A Collision of 'Chinese Chic' and 'Macarons' — A Beijing-Sanya RV Road Trip
These past two years have been tough for travel enthusiasts stuck at home due to the pandemic, and I can relate. Since my trip to the Northwest in the summer of 2019, I haven't traveled outside Beijing. Though I planned two trips, both were canceled due to recurring COVID outbreaks. The frustration of canceling flights and hotels was real.
This time, I was hesitant. Our family situation is special: my mother is over 80, we have multiple children (the youngest is just over a year old), and a small dog we couldn't bear to board at a pet shop. Regular air travel wasn't suitable (kids can't wear masks on planes; my husband usually can't join, so he could watch the dog at home).
With many people and lots of luggage, taking two cars would work, but the long drive would be uncomfortable for the elderly and kids, leaving little energy to enjoy the trip. So, we embarked on our first RV road trip!
In a word: awesome!
Here's our actual Beijing-Sanya round-trip route (only tourist destinations listed, not overnight stops. Details in the two images below):
Outbound: Beijing — Wuhan — Yangshuo — Haikou — Lingshui — Sanya (vacation)
Return: Sanya — Wanning — Zhanjiang — Guilin — Changsha (relatives) — Yueyang — Beijing
I actually made three versions of the itinerary, but had to give up my 'full' dream due to forecasts of rain and cold. Since I couldn't make it happen, I'll share my plans here to satisfy my wanderlust.
'Dream Version' Outbound: Beijing — Wuhan — Yueyang — Changsha (relatives) — Zhangjiajie — Fenghuang — Guilin/Yangshuo — Haikou — Lingshui — Sanya (vacation)
'Dream Version' Return: Sanya — Wanning — Zhanjiang — Guangzhou — Nanchang — Nanjing — Tai'an — Beijing
This massive plan would showcase diverse landscapes (Yangtze River, Dongting Lake, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Mount Tai) and historical sites (Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Tower, Prince Teng Pavilion, Phoenix Ancient Town, Guangzhou Shamian, ancient Nanjing, birthplace of Confucius). It also included seaside vacation (Hainan), a paradise for kids (Guangzhou Chimelong), and family reunions (Changsha).
Maybe I was too greedy after being cooped up for two years, so a few regrets are inevitable.
★Note: RVs can't use the water system in sub-zero temperatures (pipes freeze), which is inconvenient for our toddler (I'm a bit of a neat freak), so that was another reason to cut some parts.
However, plans change. Despite going through 'dream,' 'streamlined,' and 'final' versions, our actual trip still saw big changes due to various factors (see image for actual itinerary).
Compared to the final plan before departure, major changes included:
1. We dawdled on departure day, leaving Beijing after 4 PM, arriving late in Wuhan and not having enough time to explore.
2. Due to COVID, Haikou port required two negative PCR tests within 48 hours for travelers from Beijing. We had to do an extra test, and the ferry was delayed, so we didn't check into our Haikou hotel until 7 AM the next day. Exhausted, we added a rest day in Haikou and canceled the 'Wuzhizhou Island day trip' (my 80-year-old mom couldn't go anyway).
3. Based on our Haikou experience, we contacted Guangzhou's health authorities and were warned of possible home quarantine, so we canceled Guangzhou and detoured to Guilin instead.
Okay, enough rambling—let's get to the main event:
Travel dates: January 18 – February 7, 2022 (21 days)
Mode: RV road trip
Travelers: 4 adults, 3 kids, 1 dog — Mom (84), three kids (9, 5, 1), husband (rarely joins), me, nanny
Usually, each trip was either an immersive destination experience or a deep dive into one activity. This long road trip was different—like switching channels. A day-by-day account would be too messy, so I struggled to start the travelogue.
After scrolling through my phone photos and videos (taking care of kids left little energy for many shots), one word came to mind: 'collision.' Hence the title 'A Collision of Chinese Chic and Macarons.'
I love the term 'Chinese chic.' From Jay Chou/Fang Wenshan's songs to the popularity of Hanfu and Tang suits; from Chinese dance videos on Douyin to trendy cultural creative products... Somehow, traditional Chinese culture has become 'cool.' I like this fusion of history and modernity—it doesn't have to follow textbook rules or stay academic. 'Trendiness' is love, and 'popularization' is culture.
