Great Wall & Forbidden City to Shanghai's skyline. Xinjiang's Silk Road, Guilin's beauty, Beijing's energy. Diverse & vast!

Discover Beijing through the eyes of an expat who arrived in the city in 2012. Overcoming grief and homesickness, he explored the city's vastness and culture shock. Read about his experiences and the chance encounter that changed his life in this heartwarming post.

Finding My Family on the Other Side of the World

What is the gay scene like in China's gayest city? Let's explore what gay Chengdu has to offer.

Gay Chengdu Guide: LGBTQ+ Culture, Bars & Hotspots 🇨🇳

Discover the best of Shanghai beyond tourist destinations! Wander through the European-styled French Concession, sing your heart out at KTV, take a surreal walk from Old Shanghai to The Bund and sip happy hour cocktails at the 91st floor of Park Hyatt Pudong. And for a truly unique experience, check out Goryeo, a North Korean restaurant where fake smiles and brainwashed conversations are the norm. Join us for some wild and memorable times in this ever-changing megapolis!

The Top Things to Do in Shanghai, China

Explore the uncharted beauty of China's far-west in Xinjiang - a region rich in Uyghur culture, cuisine, and stunning landscapes. Join us on a journey through snow-capped mountains, trilingual signage, and warm bread stuffed with lamb. Discover why Xinjiang is one of our favorite places on Earth.

A 10-Day Xinjiang Itinerary: Journey Through China's West

The Fabryk

After spending a month in Laos, we took the China-Laos Railway...thanks to the suggestion of our Chinese friends...to cross the border into China! 

Our first stop? Jinghong (景红), the heart of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province.

Yunnan is known as one of the most beautiful regions in China, famous for its diverse ethnic cultures and warm climate. While Ryan has lived in China before (and has fallen in love with Yunnan before), this is Fabio’s first time, so what will our first impressions be? 🤔

Join us on this vlog adventure as we explore Jinghong’s top attractions, including: The lively Gaozhuang Night Market, The stunning Manting Park and The golden Buddhist Dajin Pagoda Temple.

China is a whole new world for us, and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! 

Subscribe for more travel stories! 

Have you been to China? Let us know your favorite places in the comments!

CHAPTERS:
1:16 – Boten: The Last Stop in Laos Before China 🇨🇳
3:34 – Crossing into China: Passport Control 🛂
4:36 – Jinghong Railway Station: Train Experience 🚆
5:56 – Checking In: Our First Hotel in China 🏨
7:22 – Exploring Manting Park 🌳
8:14 – First Impressions of China 👀
13:00 – WeChat 101: The App You Can’t Live Without (in China) 📱
14:42 – Gaozhuang Night Market: A Feast for the Senses 🌙
19:10 – Las Vegas Vibes in China 🎰
20:02 – Our First Chinese Dinner 🥢
23:34 – Day 2: Getting a SIM Card in China 📅

Follow along for more travel adventures:🌍 
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

Support our channel through these affiliate links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 Where we stayed in Jinghong:
HomeInn (highly recommended for a night or two): https://trip.tp.st/yvH2LRWF

📲 Our recommended eSim:
Get it from Trip.com, honestly Airalo did not work really well, but this one worked fantastically (and you don't need a VPN): https://trip.tp.st/XWyOpJYk

🏞️ Prebook Manting Park Tickets:
https://trip.tp.st/GvqEHMFX

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9DfTrip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance: 
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵  Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/...

🎧 Music in this video: 
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc

#ChinaVlog #Xishuangbanna #Jinghong #Yunnan #ChinaTravel #BackpackingChina #TravelVlog #MantingPark #GaozhuangNightMarket #BuddhistTemple #SoutheastAsia #LaosToChina #ChinaLaosRailway #DigitalNomad #GayTravelVlog #HiddenGems #DajinPagoda #ZongfoTemple

The China We Never Expected in Xishuangbanna 🇨🇳

Our next stop on our Yunnan, China adventure was Jingmaishan (景迈山), a part of Pu’er in China and an area most famous for cultivating tea starting over 1,000 years ago (the oldest know tea cultivators, as a matter of fact). 

