Malaysia Beauty Travel and Lifestyle Blog

If you're a Malaysian travelling to China for the first time, there is one thing I would strongly recommend doing before you even pack your luggage: Get your essential travel apps ready. China is not quite the same as travelling to Singapore, Thailand or Japan where you can simply arrive, open Google Maps, tap your usual payment app or credit card and carry on. For a first-time China traveller, having the right apps can make a BIG difference. And no, you don't need to download 20 different apps. Over the years, I've found that there are a few apps I keep coming back to whenever I travel around China .... especially Alipay, WeChat, AMap , TNG and a good translation app. These apps cover most of the things I need: payment, communication, navigation, transport, translation and getting around. And I know this because I've had quite a lot of practice. My China travel story started in 2010 My first trip to China was actually way back in 2010 , when I went to Shanghai on a com...

  Why Dujiangyan? Dujiangyan is just an hour train ride from Chengdu City, but for a slow traveler like me, three days and two nights felt just right. While many healthy travelers do a quick day trip, I needed more time to soak in the sights and adapt to the pace. I was travelling with one walking stick on my hand. Dujiangyan Pandan Valley Address:  Baima Village, Yutang Town, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu Arrival & First Impressions After a long car ride from Heishui, I reached Dujiangyan late in the evening, exhausted. No private driver here. His service ended here at Dujiangyan. Too expensive to keep hahaha. I use only e-hailing rides to move around. The vibe was different, more local, more raw. The first panda , I met This fella...dont even move. I thought he's dead! another...I care less panda. Just sleep like a wooden log up there Panda Valley Experience The next morning, I headed to Panda Valley with my online ticket. I chose the smaller valley instead of the conservatio...

  Here's the continuation from my Sichuan trip on October 2025. Gaisssss!!! I was so filed up with my health condition and so on. Plus I lost my motivation to do the write up. I'm about to embarked to another journey next month. My swollen ankle makes me worries a lot. Can I make it this trip. I went to the doctor yesterday for an ultra scan. Not a sprained ankle which is phewww!!! relief . It look like inflamation. The Doc prescribed a cream to apply and antibiotics. But this morning, I woke up with elephant feet. Nope! that was exhaggerating. But it look more swollen than yeasterday. However the pain isn't so frequent like the day before la. I hope it reduce tomorrow or the day after. I side track again , right. OK! let me continue my Sichuan Travel diary. By the way, if you miss out my earlier Sichuan diary...scroll to the bottom of this post. I drop the links there for leisure reads. Day 3 - Heishui → Dagu Glacier → Dujiangyan Snow-Capped Peaks, World’s Highest Cable Ca...

Morning at Bipenggou Scenic Area (毕棚沟风景区) Day 2 began with an early check-out from Bipenggou Hotel around 8:30am. I had purchased   Bipenggou Ticket , online which included both the shuttle bus ride and the battery cart ride. After exchanging the e-ticket for a physical one at the tourist center near the entrance, I was ready to explore. . First Impressions Mid-October is a magical time to visit Bipenggou. The valley is painted in autumn hues—golden larches, fiery red maples, and snow-dusted peaks in the distance. The crisp air and serene atmosphere make it a photographer’s dream. How to Explore Tickets:  Buy the shuttle bus + battery cart combo ticket for convenience. The shuttle bus takes you deep into the scenic area, while the battery cart helps shorten walking distances. Shuttle Bus Ride:  The ride itself is scenic, winding through forests and valleys. However, boarding requires climbing a long staircase, which can be tiring if you’re not prepared. Battery Cart...

Shuangqiaogou Valley On my 51st birthday, I finally set off to Chengdu despite my knee not being in the best condition. Armed with a walking stick and a stubborn spirit, I pushed through the pain of osteoarthritis. My fear was simple: leaving this world without completing my goal of exploring every renowned province in China. China is vast, beautiful, and full of nature’s wonders. I couldn’t let my health stop me. For this Western Sichuan adventure, I hired a private driver for 3 days, 2 nights to cover the route: Chengdu – Shuangqiaogou Valley – Bipenggou – Heishui – Dujiangyan. This blog series will be split into three posts, starting with Day 1. I woke up at 4:30am, and by 6:00am my driver arrived. The journey from bustling Chengdu into the serene alpine world of Mount Siguniang was long but rewarding. The drive itself felt like part of the adventure. Driving Timeline • Chengdu → Maobiliang Deck: ~4 hours • Maobiliang Deck → Shuangqiaogou Valley: ~15–20 minutes • Shuangqiaogou...

  Renmin Park (人民公园), also known as People’s Park, is the oldest public park in Chengdu and a living, breathing example of the city’s famously relaxed lifestyle. Located in the heart of Chengdu, this tranquil escape offers artful landscaping, bonsai gardens, winding streams, and a pond where rowboats and motorboats drift lazily. Whether you're a solo traveler, wellness seeker, or curious wanderer, Renmin Park is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Chengdu. Tea Houses, Chinese Chess & Cappuccino Contrasts Tea culture thrives here. Locals sip jasmine tea, play mahjong, and chat under shaded pavilions. It’s a scene that feels timeless. But if you’re like me....a cappuccino rebel...you’ll find joy in sipping espresso foam while soaking in the serenity. Renmin Park welcomes both tradition and personal quirks. Family-Friendly Fun & Bonsai Beauty - Bonsai Garden: A peaceful corner filled with miniature trees and poetic landscaping. - Kiddie Rides: Small amusement rides a...

  I did it. I survived a 17-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu via China Southern Airlines. Barely. Let me tell you, this trip was not for the faint-hearted...or for anyone with a dodgy knee like mine.  Midnight Flight, Sinking Seat, and Questionable Breakfast My flight from KLIA took off at 3:10am. Yes, you read that right. The kind of hour where your body screams for a warm bed, not a cramped Airbus seat. The man in front of me decided to lean back like he was in a spa. My seat? Shrunk into a sardine tin. With my post-surgery knee acting up and a seat that felt like it was designed by a chiropractor’s nemesis, I spent five hours contorting like a pretzel. Inflight service? Meh. I requested halal food(pre ordered during booking). Stewardess confidently said, “All food on this flight is halal.” Then the guy next to me slurped his pork noodles like it was his last supper. I got an “American breakfast” that looked like it had been rejected by America. Beans, a sad omelett...

Celebrating My 50th Birthday in Eastern China: A Soulful Escape to Hangzhou, Hongchun & Qiandaohu Turning 50 wasn’t just a milestone! It was a whisper from my soul to pause, breathe, and wander somewhere poetic. So last October, I gifted myself a journey to Eastern China, embracing the gentle rhythm of Hangzhou, the timeless charm of Hongchun, and the serene waters of Qiandaohu (Thousand-Island Lake). No rush. No pressure. Just me, my curious heart, and a knee that demanded kindness. My Route: Hangzhou → Hongchun → Qiandaohu → Hangzhou Days 1–4: Hangzhou – Where Heaven Meets Earth They say, “In heaven there is paradise, on earth there is Hangzhou.” I now understand why. Where I Stayed: Nostalgia S Hotel (Hubin Hefang Street)  Strategically located—just a stroll away from Qinghefang Street, West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and the metro. Be careful not to confuse it with the similarly named hotel inside West Lake it’s a bit too chaotic for my taste. What I Did: Qiantang Canal Cruise ...