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Alessandro Ippati's family take a bullet train from Shanghai to Chongqing, then explore the city's layered streets and landmarks. They visit Hongya Cave, an 11-story complex of traditional stilted houses once used as a fortress and dock, and see its night views and food stalls. Their route also includes the Three Gorges Museum, the Chongqing Grand Theater at People's Square and Luohan Temple with its Hall of 500 Arhats and cliff carvings. They get lost while searching for Kuixing Tower Square, try local snacks and noodles, and find outfits for the children. Alessandro describes the terrain as a series of elevation changes and shares advice on eSIM and VPN connectivity.
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From Shanghai to Chongqing's landmarks
Alessandro Ippati's family travel from Shanghai to Chongqing on a modern, clean bullet train. The stations are very large and require a long walk to reach the gates, but the family finds the system manageable. Their first major stop is Hongya Cave, an 11-story complex of traditional stilted houses that historically served as a fortress and dock. At night, the building is illuminated and resembles the setting of Spirited Away. The family sees street food and tries a coconut, fried crabs and ice cream on a stick. Locals ask to take photographs with the family, which Alessandro sees as a sign of curiosity toward Western visitors.
The visit continues at People's Square and the Three Gorges Museum, where the family views the Chongqing Grand Theater. They later stop at Luohan Temple, a quieter space within the city, known for a Hall of 500 Arhats and cliff carvings. The children find manga-style doll dresses at a nearby mall, an affordable and fun shopping experience.
Getting around the layered city
Chongqing's terrain rises and falls throughout the route. Alessandro says the frequent elevation changes can make it hard to tell which level is ground level. The family searches for Kuixing Tower Square and takes a wrong turn, but Alessandro finds that getting lost can lead to unexpected places and memorable streets. He also notes a strong sense of community in an old people's community they see. Their dinner plan changes: instead of hot pot, they end up having noodles.
For connectivity, Alessandro recommends an eSIM and VPN to access social media and Google services. He uses Olafly and presents it as a helpful option. He describes China as safe and welcoming for families based on his experience, emphasizing polite locals and the children’s enjoyment of the trip. The family closes with a reflection on the contrast between Western perceptions and the places they saw in Chongqing.
Family stops and an unplanned route
The family also visits People's Square and sees the Chongqing Grand Theater before going to the Three Gorges Museum. A nearby mall offers the children manga-style doll dresses, an inexpensive shopping stop that becomes part of their cultural outing. Alessandro comments on how often locals ask to take photographs with them, and sees these encounters as friendly curiosity. At Luohan Temple, the family views the Hall of 500 Arhats and cliff carvings, finding a quieter place between the busy roads and tourist areas.
The search for Kuixing Tower Square is less direct. Alessandro and his family get turned around as they try to find the square, but he says that wandering through the streets can be more rewarding than sticking rigidly to the planned destination. This is part of Chongqing's unusual layout, where roads can sit at different heights and the family has to work out which level they are on. They also visit an old people's community and describe its strong sense of community. A planned hot pot dinner changes to noodles instead, rounding out a day of unexpected route changes and local meals.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the bullet train journey like?
- A: The train was modern and clean, but the stations were vast and required long walks to reach the gates. Alessandro says they found the system easy to navigate overall.
- Q: What is Hongya Cave?
- A: It is an 11-story complex of traditional stilted houses that historically served as a fortress and dock. The family visits for its illuminated night view and food stalls.
- Q: How can travelers stay connected in China?
- A: Alessandro recommends an eSIM with a VPN for accessing social media and Google services, and names Olafly as a provider he used.
- Q: What does Alessandro recommend for exploring Chongqing?
- A: He suggests making a list of places to see but also allowing time to get lost, since exploring the streets can lead to unexpected discoveries.
- Q: Why is Chongqing's geography unusual?
- A: The city is built on hills, so routes often go up and down between different levels. Alessandro says this can make it hard to tell where ground level is.
- Q: Did the family feel safe in China?
- A: Alessandro says the family felt safe and welcomed during their visit, and describes the locals they met as polite.
