🇨🇦 A One-Day Trip to the Hidden Gem Near Toronto: Kitchener, Canada

An unexpected journey in Eastern Canada: From Calgary → Toronto, exploring the University of Waterloo and the charming small city of Kitchener! ✨ Originally, I planned to fly directly from Calgary to Toronto, but when booking the tickets, I overlooked that Toronto has three airports… 😅 As a result, I ended up at the tiny Kitchener airport at 1 AM. Though it was a happy accident, luckily, my Airbnb host (who happened to be Chinese and still online) quickly responded and helped me secure accommodation by 2 AM—truly grateful! ❤️ Since I was already here, I decided to make the most of it and visit the renowned University of Waterloo 🏛️. While asking for directions, I coincidentally met three international students from Nanjing, who kindly invited me to tour their Computer Science lab 🖥️. They unanimously suggested that Chinese students study abroad earlier to better integrate into global culture 🌍. The campus was filled with relaxed Canadian geese 🦢—such a unique blend of knowledge and multicultural vibes! For lunch, I headed to the famous Heidelberg Restaurant, a century-old eatery 🍽️, and enjoyed their delicious pork knuckle meal 🍖. Inside, I met many fellow Chinese travelers—turns out, they were all "lured" here by Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)! 😆 We even shared a round of local beer together 🍻. The real surprise? Outside, I spotted a group of people living a 19th-century lifestyle, traveling by horse-drawn carriage 🐎✨—it felt like stepping back in time! In the afternoon, I visited the local YMCA Community Center 🏠. It completely amazed me—library 📚, gym 🏋️, swimming pool 🏊, basketball court 🏀, badminton court 🏸, and even a cafeteria 🍽️! It’s practically a summer paradise for kids. Seeing children immersed in holiday activities at the library, their faces glowing with joy and focus, was truly heartwarming 😊. The diversity and convenience of this community center made me deeply appreciate Canada’s quality of life and thoughtful urban planning. P.S. Travel tip: Kitchener is about 1.5 hours from Toronto by car. If you prefer a comfortable and affordable option, check out the bus service (refer to the last two photos!). Just a heads-up—the bus stop isn’t very obvious, so feel free to ask me in the comments if needed! Otherwise, driving on Toronto’s Highway 401 might test your patience (traffic jams galore! 🚗💨). In the end, my accidental visit to Kitchener turned out to be full of surprises and wonderful discoveries 🎉. This small city offers not just stunning natural scenery, but also rich cultural vibes and a friendly community atmosphere. Can’t wait for more unexpected adventures ahead! 🌟 #CanadaTravel #Kitchener #WaterlooUniversity #Toronto