Annual Recap - 有毒空间

Here is the reality: Google, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked in China.

I recommend fast cat vpn(for free but slow),Shadowrocket and buy the node online

2. Go Cashless: Alipay & WeChat Pay

China is a cashless society. Even a grandmother selling sweet potatoes on the street uses a QR code.

Here is the specific English content you requested. I have written it with a “Real Talk” tone to manage their expectations, emphasizing that patience is required.

You can insert this block right after the section where you tell them to download Alipay and WeChat (in “Part 1, Section 2”).

Real Talk: The Registration Struggle (Read This!)

Please be patient. It is not as simple as signing up for an email address. The security protocols in China are very strict.

When you meet new friends or tour guides, do not try to add them by searching their ID/phone number yourself.

You will need someone to “Verify” you (Help Friend Log In). This cannot be just anyone. It must be a user who:

你在旅行，就不只在旅行。

When you travel, you are doing more than just traveling.

超级超级爱人们的真实灿烂的笑脸！记录了路上遇到的朋友的微笑，我们来自不同的地方，旅行有喜有乐，但照片背后是生动真实的故事，我们可以这么有缘的相遇，
25年尝试了各种各样的东西，自己第一次一个人出去过夜旅行，做背包客，爬雪山，徒步，钢琴表演，摄影，演唱会，制作明信片，和朋友互相寄旅行明信片，街头卖水卖拍立得，参加高考，攒钱去旅行，剪视频，潜水，冲浪，热气球，去了各个国家的博物馆，写攻略，搭车，创建网站，大声学语言，自己第一次出国旅行，办理银行卡，买装备，办签证（有成功有失败有办的过程中免签了）在国外做饭，做中餐，带着相机去旅行，前不久还自己花了20分钟剃了个寸头，人生新体验！制作地图墙，持续写的日记本……
你在旅行，就不只在旅行。
我拥有了太多灿烂美好的回忆，所以每一次的跌倒失败我都没有那么害怕了，没事儿，下次再试试，尽力就好，我是最棒的。
高考前心情不太好，在公园散步，主动和打太极的叔叔聊天，一起打了一个小时的太极，心情低落自己一个人爬山，手机没电了，阿叔送我了一程，在车上跟我认真聊了聊，所有这些沟通聊天都给我大大的力量，在兰州回广州的飞机上和阿姨的对话，她有一位也正常高考的女儿，作为父母和孩子有怎么样不同的角度；香港西贡爬山遇到的当当女士，我们开启的对话；爬雪山遇到的朋友们；在新疆遇到二孃，我们在阿拉木图青旅的谈话，西格纳吉小镇大伙们一起看山景吃泡面唱歌，登登，山山，太好玩了，我还记得在晚上山山和另外一个小哥担心我迷路，镇上狗狗都很凶，一路护送我回民宿；帮我热心指路的当地人；打车帮我跟司机沟通的热心当地人们，开车带我逛各个教堂的酒店老板，跟我一起牵手过马路的埃及女大学生们，让我帮他看着袋子的阿塞拜疆小哥，在广州还遇到了另一位来广州旅行的阿塞拜疆小哥，他是一名当地的导游，给了我很多创造性灵感。柬埔寨说中文的吴哥窟工作人员、一起跳广场舞的阿姨、皮雕孤儿院的孩子们齐声唱感恩的心。回到清远上学不适应，和自己第一位沙发主的视频聊天，让我别焦虑，慢慢来，在广州遇到太多太多有趣生动的人，和他们的深度聊天，结下了美好的友谊，说不完的事儿，让我拍视频讲给大家听……
更珍惜是旅行上见到各种各样的人，或者他们来到我的城市旅行，我带他们探索这个又新又熟悉的城市，我在路上遇见的人们，都很优秀，了解自己，懂得跟人们建立链接，跟这个世界建立连接，分享自己的想法，计划，活在世界上是一次尝试，想拥有更多开放性的选择。我们互相热情的分享自己的所见所闻，说说自己做过的疯狂的事儿。
我感恩路上遇到的一切，我也尽己所能用善意去回报，祝愿拥有一个更加开放美好的背包客旅行友好氛围。
56天的长途旅行，充满了旺盛的生命力，对世界激情的探索精神，但总归要回家，我不太适应回到后的日常生活，好像自己又回到了一个轨道，自己挣扎了一翻，去云南海南沙发客旅行，听听不同的声音，不同的意见，有趣的是接待我的沙发主们大多数都辞职或者是自由职业，也有旅居的。他们的生活是平凡也是有趣的，路上的人们都在尝试不同的人生活法。
回来时痛苦的，是有戒断反应的，是不舍得的。回归到自己不旅行的生活，回到学校，听着雨滴打点，感受自己的吃饭，睡觉，上课，考试，练琴，认真感受，老实说我不是一个好学生，但我绝对是一个想要好好生活，热爱生活的人
回归平凡普通的学习生活，有一些不适应，但总要面对的。

