venue recognized by both scholars and the 'petite bourgeoisie.'
Every book is a story; every bookstore is a world. Accompanied by greenery on both sides, walking downhill to the entrance, the shelves at the door stand quietly, welcoming every customer.
Upon entering, what greets you isn't rows of books, but a whole array of postcards—hand-drawn, printed, black-and-white, colorful, landscapes, portraits—all kinds.
If time allowed, I'd love to spend a whole day here, or greedily take all these books away... But at this moment, I can only capture these photos and keep them in my memory, finally understanding the regret of being a fleeting passerby. Further inside, there is a corridor... neatly arranged with various books. The owner's careful arrangement fills every corner with an artistic atmosphere.
Messy yet orderly, the hemp ropes are stretched into a decorative wall, filled with postcards clipped on and train tickets from all over heading here... Some written with longing, some with sorrow, or oaths and happiness.
For a moment, I mistakenly thought this wasn't a bookstore. Yes! It's not just a bookstore, because here is everything I love about art and literature... I love places full of love like this, I love the handicrafts. Rows of crafts displayed here exude warmth and tenderness. It seems not just a bookstore, but a sanctuary for a group of people.
Everywhere you go, you'll encounter foreign friends who unhesitatingly smile broadly at the camera. Wandering the alleys, feeling a touch of persistence, taking away a book, some photos, and a few postcards without addresses. A bookstore is not just a place for trading books, but a yearning for the spiritual world.
Travel is always hurried. After a day on the road, there's always some fatigue. A good hotel is the most important choice during travel. This time, I chose to stay again at The Lalu Hotel Nanjing to let my family experience its coziness! It's a hotel that calms me. From the first time I encountered The Lalu Nanjing, I fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle here!
In the morning, you can unhurriedly order breakfast to your room. As the sun sets, there's afternoon tea time on the lawn. At night, with the special turn-down service, a sip of red wine, and a soak in the bath, the whole day is spent in physical and mental enjoyment…
I really like the architectural design of The Lalu Nanjing. With a central axis as the main theme, combined with water features and bamboo elements, the enclosed building surrounds a courtyard water landscape. It's Zen-like and comfortable, with traces of Chinese garden aesthetics!
The lobby bar, book lounge, gym, and other public areas all have commendable beauty! The guest rooms offer endless river views. The first glance upon entering the room brings a feeling of openness. Sitting by the panoramic glass window sipping tea, basking in the sun, or standing on the balcony enjoying the river breeze—how delightful! This is the life you should have when indulging in a hotel.
Besides comfortable rooms and bedding, good food makes for a good mood! I tried all the restaurants at The Lalu Nanjing. The sumptuous buffet, super delicious Chinese cuisine, and exquisite Western dishes—every dish doesn't disappoint!
Idle times, gentle breeze and drizzle—this is my impression of Gaochun. Located in the southern part of Nanjing, it's known as Nanjing's backyard and southern gateway, and is China's first 'International Slow City' designated by the World Slow City Alliance. On a whim, we drove from Nanjing to this small town, and a fresh greenery greeted us all the way.
A wonderful journey is never complete without good food. Huajiantang is a well-known inn in Gaochun, and its meals are very distinctive. Moreover, its location is very convenient, right across from Gaochun Old Street. Thus, the restaurant of this artistic boutique inn started our new day's journey.
The rain in Jiangnan is gentle and lingering, not abrupt. Before it comes, there are always long hints, giving people time to prepare umbrellas. Pedestrians open their umbrellas, and the pitter-patter rain begins its long performance. It hits the tiles, drips down the eaves, splashes onto newly sprouted leaves, and then drops onto umbrellas left outside. The drizzling rain outside is long-lasting; life on the street is leisurely.
When mentioning Jiangnan, images always come to mind: simple black-and-white elegance, horse-head walls, small gray tiles. On the ancient street, beside white walls and black tiles, a few early trees seem to grow right out of the wall, and the fine rain that nourishes everything also moistens this beautiful scene. These images in memory are from the enchanting Huizhou, the ancient towns with bridges and flowing water, but they never seemed to connect with Gaochun Old Street. Before Gaochun, indeed there was no connection; after Gaochun, the rain of Jiangnan also fell on Zhenjiang.
The history and soul of a city often condense in an ancient street. In this era where history and modernity blend, Gaochun Old Street is the most authentic portrayal of the past. Some original residents still live here; shop doors still use wooden boards that fit into the doorframe. After the rain, Gaochun Old Street is a bit damp, but the street remains as clean as ever.
Walking along the stone-paved road deeper into Gaochun Old Street, the Gaochun Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall inside tells of Gaochun's changes over time, lifestyle features, language culture, and more. As you visit, a vibrant Gaochun can't help but come alive in your mind!
