FIRST TIME Arriving in CHINA'S Most UNDERRATED City
Hello, hello and a very warm welcome to Nanjing. Wow, wow, wow. I have lost track at what number city this is. I do not know.
But we are here in the city centre in the CBD, the heart of Nanjing and I am very, very happy to be here. I can tell you the skies are clear. It's a lovely blue sunny day and we're going to go and check Nanjing out and see all that it has to offer. Right now I said we're in the CBD. We're in the heart of the city. Over here we've got House of Fraser, which is huge.
And then we have a huge electronic billboard over here, electronic screen. And then on your left hand side you have an Armani and the biggest Louis Vuitton I think I might have ever seen They love Louis Vuitton here in China. Guys, we're back with another one, this time from another city.
As Libby was saying, we have no idea what number city this is? I think probably 15, 16, 17, 18 who knows but we are here in Nanjing also one of the ancient capitals of China beautiful blue skies and a sunny day see what this place is all about we've heard a lot about this place we've always wanted to visit Nanjing enjoy the sights and the sounds it's got a really good mix of old and new so let's go without further ado The main aim of the game right now is to try and make our way there somehow. I don't know how we're gonna do that, there's no crossing, so I think it will be through the subway, do you reckon? I think, yeah, challenge number one, how do we cross the road? First, let's go down. This is a very busy roundabout so far. You could hear the traffic One thing that we've already learned about Nanjing as we actually arrived here last night, but they love to sound the Horn. Wow.
Lively, lively people, lively people. Let's go give you guys a little lowdown on what's happening here in Nanjing. Let's go! Your guess is as good as mine.
Everywhere you see there is something going on. There's people and people everywhere and there's exits everywhere as well. So what I'm looking for right now is something with a sign that would direct us to the right place. Have you seen that sign? Yeah, we've got the signs here. We can go to House of Fraser. It's straight down.
I'm taking us this way. We're going to Deji Plaza, which is where the big Louis Vuitton was, and I think there's a lot of other designers there. But also check this one out. This is busy, probably the busiest entrance.
I like it. I like the display on the wall as well, the entire way there's screens. So let's go this way. Let's follow the route where everyone's going. Let's go there. Look at this.
This is what we're here for. Some history. We are staying in Xinjiekou which is our local area right now and it happens to be the downtown as here in Nanjing.
The reason I was super excited to visit the place is because, Nanjing was the capital of ancient China for six, seven or eight dynasties. Is that a bubble bath? Look at that! That looks lovely, very good! Do you want to get in? Yeah, I would love to, that's actually the dream right now! They had loads of bath bombs on the side as well. It smells amazing down here! It's like perfume, mixed with some food, some soap and a bit of coffee thrown in there. Ohh Delicious! All the good smells, a little concoction going on. But the one thing about China that we've noticed is wherever you go, especially if it's a subway, leading to a mall then good luck trying to find your way out because they are huge as with everything in China they like doing stuff big down here! Alright, nature calls, so we're gonna go use the toilet, however, can I just draw your attention to this gorgeous entrance to the restroom looks like it's a nightclub what on earth is happening out here Look at this! And now check the floor out.
Check the walls. Whoa. So where's the area to go and do your business then? Only in China? Stuff like this. Even the ceiling's like...
What? I am in a club. We just need a DJ to come. Play some music and we are in business. Here we are.
Guys, this is the coolest toilet that I've ever seen anywhere. Where else have you seen stuff like this? I'm pretty tempted to go inside the mens and see what it's like, so let's go. Right. This is amazing! This is a first, on Sun Kissed Bucket List. Bathroom experience as detailed as this. Okay.
Who would have thought a whole restroom experience here? That is charging points here. Put your devices here, wireless charging for you. Charging point here, charging point here. Do you know what? Everyone's on their cameras as well because this seems like such a cool idea. I think right now we're done.
