China - ZhengZhou, Chengdu, Chongquing and Guangzhou
- burdettn
- Jan 19
- 14 min read
Updated: Feb 1
Where to visit?
Having travelled to China previously and visited Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, we decided another visit was in order. Especially as the China government were now waving visa restriction for 15 days (now extended to 30 days as of January 2025). So our first decision was to where. China is massive as shown below in a map in one of many jade showrooms available in the country.
We decided on the Sichuan region for its spicy cooking and Pandas. So the next step was to search for a good price for the flight.
The Cost
Our only real option to fly direct from Brisbane was with China Southern Airlines. Their ticket price was over $6,000 for all 4 of us, we eventually bought our tickets via Aunty Betty (I think it's Flight Centre's online business - but don't ask them as they won't help with anything to do with it). The price was more competitive at $5600. However, just be aware that booking an airline flight via a third party has its complications, eg. I attempted to contact Aunty Betty to ask for a vegetarian meal, but they never responded. Bizarrely I did receive a vegetarian meal on each flight leg. We also asked for information on how to extend our stay in China and thus our return flight but this was never acknowledged.
The Journey
Now many people who read this blog will probably be able to find a return flight from Brisbane to GuangZhou (all China Southern flights fly into this hub, and international passengers must pass through security before transferring to domestic flights) for under $6K. But the price we actually paid for Brisbane return Guangzhou, Guangzhou to ZhengZhou (one way) ZhengZhou to Chengdu (one way) and ChongQing to Guangzhou (one way). We took the train from Chengdu to ChonQing. The journey is shown below on the map with red lines indicating air flights and blue indicating train.
The Start
Given we have an American Express credit card, we are able to use the priority pass to access the business lounge at Brisbane Airport. So after an hour drive from the Gold Coast (not busy at 5am on new years day 2025) and a drop off at the Valet parking at Brisbane Airport, we sought food and drink in the lounge.
Day 1 - The Flight
The attendant at Brisbane Airport that checked us in was most unhelpful. Three of the family sat together whilst I was sat uncomfortably in middle seat behind them. This was after clarifying with the attendant that I would be sitting opposite them across the aisle. The food was ok. Not to the standard of Singapore Airlines or Emirates. And the same could said of the entertainment. Yes there was a large selection to choose from just didn't seem as extensive or thoughtful as Singapore or Emirates (in my opinion). The flight arrived early into GuangZhou and although we didn't have to collect our bags (as some people reported online) we did have to pass through 2 lots of passport checks to make it into the domestic area for our flight to ZhengZhou. We did have around 3 hours between flights so no rush there, enough time to eat at the noddle restaurant there.
The next flight to ZhengZhou was a little over 2 hours and landed early once again. China Southern was doing great. Having never flown with them before we were very happy with them. The meal on this flight was surprisingly good for such a short flight. I didn't even think we would get anything. The main meal being a rice cake. Meal shown below.
We got collected from ZhengZhou airport around 10:30pm and made it eventually to our hotel Le Meridien. Which was an amazing hotel with an amazing buffet breakfast.
Day 2 - Kaifeng - Millennium Park (Qingmingshangheyuan) -ZhengZhou
After the amazing buffet breakfast shown below at Le Meridien we made our way via private driver to Kaifeng - Millennium City Park (Qingmingshangheyuan) which was around 1 hour car drive.
It's a bit hard to describe Millennium park. Many of the attractions and shops seemed closed probably due to winter. We saw an historical re-enactment and tried the beef skewers and other street food that was present. There was also lion dancing and later on there were some horse handling shows in the evening. The place has lakes and rivers, many restaurants, souvenir shops and boats for the tourists. We didn't stay for the night show but apparently there are floating stages on the lake and hundreds of actors and horses and fireworks.
After the Millennium park we went for lunch at dumpling restaurant before driving around Kaifeng.
We were introduced the landmark building in ZhengZhou. We ate at a restaurant in shopping Mall next door to our hotel - Le Meridien. Some of the meals there such as Ma Po tofu cost only 5 RMB, and free rice top up.