Tag along as we get invited into random guest houses and learn the local tea-making process, watch “sunrises” over the tea plantations, and go to some villages deep in the Jingmaishan area where we meet members of the Dai (傣族) and Blang (布朗族) ethnic minority Groups - the original cultivators of Pu Erh tea (普洱茶). 

Near the end of the video, Fabio gives his HONEST first impressions of China after being in the country for a few days.

Come along with us as we experience the real China (the rural China that few Westerners get to see).

Sections
00:00 - Intro/How We Got to Jingmaishan
02:56 - Our “Loose” China Plans
04:46 - Touring a Tea Factory (which doubles as a guest house)
06:26 - Our First Tea Ceremony
08:55 - Heading to Watch the Sunrise
11:09 - Our First Local Breakfast
11:56 - Village 1 (A Dai Village) - 糯岗老寨
16:52 - Having a Local Lunch
17:59 - Village 2 (A Blang Village) - 翁基
21:14 - Fabio’s First HONEST China Impressions

Locations: 
The General Area - Jingmai Mountains 景迈山
Smaller Villages within Jingmaishan - 糯岗老寨 and 翁基

Follow along for more China and Travel adventures:🌍 
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

Support our channel through these links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 The guest house we stayed in Jingmaishan: 
Lancang Tea Youxiaoju Inn - https://trip.tp.st/s12eWng5

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9DfTrip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance: 
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵  Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=ypPpvj62681037&lng=en

🎧 Music in this video: 
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc

#chinaadventure
#yunnanchina
#jingmaishan
#puertea
#chinesetea
#teaculture
#travelchina
#offthebeatenpath
#teaexperience
#teaceremony
#daipeople
#blangpeople
#culturaltravel
#ruralchina
#chinavlog
#fabioandryan
#sustainabletravel
#authentictravel
#asiatravel
#chinatea
#travelseries
#yunnantravel
#mountainlife
#slowtravel
#teatour
#ecoexplorer
#teaplantation
#teatime
#chinastories
#traveldeep

We Visited the BIRTHPLACE of Tea in Yunnan, China 🇨🇳

GIVE US A LITTLE LOVE ☕️ Buy us a coffee - buymeacoffee.com/thefabryk

After surviving a bout of food poisoning, Fabio and Ryan took a friend’s advice and headed deep into the mountains of Yunnan...into Ximeng, the heart of Wa culture (佤族）.

But… who are the Wa people? And why do they worship ox skulls?

They’re one of China’s 55 ethnic minorities (中国少数民族), but beyond that, you won’t hear much about them. This video takes you to the borderlands of China and Myanmar, where life looks, sounds, and feels like another country entirely.

From traditional dress to mysterious rituals, we explore a culture that few outsiders have ever heard of....let alone visited.

🎥 Come with us to Ximeng, where the roads are winding and the culture runs deep.

Sections:
00:27 | Off to Ximeng – bus from Lancang 🚌  
01:28 | First look: what's with all the ox heads? 🐂  
04:24 | Lunch at a Wa restaurant 🍜  
06:28 | Who are the Wa people? 🎎  
08:52 | Exploring the eco-tourism zone 🌿  
10:04 | Hiking the ox head hills 🏞️  
13:46 | Stroll around Mengsuo Longtan Lake 🌊  
15:42 | Wa-style drinks – cheers! 🍶  
16:56 | Dinner round two – more Wa cuisine 🍲  
17:52 | Leaving Ximeng + eco travel talk ♻️  
20:28 | The truth behind the Wa & the ox heads 🔍  

Follow along for more China and Travel adventures:🌍 
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

Support our channel through these links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 The hotel we stayed in Ximeng: 
Ximeng Hongshangjia Hotel - https://trip.tp.st/MrosAN4D

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9DfTrip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance: 
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵  Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=ypPpvj62681037&lng=en

🎧 Music in this video: 
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc

#WaPeople #Ximeng #YunnanTravel #ChinaEthnicGroups #HiddenChina #CulturalExploration #IndigenousAsia #BorderlandsChina #ChinaVlog #TravelChina #OffTheBeatenPath #YunnanCulture #ChinaMinorities #EthnicChina #RemoteChina #UndiscoveredChina #WaCulture #AsianTribes #WaTraditions #BackpackingChina #WaCommunity #CulturalPreservation #WaEthnicGroup #ChinaUnseen #AsianBorderlands #WaFestival #WaTraditionalLife #ExploringYunnan #ChinaHiddenGems #LostTribes

China’s Most Mysterious Ethnic Group? Meet the Wa People 🇨🇳

On this part of our Yunnan, China (云南, 中国) journey, we make a short but unforgettable stop in the city of Pu’er (普洱市)...formerly known as Simao (思茅)...on our way to Kunming.

