As an enthusiastic traveller, Google Maps became essential for every trip of mine anywhere in the world. Sometimes I need Google Maps to find the way to my hotel, sometimes I use Google Maps to look for food recommendations near me. I love writing reviews about sight-seeing wherever I go. It could be a famous destination, a world heritage or even a hidden gem I found by myself. Meanwhile I also try to look for information about my destination before going, but I find it isn’t easy sometimes because the information on the internet can sometimes be out of date. That leads me to an idea, why don’t I write a detailed review about every scenery I have been? So now, in each review I write I often add details about transportation to go there, updated entrance tickets price, opening and closing times…together with photos taken by my phone. I believe a lot of travellers have similar issues when they look for updated information on internet. By writing detail reviews I want to share latest information about my destination to any readers, so they could make their travel plans perfect.
In my latest trip to China last month, I found it really challenging to search for information because I do not know Mandarin. And I can not use Google Maps in China (without a VPN). Luckily in my friendship group we had a Taiwanese girl, and an Australian who can speak some Mandarin, and they mostly took care of every communication with local Chinese people. So, every destination I visited in that trip, I came back and wrote long and specific reviews about it because I know it is precious to people that can not speak Mandarin and they may not find that information anywhere else on internet. And here are some of my favourite photos in 2 weeks trip.
Caption: LeShan Giant Buddha in Chengdu, China. Unfortunately it was undergoing restoration when I was there, but still amazing! (Local guide Ha Thao)
Caption: Wenshu Temple. Beautiful Turtle Pond. Be sure to try the vegetarian restaurant here! Opens at 12. (Local guide Ha Thao)
Caption: A friendly local at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Hang on to your food and watch your pockets! ( Local guide Ha Thao)
Caption: Heaven’s Gate in Tianmen Mountain. The views truly are heavenly! (Local guide Ha Thao)
Caption: Walking along cliffside path in Tianmen Mountain. (Local guide Ha Thao)
I feel happy and proud of to be a local guide that could help other people get the information they need. I will keep contributing more and more quality reviews and photos of scenery I will explore in the future on Google Maps. Thank you Google for giving me opportunity to share my authentic experience worldwide.