Old Harbour

After spending 7 days in the Netherlands, my spending habits totally collapsed! Although the prices here are high, every penny is well spent, and every snapshot looks like a movie scene 🎬 This itinerary completely won me over with the Dutch windmills, canals, and the atmosphere of freedom~ ▪️Must-visit Attractions▪️ 1⃣️ Amsterdam Botanical Garden Plantage Middenlaan 2a Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 The greenhouses here are simply dreamy! Various tropical plants are super healing, and you can even see the world’s largest water lily (the leaves can hold a child!) 2⃣️ Euromast Observation Tower Parkhaven 20, Rotterdam Peak season 9:30-22:00 / Off-season 10:00-22:00 Ticket €15.5 Overlook the entire Rotterdam skyline from 185 meters high, the revolving restaurant is super romantic, recommended to visit at dusk (remember to book a window seat in advance!) 3⃣️ Canal Cruise Recommended to choose a boat with a glass roof Take a ride along the Gentlemen’s Canal to see the most beautiful gabled houses, remember to bring the audio guide (available in Chinese) 4⃣️ Cheese Farm Zeilenmakerspad 5, Zaandam 8:00-18:00 Watching the cheese-making process in person is super fun! The farm owner will warmly invite you to taste; I bought three pieces of goat cheese with a lavender scent... ▪️Off-the-beaten-path Experiences▪️ 📍 Peace Palace (free admission) Home of the International Court of Justice, the architecture is stunning 📍 Evening stroll at the Old Harbor The bars by Oudehaven pier have a great vibe 📍 Red Light District (you know it) The ladies in the windows will greet you proactively, remember not to take photos!

While wandering around the port area of Fangchenggang, I found a place full of charm—the Beigang Guli Cultural Square, rich with stories of the old port. Locals love to come here for a stroll and to check in. If you have a day, why not come to Beigang Guli in Fangchenggang to enjoy the sea breeze? The sunset here 🌇 won’t disappoint. 【Transportation】 1. 🚌 Take bus No. 3 to "People's Bank," then walk 10 minutes. 2. 🚗 Take a taxi or drive to "Beigang Guli Cultural Square." 【Attraction Introduction】 The entire square feels like a port culture museum! Red brick walls, corridors built from old ship wood, vintage street lamps, and various sculptures featuring old port elements—dock workers from the past, old fishing boat models, and rusty anchor chains. Walking on the stone-paved road feels like traveling back decades to the old port. Every photo you take has a retro film vibe. The square is right next to the coastline. When tired, you can sit on the benches by the sea, enjoy the sea breeze, watch cargo ships slowly passing in the distance, and listen to the waves hitting the shore. The lively atmosphere of the old port perfectly blends with the vastness of the sea. At dusk, the sunset shines on the red walls, casting mottled shadows and creating a full ambiance. Even locals love to walk and chat here. 【Check-in Spots】 1️⃣ Fangchenggang Landmark: Navigate to "Lele Food City," right across the street. 2️⃣ Beiyu Coffee: Enter through Xunye Camping, a seaside wooden cabin café with a prime window view for photos. Opens at 12:00, coffee costs around 20+ RMB per cup. 3️⃣ "I'm Waiting for You at Beigang Guli": Take a photo with the coastline. 4️⃣ Flying Fish Flags: The colorful flying fish flags flutter in the sea breeze. 5️⃣ Lighthouse and "Starting Point of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea": Both are next to the pier, witnessing the friendship between China and Vietnam and the years of aid during the Vietnam War. 6️⃣ Pink Flower Sea: Even the stairs are painted pink, handrails are covered with pink flowers. Photos taken from above can capture "Fangchenggang." 【Night Market】 The night market is lively with lots of food and children's activities like bumper cars and trampolines—perfect for families. 【Best Time to Visit】 From dusk to night, you can enjoy the sunset sea view and experience the lively night market atmosphere. Fangchenggang | A Hidden Retro Cultural Square in the Port 【Photo Tips】 ✔️ Take side or back profile shots in front of the red brick wall, paired with retro-style outfits (denim and shirts work great). ✔️ Capture candid shots walking through the old ship wood corridor, with sunlight streaming through the gaps for a great vibe. ✔️ Interact with the dock-themed sculptures, pretending to work at the old port for a strong storytelling feel. 【Travel Tips】 ✅ Evening light is best for photos—no backlight and you can watch the seaside sunset. ✅ The square is small but exquisite; one hour is enough, perfect for a quick stop. ✅ Nearby is the port seafood market, so after visiting, you can enjoy a fresh seafood feast. The tranquility and stories of the old port—if you love retro style and want to learn about Fangchenggang’s history, you must come here for a walk~

