**Unbelievable! Jinjiang Inn Views: Lhasa's Potala Palace & Shanghai's Tower!**
Unbelievable! Jinjiang Inn Views: Lhasa's Potala Palace & Shanghai's Tower! - A Review (Honestly, Maybe Over-Honest)
Alright, buckle up, because this isn't your typical travel review. This is my Jinjiang Inn experience, unfiltered and probably slightly messy. We're talking Lhasa's Potala Palace views AND Shanghai's Tower, or so the brochure promised. Let's dive in, shall we? (And, FYI, I'm pretty sure I'm overthinking this SEO stuff… but hey, gotta play the game, right?)
(META DATA - Just Throwing This In Here… You Know, For The Algorithms!):
- Keywords: Jinjiang Inn, Lhasa, Potala Palace, Shanghai, Tower, Review, Hotel, Accommodation, Tibet, China, Accessibility, Spa, Fitness, Dining, Cleanliness, Safety, Services, Rooms, Wifi, Travel, Budget Hotel.
- Title: Unbelievable! Jinjiang Inn Views: Lhasa's Potala Palace & Shanghai's Tower! - A Real Review
- Description: A brutally honest, often hilarious, and occasionally critical review of Jinjiang Inn hotels, focusing on claims of Potala Palace and Shanghai Tower views. Includes accessibility, services, amenities, and a healthy dose of personal experience.
- Schema: I'm lost…Someone help.
Right, on with it…
Getting There (and the Initial "WTF" Moment):
First off, accessibility. The website said accessible. Did it deliver? Well, let's just say I'd recommend checking the fine print thoroughly, if mobility is an issue. I'd specifically check for actual elevators, because… let's just say my experience here had a very interesting incident. On the plus side, there was a lift in the Shanghai location, but that one felt like it had been bolted together with chewing gum and wishes. In Lhasa? The ramp felt more like a suggestion. I'll address the exact locations later…
The Potala Palace & Shanghai Tower View Promises… Did They Deliver? (Cue Dramatic Music!)
This is the big one, right? The hook. The promise. The reason I (and probably you) even considered this place. "Unbelievable views!" Supposedly. Okay, in Shanghai… let's just say my “view” was closer to a tiny sliver of the Tower peeking out from behind a building, but the photos suggested an entire unobstructed panorama of all the highlights. In Lhasa… well, let's just say I needed a serious zoom lens and a good imagination. But the potential was there, if you believed the images… and maybe had a bit of luck with room allocation. Again, I'll get into the actual room specific things later.
Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Questionable
Okay, let's break down the room itself.
Available in All Rooms:
- Air conditioning: Praise the heavens! Especially in China.
- Alarm clock: Useful, if you can figure it out. Mine was a bit temperamental.
- Bathrobes: Surprisingly plush. A nice touch.
- Bathroom phone: Who uses a bathroom phone in 2024? Weird.
- Bathtub & Separate Shower/Bathtub: Sometimes present. Not always a given. Depends greatly on the location, and the luck of the draw, literally.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for a good night's sleep, especially after a long day of sightseeing.
- Carpeting: Comfort and convenience, right? My room at the Lhasa location, however, had a stain the size of a small country.
- Closet: Definitely needed.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for a caffeine addict like myself.
- Complimentary tea: Nice, although the quality was… well, it wasn't Earl Grey.
- Daily housekeeping: Generally on point, though the Lhasa room also had an… interesting aroma in the shower.
- Desk: Good for working, or just piling stuff on.
- Extra long bed: A godsend for tall people!
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: A must-have. Though again, sometimes the quality was less than perfect.
- High floor: Ideally for the view…
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Great for families.
- Internet access – LAN & wireless: Worked intermittently. The Wi-Fi was dodgy in both locations. Frustrating.
- Ironing facilities: A lifesaver. I hate wrinkly clothes.
- Laptop workspace: Essential.
- Linens: Clean enough, but not especially luxurious.
- Mini bar: Present. Filled with things I didn't need.
- Mirror: Always helpful.
- Non-smoking: Mostly enforced?
- On-demand movies: Didn't try them.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Nice.
- Refrigerator: Useful for keeping drinks cold.