Gaochun lies between Jiangsu and Anhui, and its opera is mainly Xi Opera. Previously called Tanhuang, it is a major branch of the storytelling and singing art in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, originating from ancient Wu songs. Its main forms include mountain songs, Tanci, Xuanjuan, flower-drum Tanhuang, etc.
A region's soil and water nurture its people; dialects tie the hearts of rural folks. Dialect is an emotion, expressing the sincerest feelings. Dialect is a complex, expressing the most authentic attachment to one's hometown.
Gaochun cultural historian Puyang Kangjing told me that the official name of Gaochun Old Street is actually 'Zhongshan Street.' This street, existing since the Song Dynasty, was originally called 'Zhengyi Street.' In the early Republic of China, to commemorate Sun Yat-sen, it was renamed 'Zhongshan Street,' which is still used today.
This door, that window, the stone memorial archway in front of the house—how many rains have they heard, how many years have they witnessed passing by. Sunrises and sunsets, people come and go. Years later, in those places that have stood for a century, they still catch attention, not for any other reason, but because they have fallen behind the pace of the times. In this flashy society, the old street quietly draws us in.
The meaning of travel is to go to more places, to see more beautiful distant scenes—be it sunrises and sunsets, or street corners and alleys—beyond nature, in life. Recording those images with a camera and pairing them with words creates a complete and wonderful journey. On the streets and in the alleys, the people living here continue their lives with ease and happiness.
Vacationing in Wuxi: First Encounter with Rezen Hotel
Wuxi is a livable city. Arriving at Jiulongwan Garden Rezen Hotel in the evening, passing through the hotel gate and a winding path, a large lake came into view. The blue sky fading into dusk collided with warm yellow lights, forming a beautiful picture!
Jiulongwan Garden Rezen Hotel is located in the Jiulongwan valley of the Lotus Mountains in Wuxi, covering over 400 mu (approx. 66 acres), with a total building area of 27,000 square meters. Nestled between mountains and water, with lush green grass, it's a perfect place for leisure and vacation!
The enclosed guest rooms make the hotel visually more spacious. The observation elevator, casual tables and chairs add a more leisurely vibe to this corner! In the evening, light a mosquito coil, sit here and drink tea, and the quiet time is quite enjoyable.
Or in the book lounge beside the lobby, tell stories to your child, watch a movie with her, shedding life's trivialities and fatigue, filling time with small expectations and happiness.
For this trip, I chose a family suite from many room types. It's warmly and comfortably decorated, with bright yellow bed sheets that the baby loved, and a cute little tent. As soon as she entered the room, she curled up inside to play with the modeling clay! The room thoughtfully provides many small toys. The bathroom has a wet-dry separation, is spacious, and is equipped with a children's toiletry bag, toilet seat, step stool, etc. Even the pajamas are cute little dinosaurs.
A child's happiness is really simple~ I'm so glad I made time to bring her out this time, away from electronic devices, to experience the wonders of nature. A seven-spotted ladybug could keep her watching for a long time. The two or three days hiding away at Rezen Hotel were the most relaxing days of this trip. No plans to visit attractions, no busyness of leaving early and returning late—just staying in the hotel enjoying every moment of vacation life!
Regarding the food at the hotel's Huating Restaurant, I highly recommend it! It features local specialties, a modified version of Wuxi creative cuisine. The taste is really good, the ingredients are fresh. Over three days, lunch and dinner were never the same, and both the presentation and flavor were excellent!
Or in the evening, have the hotel set up a tent for free, sit in the breeze, drink tea and chat, enjoying the holiday even more freely! Then have an outdoor barbecue—the grill is free, and the ingredients cost just over a hundred yuan. It's such a bargain; hard to believe a resort hotel's dining can be so affordable!
Exploring Around the Hotel
In the early morning, accompanied by the fragrance of flowers and plants, jogging, yoga, and flower viewing in the natural oxygen bar are all part of the resort mode at Garden Rezen Hotel! In the afternoon, you can accompany family and friends picking in the fields, sipping tea in the courtyard, or watching the most beautiful sunset by the lake!
You can also go to the Flower Planet in the Jiulongwan Flower Town that belongs to the hotel to see flowers and watch the light show! There are over a thousand species and hundreds of thousands of flowering plants that bloom all year round. The light show is a special program held during summer vacation!
Enjoy Shanghai to the Fullest
I've been to Shanghai more than once, and each time I have a different feeling. This place, known as the Magic City, carries the dreams of many. For me, it's just a city to visit and then leave. With that mindset, I can play even more uninhibitedly.
The Bund is still brilliantly lit. On the bustling streets, passersby come and go. They may be tourists like me, hurriedly passing through, or Shanghainese who have struggled here for many years, rooted or not... And in our eyes, there's only this city scenery that photographers have captured countless times!
