About
About Me
My Story
Hi! I’m Yoyo, a traveler with adventure flowing in my veins and taste buds forever hunting for the next feast. Based in Beijing, I spent years in the internet industry’s relentless 9-to-9 grind. While it offered good income and stability, something always felt missing – the fresh air choked out by concrete, the heartbeat of freedom muffled by KPIs and targets. So, I started escaping the city on every precious holiday, embarking on journeys across China. Starting from Beijing, my footprints gradually spread far and wide.
This was never just moving from point A to B; it was a profound transformation. I’ve been mesmerized by the serene lakes beneath snow-capped mountains in Yunnan’s Shangri-La, awestruck by the millennia-old wonder of Dunhuang’s Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Moon Spring. I’ve listened to the gentle splash of oars on stone-paved paths in Jiangnan’s water town, Wuzhen, and stood breathless on a Sichuan-Tibet Plateau mountain pass, gazing at infinite vistas whipped by fierce winds. I’ve lingered amidst the echoes of history beneath Xi’an’s ancient city walls and lost myself in the artsy alleyways of Xiamen’s Gulangyu Island… Just a fraction of China? Far more than that! I’ve measured this land’s astonishing diversity and depth with my own steps – from bustling metropolises to hidden villages, from snowy highlands to tropical rainforests, from desert dunes to azure coastlines.
But for me, the soul of travel is split equally between scenery and food! I’m an incurable “foodie traveler.” I deeply believe that to truly understand a place, you must start with its flavors. I chase not just Michelin stars, but the vibrant street food scenes where life sizzles: In Chengdu, I queued late into the night for a bowl of fiery, numbing hotpot skewers swimming in red oil; in Shunde, Guangdong, I savored melt-in-your-mouth fish sashimi and slow-simmered, soul-warming broths; in Kashgar’s Xinjiang bazaar, the aroma of freshly baked samsas (Uyghur meat pies) rooted me to the spot; back in my Northeast hometown, a bubbling pot of suancai bairou guo (pickled cabbage & pork hotpot) stewed up waves of deep nostalgia… I relish trying every novel food, from Beijing’s pungent douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) to Guangxi’s iconic luosifen (river snail rice noodles). My palate is always wide open for “unknown deliciousness.”
It was this relentless thirst for the new and unexplored that finally led me to make the “crazy” yet absolutely right decision: I quit my high-paying job to become a full-time traveler! This wasn’t escape; it was embracing life’s vast possibilities. Walking the roads, meeting diverse people, hearing their stories, and feeling the wisdom of different cultures – this fills every day with passion and freshness.
Today, my travel experience goes far beyond “enthusiast.” I know the unique charms, best seasons, and transport tips for different Chinese regions. More importantly – I know where to find soul-stirring hidden gems and the most authentic, heartwarming local flavors. I’ve lived it, stumbled through the pitfalls, and built up a wealth of practical know-how.
And this is exactly what I want to share with friends from all over the world! China, this ancient yet pulsatingly vibrant land, holds unimaginable diversity and depth. But for foreign visitors, language barriers, cultural differences, and information overload can be daunting, sometimes causing them to miss the truly spectacular parts.
My mission is to be your “bridge” and “food radar” for exploring China! I’ll use my firsthand experiences to tell you:
Which places are truly worth it: Skip the crowds, discover breathtaking secret spots and unique treasure attractions.
How to eat like a local: Recommend the most authentic, delicious, region-specific restaurants and street stalls. Decode menu culture, teach you how to order safely, and enjoy the purest Chinese flavors.
Practical travel nuggets: Offer advice based on real experience – from visas and transport to accommodation and shopping, from cultural customs to safety tips.
Immersive cultural experiences: Suggest activities that let you dive deep into local life, like learning to make dumplings, experiencing a tea ceremony, or joining ethnic minority festivals.
I believe travel connects the world, and food is a universal language. Through my sharing, I hope to help foreign friends explore China more easily, deeply, and joyfully – falling in love with its landscapes, culture, and flavors. Join me on this journey, and let’s embark on a double feast for your taste buds and eyes!
What You Need to Know About China
China, this vast and profound Eastern land, is the only civilization among the four ancient civilizations that has continuously flourished to this day. From the bustling cities along the East China Sea greeting the first rays of dawn, to the remote western regions where you can encounter magnificent snow mountains and endless deserts; from the fairy-tale winter wonderlands of the north with frost-covered landscapes, to the warm, palm-lined coastal sceneries of the south, the geographical diversity is truly unparalleled. Here, 56 ethnic groups live together like a family, each with unique customs, attire, and festivals that are wonderfully diverse. At the Mongolian Naadam Festival, horses gallop and wrestlers showcase their strength; during the Dai ethnic group’s Water Splashing Festival, the entire city celebrates, with water droplets spreading blessings. No matter where you go, cultural surprises await around every corner.
As for language, while Mandarin is the common tongue, don’t worry about communication challenges. In popular tourist cities, many staff at scenic spots, hotels, and restaurants can communicate in English, and most signs include English annotations. With technological assistance, translation apps can be your personal interpreter, just a tap away, ensuring smooth communication.
Before Entering, You Certainly Have Many Questions, Such As:
- Visa matters: Do I fall under the visa-free category?
- After entry, how do I get from the airport to my destination? How to take taxis, ride-sharing cars, subway, or shared bicycles?
- Payment tips: Mobile payment is highly prevalent in China. How can I use mobile payment for convenient transactions?
- How should I plan my itinerary?
- Is the food safe? Is the environment safe?
- I want to visit but don’t know where to start?
On this website, I will help everyone answer these questions, allowing you to start your journey with minimal time and no concerns.
Stop and go,north and south