#summerbudgettrip In the land of wind and water, few places capture the Dutch spirit quite like Kinderdijk—a quiet village of ancient windmills lined up along the dikes. Pair it with a short train ride to The Hague, home of Vermeer and world justice, and you have a perfect one-day journey through two sides of the Netherlands: nature and nobility. ⸻ Morning: Mist and Windmills in Kinderdijk I started early in Rotterdam, hopping on the waterbus to Kinderdijk—a scenic and affordable ride that beats any bus or train. As the boat glided down the rivers, modern cities faded and wetlands took over. By the time I stepped off, I was surrounded by reeds, sky, and windmills that looked as if they’d spun through centuries. Kinderdijk has 19 historic windmills, and many are still operational. Some paths are free to walk, while a small fee lets you enter one and climb its narrow wooden stairs. Inside, you’ll find tiny bedrooms, antique furniture, and the rhythm of blades creaking overhead. I wandered the footpaths for hours—just me, ducks, and the wind. There are few better places in Europe to feel both the power of nature and the ingenuity of people trying to control it. Bring snacks and water—there are few shops, and the stillness is part of the charm.

#europetrip What a lovely area, just a couple of minutes from the Cube houses and the Markthal and close to a number of hotels such as CitizenM and restaurants such as Fitzgeralds. Blaak station, the Metro and tram are just a few minutes away or you can arrive in foot or by cycle. By day it's a beautiful, relaxed area: there are lots of seats to sit and watch the world go by. The harbour if full of old and unusual boats many of which have supporting information posted closer by. Also look out for the Calex building which is really stunning and dominates done corner. In the evening the area comes alive as the many bars and restaurants quickly fill up with tourists and locals alike. Slepervest and other short streets are piled with cycles as people enjoy the lovely safe environment. If you are staying close by it's definitely worth visiting to soak up the atmosphere.

#budgetairlines First Landing: Architecture with Attitude After arriving at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, I hopped on the train toward the city. But before diving into The Hague itself, I couldn’t resist a quick detour to Rotterdam—a playground of modern architecture. And right near the station: the iconic Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen). These bright yellow, tilted cubes stacked like houses from a dream look more like origami than real apartments. Some are lived in, one is open to visitors. I stepped inside and climbed the slanted stairs, disoriented in the best way. Everything is at an angle, and yet… it works. It’s a reminder that Dutch design doesn’t just build buildings—it tells stories. Across the square, I spotted the famous Pencil Tower (Het Potlood)—a spire-shaped apartment block that looks like someone dropped a giant gray crayon into the skyline. Weird? Yes. Memorable? Definitely. To The Hague: Sunshine and Still Water After a short train ride, I reached The Hague, a city where politics, art, and the sea all blend into something surprisingly chill. It was a sunny afternoon, and I headed straight to the Hofvijver—the long reflecting pond beside the Dutch Parliament buildings. Locals lounged on the grassy banks, geese floated across the water, and sunlight danced on brick façades. Behind it all, the Binnenhof stood like a fortress of calm power. No ticket needed. No crowds pushing. Just sun, water, and quiet architecture watching you back.