Oh ohh my goodness me, look at that. That's the number of people just at the entrance taking photos. Let's get to our next stop guys. Let's do this. Look at what we are walking under. I don't know if that's in the mall or maybe it goes up to more of a residential area.
or offices don't know but we came from over this side somewhere just through the trees there oh guys I am excited to be here in Nanjing in the home of duck as well I have to say, I knew Nanjing, based on the duck situation, I did not know much else about it. I'm very happy we decided to add this into our itinerary because most people, I think it's overlooked by a lot of foreign tourists, but it's actually only three hours from Shanghai, I think on the high speed rail, which is very, very, very good But now we're down in the metro. Is this our stop? Yes, it is that one Daxinggong This platform looks busy. Wow. Nope, we're stuck there. Busy down this side as well.
I think we'll walk down a little bit because... Wherever you go, it is flipping busy isn't it? It is isn't it. Let's go this way instead and see. I think we have one minute until our train.
You were right! Are you ready? Yes we are. Let's goooo! Oh gosh, it's going to be busy. It is and already packed.
Good thing for us, there's just one stop. go, before we get left behind. Thank you. Here we go. Inside it's not too bad.
Off to our next stop which is... just one stop. Let's do this guys. We are coming.
All right we are near our next stop which is... That was a bit intense. So as I was saying, we are at our next stop, which is by the Presidential Palace, which I believe is this building behind us with the high walls. I just wanted to show you guys the high rises. However, the most important thing here, it's not the high rises that has caught my attention.
It's something else, It's the way the trees look. These, as Libby will tell you in a minute, I think they're called Phoenix trees, and basically they're a super popular type of tree that grows or that is all around Nanjing. It lines loads of different avenues.
And there's one particularly famous one that we will try and head over towards and see... Sorry, just let the tour guide say her thing out loud ...is this. I think so. I think. OK, we thought that we could come to the presidential palace and be able to walk around the gardens, but I don't think we can. I think you have to buy tickets.
So ticket office is here. I think we get the tickets here. Hello. Two tickets, please. Passport? Sure. OK. That's another reminder, you guys. Make sure you bring your passports everywhere you go in China, because you'll need them anytime you go into any kind of attraction or they'll link the tickets to your passports. Exactly.
You need them for trains, hotels, yeah, attractions! Just make sure you carry them around because you're going to make it easier for yourself. But right now. This lovely lady is just going to do them for us now. OK, yes, 35 per person.
OK, so it's 70 for two people and it's 35 CNY per person. There you go. Let's go check this out.
One of the most important landmarks here in Nanjing is the presidential palace. We got two tickets. Let's go. They are priced very reasonably as well. 35 yuan per person.
Not bad whatsoever. Let's go inside, learn some history as well, because you can't come to Nanjing and not come here. No, it's got to be done, right? It has to be done.
It is the golden hour right now, so it's not too hot. Got a little bit of a queue going as well. I think we've got gates up ahead. Scan your tickets. And then you're good to go.
But the sun in Nanjing, I think, sets really, really early. I think it's about 5:30. So we still have two hours and a bit. Thank you! There we go. Alright, Presidential Palace, here we are.
I do not really know what to expect, but I know this is going to be super beautiful. I know there's a lot of information here to learn about, and I know there's probably going to be loads of tour groups. There's one just over here. It's tour group here as well. I think ohh this is a great tour group.
You know why? They have the earpieces. I love you guys. Because there's no loudspeakers or anything so you're not causing a nuisance or annoyance to anyone else around you. You've got the earpieces so the guy keeps talking to the tour guide and you hear everything in your ears. That is
the way it should be done. Loving the lanterns out here. Let's see what's happening on the inside. So whilst we're here in the Presidential Palace as well, I also remembered to say that basically Nanjing is also a really important city along the Yangtze River. So a large chunk of it flows all the way
through the city. And it was really important back in the day for the commercial trade, things like that. We're taking a stroll right now through the Presidential Palace, and I can imagine that these walls, these windows, these ceilings, have seen many, many, many, many stories, many different people, many walks of life. Oh, we've got a little courtyard through here. This is really interesting.