新的一年，继续探索尝试，坚持，做更多“疯狂”的事儿，向往自由，勇敢向前。

I absolutely adore the genuine, radiant smiles I met along the way! These photos capture the light in my friends’ faces. We come from different worlds, and while travel is a mix of joys and sorrows, behind every photo lies a vivid, breathing story. It is such a beautiful coincidence that our paths crossed.

2025 was a year of trying everything. I experienced my first solo trip, backpacking, climbing snow-capped mountains, hiking, and performing piano. I went to concerts, made postcards, exchanged them with friends, and even sold water and Polaroids on the street. I took the Gaokao, saved money, edited videos, dove into the ocean, surfed, and flew in hot air balloons. From visiting museums to hitchhiking, building a website to learning languages out loud—I did it all. I opened bank accounts, bought gear, applied for visas (some failed, some passed, and some became visa-free during the process!), and cooked Chinese food abroad. Recently, I even shaved my head in 20 minutes—a completely new experience! Creating a map wall, continuously writing in my diary…

“When you travel, you’re not just traveling.”

I have gathered so many bright memories that I am no longer paralyzed by the fear of failure. It’s okay to fall; I’ll just try again next time. As long as I do my best, I am the best.

The strength of strangers kept me going. Before the Gaokao, feeling down, I met an uncle in the park practicing Tai Chi. We practiced together for an hour,; when my phone died while hiking alone, He is a father of a son who just graduated from university,he gave me a ride and had a serious, heart-to-heart talk with me. I remember the aunt on the plane to Guangzhou discussing the different perspectives of parents and children; Ms. Dangdang(当当） in Hong Kong; the friends on the snowy mountains; and conmunicatin with Julia in the Almaty hostel.

In the small town of Sighnaghi, we watched the mountains, ate instant noodles, and sang songs together. It was so much fun! Shanshan(山山） and another guy worried I’d get lost at night with the fierce dogs and escorted me all the way back to my guesthouse. There were locals who guided me, helpful people who communicated with taxi drivers for me, the hotel owner who drove me to various churches, and the Egyptian students who held my hand crossing the street. There was the Azerbaijani guy who asked me to watch his bags, and in Guangzhou, I met another Azerbaijani traveler—a local guide who gave me so much creative inspiration. Then there were the Angkor Wat staff speaking Chinese, the aunties square-dancing with me, and the children in the orphanage singing “A Grateful Heart.”

Returning to school in Qingyuan was hard, but a video call with my first Couchsurfing host Tiana reassured me to take it slow. I met so many interesting, vibrant people in Guangzhou. We had deep conversations and formed wonderful friendships. We had endless things to talk about, and they encouraged me to film videos to share my stories with everyone.

What I cherish even more is meeting all kinds of people on the road, or showing them around when they come to my city. The people I meet are wonderful—they understand themselves, know how to connect with others and the world, and share their thoughts and plans. Living in this world is an experiment, and I want to have more open choices. We enthusiastically share our experiences and the “crazy” things we’ve done.

I am grateful for everything I encountered on the road, and I will do my best to repay it with kindness. I wish for a more open and friendly environment for backpackers.

