Yangzhou Getaway: Unbeatable Jinjiang Inn Deal Near Shouxi Lake!
Yangzhou Getaway: Jinjiang Inn - Close Enough to Shouxi Lake, but is it Close Enough to My Sanity? A Rambling Review.
Okay, people, buckle up. This isn't your standard, perfectly polished hotel review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth about my recent stay at the Jinjiang Inn near Shouxi Lake in Yangzhou. Spoiler alert: it was…an experience. Let's dive in, shall we? And yes, I am already on my second cup of coffee.
First Impressions (and the Quest for the Front Desk):
Right off the bat, accessibility. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did have luggage that felt like it weighed a small car. The exterior seemed decent, and the "car park [on-site]" was a blessing. Finding the entrance? That was adventure #1. Seriously, I spent a good five minutes wandering around, feeling like I was in some elaborate hotel maze. Eventually, I stumbled across a sign. Victory! The "Front desk [24-hour]" was a relief, especially since I arrived at a truly ungodly hour. But the check-in? Smooth as silk. Thank goodness for "Contactless check-in/out" – less human interaction after that little entrance-finding fiasco was a huge win.
The Room: My Little Box of…Mostly Cleanliness?
Alright, let's talk about the sanctuary, the little cube where I was to spend the night. "Non-smoking rooms" – thank the heavens. Because, you know, lungs. The "Air conditioning" blasted like a mini-Arctic, which I appreciated. The "Desk" was functional, and the "Internet access – Wi-Fi [free]" was a godsend. (More on that later). "Free bottled water" – essential for survival. I appreciated the "Coffee/tea maker." The "Bathroom," however…let's just say it could have used a slightly deeper clean. But hey, "Daily housekeeping" apparently rectified that the next day.
The Internet Debacle (aka the Wi-Fi Saga):
Oh, the Wi-Fi. This warrants its own chapter. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the website screamed. And technically…it was true. It was there. But my connection was about as strong as a wet noodle. I'm talking buffering so intense, I could have finished a novel in the time I spent waiting for a single YouTube video to load. I attempted a video call to my mother. Attempted. Let's just say, she got a lovely slideshow of frozen pixels. It's not that I needed "Internet access – LAN," but I was seriously considering it at one point, and going to the "Coffee Shop" and begging for a decent connection. This Wi-Fi situation almost broke my sanity. Almost. But hey, at least there was "Internet access – wireless". Right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (or, How I Survived on Instant Noodles):
Okay, the food. Now, this is where things get… interesting. "Breakfast [buffet]" was advertised. I went in with high hopes of a delicious start to my day. What I got was a selection of… let's politely call it "basic." The "Asian breakfast" was so-so. I ended up mostly eating the "Buffet in restaurant", and my stomach grumbled when i saw the sad-looking "Vegetarian restaurant" option. I'm not even a Vegetarian but it was just… sad. There's also the "Snack bar", which seemed to have a very sad selection of snacks. The "Coffee Shop" offered coffee, and you know what? The coffee was okay. I think I mostly survived on the "Bottle of water" and instant noodles I had stashed in my suitcase. The "Room service [24-hour]" was handy, but again, the menu was limited.
Cleanliness and Safety (A Mixed Bag):
Okay, good things first. The "Anti-viral cleaning products" were reassuring. The "Hand sanitizer" (multiple bottles!) was a welcome sight. They had "Staff trained in safety protocol". Now, the "Room sanitization opt-out available" was nice, but it seemed to me there were no other options. But! The "Rooms sanitized between stays" seemed to be true, and although the bathroom was not perfect initially, things were better.
Things to Do (Besides Stare at the Wi-Fi Router):
Well, I didn't exactly envision myself spending my days in spa treatments or things like Sauna or Spa/sauna - my budget won't allow it. But, even after the disappointment, the "Swimming pool [outdoor]" was a tempting proposition. I could have "Relaxed" in the "Pool with view" after all. But, I was here to see Shouxi Lake, not to lounge by the pool. So, I can't make a judgment.