What started as a simple overnight stay turned into something deeper. A friend had told us about a Red Panda Forest (小熊猫庄园) tucked away in the hills just outside the city, and that mission became our main goal. 🐼

But as we wandered the streets, shared tea with locals, and devoured smoky Chinese barbecue (烧烤), we discovered that Pu’er isn’t just about its famous tea...it’s full of warmth, flavor, and quiet wonder. The kind of place you wish you had more time to enjoy.

From the wisdom of tea masters to the peaceful forests where endangered red pandas still roam, this stopover left us with far more than we expected.
If you’re ever passing through Pu’er, maybe don’t pass through so quickly.

And yes… we did find the red pandas. ❤️

📍 Featured Location: 小熊猫庄园 (Red Panda Forest)
We recommend using DiDi to get there—it’s about a 45-minute ride from downtown.
Entry is ¥150 RMB per person, and includes the internal shuttle through the park.
You can also stay overnight in a forest lodge surrounded by red pandas:
➡️ https://trip.tp.st/6SXvRPXC

We also mentioned the Giant Panda Research Center in Chengdu...We did end up going here and will show it in a future video, but for more info, check it out here: https://trip.tp.st/Jsoxg9dc

────────────────

00:21 - Dropped in Pu’er: Where Exactly Are We?
01:13 - First Impressions of Pu’er (普洱) City
02:25 - A Tea Ceremony with Our “Ferry God-Mothers”
03:54 - Our First Real Chinese Barbecue (烧烤) Experience
05:07 - Entering the Red Panda Forest (小熊猫庄园)
11:28 - We FINALLY Found the Red Pandas ❤️🐼❤️
15:02 - Reflections & Farewell from Pu’er

────────────────

✨ We’re documenting every part of our Yunnan journey...and next stop: Kunming.

Follow along for more China & Travel adventures:
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

────────────────

GIVE US A LITTLE LOVE ☕️ Buy us a coffee - buymeacoffee.com/thefabryk

And support our channel through these links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 The hotel we stayed in Pu’er:
Perting Luxury Art Hotel - https://trip.tp.st/jpMYnPgk

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9Df
Trip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance:
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵 Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=ypPpvj62681037&lng=en

🎧 Music in this video:
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc

────────────────

#ChinaVlog #PuerTea #RedPandas #YunnanTravel #ChineseBarbecue #ChinaHiddenGems #WildlifeVlog #TravelChina #普洱 #小熊猫 #烧烤
#OffTheBeatenPath #ExploreChina #ChinaNature #TeaLovers #BackroadsChina #CulturalTravel #UndiscoveredChina #HiddenDestinations #TravelAsia #ChinaAdventures #NatureInChina #PandaVlog #ChineseStreetFood #SlowTravelChina #StoryDrivenTravel

Unexpected Wonders of Pu’er, China (Yes, Red Pandas Too) 🇨🇳

After exploring some of Yunnan’s most unusual spots, we finally made it to Kunming…Fabio’s first time in a Chinese megacity!
在探索了云南一些最特别的地方之后，我们终于来到了昆明——Fabio 第一次踏入中国的特大城市！

Known as the Spring City (春城) for its reasonable year-long temperatures and weather, and despite being a city of over 8 million (the size of London 🤯), Kunming surprised us with its relaxed vibe, lush nature, and mix of modern life and tradition.
昆明常年气候宜人，被誉为“春城”。虽然是一个拥有800多万人口的大城市（和伦敦差不多大 🤯），但它轻松的氛围、丰富的自然风光和传统与现代的融合让我们大吃一惊。

