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Whirlwind China Adventure
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items From ancient capitals to cyberpunk skylines: our 2-week March 2025 spring break family journey through Nanjing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Macau, and Hong Kong.
Sections
7
Transportation
Airport
Nanjing
Xi'An
Chongqing
Hong Kong
Transportation
We travelled by Air Canada from YVR to Nanjing with a connection in Beijing. We returned back to YVR on a direct flight home from Hong Kong.
We were on the afternoon flight to Beijing and arrived there mid-afternoon with our connection leaving in the evening for Nanjing.
Air Canada
Our ride to the airport was pre-booked
Uber Technologies Inc
Use a site like Expedia to search for an airline leaving your destination city that fits your budget
Expedia Travel
We travelled by high-speed train from Nanjing to Xi'an, which took about 4-5 hours. We also took it again when we travelled from Xi'an to Chongqing a few days later, which also took around 4-5 hours.
12306 CHINA RAILWAY
The Uber of China ~ best way to get around with families ~ App is international friendly allowing you to register with an international phone number and link a foreign credit card. The app has a built-in text translation feature.
DiDi Global
Airport
In our 2-week trip, we managed to visit 5 international airports.
Easy to navigate through the airport, check-in went smoothly, and security check was quick ~ YVR highly rated and consistently on the Best Airport in North America list and often ranked in the top 20 globally
Vancouver International Airport
We connected in Beijing on our way to Nanjing.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
We arrived here to start our 2-week spring break journey through multiple cities.
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
After our Chongqing adventures, we flew to Hong Kong on a lunchtime flight arriving in HK in the mid-afternoon.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Our final Chinese airport ~ here we start our HK adventures
Hong Kong International Airport
Nanjing
Our first stop ~ Nanjing, one of China's premier ancient capitals, offering an incredible mix of deep imperial history, stunning mountain scenery, and a wonderfully modern, and easy-to-navigate city center.
Nanjing Metro is very modern and easy to navigate with signs in Chinese and English. Single-journey tokens can be paid by cash. Tap the round plastic token to enter and drop the token into the slot to exit.
Nanjing Metro Map
Great family hotel located right in the Qinhuai District, a wonderful spot for sightseeing and for exploring the vibrant night scene and deep history around.
The Hotel V Confucius Temple Nanjing
The iconic Confucius Temple was a short walking distance from our hotel.
Nanjing Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
Historic pedestrian area packed with traditional architecture and amazing local street foods
Laomendong
The beautiful historic river ~ perfect for night views and seeing the glowing lanterns
Qinhuai River Nanjing
The oldest Ming Dynasty garden in Nanjing
Zhanyuan Garden Nanjing
Showstopper Sight! This was a sacred Buddhist sanctuary since the Tang Dynasty that has gone a massive modern re-development that has transformed it into a jaw-dropping architectural marvel. It also features a preserved 860 year old stone from the fa...
* The Usnisa Palace (Foding Palace): This was built directly into the former abandoned iron mining pit. It features a giant, futuristic golden dome.
* The Underground Wonder: This is a 6-floor underground palace carved into the mountain. The interior consists of top-notch sculptures, magnificent painting art, and thousands of intricate Buddha statues surrounding a massive 7.5 meter rotating recli...
* The Usnisa Palace (Foding Palace): This was built directly into the former abandoned iron mining pit. It features a giant, futuristic golden dome.
* The Underground Wonder: This is a 6-floor underground palace carved into the mountain. The interior consists of top-notch sculptures, magnificent painting art, and thousands of intricate Buddha statues surrounding a massive 7.5 meter rotating recli...
Niushoushan Cultural Tourism Zone (牛首山) aka Ox Head Mountain
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Mausoleum sits in the middle of the lush, sprawling Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan) Scenic Area, which covers over 30km and has multiple distinct entrance gates.
We took two DiDis to get here, but our drivers dropped us off at completely different outer gates! We got quite lost in the park and walked quite awhile before meeting up and making it over to the actual mausoleum. If you are traveling in a group wit...
