Aurora Tan (@AuroraTan38652) “Off to Shanghai today! Got a ride with a Didi driver with hearing impairments, a” — TopicDigg

Off to Shanghai today! Got a ride with a Didi driver with hearing impairments, and this isn’t my first time traveling with a driver with hearing differences. The bilingual notice hanging on the back seat lays out simple communication tips: tap his shoulder, then exchange messages by text once the car is fully parked. It’s incredibly heartening to watch inclusive job opportunities grow for folks with hearing differences—every person deserves fair, accessible ways to earn a living. Funny enough, I was only in Shanghai one month ago, and work is already sending me back. One of my favorite perks of this role is getting to revisit cities I truly adore. It’s not just my fondness for Shanghai, either. There’s always something new unfolding here. As one of China’s most globally connected cities, it never stops evolving: fresh art exhibitions, cutting-edge tech debuts, vibrant cultural gatherings, and endless untold stories to uncover. No two visits ever feel identical. I’m boarding the high-speed rail out of Beijing. The route stretches roughly 1,300 km (820 miles), yet I’ll arrive in around four and a half hours. The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line just celebrated its 15th anniversary, clocking over 2.3 billion passenger trips since launch—such an astonishing milestone to reflect on! To top it off, Beijing is sweltering through another heatwave, while Shanghai greets me with soft drizzle. I’ll gladly swap 35°C scorching heat for an umbrella any day!