I have no art background and am even slightly colorblind, but I love the names of colors in Chinese culture: tea white, crow gray, lotus root, bamboo moon, rouge red, sky azure, twilight purple... Each color name is like an ink painting or a poetic phrase—not just a color code, but a world of imagination.
(My phone photography skills are limited; let your imagination soar.)
(I) Sandalwood Brown, Bright Yellow, Indigo Blue
Jan 19: [Wuhan] Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
"The sage on yellow crane was gone amid clouds white. To what avail is Yellow Crane Tower left here? Once gone, the yellow crane will ne'er on earth alight; Only white clouds still float in vain from year to year. By sunlit river trees can be count'd one by one; On Parrot Islet sweet green grass grows fast and thick. Where is my native land beyond the setting sun? The mist-veiled waves of River Han make me homesick." — Cui Hao
"My friend has left the west where towers Yellow Crane, For River Town veiled in green willows and blooms. His lessening sail is lost in the boundless blue sky, Where I see but the endless River rolling by." — Li Bai
These classic poems paired with modern buildings and bridges feel surreal, haha.
Feb 5: [Yueyang] Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake
As mentioned, my original plan included the 'Three Great Towers of Jiangnan'—Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Tower, and Prince Teng Pavilion. Unfortunately, Prince Teng was cut, and we only saw Yellow Crane Tower from outside. I hoped to satisfy my cultural longing at Yueyang Tower, so besides the night view, I planned to take the kids up the next morning. But... traveling with three kids and luggage left no room for such plans.
Though the night scene was charming, it couldn't match the refined elegance of the original (Yueyang Tower is the only one of the three that retains its ancient form).
Ancient poets often linked Yueyang Tower with Dongting Lake:
"The moon over Yueyang Tower, pure and vast." — Fan Zhongyan
"Long have I heard of Dongting Lake; Now I ascend Yueyang Tower. Hunan and Hubei split apart; Heaven and earth float day and night." — Du Fu
"The beauty of Dongting has always been at Yueyang Tower. Under a moonlit sky, autumn light shines for miles." — Mei Yaochen
We stayed at Yueyang Shangsu · Yuehu Tower Inn (Balcony Lake View Family Suite), right across from Yueyang Tower and beside Dongting Lake. The picture above shows the sunset from our balcony.
This B&B was quite atmospheric, a fitting choice.
Below the inn is Bianhe Street (don't mind the name), a pseudo-ancient commercial street with some character. We strolled there after visiting Yueyang Tower at night.
I was too absorbed eating stinky tofu to take a photo, haha.
It's said that the tomb of Xiao Qiao (Second Qiao) is north of Yueyang Tower, so vendors use the Qiao sisters as a theme. I joined in for fun.
Video summary of Wuhan and Yueyang
(II) Sky Blue, Verdant Green, Amber Tea
Jan 20: [Yangshuo]
I last visited Yangshuo in October 2018. This time, as a stopover on our road trip, we booked a hotel in Yulong River Scenic Area—Yangshuo Resort Hotel (Riverside Platform Family Suite). A brief rest with poetic landscapes, though not fully satisfying, had its own charm.
These views are from the hotel—Yulong River just steps away, bamboo rafts drifting by, green hills and blue waters forming a natural poem. A tranquil getaway.
Here, every step is a scenic view; for me, every moment stirs emotion.
As for the kids...
Eldest son: A Chinese literature lesson amidst the landscape—immersive!
Second son: Pondering life? He kept saying he loved this hotel and didn't want to leave.
Third princess: Besides 'lying flat,' as the family pet, she was always a photo prop, haha.
Let me add a few hotel environment photos—I really liked it.
The kids were thrilled to see a fireplace for the first time and fiddled with it for ages.
Link to my 2018 Guangxi travelogue: 'Thirty Years Later, Three Generations of Poetry and Art—More Than Just Scenery' ...
