Just got back from Wenling, here are some harsh truths

Just got back from Wenling, and I have to spill some hard truths! 💔✨ Traveling in November really takes courage and wisdom. I hope this guide helps you avoid pitfalls and have a great time～ 🚗 Transportation: Wenling’s public transport can really cure your road rage (because you’ll be waiting so long you lose your temper)! 😅 The bus from the high-speed rail station to Shitang is long, so driving yourself or hiring a car is the smart choice. The coastal highway along the way is so beautiful it makes you forget time. 🛣️🌊 Don’t be as silly as I was waiting for the bus—by the time I got to the attraction, the sun was almost setting… ⏳🌇 🏨 Accommodation: Wenling’s stone house homestays are unique, but be sure to keep your eyes open! 👀 Some popular homestays look nothing like their photos, which is heartbreaking. Remember to check negative reviews and real traveler photos on Trip.com. 📸 The Qicai Haiyao Homestay I stayed at was surprisingly reliable, with a balcony offering stunning sea views and the sound of waves to lull you to sleep at night. 🌌🌠 Book at least a week in advance; last-minute bookings are risky. 💣 🌄 Attractions: 【Millennium Dawn Park】A must-go! But don’t foolishly oversleep! ⏰ Sunrise in November is around 6 AM, so I recommend leaving by 5 AM. Remember to wear a jacket—the sea breeze at dawn can make you question your life choices. 🧥🌅 The Dawn Monument is where the first ray of the new millennium’s sunlight hits. Watching the red sun leap from the horizon is truly breathtaking! 💖🌄 【Couple Ring Viewing Platform】Shaped like a pair of rings, super romantic, but it’s a 15-minute hike! 👟 Wearing a light-colored dress makes for ethereal photos, but definitely wear comfortable shoes—I wore small heels and my feet hurt so badly I wanted to amputate on the spot. 👠💔 The 270° sea view is worth it. I suggest going at 4 PM to catch the sunset and avoid crowds. 📸🌇 【Xiao Ruo Village】This macaron-colored fishing village is super photogenic, but don’t go at noon! ☀️ November’s slanting sunlight makes the colors pop best around 9-10 AM or 3-4 PM. 🎨 The village is small but winding and easy to get lost in. Be sure to check in at the archway and colorful steps—wear solid colors for better photos! 👗🌈 【Shuitong’ao Hiking】A beginner-friendly trail, but anti-slip shoes are a lifesaver! 👟 On the ridge, green mountains on the left and blue sea on the right, with jagged rocks perfect for photos. Some sections are steep, so I recommend downloading the “Two Steps” app to follow the route. 📱🌊 The whole hike takes 3.5 hours, bring water as there are no supply points. 💧🍂 🍴 Food: Wenling’s seafood is so fresh you can taste the ocean! 🦀 But November is the end of the fishing ban, so seafood options are limited and prices are a bit high. I recommend eating qian gao (stuffed rice cake) and fish noodles on Shitang Old Street—30 RMB per person and you’ll be stuffed. 🍜🤤 Linjia Taiwanese Cuisine’s braised yellow croaker is amazing, but book ahead as wait times can be an hour in peak season. 🐟🔥 💸 Costs: Wenling offers good value for travel, but watch out for hidden fees! 💰 For example, Jinsha Beach ticket is 30 RMB, Pearl Beach is free but the pebbles hurt your feet; the Couple Ring platform is free but parking costs 20 RMB… Plan your route in advance and buy combo tickets for better deals. 🎫 I spent over 800 RMB casually over two days, but with good planning, 500 RMB is doable. 💳🤔 📸 Photography: Wenling is a photographer’s paradise, but you need to know these secret spots! 🤫 Qilin Mountain summit for panoramic views of Xiao Ruo Village, coastal greenway for fishing boats at sunset, and Dawn Park for star photography—bring a power bank, running out of battery is common. 📷🌌 Tripod and wide-angle lens are must-haves; time-lapse by the sea is stunning. 🌠 👗 Outfit: November in Wenling is warm by day and cold at night, so dressing requires strategy! 🧥 I recommend layering: thin sweater + windbreaker. Take off the jacket for photos and instantly become a summer goddess. 💃 Straw hat and sunglasses are essential for sun protection and saving awkward poses. 🕶️👒 Bring several scarves; the sea breeze makes every snap look like a masterpiece. 🌬️🎀 💡 Honest Tips: Check the weather forecast before watching the sunrise! It’s pointless if it’s cloudy ☀️📱 Distances between attractions are far; hiring a car for about 300 RMB a day is cheaper than taxis 🚗💵 Bring both slippers and sneakers to handle beach and hiking scenes 👟🏖️ Don’t skip sunscreen! UV rays are still strong by the sea in November 🧴🌞 Have 500 RMB cash ready; some homestays and snack shops only accept cash 💸🏪 This small city of Wenling really made me love and hate it—hate the inconvenient transport and some disappointing attractions, love the unreal blue sea and endless seafood! 🦐🌊 If you plan ahead, it will definitely surprise you. One last truth: little travel mishaps are part of the unique experience; accepting imperfection makes the trip more fun! 😉💖