Once we made it, it was truly breathtaking! Be prepared to walk up those 392 stone steps to the top ~ absolutely worth the climb!
We took two DiDis to get here, but our drivers dropped us off at completely different outer gates! We got quite lost in the park and walked quite awhile before meeting up and making it over to the actual mausoleum. If you are traveling in a group wit...
Once we made it, it was truly breathtaking! Be prepared to walk up those 392 stone steps to the top ~ absolutely worth the climb!
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Mausoleum - Nanjing (中山陵)
This incredibly powerful, somber museum is built on the site of a mass grave known as the “pit of ten thousand corpses," and serves as a deeply moving piece of history. It stands as a monument to the hundreds of thousands of victims who lost their li...
The museum uses highly immersive displays and is emotionally demanding, a place for quiet reflection. Head over to 五福云饺 (Wu Fu Yun Jiao), a nearby casual and comforting dumpling spot located just a short walk away on Shiniximen Street/Chanan Road, to...
The museum uses highly immersive displays and is emotionally demanding, a place for quiet reflection. Head over to 五福云饺 (Wu Fu Yun Jiao), a nearby casual and comforting dumpling spot located just a short walk away on Shiniximen Street/Chanan Road, to...
Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre (侵华日军南京大屠杀遇难同胞纪念馆)
Use a site like Agoda to help book your stay in Nanjing that fits your budget
Agoda.com
Can also use Booking.com to browse through the hotels you are interested in this area
Booking.com | Official site
Xi'An
Our second stop brought us to the ancient city of Xi'an, which was the starting point of the legendary Silk Road and is home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors.
Xi'an has a modern and rapidly expanding metro system. All station signs, ticket machines, and automated announcements are in both Chinese and English. Use Line 2 which runs North-to-South straight through the center of the city, dropping you off at ...
Xian Metro Maps - Travel China Guide
Our Biggest Mistake in Xi'an - Location Tip:
We stayed out by the Xi'an North Railway Station, which turned out to be a mistake since it was quite far from the actual city centre. While it made arriving and leaving on the high-speed train easy, it meant we had a long commute to get to the main ...
Where you should look instead:
To get the absolute most out of your family trip, look for hotels nestled inside of just outside the Ancient City Walls, particularly near the Bell Tower of the South Gate (Yongningmen). Staying in these central hubs puts you within walking distance ...
We stayed out by the Xi'an North Railway Station, which turned out to be a mistake since it was quite far from the actual city centre. While it made arriving and leaving on the high-speed train easy, it meant we had a long commute to get to the main ...
Where you should look instead:
To get the absolute most out of your family trip, look for hotels nestled inside of just outside the Ancient City Walls, particularly near the Bell Tower of the South Gate (Yongningmen). Staying in these central hubs puts you within walking distance ...
11 Best Hotels in Xian, China - Agoda.com
This world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the legendary terracotta army, built over 2,200 years ago to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife. It is an absolute must-see when visiting Xi'an! We decided to get a tour guide who sp...
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum | Terracotta Warriors and Horses (秦始皇帝陵博物院官网)
The twin hearts of Xi'an ~ located right in the center of the city built during the Ming Dynasty in the late 1300s
The Bell Tower stands proudly right in the middle of a massive roundabout wher Xi'an's four main avenues meet (North, South, East, and West). To get there safely, you walk through a bright, clean underground pedestrian tunnel that connects directly t...
The Drum Tower sits right at the entrance of the famous Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) food market.
The Bell Tower stands proudly right in the middle of a massive roundabout wher Xi'an's four main avenues meet (North, South, East, and West). To get there safely, you walk through a bright, clean underground pedestrian tunnel that connects directly t...
The Drum Tower sits right at the entrance of the famous Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) food market.
Xi'an Bell Tower & Drum Tower
Magnificent 57 meter tall architectural marvel located in the heart of the new Xi'an Central Culture Business District (CCBD) and the integrated Xi'an MixC Mall complex. The structrure was inspired by a millennium-old ginkgo tree native to Xi'an that...