In this vlog, these are the locations we visit:
🎥 本期视频中我们打卡了以下地点：

🏘️ Guandu Ancient Town (官渡古镇)
🌿 Green Lake Park (Cui Hu / 翠湖公园)
🛍️ Nanping Business Street (南屏街) & Kunming Flower Market (昆明花市)
🌄 The stunning Stone Forest (Shilin / 石林) (Check it out: https://trip.tp.st/BRhc8xBK)
🏞️ Dian Lake (Dian Chi / 滇池) to get to the scenic Dragon Gate (西山龙门) — epic fail 😅
♨️ Jinfang Forest Hot Springs (金方森林温泉) (Check it out: https://trip.tp.st/tjEX8lVY)
🍄 And yes... mushroom hotpot! 野生菌火锅随处可见，随便找一家看着顺眼的就行！

Check out why Kunming is called the Spring City and why it might be one of China’s most underrated destinations.
来看看为什么昆明被称为“春城”，以及为什么它可能是中国最被低估的旅行地之一。

────────────────

CHAPTERS
0:44 Welcome to Kunming! 🌞
2:38 Is it really the Spring City? 🌸
4:22 Waking up in Yunnan’s capital 🌅
7:32 Guangdu Ancient Town 🏯
12:06 Past and present in Green Lake Park 🍃
17:06 Wonders of Napping Street 😴
20:56 Local dish: mushrooms hot pot 🍲
23:52 The magical Stone Forest 🪨
31:32 Special hot springs ♨️

────────────────

✨ We’re documenting every part of our Yunnan journey...and next stop: Lijiang (丽江).
Follow along for more China & Travel adventures:
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

────────────────

GIVE US A LITTLE LOVE ☕️
Buy us a coffee (aka just a bit of cash to help support our content creation endeavors) - https://buymeacoffee.com/thefabryk

And support our channel through these links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 The hotel we stayed in Kunming:
Dreamscape Rainbow Hotel - https://trip.tp.st/fTkTGzCz

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9Df
Trip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance:
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵 Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/

🎧 Music in this video:
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc


#kunmingtravel  
#yunnanadventures  
#springcitychina  
#chinaoffthebeatenpath  
#travelchina  
#kunmingvlog  
#gaytravelers  
#queertravel  
#exploreyunnan  
#stoneforest  
#dianchi  
#chinesecities  
#ancienttowns  
#greenlakepark  
#mushroomhotpot  
#chinafoodie  
#backpackingchina  
#lgbtqtravel  
#travelwithus  
#fabrykchina

The Chinese City of Over 8 Million You've Never Heard Of! 🇨🇳

While we were in Kunming, Yunnan, China, we came across stories about a so-called “ghost city” in the Chenggong district. Built between 2003 and 2012, Chenggong was meant to be a brand new urban hub, but when hardly anyone moved in, it quickly gained the reputation of a ghost city. Naturally, our curiosity got the better of us. So, we hopped on Line 1 of the Kunming metro and headed straight to Chenggong to see if that eerie reputation still holds up.

Does Chenggong still feel abandoned? Or has it finally come to life? Let’s find out.

當我們在昆明的時候，聽說了關於呈貢區“鬼城”的故事。這座城市在2003年至2012年間建成，本來計劃成為一個嶄新的城市中心，但由於最初幾乎沒有人搬進去，很快就被稱為“鬼城”。出於好奇，我們搭乘昆明地鐵1號線，前往呈貢一探究竟。

呈貢現在還是空蕩蕩的嗎？還是說它終於活起來了？一起來看看吧。

────────────────

📍 Locations We Visit 地點參觀

👻 Chenggong District, Kunming
👻 昆明市呈貢區

────────────────

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:30 Intro to Chenggong
02:52 Is this mall a ghost mall?
04:24 Is this temple a ghost temple?
05:24 Thoughts Part 1
06:00 Is this shopping center a ghost shopping center?
07:38 Final thoughts on Chenggong District

────────────────

✨ We’re documenting every part of our Yunnan journey...and next stop: Lijiang (丽江).
Follow along for more China & Travel adventures:
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

────────────────

GIVE US A LITTLE LOVE ☕️
Buy us a coffee (aka just a bit of cash to help support our content creation endeavors) - https://buymeacoffee.com/thefabryk

And support our channel through these links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 The hotel we stayed in Kunming:
Dreamscape Rainbow Hotel - https://trip.tp.st/fTkTGzCz

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9Df
Trip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance:
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵 Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/