Feb 2: [Guilin]
As mentioned, Guilin wasn't in our original return plan, but after canceling Guangzhou due to COVID, we detoured here. We booked a homestay near Reed Flute Cave two days in advance—a pleasant surprise.
First, a few spontaneous roadside shots.
I usually don't like rain, but Guilin's landscape seems most ethereal in mist and drizzle.
Arrived at Guilin Heshe Lakeside Resort Hotel (Japanese-style Lake View Family Duplex Suite).
Our room was a duplex with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the landscape like a painting. The two eldest boys exclaimed 'so beautiful' upon entering.
The hotel's first floor has a small reading area with books on culture, history, and calligraphy/painting. The receptionist said the owner isn't in the art circle but loves it deeply, so they adorned the hotel with many modern paintings.
The small details in the hotel's decor show a lot of thought.
Also, this hotel allows pets—very nice!
Video summary of Yangshuo and Guilin
(III) Chinese Red, Supreme Gold
Jan 31–Feb 1: [Zhanjiang] Celebrating the New Year!
We originally planned to spend Spring Festival in Guangzhou, so this New Year's Eve was unexpected.
On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, we drove around Zhanjiang looking for a place to have the reunion dinner. Most restaurants were closed; the few open ones closed by 4 PM. We called several 'open as usual' restaurants listed online—same answer. Only Western restaurants served dinner. Chinese restaurants had all gone home for the holiday—completely opposite to Beijing's bustling New Year's Eve dinner scene. What to do? We couldn't have Western food on New Year's Eve—it wouldn't feel right.
Then we spotted 'Spicy Hero' Chongqing Hotpot. Thinking it was a long shot, we asked—and they were open! YYDS!
Honestly, it didn't matter what we ate; the important thing was the festive vibe, right?
After dinner, there was still time before the Spring Festival Gala, so my husband suggested a drive around 'big city' Zhanjiang to buy snacks, getting fully armed for the gala. I also hoped to find some festive lanterns or decorations—it was New Year's!
And we did find some roadside vendors selling decorations (only small convenience stores and holiday goods sellers were open; everything else closed early).
I even bought a potted flower (the one in the photo below).
New Year's is about revelry.
One small regret: my husband and I wore matching family outfits with the kids, but everyone was too busy eating and having fun to pose for a family photo.
Also, since we hadn't planned to spend New Year's Eve in Zhanjiang, our hotel choice was a bit of a flop. Usually, I book hotels with a view, unique interior, and space for kids—often suites or apartments. But this one's photos tricked me; I was a bit frustrated, especially for someone who prides herself on independent travel.
Feb 3–4: [Changsha] Visiting relatives, Orange Isle, Du Fu Pavilion
Visiting relatives during New Year is a must. It's been years since we celebrated at my aunt's home in Changsha. This reunion was special.
Southerners really know how to cook—our relatives could easily run a successful Hunan restaurant in Beijing. I ate so much I gained three pounds (usually I lose weight during Spring Festival since our nanny goes home).
The men drank, the women went shopping.
In Changsha, we stayed in a hotel apartment—Yishe·River View Hotel (Panoramic Orange Isle Suite). The room was average, but the view of the Xiang River was worthwhile.
The room was very small, and it was freezing—the heater barely helped. Once again, I proved that Northerners can't handle the cold like Southerners. With no heating, even the AC couldn't keep the chill away. The portable heater in the photo is probably a must-have in Southern homes; people sit with their feet on it and a blanket over their legs. Our kids sat directly on the heater wrapped in blankets—even my cleanliness obsession had to give way.
Video summary of Zhanjiang and Changsha
Peach pink, baby blue, matcha green, apricot yellow, taro purple, caramel brown...
I love these low-saturation macaron colors—they feel warm, sweet, soft, and elegant. A fresh and subtle indulgence.
[Scenery] Haikou, Wenchang Dongjiao Coconut Grove, Sanya Yalong Bay
Jan 22: [Haikou]
Travel is like climbing a mountain. People often aim for the summit's grand view, but I believe the beauty along the way shouldn't be missed—withered trees, wildflowers, birds, butterflies, a misty mountain wisp, a beam of sunlight. All of it refreshes the spirit.