As you walk up this Tree of Life, you explore the different terrace platforms and go through the seven distinct ecological biomes which represents the changing natural landscapes along the historical Silk Road trading route.
As you walk up this Tree of Life, you explore the different terrace platforms and go through the seven distinct ecological biomes which represents the changing natural landscapes along the historical Silk Road trading route.
Xi'an Tree of Life
This is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved ancient military defense systems in the world. It forms a massive 14km stone rectangle completely enclosing the old city center. Head up to the top of the wall at the South Gate (Yongningmen) and...
Xi'an Ancient City Wall (西安城墙)
Built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty, this brick pagoda housed the scared Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the legendary monk Xuanzang. The North Plaza features the largest musical fountain light show in Asia!
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Located right behind the Drum Tower ~ this vibrant neighbourhood is the culinary and cultural home of Xi'an's Muslim community for over a thousand years, dating back to the old Silk Road trading days. Famous for hand-pulled noodles, sesame candy, and...
Xi'an Muslim Quarter
Chongqing
Our third stop brings us to the Cyberpunk Capital of China, Chongqing! It is built directly into steep, rugged mountains alongside the massive Yangtze River, it is affectionately known as the “Mountain City.”
Chongqing has a world-famous metro system (CRT)! Its monorail system holds world records for its engineering.
Iconic spot: Liziba Station on Line 2 - glides through the 6th to 8th floors of a 19-story residential apartment building
Rollercoaster Views: Line 2 and Line 3 weave along steep river cliffs, cross massive suspension bridges, and make sharp bank turns between skyscrapers
Underground: Stations like Hongtudi plunge over 90 meters underground to clear the city's mountain roots, featuring massive banks of multi-tiered escalators
Iconic spot: Liziba Station on Line 2 - glides through the 6th to 8th floors of a 19-story residential apartment building
Rollercoaster Views: Line 2 and Line 3 weave along steep river cliffs, cross massive suspension bridges, and make sharp bank turns between skyscrapers
Underground: Stations like Hongtudi plunge over 90 meters underground to clear the city's mountain roots, featuring massive banks of multi-tiered escalators
Chongqing Metro Map 2026 - Travel China Guide
This hotel is located inside the Chuanghui Shouzuo building (创汇首座) on Zhonghua Road. We were a bit confused as to how to get to the hotel as the hotel lobby is not on the main floor of the building. Despite initially having a hard time finding the pl...
RedAnt Hotel (Chongqing Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street) - Agoda.com
One of the most famous transit spots in the world, where you can spot the train glide through the 6th to 8th floors of a 19-story residential apartment building!
Liziba, More than A Subway Station
Our hotel just sat at the edge of the Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street zone, just seconds away from some of Chongqing's most legendary culinary hubs.
Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street - Chongqing
Hyper-concentrated lane of snacking greatness, located 2-minute walk from our hotel. Must-Try: Shanzha Laba (spicy pork skewers), crispy golden fried pork strips (Su Rou), and Guangtou Ji (Baldy's Glutinous Rice Balls.
Chongqing Haochi Street (重庆好吃街)
The main artery of the Haochi Street network ~ world-famous for traditional Chongqing street eats
Must Try: Bayi Lu Suanla Fen (酸辣粉), the famous sour & spicy noodles; and Bingfen (Ice Jelly)
Must Try: Bayi Lu Suanla Fen (酸辣粉), the famous sour & spicy noodles; and Bingfen (Ice Jelly)
Bayi Road Food Street (八一路好吃街)
We were looking for a late night place to eat and happen to stop here for some hot pot. It is located inside the Zourong Plaza Building A on the second floor. The restaurant was styled with the iconic metal Yangtze River cable car cabins, and we had ...