🎧 Music in this video:
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc


#kunmingtravel #chenggongdistrict #ghostcitychina #urbanexploration #abandonedplaces #chinaurbanism #chinesecities #travelchina #offthebeatentrack #yunnantravel #kunmingvlog #chinaadventure #emptycities #chinalife #weirdchina #ghostmall #gaytravelvlog #digitalnomadsinchina #underratedchina #curiouswanderers

Not Your Average Chinese Ghost City (Chenggong, Kunming 🇨🇳)

We’re in Lijiang, one of the most charming old towns in China, discovering local Chinese breakfasts, Naxi culture, and the unique vibe of Shuhe Ancient Town.
我们现在在丽江，这是中国最迷人的古镇之一，正在探索地道的中式早餐、纳西文化，以及束河古镇独特的氛围。

We try traditional foods like tea eggs, baozi, and pumpkin rice porridge 🍳🥟, explore cultural heritage near Tibet, and pay with Alipay like locals.
我们品尝了茶叶蛋、包子和南瓜粥等传统美食，感受靠近西藏的文化氛围，还像本地人一样用支付宝付款。

Lijiang sits between Dali and Shangri-La, and is famous for its beautiful views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and proximity to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of China’s best hikes.
丽江位于大理和香格里拉之间，以玉龙雪山的壮丽景色和虎跳峡的徒步胜地而闻名。

We talk about the fascinating matrilineal Naxi society, Yunnan coffee, and why this place is perfect for curious travelers.
我们还聊到了神秘的母系纳西族社会、云南咖啡，以及为什么这里是好奇心满满的旅行者的天堂。

Whether you’re into Chinese food, ethnic minority cultures, or just looking for an off-the-beaten-path Yunnan travel guide, this vlog is for you.
不管你是热爱中餐、对少数民族文化感兴趣，还是想找一条小众的云南旅行路线，这期视频都不容错过。

🎥 Videos Mentioned in This Episode:

Pumpkin Risotto in West Virginia – full recipe + autumn vibes 🎃
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix7etnSBmiY

Chinese Ethnic Minorities – exploring deep traditions and diversity 🧧
👉 https://youtu.be/4vQF6hzZizg?feature=shared

Tea Culture in Yunnan – not just coffee, tea is huge here too 🍵
👉 https://youtu.be/ahH57RC0PK4?feature=shared

Red Panda in Pu’er – cutest encounter ever! 🐼
👉 https://youtu.be/ukX1UR6cKz8?feature=shared

Not China, but nearby: our South Korea Series – full of surprises 🇰🇷
👉 https://youtu.be/gWdl_O7DMEQ?feature=shared

────────────────

📍 Locations We Visit 地點參觀

Shuhe 束河古鎮
Gucheng 麗江古城（古城）
Mufu Palace木府
Yun Xue Li Restaurant 云雪丽餐厅

────────────────

⏱️ CHAPTERS

0:14 Chinese breakfast to start the day 🍜  
1:38 Arriving at our hotel in Lijiang 🏨  
2:32 Welcome to Lijiang: exploring Shuheh Ancient Village 🏯  
5:34 A coffee break, Yunnan-style ☕  
5:58 Walking on the ancient Tea Horse Road 🐎  
6:48 Tasting the famous flower cakes 🌹  
8:08 Quick lesson on Chinese yuan currency 💴  
9:38 Naxi traditional engineering in action 🛠️  
10:58 Who were the powerful Mu Fu clan? 📜  
11:44 Trying "Over the Bridge" noodles 🍲  
14:48 Visiting the hidden gem of Ghuangchen Ancient Village 🗺️  
16:53 Discovering the majestic Mu Fu Palace 👑  
20:12 Strolling through the southern part of Lijiang’s Gucheng 🏘️  
21:10 Lijiang nightlife & Naxi dinner experience 🍶

────────────────

✨ We’re documenting every part of our Yunnan journey...and next stop: Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡).
Follow along for more China & Travel adventures:
More China Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQicIMb8HUwOj7FGUQNjJbuDJnxYgyoDI
Website: https://thefabryk.com/destinations/china
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/

────────────────

GIVE US A LITTLE LOVE ☕️
Buy us a coffee (aka just a bit of cash to help support our content creation endeavors) - https://buymeacoffee.com/thefabryk

And support our channel through these links (at no extra cost to you):