So today, in the modern times, it's actually a museum right now, so it's no longer the Presidential Palace. Oh, that does look cool. Wow. And a nice little like pond area as well. This gives me very like Asian vibes for sure, with the rock work here and the tree.
There is a certain name for this, but I don't remember it. This is stunning. Look at this. The Reds, the Blues, the greens, the golds. But in here looks like a massive throne.
Whoa, who used to sit here then? Look at this. This is so royal. Wow! Yeah, because this is the heavenly king's throne. So there you go. This basically would be where they would discuss state affairs or any other important details or things that needed to be discussed.
It would happen right here. This is elegant and grand. That is gorgeous, I think. Oh my gosh yeah, I've just seen that now, the dragon head. Gorgeous. I'm loving this so far. There's so much to see.
I love how they've covered the pillar, as well because there's just so much detail and everything I think, maybe the dragon up there, spirals all the way down here. This is probably the gown of the Emporer, I might be completely wrong. I don't know.
I'm just guessing here, right? Because for this place, I think you most likely need a guide to find out what's going on. Because if there is detail written, most of it is in Chinese. And I'm working on my Chinese right now, so I'm not to that level yet where I can actually read it.
But hey, who knows? One day? So this is the president's reception room here, So we can just see inside slightly. They've got some waxwork figures, which looks quite cool. So this would be important for the chairman and they would meet all the different guests in here.
They'd probably discuss like some state affairs, things like that. So very cool to see a little slice of history there in Nanjing. I love it. Wow. But now we're in the gardens.
So this is beautiful. It's got a nice little fountain. Yeah, nice little place where people can just come, take a little break, sit down, chill out.
Lots of trees. This is a big place. It is. There's some fruits on the trees over here as well. I wonder what they are. They're peaches or apricots. Do you think? Look like it.
Could be right. Look, we've now come out to the part where nobody comes. Wow, it's now empty out here. I'm surprised. That is a big contrast from inside to outside, but the grounds here are really nice.
Definitely quite peaceful if you come away from all the crowds. But stick around, let's go head on to the next spot. Okay guys, we just met a lovely guy here. Nice to meet you. Take care. Bye bye. That was so sweet, he just came over to you? Yeah, he was like, I watch your videos on Bilibili and Doyin. Well, if you guys see us, as we like to say,
Come, don't be shy. Say hello to us. Let's take a photo together and we can feature you in one of the vlogs. For sure. We love, love, love chatting with loads of friendly locals. And now we actually came out to the Nanjing. I think it's called the 1912 Quarter or area.
Now I think we are off to another spot. We are indeed. Wait, no way. I didn't see them there. Who knew there were pandas here in Nanjing? Right. Here in Nanjing.
These are actual real bamboo trees, by the way. I thought you were about to say they're real pandas. But the bamboo trees are real. They are. Every time I see a bamboo tree, I automatically think, where are the pandas? So that's pretty cool.
Let's get to stop number two, three, four. Who knows? Ohh Yeah. Anyway, stick around. Let's go. All right, finally, we have made it to our next stop, which is we're by the boat. But guys, we just had an absolute mistake because we couldn't find this stop. We got in the Didi and then we actually went to the wrong stop, so I was confused at where we were going. Now, we've come to the Qinhuai River, I believe, Qinhuai So I think now Taz is just going to see if we can book some tickets. It is...
Did you figure it? I think... 120 CNY OK, so 60 CNY per person. Six? OK, there we go. So what's that? So we've paid 60 Yuan per person. And now the boat will go at 6 PM and what's the time right now? The time right now is we have 15 minutes to spare which is absolutely fine, no problem. Look at this beautiful place.
Yeah, so we're right on the Qinhuai River. I think I said this right. The lovely lady was saying just stay put here, 15 more minutes to spare. Got some lanterns greeting us. Beautiful, beautiful setting here though guys.
This place looks absolutely gorgeous. So from the last place down here we took a taxi because there was a... I mean, we could have taken the metro as well, but then again we decided just to take a taxi instead because Didi in China is just so affordable.