Qi Qi Hot Pot (齐齐火锅)
Prepare to feel like you've been transported straight into a real-life cyberpunk movie. This spectacular 11-story stilted wooden complex is built directly onto the steep cliffside along the Jialing River. What a site to see!! A must-see at night when...
Hongyadong (洪崖洞)
This red suspension bridge spans across the Jialing River and has a dedicated pedestrian walkway that offers unparalleled views of the city's glistening skyline. Get to this area after 8PM for the best views of Hongyadong all lit up!
Qiansimen Bridge
(十八梯传统风貌区) “Eighteen Steps” One of the most mesmerizing parts of Chongqing is located in the Yuzhong District which serves as a literal urban staircase connecting the old “Lower City” (along the Yangtze River bank) to the bustling modern “Upper City” near Jiefangbei. The lanes here are full of classic teahouses and local de...
Shibati Traditional Style Blocks
The architecture of the “Chopsticks Building” relies on a traditional philosophy called Tiandili (Heaven, Earth, and Structure). The heavy, dense red beams represent the structural energy of the earth and human craft pushing upward, while the dark gl...
CHONGQING ART GALLERY (JIEFANGBEI GUOTAI ARTS CENTRE)
Stunning 1000 year old Buddhist sanctuary hidden away at the base of towering, modern skyscrapers. It is famous for its Arhat Hall, which houses 500 uniquely expressive, life-sized statues, and it gained massive fame in China as this is where the mov...
After visiting the temple, we had some lunch at a small Taiwanese restaurant next door and tried their Taiwanese braised pork rice and beef noodle soup. Just beware that many chefs in Chongqing add peanut butter/crushed peanuts into their broths or c...
After visiting the temple, we had some lunch at a small Taiwanese restaurant next door and tried their Taiwanese braised pork rice and beef noodle soup. Just beware that many chefs in Chongqing add peanut butter/crushed peanuts into their broths or c...
Luohan Temple (罗汉寺)
Must check out this large indoor wholesale market complex located near the Luohan Temple. It is not just full of cheap trinkets, but we were able to buy great stainless steel thermos bottles and high quality leather goods.
New Chongqing International Small Commodity Wholesale Center
For a classic “Mountain City” experience, hop onto the Yangtze River Cableway. The cable car is suspended directly between the towering skyscrapers of the Yuzhong and Nan'an districts. If the line at the main station terminal (Yuzhong side) is way to...
Yangtze River Cableway (长江索道)
Old-school architectural wonderland in Chongqing is this iconic 24-story apartment complex. Built in the 1990s, the design defies logic: it features absolutely no elevators, yet residents easily move around because three different floors are equipped...
Baixiang Residence Complex
Hong Kong
Our final stop brought us to the spectacular global hub of Hong Kong, a bustling family-friendly metropolis where towering skyscrapers meet lush green island peaks, and where we rode their ultra-efficient MTR and gorged on dim sum and had afternoon t...
Best and most efficient way to get around town with the MTR subway system. Use your Octopus Card at the entrance and exit of the stations.
MTR
We got the Octopus card to use to get around in Hong Kong
Standard Octopus - Octopus Hong Kong
We stayed at this clean, modern, eco-friendly hotel, which is in a great energetic neighbourhood. It is a short 7-minute walk away from the Mong Kok MTR station. The Langham Place Shopping Mall and the Ladies' Market is all nearby.
iclub Mong Kok Hotel - Hong Kong
This 1km-long outdoor bazaar is a must visit for a taste of authentic HK street life! Located a short 7-minute walk from our hotel along Tung Choi Street.
Ladies' Market
This market is a lively, high-energy street market that is parallel to the world-famous Ladies' Market. The market is split into 2 different unique experiences: The Northern section is the traditional street bazaar, where locals go for everyday shopp...
Fa Yuen Street Market
Located just a couple of blocks over from the Ladies' Market, this vibrant street is a footwear paradise packed with hundreds of shops selling the latest sneaker releases, limited-edition kicks, and sports apparel.
