A Collision of "Guochao" and "Macaron" – A Beijing to Sanya RV Road Trip

📍 Guilin · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 90 likes

Over the past two years, travel enthusiasts driven crazy by the pandemic have had a tough time, and I am one of them. Since my trip to the Northwest in the summer of 2019, I hadn't left Beijing for travel. Though I planned two trips in between, both had to be canceled due to recurring COVID outbreaks. The frustration of canceling flights and hotels was real.

This time, I was also hesitant because of our special family situation: my mother is over 80, we have several kids (the youngest, a third child, is just over a year old), and a small dog we couldn't bear to leave at a kennel. Regular air travel wasn't suitable (kids can't keep masks on during flights; in previous years my husband couldn't join, so he could stay home with the dog).

With many people and lots of luggage, driving two cars was possible, but the long distances would make the elderly and children uncomfortable, leaving little energy to enjoy the trip. So, we embarked on our first-ever RV road trip!

Overall summary of this RV journey: Awesome!

Let me first share our actual round-trip route from Beijing to Sanya (only tourism-related destinations listed, excluding overnight stops. Details are in the two images below).

Outbound: Beijing – Wuhan – Yangshuo – Haikou – Lingshui – Sanya (vacation)

Return: Sanya – Wanning – Zhanjiang – Guilin – Changsha (relatives) – Yueyang – Beijing

Regarding the itinerary, I actually made three versions. But due to forecasts of overcast skies, rain, and a general temperature drop, I had to abandon my "full" travel dreams. Since I couldn't realize it, I'll share the plans here to satisfy my own craving.

"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 "grand" plan could showcase diverse landscapes (Yangtze River / Dongting Lake / Zhangjiajie / Guilin mountains / Mount Tai...), and allow a journey through history and culture (Yellow Crane Tower / Yueyang Tower / Prince Teng's Pavilion / Fenghuang Ancient Town / Guangzhou Shamian / Ancient capital Nanjing / Hometown of Confucius and Mencius...). It could also offer seaside vacation (Hainan) and let the three kids enjoy a paradise of fun (Guangzhou Chimelong "series"), plus essential family reunions (Changsha).

Perhaps it was two years of confinement that made me too greedy in this plan, so a few regrets are inevitable.

★Special note: When temperatures are below zero, the RV's water system cannot be used (pipes freeze), which was inconvenient for our one-year-old (I have a bit of a cleanliness obsession). That's one reason I dropped parts of the itinerary.

However, plans always change. Despite going through "dream version," "simplified version," and "final version," our actual journey still underwent significant changes due to various factors (see image below for actual route).

Compared to the last itinerary before departure, several major changes occurred:

1. We were too slow on departure day; we left Beijing after 4 PM, so arrival in Wuhan was delayed, and we didn't have enough time to explore Wuhan.

2. Due to COVID, when entering Haikou, travelers from Beijing were required to show two negative nucleic acid test results within 48 hours. We had to do an extra test, and the ferry was repeatedly delayed; we stayed up all night and only checked into the hotel in Haikou around 7 AM. To avoid fatigue affecting the vacation, we added an extra rest day in Haikou and canceled the "Wuzhizhou Island day trip" between Haikou and Sanya (my 80-year-old mother was also restricted from boarding the island).

3. Based on our experience in Haikou, we contacted Guangzhou's epidemic prevention department and were told there was a risk of "home quarantine," so we canceled Guangzhou and detoured to Guilin.

Alright, after all that chatter, let's get to the point:

Travel dates: January 18 – February 7, 2022 (21 days)

Travel mode: RV road trip

Travel party: 4 adults, 3 kids, 1 dog – mom (84), three kids (oldest boy 9, second boy 5, third princess 1), husband (rarely joins), me, and the nanny.

In previous trips, either we immersed ourselves in one destination or experienced one theme to the fullest. This long-distance trip with stops along the way was quite different, like switching between various travel modes. A day-by-day record would be too messy, so I struggled to start writing.

