🌍 Journey to the Edge of the World — Cape Town

After finishing my college entrance exams (Gaokao), I was accepted by an NGO with a full scholarship for an internship in Cape Town—so I boarded a plane to the southern tip of Africa. This was my first time truly exploring the world on my own, and the moment I realized freedom isn’t earned by grades, but by stepping out of your comfort zone. 🧭 First Stop: Travel Fast Facts 📍 Location: Southwest corner of South Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. ✈️ Flights: From China, transit via Doha/Dubai/Addis Ababa (~20-26 hrs). 🛂 Visa: Chinese passport holders need a South African visa (or try visa-free entry with a Schengen visa). 💰 Currency: South African Rand (ZAR), 1 CNY ≈ 2.5 ZAR. 🕰️ Time Zone: 6 hours behind Beijing—perfect for daytime calls, peaceful nights. 📱 Internet: Get a local Vodacom SIM (best signal) or enable international roaming. 🌅 Second Stop: Must-See Attractions 1️⃣ 🏞️ Table Mountain Hike or take the rotating cable car for panoramic city + bay views. Sunset at the summit = magical ocean-horizon kiss. ✅ Tip: Go early morning (calm winds), book tickets online, and skip the hike—it’s brutal. 2️⃣ 🏝️ Cape of Good Hope "The name from geography textbooks, now with crashing waves and cormorants." Africa’s southwesternmost point—wild, windswept beauty. 1.5-hour scenic drive from downtown. ✅ Pro tip: Bring a jacket! The lighthouse viewpoint shows two oceans merging. 3️⃣ 🐧 Boulders Beach "Seeing my first penguin post-Gaokao made life feel less serious." Home to adorable African penguins waddling on sand. ✅ Note: Cameras ready! Don’t feed them—respect wildlife. 4️⃣ 🌸 Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden One of Africa’s most beautiful gardens, nestled below Table Mountain. Spring (Sept-Nov): Flower carpets | Autumn (Apr-May): Golden foliage. ✅ Pack a picnic and lounge under mountain-framed sunlight. 5️⃣ 🎨 Bo-Kaap Colorful Neighborhood "I finally saw life in fairytale hues." A vibrant Muslim quarter with candy-colored houses. ✅ Instagram gold—just be respectful of residents. 🚙 Fifth Stop: Transport & Safety 🚕 Uber: Cheap, safe, and easy (like Gaode in China). ⚠️ Safety: Avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas. Hide valuables—a classmate’s phone got snatched mid-text! #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #Gaokao #NGO #Wanderlust