Services and Conveniences (A Mixed Bag, Part Deux):
The "Elevator" was a lifesaver with my luggage. "Daily housekeeping" came and went more or less at the right time. The "Luggage storage" was a welcome convenience. But, the "Cash withdrawal" was a gamble, and the "Currency exchange" – well, I didn't need it, but it was nice to know it was there. I couldn't see any "Facilities for disabled guests".
For the Kids (Because, Why Not?):
I didn't bring kids, so I wasn't concerned about "Babysitting service" or things for the "Family/child friendly" or the "Kids facilities".
Getting Around (My Feet Got a Workout!):
"Car park [free of charge]" was a huge plus. But for actually getting around, I relied on my feet, which was great for burning off all those instant noodle calories.
The "Unbeatable Jinjiang Inn Deal" Verdict:
Overall? It was… an experience. The location near Shouxi Lake? Fantastic (once I found the hotel and got to it). Cleanliness? Mostly okay. Wi-Fi? A disaster. Food? Let's just say I'm now a connoisseur of instant noodles. For the price? It's a decent deal. Especially if you're on a budget and don't mind a few quirks. Would I stay there again? Maybe. With a suitcase full of reliable internet hotspots and a secret stash of gourmet snacks. And a prayer for stronger Wi-Fi.
Richmond Getaway: Unbelievable Deals at Super 8 by Wyndham!
Yangzhou, You Were Supposed to Be Relaxing… (A Travel Itinerary, Sort Of)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly sculpted, overly-polished travel blog. This is the real deal. This is me, after a long-haul flight, a questionable taxi ride, and a desperate craving for a decent cup of tea, trying to map out my adventure in Yangzhou, China. And it's already going off the rails. Beautifully, messily off the rails.
Hotel: Jinjiang Inn Select Yangzhou Shouxi Lake Siwangting Road. (Sounds fancy, right? Stay tuned.)
Day 1: Arrival and the (Possible) Pursuit of Serenity (Spoiler Alert: It's Probably Not Going to Happen)
- Morning (ish): Ugh, the flight. Don't even get me STARTED. Endless leg room? Nope. Bland airplane food? Absolutely. Landing in Shanghai and then the short flight to Yangzhou felt like someone was trying to give me the world's longest, most boring enema. Finally, landed. The taxi… well, let’s just say my Mandarin skills are currently limited to "xie xie" (thank you) and "ni hao" (hello). The driver understood about 20% of what I said, which made for a… vibrant journey. Reached the hotel and it’s cleaner. The room is…a room. Adequate. But the air conditioning. Sweet, sweet, glorious air conditioning. Thank heavens.
- Afternoon: Okay, goal number one: find food. I'm starting to think I should've packed more snacks. Found a little noodle place nearby. The language barrier was epic. Gestures, frantic pointing, a lot of laughing, and somehow, I ended up with a massive bowl of… noodles. Delicious noodles, though! Seriously, the broth was unbelievably flavorful. But I think I'm going to need a nap to digest this monster. This is gonna be amazing.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Attempt to wander around Shouxi Lake. The "Shouxi" means "slim West", and the lake is supposed to be like, incredibly pretty. Pictures looked idyllic; think willow trees weeping over calm waters, pagodas reflecting in the glassy surface. Reality? It's beautiful, yes, but also crowded. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder, struggling-to-breathe crowded. Plus, I kept bumping into these groups of people dressed in what looked like ancient costumes trying to pose for the perfect Instagram shot. Honestly, kind of annoying. But hey, the architecture is stunning and the lake looks stunning itself. The sunset, though… that was magical. Worth the squeeze.
- Evening: Dinner. Trying some local Yangzhou cuisine. The restaurant was buzzing with life and the food… well, let's just say I'm fairly certain I ate something that was still wiggling a little bit. I'm not going to lie, I panicked for a bit but I decided to be adventurous, so I ate it out. The soup was wonderful, though, with a delightful taste.
Day 2: The Grand Canal and a Deep Dive into History (Maybe?)