The 56-day journey was filled with vibrant energy and a passionate spirit of exploration, but ultimately, I had to go home. I found it difficult to readjust to daily life; it felt like I was forced back onto a track. After some struggle, I went Couchsurfing in Yunnan and Hainan to hear different voices. Interestingly, most of my hosts had quit their jobs, were freelancers, or were digital nomads. Their lives were ordinary yet fascinating; people on the road are truly attempting different ways of living.

The return was painful, accompanied by “travel withdrawal” and reluctance. Returning to my non-travel life—back to school, listening to the rain, feeling the rhythm of eating, sleeping, classes, exams, and piano practice—I am truly learning to appreciate it. Honestly, I may not be a “good” student in the traditional sense, but I am undeniably someone who wants to live well and loves life deeply.

Returning to the ordinary is difficult, but it is something I must face.

In the new year, I will continue to explore, try new things, persist, do more “crazy” things, yearn for freedom, and bravely move forward.

Emergency Cash & The “Human ATM”

Most Chinese people are incredibly warm-hearted and curious about foreigners. Even if they don’t speak perfect English, they are often willing to help you navigate a machine, share a hotspot, or even help you pay for a ticket if you give them cash.

3. Your Digital Toolkit (Apps)

💡 Tech Tip: Stuck in Chinese? Sometimes, even if you download the international version, apps like DiDi or Alipay might accidentally open in Chinese. If you can’t read the menu to change it back, try this system trick (especially for iPhone users):

Part 2: Welcome to Guangzhou (The Perfect First Stop)

If Guangzhou is your entry point, congratulations! This is a city of inclusivity, history, and incredible food.

1. Leaving Baiyun Airport (CAN)

2. Where to Stay?

Part 4: Where to Stay (My Personal Picks)

Accommodation in Guangzhou ranges from luxury skyscrapers to hidden local spots. Here is where my friend actually stayed, along with they honest reviews.

1. The “Hidden Gem” (Budget Friendly)

📍 Yinuo Hotel (Nanzhou Subway Station Branch) (Full Name: Yinuo Hotel, Nanyuan of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital Branch)

2. For Old Town Vibes (Liwan District)

3. The “Just Okay” Options (My Honest Thoughts)

I also tried a couple of other places. They were fine, but here is my honest take:

3. Dim Sum is Life

You didn’t come to Guangzhou just to eat fried rice. You need to experience “Yum Cha” (Morning Tea).

Part 5: Pro-Tips for Backpackers

🚲 Shared Bike Survival Guide: How to Register

In Guangzhou, you will see bikes everywhere. They are the best way to explore the river, but you cannot just scan and go on your first try.

The Big Three Companies

⚠️ The “5-Hour Rule” (Read This!)

Registration for foreigners is not instant. It is a manual verification process.

🚶‍♂️ One Day in Guangzhou: Choose Your Vibe

If you only have one day, you have a tough choice to make. Do you want to see the futuristic skyline, or dive deep into the old Cantonese soul? Here are two curated routes:

Option B: The Authentic Soul (Old City & Xiguan)

Escape the City – Self-Driving & Family Day Trips

If you are traveling with family, have rented a car, or just want to explore beyond the crowded city center, these spots are my top recommendations. They are perfect for fresh air, open roads, and scenic views.

1. The Ultimate Coastal Route: Nansha District (南沙)

Nansha is the southernmost point of Guangzhou, where the river meets the ocean. It is wide, modern, and feels like a completely different city.

2. Green Lungs & Islands (Panyu District)

3. Architecture & History (Dongshan Area)

4. For the Hikers

Guangzhou for Art Lovers & Hipsters: The “Wen Qing” Guide

If you love photography, vintage vibes, industrial ruins, or just finding a quiet corner to read a book, Guangzhou has a hidden artistic soul. Here is my curated map for the “Wen Qing” (Artistic Youth) traveler.

Category: Annual Recap

2025 Annual Recap: 8 Countries, 42 Cities