Family's China Train Adventure: Exploring Chongqing

They WARNED us not to take the Train — but we did it anyway. After exploring Beijing and the misty Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie, we packed up and boarded a real China train to Chongqing — not a high-speed bullet train, but the kind most locals still use today. What we found? Crowded aisles, warm meals, bunk beds… and an experience that brought us closer to the heart of everyday life in China.

In this episode of our China travel series, we say goodbye to nature, travel by Chinese train for the very first time and step into the vibrant chaos of one of China’s most exciting and underrated cities: Chongqing — a city that’s recently gone viral.

You’ll see what it’s really like to take a long-distance train in China, how we met up with a local YouTuber, discovered Chinese electric cars and had our minds blown by Chongqing’s skyline, nightlife and budget-friendly luxury.

This is one of our favorite episodes of the year — raw, real, and full of surprises. If you're curious about what it’s like to take a train in China, want a family-friendly look at traveling from Zhangjiajie to Chongqing, or just love discovering real China train travel, this one’s for you.