Every day and every stop on a trip holds beauty worth discovering, even a brief pause.
Haikou, a coastal city, isn't my favorite style, but it's a necessary stop when crossing the Qiongzhou Strait from Guangdong.
I booked an apartment hotel near Xiuying Port Pier along Binhai Avenue, right by a pleasant seaside walkway. Strolling in the sea breeze was lovely. I usually dislike buildings in the scenery, but here the clean, quiet streets slowed me down, shifting from road trip mode to vacation mode. Very comfortable.
Jan 23: [Wenchang Dongjiao Coconut Grove]
This is an old attraction. People used to visit Hainan to experience tropical island vibes—now it's called 'checking in.'
I planned to switch to vacation mode upon entering Hainan, so I allowed three days to drive from Haikou to Sanya (it only takes half a day). Since we were passing Wenchang, we stopped at Dongjiao Coconut Grove.
Many roadside stalls sell coconuts; our family agreed the green ones taste better than the yellow.
Jan 25–29: [Sanya Yalong Bay]
Though not comparable to the Maldives' water and sand, the blue sea, sky, coconut palms, and green lawns instantly broke through our urban-bred defenses.
The above photos were taken at a beach hotel in Yalong Bay.
At dawn, watching the sunrise over the sea from the mountains is breathtaking. I took several shots from the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Bird's Nest Resort, but the travelogue 'failed review' because of 'secrets' there. The resort warns against using drones... I can't elaborate. Hehe.
[Hotels] Haikou, Lingshui, Sanya, Wanning
I debated whether to include hotels in this section, but to me, 'vacation' differs from 'travel.' For my 'vacation-style' trip, the key hotel requirement is enabling 'laziness':
1. Enjoy the view from the room—young kids, lots of luggage, elderly with mobility issues.
My youngest is 18 months; caring for her (feeding, napping, changing) consumes time and energy. Plus, I'm obsessive about doing laundry (despite having a nanny), packing, and tidying, so I often feel lazy during the day. Having the view come to me is a priority.
2. Lots of space for kids to play—three kids means chaos (or joyful bouncing). Also, our four 28-inch suitcases need room to open.
3. Aesthetics inside and out—we're on vacation!
These three criteria—external views, internal charm, and kid-friendly fun—guided my choices.
Jan 21–23: [Haikou] Huazhu·Haikou Yunjingyihai Seaview Hotel (180° Wide Bay View Two-Bedroom Duplex Family Suite)
A seaview apartment hotel with a washing machine (good for washing heavy winter clothes after the drive) and convenient shopping—chosen for practical needs.
Jan 23–24: [Lingshui] Huazhu·Lingshui Lansha Beach Seaview Homestay (Premium Seaview Business King Room + Terrace Seaview Twin Room)
A beachside B&B with large rooms (business king room is huge!).
Balcony view was beautiful!
The flowers on the balcony, though not vibrant, complemented the blue sky and white clouds.
Jan 24–27: [Sanya] A. MGM Grand Sanya (Two-Bedroom One-Living-Room Premier Supreme Seaview Suite)
Everyone knows the front-row beachfront five-star hotels in Yalong Bay (those across the highway don't count). Many reviews online; here are my impressions (not necessarily accurate or comprehensive, just for reference).
From west to east: The St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, MGM (formerly Gloria), Mangrove Tree, Tianyu.
Beaches: Except for St. Regis's small and slightly rough beach, the others are decent. Their beaches are connected, so you can walk between properties (St. Regis is a bit far).
Facilities: Ritz-Carlton is newer; St. Regis is good; Mangrove Tree, MGM, Hilton are a bit dated, but not a big issue; Tianyu seems at a lower tier.
Service: Ritz-Carlton still stands out; Mangrove Tree and Hilton left good impressions; some MGM restaurant staff are 'just okay.'
In the image above, St. Regis isn't marked (far left); 'Gloria' is now MGM.
We chose MGM mainly for the large suite (two-bedroom one-living-room Premier Supreme Seaview) with good overall value.