- Morning: Decided to tackle the Grand Canal. It’s a big deal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the oldest canal in the world. Took a boat tour. It was a lot of scenery, definitely. Was it historically educational? Sure, somewhat. Was it also a bit…samey after a while? Okay, fine, yes. But the sheer scale of the thing is impressive. Watched the river and pondered on what people felt when they took the boat in such canals.
- Afternoon: Took a walk through the Slender West Lake Scenic Area, hoping to enjoy a more peaceful and relaxing visit than yesterday. It's a big place, with lots of buildings, and views. I also decided to try some snack like tanghulu (candied fruit skewers) and I found myself amazed at how delicious the fruit was!
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: I got into the local history museum. It was a massive complex, with exhibits on EVERYTHING. I took a long time to look through the exhibits. It was incredibly fascinating, although my brain started to feel a little numb after a while. I'm not sure how much of it I understood fully but the artefacts were beautiful.
- Evening: Found a little restaurant. Small place, more locals than tourists. Attempted to order something, which was a disaster, but the waitress was super patient and helpful. Dinner was some form of braised pork and some seasonal vegetables. It was delicious. I am starting to love Chinese food!
Day 3: Daming Temple and the (Fearsome) Tea Ceremony
- Morning: Visited Daming Temple. It's an ancient Buddhist temple, and it's supposed to be beautiful. It was beautiful, no complaints there. I liked the sense of calm and history, there was a whole lot of walking, it was a lovely place to visit. So much history.
- Afternoon: Tea ceremony. I read about it beforehand, how the Chinese take tea very seriously. I should have probably taken that more seriously. I was invited into the tea room from the restaurant. I felt like I was some clueless Westerner and boy was I right. The tea master was incredibly precise, the rituals were complex, and I was terrified. It's not just tea, it's a whole damn performance! I managed to not spill anything, which I considered a victory. The tea, though… it was sublime. Truly. And I did calm down eventually and actually enjoy it.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Went to the Old Street. It's a maze of cobbled streets, lined with shops and eateries. It felt far more 'touristy' than some of the other places I've been, but I still had a great time. Got some souvenirs, tried some more street food (more noodles, because, duh), and just wandered around.
- Evening: Seriously considered another noodle dish, but then my stomach voted vehemently against it. Instead, I ended up at a local place. The food was… interesting. I tried something I think was duck, and it was tasty, though I won’t be able to tell for sure.
Day 4: Departure (And A Deep, Sad Sigh)
- Morning: Last breakfast. That amazing bowl of noodles is calling my name! Had a good breakfast and then I had to pack. It’s always a rush, but I managed to make it in time.
- Afternoon: Check out, farewell to the hotel. Another taxi, this time I got a decent driver, I think.
- The End: Back to the airport. The end of the trip is coming… Ugh, already missing the food. And the people. And even the crowds. Yangzhou, you beautiful, chaotic, sometimes slightly terrifying place. I'll be back. I hope. Maybe. Definitely.
Final Thoughts (In No Particular Order):
- The Hotel: Pretty solid. Not luxurious, but comfortable enough, and the air conditioning saved my sanity.
- The Food: The best! Bring a translator app, though.
- The Language Barrier: It's real. Embrace it. Learn a few key phrases. And master the universal language of pointing and smiling.
- The People: Generally incredibly friendly and helpful, even when they can't understand you.
- Yangzhou: Chaotic, beautiful, delicious, and unforgettable. Definitely worth the trip.
I give Yangzhou… an enthusiastic, slightly messy, four out of five stars. Would travel again! (Once I recover from the jet lag, that is.)
Midland's BEST Kept Secret: Residence Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
So, how *do* you actually sleep with a cat who seemingly believes 3 AM is PRIME playtime?
Why does Mittens insist on yelling at the wall at 2 AM? Seriously, is her brain okay?
What’s the deal with the hairballs? Are they a form of cat communication?
If Mittens is so difficult, why do you still have her? I mean...
What’s the *weirdest* thing Mittens has ever done?
Okay, last question. What do you *really* wish Mittens understood?
Post a Comment for "Yangzhou Getaway: Unbeatable Jinjiang Inn Deal Near Shouxi Lake!"