Review of my super detailed self-guided Chongqing - Chengdu 7n7d trip, dear moms! 🇨🇳
1️⃣ Visa:
- Lazy about running around with paperwork and stuff, so I used a service for quick processing, dear moms, just a bit more expensive. I did it in Hanoi, the dossier includes original passport valid for more than 6 months, 4x6 portrait photo, household registration book, ID card, proof of finances savings book or balance over 50 million. I spent all 2.3 million for L15 visa 7 days.
2️⃣ Flights, hotels, activities ✈️🏨
- I booked flights on Traveloka, dear moms check prices on Skyscanner to see the best price. Hotels I booked on Trip, many choices. Priority for my hotels is near the center, step out the door and there's a supermarket and must have laundry and dryer. High-speed train tickets I also booked on Trip. For attractions that need tickets, I booked on Klook.
3️⃣ Payments 💰💵💴
- I only paid via WeChat and Alipay, very fast and convenient, didn't spend 1 yuan cash. Last year in Shanghai carrying cash they gave back tons of coins so this year learned the lesson no cash. Dear moms download WeChat and Alipay verify passport + face scan and use freely. Recommend verify 1-2 months in advance in case new accounts get locked.
4️⃣ Transportation: 🚄🚲🚕
- I mainly moved by metro and Didi, all integrated on Alipay. Go to Transportation section, for metro press 成都地铁官方乘车码 to get the code, use that code to tap in and out, at end of trip deducts straight from Alipay. Use Amap to check train lines, map guides in detail which line, which gate super detailed and super easy. For Didi press Didi travel, enter destination and go like Grab in VN. Didi here super cheap, I traveled distances over 10km only 10s 20 yuan. For bike rental press Hello Bike, select 骑行 scan code on front of bike it auto unlocks, return bike at places with white line markings.
- I chose direct flight to Chengdu. From Chengdu to Chongqing I took high-speed train, book via Trip dear moms. Super fast, super smooth, on time, clean beautiful train. Just find the correct train number, ticket gate, and seat number. Passport is your ticket. Small note where there are staff standing for ticket check that's for foreigners dear moms.
5️⃣ Sim: 📲📲📲
- I bought esim on Trip, dear moms go to Trip choose suitable package. I bought VPN package from VN in advance, turn off location for commonly used apps, over there browsing TikTok, YouTube, Google super smooth.
6️⃣ Weather: ☀️🌧️💨💧
- I went end of Nov just now so quite cold, average daytime temp 15-17 degrees, evening down to 8-10 degrees only. Clothes I wore as in photos plus added furry insoles. Bought heat patches as backup but didn't use.
7️⃣ Food: 🍲🍔🍖🥩
- I eat super spicy so Sichuan spice level still nothing kkk. And luckily also like and suit Chinese food so all dishes very ok. Moms who can't eat spicy just chant "bú la bú la" dear moms 😂
Note:
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Should carry dry tissue, wet wipes. For itineraries with attractions bring passport for them to check.
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Chongqing has more places to play than Chengdu so moms planning Chongqing go a few more days, I regret not finishing all spots in my Chongqing itinerary 🥹🥹 Have to do it again next trip huhu.
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Moms worried about photos don't worry, all hot spots have Chinese wizards standing inviting to take photos 🤣 Must choose young photographers dear moms, they catch angles, pose and edit colors beautifully. Remember to bargain, everywhere quotes 30 yuan/photo but I bargained to 20 yuan and 10 yuan/photo.
Hope my review helps dear moms ❤️
Cre: Nguyen Hoai Anh