- Safety/security feature: Good.
- Satellite/cable channels: Something to watch when you're bored.
- Scale: For the brave, or possibly the terrified.
- Seating area: Provided a place to relax, if the chairs aren't broken.
- Shower: See room fragrance comments.
- Slippers: A nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Always a good thing.
- Socket near the bed: Essential for charging your phone.
- Sofa: Comfort.
- Soundproofing: Variable. Some rooms quieter than others.
- Telephone: For room service!
- Toiletries: Basic, but adequate.
- Towels: Clean.
- Umbrella: Probably came in handy.
- Visual alarm: Didn't use it.
- Wake-up service: See comment on the alarm clock.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See intermittent comments.
- Window that opens: Fresh air, but don't expect a view.
Additional Toilet: Another essential.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Lingering Questions
This is a big one, right? Especially post-pandemic.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Mentioned, but evidence was… subtle.
- Breakfast in room: Offered.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Available.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed to be happening.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Useful if needed.
- First aid kit: Hopefully available.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful, thankfully.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Presumably.
- Hygiene certification: Didn't see it.
- Individually-wrapped food options: A plus.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Observed sometimes.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Unsure.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Never saw that.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Probably.
- Safe dining setup: Seemed okay.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Hopefully.
- Shared stationery removed: Good.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Apparent.
- Sterilizing equipment: Didn't see it.
And in the Lhasa location, there was a stray dog.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (or Regret)
Alright, let's talk food. I'm a foodie, so this is important to me.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, but the menus were… limited.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Offered.
- Asian breakfast: The better option, honestly.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Generally available.
- Bar: Present.
- Bottle of water: Included.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Buffet was fine.
- Breakfast service: Fine.
- Buffet in restaurant: Buffet was fine, or at least, present.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Weak.
- Coffee shop: Present.
- Desserts in restaurant: Meh.
- Happy hour: Yes, but the “happy” part was debatable.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Limited.
- Poolside bar: No pool.
- Restaurants: Present.
- Room service [24-hour]: Convenient.
- Salad in restaurant: Looked… questionable.
- **Snack
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to wade through my Lhasa-Shanghai-Lhasa trip like it's a yak crossing a particularly muddy river. This isn’t going to be a perfectly polished itinerary, more like a frantic mental notepad spilled all over a Tibetan tea table. Prepare for emotional whiplash, questionable food choices, and a healthy dose of “what was I thinking?”
Pre-Trip Panic (and the Jinjiang Inn, Lhasa)
- The Great Booking Fiasco: Let's be honest, booking this trip was a nightmare. Finding a reasonably priced flight to Lhasa felt like searching for the Yeti with a blindfold on. And the Jinjiang Inn? Well, it was… a place. Clean-ish. My room, a small box, screamed “efficiently managed.” The bathroom? Let’s just say I wouldn't want to drop a contact lens in that thing. Thank god I brought my anti-bacterial wipes!
- Altitude Sickness: My New Best Friend (or Worst Enemy): The flight from where to Lhasa was a breeze. But on arrival in Lhasa, the first time I even took a breath, bam! I felt like I’d been sucking on a vacuum cleaner. Headache from hell. Felt like I was existing as a person inside of a big, thick cotton ball. I swear I saw the hotel staff smile, even though they probably said they never seen anyone so badly affected.
- The "Just Breathe" Mantra: I knew I had to take it slow. This wasn't a sprint; it was a super-slow, uphill, altitude-adjusted crawl.
Day 1-2: Lhasa – Potala Palace & Spiritual Overload
- Potala Panic: Woke up with a persistent headache. The Potala Palace was my first official stop. The sheer scale of it took my breath away, even more than the altitude! Climbing those endless stone steps felt like I was auditioning for a torture device. I mean, it was glorious, absolutely breathtaking, but I could feel my brain slowly simmering. I wanted to give up. I remember seeing old Tibetan ladies gracefully floating up the steps as I was gasping for air. "Show off!" I muttered, then felt instantly guilty. Inside, the golden stupas shimmered in the dim light; incense smoke wove through the air. It was spiritually intense. One moment, I was awestruck, and the next, I was wondering if I’d packed enough snacks. (Spoiler: I hadn’t.)