Of course this wasn't enough and we went out to eat more food on the street around 11pm after first investigating the hotel pool, gym and surrounds
Day 2 - Shoalin Temple, Longman Grottoes and Luoyang
Another great buffet breakfast and we were off again. It took around 2 hours to drive to Shaolin Temple to see the scenic area and the monks, the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and martial arts. The monks performance lasted around 30 minutes where they performed choregraphed moves. After lunch we visited the Longman grottoes. All of the hundreds of caves had many buddhas in each one. One cave apparently had 1000 buddhas in in it.
More beef skewers were eaten on our way out of the Grottoes at the many food stalls. We then headed over to Luoyang (洛阳) to see the Lijing Gate. We arrived to see it lit up. Then headed for more street food and a restaurant (hotpot)
We finished the day with some Chinese culture and a type of Opera mixed with modern fusion, where we walked around and the performers surrounded us.
Day 3 - Chengdu
We took off on time and arrived early again. At the sight of the Mercure Jinlang hotel entrance our hearts sank as it looked like the entrance to an uploading dock at a warehouse. However once inside, the rooms were spacious, the facilities excellent including the gym and free washing machines and dryers.
After checking in, we decided to visit Jinsha Archaeological museum using Didi. Obviously we had a snack on the way whilst trying to find a bank of China to convert some of our Australian Dollars to RMB. It didn't work so make sure you have Alipay or Wechat Apps that works on your phones. Good tip, if have friends who have Chinese bank account, asked them to transfer money into your "wallet" on Alipay/Wechat and you pay them back. Much easier to pay that way.
After the museum we walked the streets outside Jinsha which was very happening but found it difficult to find food we all wanted. We eventually visited 2 restaurants.
Day 4 - HuangLong
Up early before breakfast began in the hotel at 6am as we had a long bus ride to Huanglong, which took around 7 hours.
The scenery improved as we travelled higher and further from Chengdu. However, the toilets deteriorated. This journey today would take us up to 4000 meters above sea level so we were advised to take a "special drink" (sold by our tour guide at RMB 100 a bottle, advised 2 bottles per person) that was supposed to help with altitude sickness.
Getting off the coach we took a cable car higher and then took 2-3 hours to walk back to the coach stop.
Dinner was eaten in a very cold portakabin like area.
Day 5 - Learning Gua Sha at the Ngawa Tibetan village & Juizhai Valley national park
Breakfast was eaten in the same but even colder portakabin place. We then visited the Tibetan village (whilst it was still dark) to learn about Gua Sha and the benefit of silver in medical treatment.
Leaving the Tibetan village we ate lunch at a burger place at the entrance to Jiuzhai Valley national park.
Whatever pictures I add will not do justice but here goes anyway
Dinner was eaten at a different hotel (San Royal International) to the rest of the group. Nice dinner and the hotel was warmer.
Day 6 - Mercure Hotel Chengdu via Jade, amber and herb shops
On the road early again heading back to the Mercure Hotel in Chengdu (and some warmth). Leaving Juizhai we visited a jade factory (Jade from Iran) where we bought 2 picchus, then on to an Amber factory and then a herb factory where we ate lunch.
Before entering the Amber factory at Chuanzhusizhen (川主寺镇) we spun the chimes on the bridge. Lunch was eaten at the herb shop.
Arriving back at Mercure hotel Jinlang in Chengdu we headed for some street food which was only a 10 minute walk away via some back streets.
Day 7 - Dujiangyan Scenic Area Southeast Gate 2 (都江堰景区) and Pandas
The journey to Dujiangyan took about 1 hour in the taxi from Mercure Jinglan in Chengdu. Only one house remained standing after the earthquake in 2006, however, all buildings have been rebuilt in their original style. Dujiangyan has man Chines gardens and fountains and wooden bridges across the river. It was an easy walk through the old village. Dujiangyan was noted by UNESCO for its importance for irrigation in the Chengdu region.
We then went for lunch at a restaurant in Qingchengshanzhen (青城山镇), which had had great ma po tofu, perfect for a hungry vegetarian. It seemed a popular place for tourists with a few tourist coachloads present when we arrived.
