最近台灣知名網紅陳之漢（館長）前往上海，聲稱要「讓更多台灣民眾了解大陸」，卻因一系列誇張言行，被批評為「沒見過世面的鄉巴佬」。這事件引發熱議，也讓我想起上週剛完成的上海與杭州之旅。身為經常在各地旅遊的人，想分享此次旅程中觀察到的真實現況——兩座城市的發展與便利程度，不僅超越我原先的想像，更在多方面顯示出領先台灣的明確趨勢，甚至讓台北與高雄顯得相形見絀。

首先是交通方面的便捷。從浦東機場搭乘磁浮列車到市中心，只需短短八分鐘，時速高達四百三十公里，整體體驗遠勝桃園機場的捷運，不僅速度驚人，設施也相當現代化。高鐵網絡的發展更是令人驚艷：上海至蘇州僅需三十分鐘，到杭州最快也只要四十五分鐘，班次密集、票價親民，僅需五十至一百元人民幣不等。這與台灣高鐵從台北到高雄需花費約一千四百台幣、班次稀疏的現況相比，差距立見。此外，上海地鐵系統已擴展至二十多條線路，幾乎涵蓋所有重要景點，使用「Metro大都會」APP掃碼即可輕鬆進出，不需實體票卡，遠比台北悠遊卡更便捷。

而在觀光客的組成與熱度上，看見巨大的落差。如今走在外灘與豫園一帶，隨處可見來自韓國的旅客，自中國對韓國免簽後，韓語標示與韓國旅行團明顯增多。杭州西湖同樣吸引大量國際遊客，許多歐美背包客選擇入住價格實惠的青年旅館，一晚僅需約五百台幣，既經濟又能深度體驗當地文化。反觀台灣，許多原本熱門的觀光地點如高雄與墾丁，如今卻因「宰客」現象頻傳而聲譽受損，例如TWICE 演唱會期間高雄旅館竟開出一晚十萬以上台幣的天價，讓人咋舌，市長表示要調查後，業者急忙解釋是總統套房的價位。

住宿體驗方面，大陸也顯得更具性價比。在上海，像全季、亞朵這類中價位連鎖飯店，一晚約八百至一千二百台幣，房間乾淨舒適，不需押金，掃台胞證後即可入住。杭州西湖附近的旅館更是親民，花上一千五百台幣就能步行十分鐘到達景區。相比之下，台北許多旅館設備老舊，即便是三星級也往往需花上兩千五百至三千台幣，週末假日甚至漲價更兇，高雄、墾丁等地則更是「觀光黑洞」，服務與價格常常不成正比。

市民素質也是此次旅程中讓人驚喜的一環。在上海街頭，幾乎看不到隨地吐痰或亂丟垃圾的行為，地鐵站內的秩序井然，排隊上車蔚然成風。詢問路人時，大多都會熱心指引，態度親切。杭州西湖更設有許多身穿制服的志工「杭小暖」，主動提供資訊與指引，讓人感受到極高的旅遊友善度。相比之下，雖然台北捷運仍保持乾淨，但街頭仍會見到煙蒂與檳榔渣，部分商家面對外地旅客時的冷淡態度，也令人失望。

餐飲方面，因人民幣貶值，大陸的美食體驗堪稱「超值」。在上海，一籠生煎包只需六元人民幣，一份小楊生煎二十元，哈靈牛蛙面三十五元，份量十足，味道也好。若想吃得豪華些，兩百元人民幣就能享受含海鮮、和牛的高檔火鍋吃到飽，且無時間限制。在杭州，西湖醋魚、龍井蝦仁等杭幫菜的餐廳，人均消費也僅約八十至一百五十元人民幣，品質與價格遠勝台北動輒九百元台幣以上的吃到飽火鍋餐廳，更別說高雄觀光區那種又貴又難吃的「觀光套餐」。

城市整潔度也是一大進步。在許多台灣人記憶中曾被視為髒亂的人民廣場，如今地面清潔，垃圾分類清楚，清掃人員頻繁巡邏，整體環境煥然一新。杭州的西湖景區更維持高標準的整潔，遊客普遍遵守「無痕旅遊」原則，不亂丟垃圾，環境清幽宜人。這樣的城市面貌，讓人感受到真正的現代化與文明。

即便預算有限，也完全不影響在上海或杭州的旅遊體驗。像外灘的燈光秀、黃浦江邊的自行車道、朵雲書院這類景點，幾乎免費或僅需購買一杯咖啡便可參觀；杭州則可在西湖畔散步、漫遊京杭大運河、夜遊清河坊街，悠閒自在又不花大錢。對比之下，台北101的觀景台門票高達420元台幣，高雄85大樓觀景台也要140元以上，但設施陳舊、體驗一般，性價比明顯不足。

整體而言，這次上海與杭州的旅遊經驗讓我深刻體認到，大陸的城市發展、市民素質、公共設施乃至物價水平，已全面超越台灣。陳之漢的「鄉巴佬式驚嘆」雖顯得浮誇，卻也從側面反映出台灣許多民眾對大陸的印象依然停留在十年前的刻板印象。然而事實是，台灣在許多方面的優勢正在迅速消失。

無論是硬體建設的落後（機場、高鐵、捷運）、觀光環境的惡化（高物價、服務差）還是整體生活成本的居高不下，台灣若不正視問題、不積極改善，恐怕不只失去吸引力，連作為「高性價比旅遊地」的定位也會逐漸喪失。這趟旅程不只是一次觀光經歷，更像是一面鏡子，照出兩岸在城市競爭中的真實差距——台灣，是該醒醒了。

Recently, a well-known Taiwanese internet personality, Chen Chih-Han (also known as the "Gym Owner"), visited Shanghai claiming he wanted to "help more Taiwanese people understand the mainland." However, due to a series of exaggerated comments and behavior, he was mocked as a "country bumpkin who's never seen the world." The incident sparked widespread discussion, and it reminded me of my own recent trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou. As someone who frequently travels, I want to share my firsthand observations: the level of development and convenience in these two cities not only exceeded my expectations but also revealed a clear trend of surpassing Taiwan in many aspects—making cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung appear significantly behind.