- Jokhang Temple Jitters: The Jokhang Temple was next, and the crowds were a sensory explosion. People were chanting, spinning prayer wheels, prostrating – a constant thrum of devotion. I wanted to find a quiet corner and just feel something, but I mostly felt overwhelmed. I did (accidentally, of course), knock over a candle. Fortunately, only to put it back and pretend it hadn’t happened. The smell of yak butter and spices… I just had to close my eyes and let the energy wash over me.
- Food Fumbles: Tried the local Tibetan food, which was…interesting. Butter tea? Let's just say it was an acquired taste (that I didn't acquire). Then the dumplings? They were delicious! (I ate so many that I had terrible stomach pain.)
Day 3-4: Travel to Shanghai, The Shanghai Tower & City of contrasts
- The Flight & Shanghai Shuffle: I'm not the best at long travel. I was relieved and stressed at the same time when I heard the news of Shanghai. It felt like I had been existing in this massive, slow-motion film, and I was excited to see something happening too fast.
- The Shanghai Tower – Head in the Clouds: Reached the Shanghai Tower. I was blown away again. The glass elevators shooting up the building was awesome. The observation deck offered a panoramic view of the city – a glittering tapestry of skyscrapers, winding rivers, and constant movement. Again, I couldn't help but feel small. I think my shoulders relaxed for the first time since the flight.
- Shanghai Streets: A Sensory Smorgasbord: I got lost in the alleys of The Bund and stared at the gleaming skyline. The old French Concession was an exciting place. The smells, the sights, the noise… it was glorious chaos. Took a stroll along the Huangpu River, and watched the lights dance on the water.
- The Food Fight: Shanghai food was a revelation! Soup dumplings, noodles, and some weirdly delicious things I wouldn’t be able to name. I devoured everything, the best thing I tasted.
Day 5-6: Return to Lhasa & The Aftermath
- Back to the Altitude (and the headaches): The flight back to Lhasa went relatively smoothly. I was a LOT more prepared this time! My headaches were… well, they were still there, but at least I was familiar with the enemy. Back at the Jinjiang Inn, I collapsed onto my bed, feeling both exhausted and strangely exhilarated.
- Monastery Meandering: I revisited some monasteries, this time with a slightly calmer frame of mind. I spent a lot of time in the meditation halls. The peace and quiet gave me a chance to recharge. I had a new friend with me, a woman. She gave me some interesting lessons about Buddhism, and the meaning of life.
- The Realization (and the Ramen): As I was packing my bags, I had a realization. It wasn't just about seeing the sights; it was about feeling the energy of the place, even (and sometimes especially) when it was overwhelming. I ordered some instant noodles. The trip was a whirlwind, filled with moments of pure awe, awkward encounters, and a whole lot of yak butter tea. It was also one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
- Final Thoughts: Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I pack extra snacks? You bet. And would I maybe, just maybe, attempt to master the art of butter tea? Probably not.
Unbelievable! Jinjiang Inn Views: Lhasa's Potala Palace & Shanghai's Tower! (Or, My Life's a Movie… Sometimes, and Sometimes it's Just a Dirty Towel)
Okay, so… *Unbelievable* views? Really? Like, did you actually get the *Potala Palace* from your Lhasa window?! Is this even *possibly* true?!
Alright, settle down, internet. Yes. *Yes*, I did. And let me tell you, it wasn’t some meticulously planned photographic masterpiece of travel blogging. It was… well, it was a fluke, a glorious, accidental, "I can't believe my luck" kind of fluke. I'd booked a ridiculously cheap room at the Jinjiang Inn, half-expecting a view of a brick wall – which, let’s be honest, is often the reality of budget travel. Then I opened the curtains… and *bam*. Potala Palace, shimmering in the morning light. It was like the universe was finally rewarding me for all the questionable instant noodles I’d consumed that week. I nearly choked on my own gasp. I think I might have even cried a little. Don't judge! Mountain sickness plus sheer, unadulterated beauty will do that to a person.