Jan 27–29: [Sanya] B. Yalong Bay Earthly Paradise·Bird's Nest Resort (Yundinghe Seaview Pool Two-Bedroom Villa)
We should have stayed longer at MGM for a true beach vacation, but I really missed the Bird's Nest Resort (my husband didn't join last time), so we switched.
This hotel is inside Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park, with villas scattered in the mountains, some with sea views. The forest-and-sea perspective is unique—it understands what I love.
The breakfast restaurant has a forest view, very Zen.
The hotel isn't very new, but it's a style I've always liked.
Two bedrooms, one living room, two bathrooms—plenty of space for kids to play. Both bedrooms and living room open onto a terrace with a private pool and distant mountain-sea views. Absolutely fantastic!
Note: Although you can swim in the sea in Sanya in winter, this mountaintop hotel is cooler. The pool's use varies by person (see 'Fun' section video). Haha!
Oh, staying here gives free access to Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park—details in 'Fun' section.
Jan 29–30: [Wanning] Xingsu Story RV Campground
Most RV travelers might sleep in their vehicle, but I planned otherwise. Except for two forced nights in the RV due to COVID (in Henan/Hebei), I only planned one night of RV living. So the Wanning campground was carefully chosen.
It's close to the beach—two or three minutes' walk to the sand. The water and sand aren't comparable to Yalong Bay, but walking and enjoying the sea breeze is pleasant.
The campground has tents, BBQ, a big screen movie setup—decent facilities with a good evening vibe. If you're not too picky, it's nice. Personally, I have cleanliness issues, so this stay was... a life experience.
Above were hotels in Hainan only. Other accommodations are shared in the 'Chinese Chic' section summary videos.
[Fun] Sanya, Nanwan Monkey Island
Vacation means eating, drinking, having fun, and taking photos. But with kids, it's hard to take many pictures. Regardless, I'll compile a few for the kids' childhood memories.
Sunshine, rainbow floaties, ball pits, bubble shows... Where there are children, it's warm and sweet.
Playing in the sand transforms those two monkeys into little warriors—digging, building forts, fighting aliens. They instantly unite in holy war, cooperating enthusiastically. I think guys succeed in careers because they can always conjure up a battlefield and charge forward passionately. Haha.
From scorching sun to sunset, I was shivering in my bathrobe while they planned the 'war' ahead.
Look at the second son's 'silk stockings' of sand after a day of playing. Imagine how tanned he got after several days.
As for the little sister, it was her first time at the beach—she refused to step on the sand, crying and going weak in the legs. So she just looked cute.
Older brothers: entertainment;
Little sister: adorable;
Dad: comedy!
Grandma, despite being 80+, went in the water, dug sand, joined the ball pit battle, and napped on a beach chair.
And me? Watched kids, carried kids, photographed kids... At least I have two photos proving I was there, haha.
Only two photos—too bad about my new swimsuit.
Besides pure fun, we did other activities.
Since we were passing, we visited Nanwan Monkey Island, where monkeys roam free—jumping, playing, begging for food, fighting for territory, 'dating' in public... Not that different from a zoo, but being surrounded by them without cages felt fresh.
Whenever monkeys approached, I was on high alert, worried about the kids, so I couldn't capture feeding or monkeys following them—a bit of a shame.
Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park—challenging the glass walkway/super suspension bridge.
Not a challenge for me—I'm afraid of heights, so I'd give up without a thought. But letting my husband take the two boys to 'adventure' was a first... torn.
This was our first time renting an RV, so we had no experience. With only a C-class driver's license, we compared Yutong 530C (with Volvo logo on the front) and Maxus RV90C. No contest—530C was clearly better.
A few tips for long-distance RV trips:
1. RVs are tall; when visiting cities or staying overnight, check parking conditions (underground garages are usually inaccessible). Parking attendants often charge double because the RV looks big, though it fits in a regular space if parked at the edge.
2. The front seats feel a draft from below on highways, especially in winter—even with max AC, your legs get cold from the drafts (I hate cold).
3. The small table by the sofa has no raised edges, so items can slide forward while driving. There are two cup holders but not enough. Next time I'd attach a raised edge to the table's front side. Also, don't place fragile items on the counter by the sink—they can fall during driving.