After browsing through photos and videos on my phone (taking care of kids was exhausting, so I didn't take many), only one word came to mind: "collision of colors." Hence the title: "A Collision of 'Guochao' and 'Macaron'."

I really like the term "Guochao" (China-chic).

From Jay Chou/Fang Wenshan's songs to the popularity of Hanfu and Tang suits; from Chinese dance videos going viral on Douyin to the rise of Chinese-style creative items... Somehow, traditional Chinese culture has become "trendy." I love this fusion of history and the present. The inclusion of traditional cultural elements doesn't have to be textbook-strict; "national style" is no longer confined to academia. "Trendiness" is passion, and "popularization" is culture.

I don't have an art background, and I'm even slightly color-blind, but I love the Chinese names for colors.

Tea white, crow blue, lotus root pink, bamboo moon, rouge red, sky water green, twilight mountain purple... Each color term feels like a vivid ink painting, a poetic phrase; not just a color code, but a world of endless imagination.

(My phone photography is limited; let your imagination roam.)

(I) Sandalwood Brown, Bright Yellow, Indigo Blue

January 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 riverbanks can be seen trees so green; On Parrot Islet lush green grass grows high and low. But when I look for home, I find but dusk has been; On the broad river's misty waves I'm full of woe. – Cui Hao

"His lessening sail is lost in the boundless blue sky, Where I see only the endless Yangtze River flowing by." – Seeing Meng Haoran off at Yellow Crane Tower

Poems paired with this modern tower and bridge feel a bit surreal, haha.

February 5 [Yueyang] Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake

As mentioned at the start, my original itinerary included the "Three Great Towers of Jiangnan" – Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Tower, and Prince Teng's Pavilion. Unfortunately, due to cuts, Prince Teng's Pavilion was dropped; hurrying, I only saw the exterior of Yellow Crane Tower. I hoped to fulfill my cultural longing at Yueyang Tower, so besides the night view the previous evening, I planned to take the kids up the tower the next morning. But... traveling with three kids and lots of luggage leaves no room for spontaneity.

The night scene had its charm, but it was far from the refined elegance of the ancient architecture (Yueyang Tower is the only one of the three great towers that retains its original appearance).

Ancient poets often linked Yueyang Tower with Dongting Lake.

"The moon over Yueyang Tower, clear and boundless," – Fan Zhongyan

"Long have I heard of Dongting Lake; Now I ascend Yueyang Tower. The lands of Wu and Chu split east and south; The sun and moon float day and night." – Du Fu

"Dongting has always been beautiful, all lies in Yueyang Tower. A thousand miles of bright moon, three myriad autumns of cold light." – Mei Yaochen

We stayed right across from the entrance of Yueyang Tower Scenic Area, also on Dongting Lake – Yueyang Shangsu·Yuehu Tower Inn (Balcony Lake View Family Suite). The photo above shows the sunset over the lake taken from the hotel room balcony.

This B&B-style hotel had character and was a fitting choice.

Beneath the hotel is Bianhe Street (don't mind the name), a replica ancient commercial street with some local flavor. We took a brief stroll after our night visit to Yueyang Tower.

We were too absorbed eating stinky tofu to take photos, haha.

It's said that Xiao Qiao's tomb (Er Qiao's tomb) is north of Yueyang Tower, so merchants use the two Qiaos as a gimmick. I'll join the fun.

Video summary of Wuhan and Yueyang

(II) Sky Blue, Verdant Green, Tea Amber

January 20 [Yangshuo]

I last visited Yangshuo in October 2018. This time, as a stop on our road trip, we booked a hotel in Yulong River Scenic Area – Yangshuo Resort Hotel (Riverside Platform Family Suite). A short rest with poetic scenery, though not exhaustive, had its own charm.

These are all views from the hotel – Yulong River right at our doorstep, bamboo rafts gliding by, green hills and blue waves forming a natural poem, a leisurely idyll.

Here, every step reveals beauty; for me, both stillness and motion stir emotions.