This is the city wall of Nanjing. Wow, that is so cool. So somewhere I heard, if you do point to point on the city wall, it takes, I don't know, it's probably about 25 to 30 kilometres. You guys let us know what's the deal, but I think it will be taking us around Qinhuai River.
I think it is time to board. Let's do this. I don't think it's going to be busy right now, which is another reason why we wanted to come this time in the evening. Because look at that.
The lights have just gone on. Happy days. These lovely ladies behind us are the only passengers. Be careful. Hello. Thank you.
Here we go. I love this. Where do you want to sit? I want to sit here. I want to control the boat. Thank you. The lights are all going on.
These lovely ladies will be with us on this beautiful Qinhuai river cruise. I'm excited. I've got you some refreshments, firstly. Thank you so much. I just asked, and it's apparently 35 minutes. Ohh Can you see the bird? Ohh It just walked off the other side. There's a fat bird.
It kind of looks like a seagull, but I don't think it is. And it's got like a blue kind of feathering on it. These are all nice and wooden inside. Usually, it's a really good time to come right now around sundown. It's not too hot. And it's not crowded. I can imagine during the day this must be super hot yeah and also crowded as well. We get
perfect views at night as well, all the way up. Let's do this! That's why I was telling you guys this is the best time to come because the lights go on around the boat and it's not busy. You can even go around here for a little walk if you want Right this looks gorgeous now because even up there now, the lights have all gone on Look at that beautiful view of Nanjing after sundown guys it's getting a bit misty up here as well very mystical very enchanting I highly recommend, if you want to come and do the boat trip, definitely come in the evening, because I personally think it's much better. This boat is basically empty. There's one other family, and then there's us, and that's it. So, now look, we've got different bits and pieces going along the side of the wall over here.
This is looking absolutely stunning and well worth it. So 60 yuan per person to come on the river, and it's so smooth and glassy as well. You can see the reflection of all the light. It looks so beautiful. Wow, okay, under the bridge we go. Oh look, more people over here as well.
They're doing their fishing too. Alright, let's go a little further. Are you enjoying it there, sir? I'm loving it. This is such a nice way to come and just chill out. Just enjoying Nanjing at night. Here we are, I think we're back.
Thank you. here we are, mind your head, low clearance. Back on land again. Al right, this is what I mean. Lights, lights, everywhere. We are going out.
Not exactly sure what to expect outside here. So let's go and explore, see what's up. All right, it is time for a quick drink. Traffic first. Need to make sure we safely navigate.
He is stopping. Happy days. Good guy, good samaritan. I see a drink shop here. Our favorite one. It's nowhere to be seen, which is why we're going to have to change unfortunately. Shall we go here? Auntea Jenny! Hello. Hello.
my friend What's happening here then? I could just go with something like this. There we go, that's English. Chilled mango creme with pomelo.
Yes, sounds good. I'll have that. There's another one here as well. Same one up there, it's strawberry. Hello, Can we get this one? That one. Yes, please. Thank you.
So we're ordering one chilled mango cream with pomelo. I've never heard of that combination before. We got it. Okay, taste test it. What do you think? Firstly, it's a huge cup.
19 yuan. Humongous. Well, it is a good combination. Never had this before. Is that pomelo and mango? It's so strong. It's nice. I like it. Very good. Thank you.
Bye bye. We now are going to head, I think around this area guys, but probably we're going to finish it up right now because what a day we've had. First impressions of Nanjing. I've loved this city. We have had a very, very nice day today. It's been fun to explore the streets of Nanjing for the first time.
A very, very cool city, a lot of history, fascinating. And also a little bit off of the tourist path, let's say. So it felt a little bit more authentic.
It was really nice to see the city, nice to enjoy the drink, but now we're going to finish it up here, you guys. So if you've enjoyed it, then thank you very, very much. Thanks for making it this far. If you haven't already, make sure you subscribe, like, share with all your friends and your family, and we will see you at some point somewhere in the next one.
Let's go!!!!!!
2024-11-21 22:57