Sneakers Street (香港波鞋街)
Located right above the Mong Kok MTR station, this spectacular futuristic 15-story mall is a great air-conditioned escape for the family.
Langham Place (朗豪坊)
A legendary local diner famous for its Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao)! Make sure to order it traditional style - served piping hot with a thick, melting slab of cold butter jammed in the middle - paired with a smooth cup of iced milk tea for the ultimate ...
Kam Wah Cafe: A Must-Visit Culinary Gem in Hong Kong
This 8-story vertical mall houses a fantastic mix of trendy fast-fashion brands, quirky local labels, and Japanese/Korean pop-up clothing boutiques. It is connectly directly to the Argyle Centre via an indoor footbridge.
TOP This is Our Place
Clothing brand founded by a local mother-and-daughter duo. They are famous for their comfortable, “Made with Heart” everyday pieces, usually focusing on trendy Japanese-style simplicity. They have a location in T.O.P This is Our Place and also at MOK...
Banananaxx バナナ｜HONG KONG LOCAL BRAND
Perched right on the 5th floor of the T.O.P mall right next to the open sky garden, this upscale restaurant was our chosen place for a birthday celebration. They were able to accommodate our group of 15, and we feasted on their fantastic steaks, fres...
LAB EAT Restaurant & Bar (T.O.P This is Our Place) - Mong Kok Location
We spent another fantastic evening exploring this historic night market. Passing through the iconic red multi-tiered gate, we were immediately swept up in the neon glow and rows of local street food stalls.
Temple Street Night Market
This theme park is built directly onto the rugged cliffs of Nam Long Mountain, it seamlessly blends massive animal conservation exhibits with high-speed thrill rides. The park is divided into 2 major zones separated by a massive mountain. You can get...
The Lower Park - The Waterfront: Here you can go visit HK's famous giant pandas and the Grand Aquarium.
The Upper Park - The Summit: The Cable Car Ride is an absolute must-do! This iconic 8-minute ride scales the edge of the mountain cliff, offering jaw-dropping, panoramic views of the South China Sea, lush islands, and the coastline below. The Thrill ...
The Lower Park - The Waterfront: Here you can go visit HK's famous giant pandas and the Grand Aquarium.
The Upper Park - The Summit: The Cable Car Ride is an absolute must-do! This iconic 8-minute ride scales the edge of the mountain cliff, offering jaw-dropping, panoramic views of the South China Sea, lush islands, and the coastline below. The Thrill ...
Ocean Park
The absolute highlight of the Lower Waterfront of Ocean Park! When we felt so lucky because we got to see HK's historic, first-ever homegrown twin baby pandas, Jia Jia and De De. It was so cute to watch the tiny cubs playfully tumble around, climb tr...
Giant Panda Adventure - Ocean Park Hong Kong
The highlight of the upper park “Summit” at Ocean Park was the insane, floorless roller coaster that literally hurls and plunges you right over the edge of the ocean cliff.
Hair Raiser - Roller Coaster - Ocean Park Hong Kong
You can literally smell the rich, buttery aroma wafting down the street before you even see the queues winding out the door! Must try the Sourdough Egg Tart! They have several locations around town, and we went to the one in Central which is a takeaw...
Bakehouse - by Grégoire Michaud
Famous for its incredibly rich and dangerously addictive butter cookies. This is the ultimate edible souvenir! This is a cash only place, so get to the ATM before lining up here. Also beware of fakes ~ they only have 2 official stores, one in Tsim Sh...
Jenny Bakery Authentic Hong Kong Butter Cookies
This is the historic Central Police Station Compound, a massive independent heritage site right in the middle of Central's towering modern skyscrapers.
Tai Kwun - The Old Prison
This outdoor moving staircase network is known as the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators. It holds the world record as the longest outdoor covered escalator system on earth, stretching over 800 meters and scaling a steep 135 meter incline.