As for the kids...

Oldest son: A Chinese lesson amid the landscape, an immersive experience?

Second son: Contemplating life? Anyway, he kept saying he loved this hotel and hadn't had enough.

Third princess: Besides lying flat, as the family darling, she was always used as a photo prop, haha.

I'll add a few photos of the hotel environment – I really liked it.

The kids were excited to see a fireplace for the first time and fiddled with it for a long time.

Link to my 2018 Guangxi travelogue: "Reunion after 30 Years, Poetry and Paintings of Three Generations – More than Just Landscapes"

https://you.ctrip.com/travels/longjititian970/3756705.html?isAuthor=true

February 2 [Guilin]

As mentioned earlier, our return route didn't originally include Guilin, but due to COVID we canceled the northward path through Guangzhou and detoured to Guilin. We booked a guesthouse near Reed Flute Cave two days in advance – a pleasant surprise.

First, a few snapshots taken along the way.

Actually, I usually dislike overcast and rainy weather, but it seems Guilin's landscape looks most elegant and ethereal in mist and drizzle.

We arrived at the hotel – 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 boys shouted "So beautiful!" as soon as they entered.

The hotel had a small reading area on the first floor, stocked with books on culture, history, and calligraphy/painting. According to the front desk, the owner isn't from the art circle but has a passion for it, so the hotel displays many paintings (by modern artists).

Small details in the hotel's decoration showed much thought.

Also, this hotel allows pets – very nice.

Video summary of Yangshuo and Guilin

(III) Chinese Red, Imperial Yellow

January 31 – February 1 [Zhanjiang] Celebrating Chinese New Year!

We originally planned to spend the Spring Festival in Guangzhou, so this New Year's Eve was a bit unexpected.

On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, we drove around Zhanjiang looking for a place to have our reunion dinner. Most restaurants were closed, and the few open ones only served until 4 PM. I searched online for "open during Spring Festival" restaurants, called several, got the same answer. Except for Western restaurants, all Chinese restaurants had happily closed for the holiday – completely opposite to the booming New Year's Eve dinner scene in Beijing. What to do? We couldn't have Western food on New Year's Eve; it wouldn't feel right.

Luckily, we stumbled upon a "Spicy Hero" Chongqing hotpot restaurant. We asked with little hope, and they said yes – awesome!

Honestly, what we ate didn't matter; the important thing was the festive atmosphere, right?

After dinner, with time before the Spring Festival Gala, my husband suggested driving around the big city – Zhanjiang – and buying some snacks to "fully arm" ourselves for the gala, gaga.

I also had my own plan: look for Spring Festival lanterns and decorations. After all, it's Chinese New Year!

And I found some sold by the roadside! (Except for small convenience stores and festive goods vendors, most shops had closed early for family reunions.)

I also bought a potted flower (the one in the photo below).

New Year is about indulgence.

The only small regret: My husband and I had coordinated outfits with the kids, but everyone was too busy eating and having fun to agree to a family photo.

Also, since we hadn't planned to spend New Year's Eve in Zhanjiang, the hotel choice was a bit of a flop. By my usual standards, I'd pick a hotel with a view outside and character inside, plus enough space for kids. I usually book suites or apartments with multiple rooms. But this hotel's photos fooled me – a bit frustrating for someone who prides herself on being a "freelance travel expert."

February 3–4 [Changsha] Visiting relatives, Orange Isle, Du Fu's River Pavilion

Visiting relatives during New Year is essential. But it had been many years since I last spent the holiday at my aunt's in Changsha. This was a rare reunion.

Southerners really know how to cook. My relatives' cooking could easily make a thriving Hunan restaurant in Beijing! I ate so much that I gained three pounds over the holiday (usually, with the nanny away for New Year, I end up losing weight from cooking and cleaning).

The men drank, the women went shopping.

We stayed at an apartment hotel in Changsha – Yishe·River View Hotel (Suite with panoramic view of Orange Isle). The room was average, but the view of the Xiang River was worth it.