Magic City Shanghai: Checking Off the Long-Awaited Performing Arts Park
Shanghai Songcheng Performing Arts Kingdom differs from previous Songcheng scenic spots. It's located in the Expo Park area by the Huangpu River. The entire building has six floors, each with different surprises! Many indoor shows add a bit of coolness to summer outings, making it a must-visit in Shanghai.
On the sixth floor's Sky Street, there are a dazzling array of creative items. The magical power of crystal balls can also be felt here! Who knows how many years of practice went into that ten-minute performance on stage... The joy of the flash mob show made many tourists stop. The free fantasy shows 'Warfire' and 'Ghost Ship' can also be experienced immersively! However, 'Ghost Ship' is not recommended for children under 14, so I didn't go in—a true portrayal of a 'faint of heart beware' series!
Of course, water play in summer is also an essential activity at Songcheng. Activities like amazing ventriloquism, forest spirit bird, and magical bubbles at the outdoor area are deeply loved by children. Every child wants to get up close…
This is not only a stunning performing arts park but also a wonderful fairy tale kingdom. The Elf Valley on the 7th floor is children's paradise, where they can listen to stories, watch magical lights and shadows, and also climb and play on slides…
Don't forget to watch a ballet and listen to a symphony on the rooftop... Here you can also directly overlook the Huangpu River scenery. Actually, the most beautiful moment is when the lights come on at night! Unfortunately, for some reason, I didn't stay until then, so I missed a dazzling night view of the Huangpu River. Next time, I'll come back to experience 'Shanghai Eternal Love'!
Speaking of 'The Eternal Love,' the major shows in the park should be highlighted. The Shanghai Songcheng Theatre has three shows. For 399 yuan, it includes one show plus admission, while the other two require separate payment. Besides the 'Shanghai Eternal Love' performance, the other two are a family show 'WA! Dinosaurs' and a dinner show 'Passionate Samba'!
Having watched many 'Eternal Love' shows, this time I naturally chose a special one—'Passionate Samba'! For the first time, I ate dinner while watching a show. The 399 yuan ticket even saved me dinner expenses. Besides the visual feast, the culinary enjoyment was just as important!
The whole show consisted of many performances, gathering actors from multiple countries, each entrance stunning! During the performance, time was allotted for each course to be served, but this was only an approximate time. It's very likely that after a few bites, you'd have to hurriedly turn your eyes to watch the show!
Apart from the show, it must be said that the dining here, whether in presentation or taste, was worth the ticket price! The ambiance was full, and the lighting on the plates increased the appetite! Salmon salad, mushroom soup, baby ribs, dessert... Seeing these pictures again makes my mouth water…
'Passionate Samba' is highly recommended: delicious food, visual feast, an excellent experience. The 60-minute show was no less than the previous 'Eternal Love' theatres I've watched! Because I chose the dinner show, I didn't take my little girl to watch 'WA! Dinosaurs,' which she complained about. But after watching this show, she kept praising how beautifully the sisters danced~ Next time I'll bring her to watch 'WA! Dinosaurs'; I'm sure she'll love it!
Tips: The performances are rich and diverse; be sure to keep the program schedule! This way, you won't miss any exciting moment! While having fun, when watching daytime outdoor performances, pay attention to sun protection! Tickets: 399 yuan includes admission plus any one of the three major theatres ('Shanghai Eternal Love,' dinner show 'Passionate Samba,' 'WA! Dinosaurs'). 158 yuan: Shanghai Songcheng night tour ticket (includes 'The Earthquake' performance).
Shanghai Manxin Hotel
My first encounter with Manxin was in a siheyuan at Qianmen in Beijing; I immediately fell for its design concept. Later, I learned about its Suzhou branch. Now, coming to Shanghai again, I still like it as always. Manxin life, slow down and enjoy time…
I always thought that the hustle and bustle, the prosperous noise, was the main theme of Shanghai. Actually, the old Shanghai flavor is the essence of this land. Manxin Hotel, like a touch of warmth, sits at a crossroads, vintage, fresh, and elegantly simple…
The fully smart controls in the room offered a brand-new experience: convenient, effortless, and quick. It put a perfect end to this journey!
Life always needs a seasoning agent—some slow, quiet moments full of the scent of firewood and cooking! To seek a moment's rest for the weary soul; it also needs fluctuations, seeking different, exciting, challenging changes! An occasional off-road road trip is probably just a small thrill added to ordinary life…
Going from a place you're tired of to a place others are tired of, discovering different beauty, experiencing different lives, knowing yourself, and rediscovering your original intention—this is precisely a life attitude, a positive life…