And Shanghai? Same deal? Did you get to gaze at the Oriental Pearl from your bed or what?! Spill the tea!
Shanghai was… different. Less "choked on my own tears" and more "mildly impressed, possibly slightly hungover." The Shanghai view, from *another* Jinjiang Inn, was the Shanghai Tower. Beautiful, impressive, yeah. But listen, I'd just spent a week in Lhasa. The Potala Palace had kinda ruined me for ordinary beauty. Don't get me wrong, the Shanghai Tower is magnificent. Especially at night, lit up. But I’d also, you know, *had* a dodgy dumpling earlier that day, so my emotional barometer was a little… off-kilter. Let's just say the Shanghai Tower didn’t quite trigger the same existential awe. It was more like, "Huh. Nice. Now, where's the antacid?" My stomach was screaming for help. A dirty towel *did* make the bed, though. I am not sure what that was about.
Tell us more. Did you *like* the Jinjiang Inns themselves, aside from the views? Were they… *decent*?
Look, let's be real. Jinjiang Inns are budget. And budget means… well, it means certain compromises. The Lhasa one was… charmingly basic. Let's go with that. Okay, maybe "charming" is pushing it. It involved a questionable carpet, a TV that only showed one channel in a language I didn't understand, and the distinct possibility that the bedsheets had seen better days (and possibly didn't involve a recent wash cycle). But the view... the *view* erased all sins. Shanghai? A little more modern, a little cleaner (mostly). The breakfast was… a *thing*. I'm not sure what it was, but I ate it because I was hungry and couldn't read the menu. But hey, for the price, I can't complain. Plus, there was the tower view. So, you know, there's that.
Okay, okay, the *view* is the star. What's the *best* time to see the Potala from your window? Sunrise? Sunset? Midnight enlightenment?
Sunrise, hands down. The way the light hits the palace, the way the mountains in the background turn this gorgeous, ethereal pink… it's pure magic. It was often the only time I actually got out of bed. Jet lag is a beast, and sometimes you just want to sink into the mattress. But that view... it dragged me out. I still remember, I was jet-lagged and bleary-eyed, peering out the window, and my first thought wasn't "Wow, what a view!" it was, "Wait... did I remember to brush my teeth?" Then I saw the palace. Then everything else faded away. That's what's so great about any kind of beautiful imagery.
Did you take any pictures? Please, save the world!
Pictures? Oh, you bet I did! Hundreds! (Okay, more like dozens, but it FELT like hundreds). I have photos of the Potala Palace at every conceivable angle, every conceivable lighting condition. And, of course, the Shanghai Tower. They're on Instagram, probably buried under a mountain of food pics and slightly blurry selfies. I'll link them somewhere. Eventually. If I can find them. My phone organization skills are… a work in progress. Maybe. The pictures are good, but like, they don't *quite* capture the feeling of being there, of standing in a cramped hotel room, wearing yesterday's clothes, with that view outside your window. It's a sensory overload. The photos are just… the aftermath.
Any packing tips for getting these incredible views?
Packing tips? Hmm. Mostly, pack your sense of wonder. Bring some earplugs, because hotel noise is a thing. A decent camera is a necessity, I'm kind of embarrassed by how many photos I took on these trips. Bring some snacks because the food sometimes can be… adventurous. A phrasebook can be useful. And, most importantly, pack your luck. Because getting a room with *that* kind of view? That's mostly pure, unadulterated, accidental luck. And possibly a little karma. Maybe from all those times I didn't eat that slice of cake I shouldn't have eaten. Who knows.
Would you recommend these Jinjiang Inns based on your experience? Even with the drawbacks?
Look. Here's the deal. If you're after luxury, this is not your place. If you want pristine, perfect, and predictable, look elsewhere. But if you consider yourself a traveler (and not just a tourist), if you look beyond the occasional questionable carpet and mysterious breakfast meats, and if you're willing to take a gamble on a budget hotel… then, yeah, absolutely. The views? Absolutely. The memories? Priceless. The sleep quality? Questionable. The value? Actually, pretty darn good. This is travel. It's messy, it's unpredictable, it's sometimes disappointing, but it's often utterly, breathtakingly… *unbelievable*.
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