4. If not sleeping in the RV overnight, remember to remove food from the fridge to prevent spoilage when power is off. The RV heater is very effective, with vents under the bed; keep perishables away from the heater vents.
5. There's a button on the side of the toilet—note its position for flushing. Ventilate to avoid odors.
6. In sub-zero temperatures, the water system might freeze; drain the fresh water tank in advance. Losing toilet and sink water is a big deal, so plan accordingly. For hand washing, you can connect a large water bottle to the drinking water line, which is convenient since service stations offer unlimited refills.
7. The Yutong 530C has plenty of storage—multiple cabinets inside, and a much larger external luggage compartment than comparable RVs. Besides stowing odds and ends in various cabinets, we fit two 28-inch suitcases and three handbags in the left rear external compartment; one 22-inch in the right front; a 28-inch between driver and passenger seats; and another 22-inch behind the passenger seat. Quite a load! Here's my packing list (I'm a bit of a neat freak, so I overpack).
Our journey encountered some unusual weather—heavy snow, patchy fog, driving rain, blazing sun—like traversing four seasons. Though there were moments of anxiety, we survived unscathed—a valuable life experience.
Notably, on the outbound leg near Luohe in Henan, we hit 'patchy fog' (maybe due to fish ponds) for about 200-300 km. It wasn't ordinary fog; it came in cotton-like patches, blinding us entirely on the highway at night—very dangerous. My tactic: slow down, turn on hazard lights, maintain a fixed distance from the car ahead (always visible via its taillights), and stay in lane without changing speed. That kept us safe.
Before departure, I estimated 7-8 COVID tests round trip, but only Beijing, Wuhan, and Haikou were strict. Some places didn't test at all—wasted throat swabs, haha. Skipping Beijing and Wuhan, let me share the Haikou experience.
As mentioned earlier, we took the ferry from Xuwen Port in Zhanjiang. Due to a full ship, we were delayed repeatedly, disembarking after 2 AM. Everyone had to show their travel code to get a pass to exit the port.
My husband and I prepared all info, thinking our 48-hour negative tests would suffice. But the staff noted the * mark on our green travel codes (Beijing had a case on the afternoon we left). They required two negative tests within 48 hours for Beijing arrivals. Those without had to be taken to a designated venue for tests and wait for results—about 4 hours, they said.
So, a fleet of cars followed a staff member on an electric scooter (those without cars boarded a bus). It wasn't far, but the scene was vivid. Don't think of escaping—our IDs were confiscated until the test results cleared. Hahaha, so we obediently followed.
Because it was late, no queue for tests. After the swab, we went into a large hall with lounge chairs. It was bearable but freezing—we wore down jackets (we were headed to a beach vacation, so ironic!). Most people inside were from Beijing and Guangdong; snoring echoed.
Our situation was special: my 80+ mom and 18-month-old daughter needed care. We asked the staff, who allowed the nanny to take grandma and the baby back to our RV to rest. The rest of us couldn't leave—our IDs were held, and there was only one exit with multiple guards. Not that we could break through like fugitives.
My husband, I, and our two sons dozed fitfully for almost three hours (cold, couldn't sleep deeply). Finally, we were cleared. We reached our Haikou hotel around 7 AM, apologizing to the front desk guy who stayed up waiting.
Though the Haikou check was grueling, it was worthwhile for a safe vacation in Hainan. Thanks to strict checks, virtually no one wore masks in Hainan, making the holiday relaxed. Kudos!
As our first RV road trip, this travelogue is also different—looser, more fragmented. Our journey included cultural reverence, scenic poetry, leisurely seascapes, and festive bustle.
Like a patchwork of colors, the experience felt like a palette of collisions—indescribably wonderful and full of surprises.
Travelogue Contents:
1. Beijing-Sanya-Beijing Itinerary Plan
2. Thoughts on the Color Theme
3. Chinese Chic Colors: Wuhan, Guilin, Yangshuo, Changsha, Yueyang, Zhanjiang
4. Macaron Colors—Hainan Vacation
5. Extras
6. Conclusion
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