Central—Mid-Levels Escalator
We came to the ifc mall and went to the Level 4 Rooftop Garden to take in the sweeping, million-dollar panoramic view of Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon skyline. While here, you can stop for some eats like Glasshouse, La Rambla by Catalunya, Shake S...
ifc mall | International Finance Centre, Hong Kong
Victoria Peak, aka The Peak, is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, rising 552m above sea leavel. To get up there, you can take Bus No. 15 from Central, but a wonderful way to experience the mountain is by the historic Peak Tram. Try to get a seat...
THE PEAK HONG KONG
Take an unforgettable journey to Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, where you will be treated to sweeping panoramic views of the sea and mountains. Once at the summit, climb the 268 steps up to the 34m bronze Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) ...
There are 2 glass-bottom choices for the cable cars:
~ The Crystal Cabin: class option - gives you a thrilling bird's eye view of the sea and the rolling green hills directly beneath your feet
~ The Crystal+ Cabin: upgraded option - floor to ceiling glass panels along with a see-through floor giving you an entirely unobstructed view of Lantau Island
There are 2 glass-bottom choices for the cable cars:
~ The Crystal Cabin: class option - gives you a thrilling bird's eye view of the sea and the rolling green hills directly beneath your feet
~ The Crystal+ Cabin: upgraded option - floor to ceiling glass panels along with a see-through floor giving you an entirely unobstructed view of Lantau Island
The Big Buddha & Ngong Ping 360
Highlights of Hong Kong - We were not able to make it to all the hot spots of HK in this trip, but we will be back some day.
The Best Tourist Attractions in Hong Kong
Macau
We took an exciting day trip over to Macau, where we spent the day marveling at the unique blend of historic Portuguese architecture and the jaw-dropping, neon-lit luxury of its modern casino resorts.
For our Macau day trip, we decided to take the high-frequency shuttle bus across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (a 55km bridge ~ longest sea crossing on Earth!) For the journey back to Hong Kong in the evening, we hopped straight onto the high-spe...
Cross-Boundary Public Transport Between HK and Macau
The Macau Pass is similar to HK's Octopus Card.
Macau Pass (澳門通)
Taking the public bus is a fantastic, budget-friendly way to get around, but the absolute best and most popular way for visitors to navigate Macau is by combining public buses with free casino shuttle buses and the Macau LRT.
Here's a guide to the hotel and casino shuttle buses in Macao
Macau's modern, elevated Light Rapid Transit system is a lifesaver for avoiding traffic. The Taipa Line runs directly throught the Cotai Strip, stopping right outside major mega-resorts like the Londoner, Parisian, and Studio City, as well as the Tai...
Macao Light Rapid Transit
This bustling pedestrian square instantly transports you from Asia to the Mediterranean with its beautiful pastel-coloured colonial buildings and the mosaic cobblestones.
Senado Square (Largo do Senado)
An absolute icon of Macau, this stone facade is all that remains of teh magnificent 17th century Portuguese church that tragically burned down during a typhoon in 1835.
Ruins of St. Paul's - Macau
No trip to Macau is complete without indulging in the legendary Portuguese egg tarts from this iconic bakery. The original shop is in Coloane, but you can easily grab these treats right on the Cotai Strip at the Venetian.
Lord Stow's Bakery - Macau
One of the largest buildings in the world. Even if you aren't gambling, stepping inside transports you straight to Italy with its magnificent indoor canals, painted blue-sky ceilings, replicas of Venice's iconic bridges, and beautifully costumed, sin...
The Venetian Macao | Macao Hotel
If you are looking to experience the charm of the UK, then The Londoner is a must-visit desitnation on the Cotai Strip. It features a full-scale replica of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben that puts on a brilliant light show at night. All the ki...
The Londoner Macao | Macao Hotel
Don't forget to stop by the Parisian Macao to see the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. There is a dazzling light show that flashes to music every 15 minutes in the evening.
The Parisian
There are so many activities to experiences besides visiting casinos. You can visit TeamLab, water parks, go bungee jumping or ziplining, relax at spas…
Exciting Experiences in Macau