We then visited a panda centre near Dujiangyan I believe it was the Chengdu Panda breeding Centre at Dujiangyan YefangResearch centre (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地都江堰繁育野放研究中心) I anticipated the centre to be a sanctuary with large open areas for the Pandas to roam. Unfortunately this was not the case and the Pandas were in a zoo, with limited space to roam and all living sperate apart from a Panda with cubs. I won't be visiting again. At least one Panda I noticed seemed to be in distress or having issues mentally as it kept going in and out of it's den. Watching a panda eat was a comical (at least to me), as they looked like humans dressed in a badly fitting Panda suit. Red Pandas seemed to have larger areas, there was also a lethargic black bear. After the visit I read a sign that we had just drove on the most beautiful country road! I didn't notice!
After the Pandas we were taken back to out hotel which we promptly left to visit a could of famous pedestrian streets in Chengdu I believe in English named whites street and narrow street, in pinyin Jingxiangzi alley
We caught another Didi to Chengdu town centre to find a large TV screen that looked like a Panda was coming out of the TV screen.
We then went for a great meal in Chengdu at the restaurant below. All the staff were wearing a uniform that included a flat cap. Like all restaurants in China, smoking is allowed. You have been warned.
Day 8 - Train to Chongqing and night tour to Chongqing
A fast train from Chengdu takes only an hour so we took this option instead of flying. First class tickets cost us $65 each. Our first class carriage was full. Initially we spelt our son's name wrong so we had to cancel his ticket and got a refund then rebooked it. This was all done on trip.com. We weren't allowed to book tickets for any train until 2 weeks before the train departed don't know why. I would suggest that as a foreigner go to the train station early as we didn't seem to have the train pass the Chinese people were showing to the staff or electronic gates to let them into the station. An old guard took pity on us and just let us in as he didn't understand our trip.com tickets and they wouldn't scan. We were one of the first to line up at the "foreigner" boarding line as we needed to show our passports to board (tickets weren't needed). Boarding was easy and happened without issue.
Home2 suites by Hilton Chongquing Nan'an was probably my favourite hotel. Large rooms, heated toilet, great gym, great location, buffet breakfast, nice hallway decor that hide the room doors and free washing machines and dryers again.
We went to a hotpot restaurant for lunch which was a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Barbie was dressed up with slivers of ham that we added to the hotpot. The spicy hotpot was dialled back for me yet still proved too spicy.
After lunch we caught the metro so that we could travel on the famous train that travelled into a building a Liziba Station.
A taxi driver we caught a lift with when leaving Liziba Station suggested we do a night tour of Chongqing as Chongqing was having a rehearsal for Chinese new year which included lighting up the whole city that ran on the river front. The tour first dropped us at a hight point and we then took stairs and escalators to an even higher point o look down on the city.
The bus then took us on a few stops that stopped near the river bank so we could get good photo opportunities. We also went to the top of a skyscraper pushed on by a tour guide that wanted to be the first tour group to reach the tower.
Day 9 - Wulong Tiankeng Three Natural bridges scenic area
Our new tour group took us to a scenic area that had three natural bridges and the site of the Transformers 4 movie site. the journey took a little over 3 hours after stopping for a lunch. the site is stunning and impossible to capture accurately with a camera. A short walk from the coach stop then a lift down to the valley floor (although in bust season it may be quicker to take the stairs). Then a lazy walk back to the exit through all three natural bridges and the transformer site taking approximately 1.5 hours.
After visiting the 3 bridges we travelled a little further to Fairy Lady mountain and travelled around the park on a very cold tourist cart/bus/train. Fortunately there was warm food at the exit. We didn't stay in the park very long, one loop on the transport and we were out. We didn't fancy buying a sledge, so nothing else to do there in winter apart from play in the snow.
Dinner was held in an extremely cold restaurant again, so we ate with coats and hats on. There were some hot lights for the chicks to grow, and dinner was served on a huge tray that comically knocked over everyone's water at some point in the dinner. But the Ma Po Tofu was great. The hotel somewhere near Wulong was at least warm with a heated floor so everyone was happy.
Day 10 - Mountain village (Wulong?) and ferry cruise
Another early start and a visit to a mountain village and a silver shop.
After The village we headed for lunch.