The room was tiny, really tiny, and it was cold that season. The air conditioning was underwhelming.

I proved once again that northerners can't handle the cold like southerners. Without heating, even with the AC on, it felt colder than outdoors. The heaters shown in the photo below are probably essential in southern homes – people warm their feet under a blanket. My three kids sat directly on the heater, wrapped in blankets; even with my cleanliness obsession, I didn't care.

Video summary of Zhanjiang and Changsha

Macaron colors: Peach pink, baby blue, mint green, tender apricot yellow, taro purple, caramel brown...

I love these low-saturation macaron hues – they always feel warm, sweet, soft and smooth, vibrant yet understated, sweet and refreshing, with a hint of light luxury.

[Scenery] Haikou, Wenchang Dongjiao Coconut Grove, Sanya Yalong Bay

January 22 [Haikou]

Travel is like climbing a mountain. Often there is a destination, and people love the grand view from the top. But I feel the beauty along the way should not be missed. The withered trees and wildflowers by the roadside, a single bird or butterfly, even a wisp of mist in the mountains, or a ray of sunlight through the branches – all can refresh my spirit.

Every day and every stop on a trip has beauty worth discovering, experiencing, and feeling, even if just a brief stop.

Haikou, though a coastal city, isn't really my style. But when crossing the Qiongzhou Strait from Guangdong, it's a necessary stop.

I specifically chose an apartment hotel near Xiuying Port, right on Binhai Avenue, with a pleasant seaside walkway downstairs. Strolling along, enjoying the sea breeze, was very relaxing. I usually dislike buildings obstructing views, but here the streets were clean and uncrowded, slowing me down, shifting from the hurried driving to vacation mode. Very comfortable.

January 23 [Wenchang Dongjiao Coconut Grove]

Dongjiao Coconut Grove is an old attraction. When people didn't travel often, coming to Hainan meant experiencing tropical island features – what's now called "checking in."

When planning, I intended to switch to "vacation mode" upon entering Hainan, so I left three days for the drive from Haikou to Sanya (which could be done in half a day). Since I was passing Wenchang, why not stop at the coconut grove?

On the way, many vendors sold coconuts. Our family unanimously agreed that green ones taste better than yellow ones.

January 25–29 [Sanya Yalong Bay]

Though it can't compare with the Maldives' water and sand, the blue sea, azure sky, coconut palms, and green lawns instantly melted us northerners trapped in the city.

The above photos were taken while staying at a seaside hotel in Yalong Bay.

Watching the sunrise over the sea and mountains from the hills in the early morning was even more breathtaking. I took several photos of the sunrise from the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Bird's Nest Resort, but the travelogue failed review because there's a "secret" there – no wonder there's a sign at the entrance saying aerial photography drones are prohibited... I won't go into details, hehehe.

[Hotels] Haikou, Lingshui, Sanya, Wanning

I debated whether to place hotels in this section. But to me, "vacation" feels different from "travel." So for my "vacation travel," the most important aspect of choosing a hotel is satisfying "laziness."

1. Enjoying the scenery from inside the room – kids are small, luggage is heavy, and the elderly have limited mobility.

Our third princess is only one and a half; the time and energy spent on her feeding, napping, changing clothes, etc., is enormous. Plus, as a perfectionist, I insist on doing laundry (even with the nanny), packing, and tidying the room every night, so I often want to laze around during the day. Therefore, having the scenery come to me without leaving the room is a key criterion.

2. Ample space for kids to play – three kids, need I say more? The chaotic... well, lively scenes are predictable. Besides, our four 28-inch suitcases wouldn't fit in a small room.

3. "Inside and outside quality" – since we're on vacation, the hotel room itself should be stylish, right?

These three points are my criteria: outside scenery, inside charm, and fun for kids.