Let’s start with transportation.
From Pudong Airport to downtown Shanghai, the maglev train takes only eight minutes, reaching speeds of up to 430 km/h. The experience is far superior to Taiwan's Taoyuan Airport MRT—not just in speed but also in the modernity of the infrastructure. The high-speed rail network on the mainland is even more impressive: it takes just 30 minutes to reach Suzhou and only 45 minutes to Hangzhou from Shanghai. Trains are frequent, and tickets cost only 50 to 100 RMB. In comparison, Taiwan's high-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes longer, runs less frequently, and costs about NT$1,400—a noticeable gap. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s metro system has expanded to over 20 lines, covering nearly all major attractions. You can simply scan a QR code using the “Metro DaDuHui” app to enter, making it far more convenient than Taipei’s EasyCard system.

There’s also a huge contrast in the volume and composition of tourists.
In areas like The Bund and Yuyuan Garden, you'll now see a large number of South Korean visitors. Since China waived visa requirements for South Koreans, Korean signage and tour groups have become commonplace. West Lake in Hangzhou also attracts numerous international tourists. Many Western backpackers choose to stay in budget hostels near the lake for as little as NT$500 a night, which is both economical and culturally immersive. In contrast, Taiwan’s tourism scene has seen a sharp decline. Previously popular destinations like Kaohsiung and Kenting have lost their appeal due to rampant price-gouging. For example, during the TWICE concert, some Kaohsiung hotels charged over NT$100,000 per night. After public outrage, the mayor announced an investigation, prompting hotel owners to clarify it was the price for a presidential suite.

When it comes to accommodations, the mainland also offers better value for money.
Mid-range chain hotels in Shanghai, such as Ji Hotel or Atour, cost around NT$800 to NT$1,200 per night. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and you don’t even need to pay a deposit—just scan your Taiwan Compatriot Permit to check in. Around West Lake in Hangzhou, you can get a room for NT$1,500 within a ten-minute walk of the scenic area. In contrast, many hotels in Taipei are outdated. Even a 3-star hotel may charge NT$2,500 to NT$3,000 per night—and prices go up even more on weekends. Kaohsiung and Kenting are notorious for overpriced, poor-value accommodations that often don’t match the level of service.

One of the most pleasantly surprising aspects of this trip was the behavior of local citizens.
In Shanghai, it’s now rare to see littering or spitting on the streets. People queue in an orderly fashion at subway stations, and if you ask for directions, locals are often enthusiastic and helpful. Around West Lake in Hangzhou, volunteers in uniform—known as “Hang Xiao Nuan”—actively offer information and assistance, creating a highly welcoming atmosphere. In comparison, although Taipei’s MRT remains clean, cigarette butts and betel nut stains are still common on the streets. Some local shop owners also show little warmth to out-of-town visitors, which is disappointing.

Food-wise, thanks to the depreciation of the RMB, dining in the mainland offers incredible value.
In Shanghai, a basket of pan-fried buns costs just 6 RMB, a portion of Xiao Yang Shengjian is 20 RMB, and the famous HaLing Bullfrog Noodles go for 35 RMB—generous portions and great taste. If you want to splurge, 200 RMB can get you a luxurious all-you-can-eat hotpot with seafood and wagyu beef, with no time limit. In Hangzhou, local specialties like West Lake Vinegar Fish and Longjing Shrimp cost around 80 to 150 RMB per person—far more affordable than Taipei’s hotpot restaurants, which often cost over NT$900 per person. As for Kaohsiung’s tourist zones, overpriced and underwhelming set meals are all too common.

Another area that stood out was city cleanliness.
People's Square in Shanghai, which many Taiwanese still remember as dirty and smelly, has undergone a transformation. The grounds are clean, trash is well-sorted, and cleaning staff make regular rounds. West Lake in Hangzhou maintains equally high standards—visitors generally follow a “leave no trace” approach, making the area peaceful and pleasant. This level of urban upkeep truly reflects a sense of modernity and civility.

Even if you’re traveling on a budget, you can still have a fantastic experience in Shanghai or Hangzhou.
For example, The Bund’s nightly light shows, cycling paths along the Huangpu River, or visiting Duoyun Bookstore—where all you need is to buy a cup of coffee to enjoy a panoramic view—are either free or very affordable. In Hangzhou, you can stroll around West Lake, explore the Grand Canal, or visit Qinghefang Street at night—all without spending much. By contrast, Taipei 101’s observation deck costs NT$420, while Kaohsiung’s 85 Sky Tower charges over NT$140, despite outdated facilities and a mediocre experience. The difference in value is obvious.

All in all, my recent trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou made it clear that the mainland has overtaken Taiwan in many respects—urban development, citizen behavior, public infrastructure, and even living costs.
While Chen Chih-Han’s dramatic reactions might seem exaggerated, they reflect the outdated perceptions many Taiwanese still hold about the mainland. In reality, Taiwan’s former advantages are fading fast.

Whether it’s the lag in infrastructure (airports, high-speed rail, subways), the deteriorating tourism environment (high prices, poor service), or the rising cost of living, Taiwan faces serious challenges. If we don't recognize these problems and take action to improve, we won’t just lose our appeal—we may also lose our place as a “high-value travel destination.” This trip wasn’t just a sightseeing tour—it was a mirror, revealing the stark gap in urban competitiveness across the strait. It’s time for Taiwan to wake up.