🏡 The hotel we stayed in Lijiang Old City:
Yueerxuan Secret Garden Beautiful Stay - https://trip.tp.st/nFDPceBZ

✈️ Find your flights to China:
Skyscanner - https://bit.ly/3K1w9Df
Trip.com - https://trip.tp.st/XcaGxagP

🩺 Travel Insurance:
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk

🎵 Easy Video Editing:
CapCut Pro - https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/

🎧 Music in this video:
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc

#lijiang  
#yunnan  
#yunnantravel  
#chinaadventure  
#lijiangoldtown  
#shuheancienttown  
#mufupalace  
#naxiculture  
#ancientchina  
#visitlijiang  
#chinaoffthebeatenpath  
#travelchina  
#chinesehistory  
#digitalnomadsinchina  
#asiatravelvlog  
#chinalifestyle  
#gaytravelchina  
#chinesefoodie  
#chinateahorseroad  
#flowercakes

Is This the Most Beautiful Ancient Village in China? Lijiang, Yunnan 🇨🇳

When we first spotted the sketchy building after endless trekking up and down Chongqing, China’s massive hilly terrain, I was sure I had been catfished.

But after punching in the door code, swinging the door open, a little oasis of heaven emerged out of nowhere.

The true genius award goes to the person who can transform the truly vile into something tranquil and beautiful like this place.

Don’t judge a book by its cover; and maybe don’t judge a hotel by its hallway at first.

Have you ever been catfished by a hotel?

#hotelreviews
#travelchina
#chongqing
#travelmemories
#unexpectedfinds
#hiddenparadise
#dontjudgeabookbyitscover
#hotelvibes
#travelunexpected
#beautifulplaces
#offthebeatenpath
#travelblogger
#chinalove
#instatravel
#exploringtheworld

Did We Just Get Catfished by Our Hotel?

This might be the weirdest spa in the world…or the best. You decide!

Ever soaked in a steaming hotpot? In Kunming, China, you can literally bathe in a giant soup bowl, chill in a teacup, and even find a bathroom shaped like a boot.  

In addition, they have lots of “normal” pools with different scents and benefits (we loved the rose and milk pool).

The place:
📍金方森林温泉 (JinFang SenLin WenQuan) in Anning (west of Kunming)

Would you try this? Let me know in the comments!

#chinaadventures #kunmingtravel #hotpotspa #weirdplaces #uniquespas #thermalbaths #visitchina #travelasia #offbeattravel #unusualdestinations #spaexperience #hotpotlife #quirkytravel #bucketlistadventures #relaxationgoals #explorechina #soakingspa #funtravelspots #thingstodoinchina #hiddenchina

Soaking in a Giant Hotpot?! This Spa Is INSANE! 🇨🇳

Have you ever encountered something in another culture that completely contradicted what it might mean or symbolize in yours?

In the forests of Yunnan, China, archaeologists found something shocking…over 3,000 ox heads buried beneath the earth.

It looked disturbing at first (and the misty grey weather didn’t help the ambiance)… but it had nothing to do with violence. It was devotion. These offerings were left by the Wa people, an ethnic minority who live in the mountains along the China-Myanmar border.

To the Wa, oxen symbolize wealth, strength, and spiritual power. Sacrificing them was a way to communicate with the divine, honor ancestors, and protect their communities.

The Wa are known for their vibrant festivals, drumming rituals, and a deep connection to the land.

What looks like a mass grave to outsiders… is actually a sacred tradition.
What seems eerie in one culture… might be holy in another.
Respect starts with understanding.

#wapeople
#ancientchina
#hiddenhistory
#culturefacts
#yunnanchina
#chineseculture
#oxsymbolism
#sacredrituals
#forestfinds
#archeologicaldiscovery
#weirdhistory
#ethnicminority
#ritualsaroundtheworld
#culturalperspective
#shockingscene
#spiritualtraditions
#buriedsecrets
#whatwouldyoudo
#understandingcultures
#sacrificeorceremony

CHINA

PLAN

GET INSPIRED

CHINA POSTS

Finding My Family on the Other Side of the World

Gay Chengdu Guide: LGBTQ+ Culture, Bars & Hotspots 🇨🇳

The Top Things to Do in Shanghai, China

A 10-Day Xinjiang Itinerary: Journey Through China's West

CHINA VIDEOS