After lunch we headed for an hour long ferry ride up the Wu Jiang river. Onboard was famous Calligrapher, we also watched a show of a person changing his face mask
After the ferry we travelled to a restaurant for dinner, which turned out to be only 1 minute to our hotel which once again had free washing and drying and a gym. Late that eveing we turned right out of our hotel had a massage and ate some more skewers from a restaurant that didn't close until 2 or 3am.
Day 11 - Jade factory, shopping, oldest street in Chongqing and flight to Guangzhou
Another great buffet breakfast, and the tour took us shopping all day. A wasted day in my opinion. Firstly, to a jade factory where a tour guide tried to convince the group to buy some medicine that would remove any pain in our bodies. A Chinese medicine master also gave advice such as buy some herbs. Lots of sale pitches. We also had a buffet lunch with other tour groups, then to more shops to buy snacks and presents. Please be aware that beef can not be brought into Australia (as of Jan 2025), we had many food stuff confiscated at Brisbane airport. After shopping we were taken to a Buddhist temple in the centre of Chongqing. They tried to take $2000 from us by giving one sentence of advice to the coming new year. Crooks. We left disgusted and visited the oldest street in Chongqing, before returning to the bus that dropped us in Chongqing. We caught a taxi to the airport from there around 6pm for 47 RMB.
The priority pass at Chongqing airport gave us our first ever problems. Firstly, they weren't going to allow us to bring 1 guest each with us (our children). Eventually they allowed us all entry into the deserted lounge. Every other lounge at every airport has never raised this issue. Then there was no buffet food we were only allowed to select one meal each from a menu they supplied. There was no wine, but a few soft drinks, beer, coffee and biscuits available.
Our first bad experience with China Southern Airlines. Our flight was due to depart from Chongqing airport at 11:10pm and arrive 1:20am. However, by 12am we still hadn't boarded and were told of another 1 hour delay. We were then told to go to another departure gate (the furthest away in the airport). Another delay of over 1 hour followed (although we were given free pot noodles and water). There is free hot water in the airport, however, with so many people needing hot water for their pot noodles the water temperature quickly dropped from 90 degrees to less than 20. This wasn't really a problem for me as if you are prepared to walk (as I am) there are enough hot water taps 10 or 15 minute walk from the bust stations. We eventually took off around 2.5 hours late, made up some time on the flight and got to our hotel and checked in around 4:30am. Fortunately, we had booked the Crowne Plaza hotel Huadu which is only a 5 or 10 minutes drive from arrivals. Unfortunately we couldn't all four fit into 2 double beds so we bought another room for $158. The hotel was busy we later found out for an end of year real estate conference. We didn't lose any luggage including 2 large boxes of pots and pans we bought in Chengdu, so ultimately we are still happy with China Southern Airlines as all previous 3 flights to this point had been early.
Day 12 - Guangzhou, Former residence of Chen Fang
The hotel Crowne Plaza Huadu was excellent with a huge gym with a sauna, comfy beds and excellent buffet breakfast that catered for Western and Asian tastes as usual.
We decided to catch a Didi for lunch and then head into Guangzhou to see the Former residence of Chen Fang. Chen Fang was busy but not over crowded. There were several old building and artifacts dotted around.
Above Lunch venue. Below Former residence of Chen Fang
An Didi ride from out hotel to the former residence of Chen Fang would cost around 173 RMB (January 2025). We caught the metro for 8 RMB each way per person, it took around 1.5 hours and we changed metro lines twice (in the wrong direction once too). Dinner was taken at a restaurant near the Crowne Plaza Huadu (peking duck and ma po tofu). The area has many restaurants and street food. Its is bustling at night.
The street food looked so amazing we had to try it.
Day 13 - Guangzhou -> Brisbane
Our last day in China so a day to relax, have a massage, collect dry cleaning and head to the airport in the free shuttle.
The airport priority pass lounge was ok. There was a buffet but the food choices were not a very high standard there was free wine, beer and soft drinks. Not much fruit (watermelon only).
The flight to Brisbane arrived early. A good trip to China but we had a lot of food taken from us at customs as we didn't know packaged meat for example was not allowed into the country.
The advantages of the trip was that there were not many crowds, but the cold was intense in places as were the toilets. But the kids now have new founded respect for Australia. It was an eye opening journey of discovery.
Would we go again? Maybe but not in winter!
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