2,700 km from 'Mountain City' to 'Magic City' – with the SAIC Volkswagen PHEV
In July, a friend and I joined the Volkswagen long-distance road trip, embarking on a journey that was both painful and joyful. The pain came from the scorching heat and fatigue from driving long distances; the joy came from delicious food and stunning scenery that delighted our taste buds and eyes. Most importantly, a comfortable hybrid car provided a rich driving experience.
First stop: Chongqing
Chongqing is truly a mesmerizing city. Its varied mountainous terrain makes you respect nature while marveling at the wisdom and hard work of the people—how many hands and how much sweat went into creating such a brilliantly lit city in this rugged environment. That day in Chongqing was overcast and misty. Driving across the Qiansimen Bridge, the buildings on the opposite bank looked like a mirage, their lower parts already uneven due to the terrain, flickering in and out of the water mist. Instantly, I understood why Spirited Away chose Chongqing as inspiration.
The fiery Chongqing hotpot and mouthwatering ice jelly (bingfen) — even though we later suffered several days of upset stomach, we can't stop reminiscing about them.
Heading north along the Yangtze, passing through tunnels of various lengths, we headed toward Wushan.
As we reached Wushan, the weather cleared up. Didn't this scene look just like an illustration from a middle school textbook? Quickly, we snapped a photo. I suddenly felt nostalgic for school days. Gazing at the scenery, I wanted to recite a poem, but my literary skills are lacking, so I only managed one line... (figure it out yourself; if I wrote it, it might get censored).
The blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and... wait, yellow water? Why yellow? Later, we asked a local boatman and learned that Wushan is usually lush and green, but recent floods had raised the water level and made it look yellow. Ah, the troubled year 2020—I hope the affected areas recover soon. Sailing deeper into the Little Three Gorges, we finally saw Wushan's original appearance: verdant hills and clear waters.
Due to our tight schedule, we missed the Wushan grilled fish. Let me tempt you with Wushan crispy apricots and fish hotpot. I asked three times what that fish was called but still can't remember—suffice to say, it had no scales and a delightfully bouncy texture.
To experience the feeling of 'departing Baidi at dawn', we drove to Baidicheng. The photo was taken the next morning. The long corridor at Baidicheng is truly magnificent and aesthetically rich—'majestic'! Yes, that's the word, yet it doesn't capture that subtle, lingering beauty.
Why do I call it a subtle, haunting beauty? Perhaps due to the weather or Baidicheng's innate atmosphere, there was an inexplicable sense of melancholy. Even in the heat, a chill seemed to linger. In the banyan grove, the trees intertwined like endless threads, forming a canopy of shade. Painted figures with ethereal grace adorned the hemp ropes wrapped around the trees. Wind rustled the destiny plaques and love locks, their clinking sending a shiver down my spine. Actually, there was an empty bridal sedan chair in the middle, but our timid photographer wouldn't let it appear in the shot. Yet all these elements harmonized, making you pause and savor the moment. That's what I meant by subtle, haunting beauty.
The weather was brutally hot, and this ice cream was a lifesaver—it deserves a mention! And a shout-out to our adorably silly companion, hahaha.
Departing Baidicheng at dawn, we arrived at Zigui by dusk. We experienced the daunting Shu roads, harder than climbing the sky, and witnessed the magnificent spectacle of the Three Gorges Dam discharging floodwaters.
Second stop: Changsha
I never had strong feelings about Changsha until I met a friend from there. I'd always heard about Changsha's countless delicacies and vibrant night market culture, and finally got to see it. The city's rich, bustling atmosphere seemed to pull me out of the pandemic daze.
The uniquely Changsha's Cha Yan Yue Se tea, the 'stinky but joyful' stinky tofu, and the sugar oil cakes and lard rice noodles hidden in a deep alley—rumored the most authentic in travel guides—found only after traversing several streets. These are the most down-to-earth, simple tastes of happiness. Almost forgot the fruity alcoholic drinks served in enamel jars; with a few good friends, it felt almost like we were drinking heartily on the streets (we parked the car at the hotel before daring to sip). Friendly reminder: roads are countless, safety comes first; failing to drive properly makes loved ones weep.
When in Changsha, you can't miss Orange Isle. 'I see hills crimson-stained through woods deep-dyed; the river green and crystal-clear with argosies contesting in speed.' Out of season, there were no red hills, but it was still spectacular.
Third stop: Yueyang
Everyone must know the 'Memorial to Yueyang Tower', right? Overlooking the vast 800-li Dongting Lake, a sweeping view of the beautiful waters. I'm no scholar steeped in classics like the ancients, but the scenery still awed me. Let's savor the photos together.
We also took several good shots of our ride.
Fourth stop: Wuhan
This city, which slumbered for half a year, our beloved hot dry noodles—she's finally recovered! Seeing her again, she's brimming with vitality. Wuhan locals say, 'Taste Hubu Alley in the morning, eat Jiqing Street at night.' I only visited Hubu Alley my first time; this time, surely I had to explore Jiqing Street.
It was so lively! Even Shanghai doesn't have such a thick atmosphere—the 'illness' is completely gone. Streets full of braised snacks, crispy deep-fried meat strips, and mung bean soup dubbed 'best buddies for life'—cooling and refreshing. We ended with a lavish snail barbecue feast, then returned stuffed to sleep.
Passing Yellow Crane Tower, I snapped a night shot, then a daylight panorama the next day. Since I'd climbed it before, I didn't go up this time.
Fifth stop: Nanchang
Before this trip, aside from textbook knowledge that Nanchang was where the first shot of armed revolution rang out, I knew nothing about it and had never been curious. Perhaps had this road trip not included it, I might never have set foot here. So, thankfully, I came and got to know her. We arrived at dusk. Entering the city, the immediate feeling was one of solemnity and order—not lifeless quiet, but a respectful dignity. It was as if someone pulled the strings on your spine, making you straighten up and walk proudly, or else you'd feel unworthy of Nanchang's cityscape. Why? First, traffic: even during rush hour, there were many cars but no jams, all orderly. Then the buildings lining the roads—uniform, mostly with vertical-textured facades. I'm no architecture expert, but the first thing that popped into my head was the Great Hall of the People: simple, grand, commanding presence. The environment: spotless might be exaggerating, but it exuded cleanliness. In one word: comfortable. As the lights came on, this uniform grandeur became even more vivid.
Sixth stop: Nanjing
A city etched with the nation's honor and humiliation. Nanjing! Nanjing! The name echoes. The grand Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the gentle Qinhuai River—bearing the weight of this city's profound history.
Final stop: Shanghai
Journey successfully completed!
