An Old Taiwanese Hand's First Trip to Sichuan & Chongqing: Taking the Missus Out and Seeing What the Mainland's "Next Generation" is Up to

Posted by: Jacky Lin / An old guy who loves to wander

Hello, my friends! Long time no see! Uncle Lin is back in action.

I remember back in the day, when I was battling with orders in a factory in Fujian, my better half (that's my wife!) would always nag me. She'd say I only knew how big the Mainland was and how many workers were in the factory, but I never actually took her to see it for herself. And you know what? I've kept those words in my heart all this time.

This time, with the kids on vacation and my company offering a great travel planning service, I took the plunge, signed the leave request, and decided on a "Sichuan-Chongqing family getaway." You could also say it's my way, as a veteran Taiwanese manager, of inspecting the Mainland's development over the past decade or so.

First Stop: Chongqing. Man, this mountain city is the real deal!

Speaking of which, Fujian, where I used to stay, is by the sea, so it always felt flat and humid. But wow, the moment our plane landed at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport, it was a completely different world. Our driver (the planning service arranged the car for us, saving us the trouble of hailing a cab with all our luggage—kudos to them!) drove on, and my kids and I just stared with our mouths wide open the whole way.

How can the roads be so winding and go up and down like this? The buildings are all built on hillsides, and the light rail even passes right through a building! My two little ones were wide-eyed, constantly yelling, "Dad! Look! Look!" I thought to myself, "Hmph, now you know how big the world is, huh?"

Our hotel was near the Liberation Monument, also a recommendation from the guide, said to have a high "CP value" (Cost-Performance ratio). The view from our room was fantastic, looking right out onto the Jialing River, with a beautiful nightscape. After settling our luggage, the most important item on the agenda was, of course—eating hot pot!

The guide didn't recommend those chain restaurants for tourists. Instead, it pointed us to an old-looking "Cave Hot Pot" tucked away in an alley. The moment we stepped in, goodness gracious, it was incredible! The whole place was filled with the aroma of beef tallow. We sat on long benches, surrounded by locals chatting loudly in the Chongqing dialect.

We ordered a half-and-half pot (spicy and non-spicy), which I guess was my final act of kindness towards my wife and kids. I took a sip of the red broth, and man, the numbing and spicy sensation shot straight to my head, but it was unbelievably fragrant. It was a completely different beast from the spicy hot pots I'd had in Taiwan or Fujian. This is what you call "authentic"! The tripe and duck intestines, swished for just a few seconds, were crisp and refreshing. Although the whole family was tearing up from the spiciness and chugging down soy milk, everyone said, "Delicious! So delicious!"

The Awe of Hongya Cave: Even an Old Man is Conquered by an "Internet-Famous Spot"

After eating our fill, we followed the guide's suggestion and went to Hongya Cave around 8 PM. Initially, I was a bit skeptical about these so-called "internet-famous spots," thinking they were just a bunch of lights.

Well, you really shouldn't be so stubborn.

When we stood on the bridge and saw the magnificent, glittering Diaojiaolou (stilt houses) built along the cliff face, I admit I was blown away. The fantastical atmosphere—no wonder people say it looks like a scene from Spirited Away. My wife and daughter didn't put their phones down for a second, probably taking a few hundred photos. Even an old guy like me couldn't resist snapping a few pictures to show off in our family group chat.

This trip to Chongqing, honestly, has overturned many of my old impressions of the Mainland. The city's three-dimensional feel, the bold "jianghu" (wild and untamed) character of the food, and the vibrant energy of the old and new blending together—it's all completely different from what I experienced in the coastal factory zones.

Most importantly, this time I was with my family, not on a business trip where I had to handle everything myself. With the travel service arranging our transportation, accommodation, and restaurant recommendations, my role as the "chief organizer" was much easier. I could focus more on spending time with my wife and kids. And that feels pretty good.

Alright, that's all for today. Next stop, we're taking the high-speed rail to Chengdu to see the pandas! I hear Chengdu has a completely different vibe, a laid-back, "slow-living" city. I'll share more about the great food we eat and the beautiful sights we see then!

Everyone, be sure to take your family out for a trip when you have the time!