January 21–23 [Haikou] Huazhu·Haikou Yunhai Yijing Seaview Hotel (180° wide panoramic sea view two-bedroom duplex family suite)

Seaside hotel apartment, with washing machine (time to wash all the thick clothes from the trip), convenient shopping (replenish daily consumables) – chosen largely for logistical needs.

January 23–24 [Lingshui] Huazhu·Lingshui Lanshe Beach Seaview Guesthouse (Premium sea view business king room + terrace sea view twin room)

Beachside guesthouse, large room (business king room)!!!

The balcony had a beautiful view!

Though not particularly vibrant, the flowers on the balcony complemented the blue sky and white clouds by the sea, adding a special charm.

January 24–27 [Sanya] A. Yalong Bay MGM Grand Sanya (Two-bedroom one-living-room premium supreme sea view suite)

Everyone knows about the first-line sea view five-star hotels in Yalong Bay (those across the highway don't count). There are many reviews online. I'll share my impressions based on my experience – not necessarily accurate, just for reference.

These hotels, from west to east: St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, MGM (formerly Gloria), Mangrove Tree, Tianyu.

Beach: Except for St. Regis, which has a small area and slightly rough sand, the others are fine. All their beaches are connected, so you can walk from one to another (St. Regis is a bit far).

Facilities: Ritz-Carlton is newer; St. Regis is also good; Mangrove Tree, MGM, Hilton are a bit older, but not a big problem; Tianyu seems a notch lower.

Service: Ritz-Carlton still has the best service; Mangrove Tree and Hilton left a good impression; some restaurant staff at MGM were "just okay."

In the map above, St. Regis isn't marked (far left), and "Gloria" is now MGM.

We chose MGM mainly because I wanted a large room (two-bedroom suite), which had good overall ratings and value for money.

January 27–29 [Sanya] B. Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise – Bird's Nest Resort (Yunding Crane Seaview Pool Two-Bedroom Villa)

I probably should have stayed longer at MGM; for a vacation, you should stay until you're thoroughly relaxed. But I really missed the Bird's Nest Resort (last time I stayed, my husband wasn't with me), so I switched.

This resort is within the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park, with rooms as mountain villas scattered across the hills; some have sea views. The experience of watching the mountains and sea from the forest is quite special – it understands what I like.

The breakfast restaurant has a forest view, full of Zen.

The hotel isn't very new, but it's always been my style.

Two bedrooms, one living room, two bathrooms – quite spacious, allowing the kids to play freely. The living room and both rooms open to a terrace, with a private pool and a view of the mountains and sea. Absolutely wonderful!

A tip: Though you can go into the sea at Sanya in winter, this hotel is up in the mountains where it's cooler, so the private pool's use depends on personal tolerance (see "Fun" section video). Hahaha!

Oh, by the way, staying at this hotel grants free entry to Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park – more in the "Fun" section.

January 29–30 [Wanning] Xingsu Story RV Camp

Most RV travelers might sleep in their vehicles, but my plan didn't call for that. Except for the first and last nights (forced to sleep in the RV due to COVID in Henan/Hebei), I only planned one night to experience "RV living." So the Wanning RV camp was carefully selected.

The camp is close to the sea – a two- or three-minute walk to the beach. The water and sand can't compare with Yalong Bay, but it's pleasant for a stroll and sea breeze.

There are tents, barbecue, a big screen movie, and decent facilities. The atmosphere at night is nice. If you're not too picky, it's actually quite good. But with my cleanliness obsession, this accommodation... let's just call it a life experience.

These hotel entries are just for the Hainan leg; other accommodations are shared in the "Guochao series" summary videos.

[Fun] Sanya, Nanwan Monkey Island

Vacation means eating, drinking, having fun, and taking photos. Unfortunately, with kids, my hands were full, so I didn't take many pictures. Nevertheless, I'll cobble together a section for the kids' childhood memories.

Sunshine, rainbow horse floaties, ball pits, bubble shows... Where there are kids, there's warmth and sweetness.

Of course, when playing in the sand, these two monkeys turn into warriors. Digging pits, building forts, alien invasions – you name it, they can do it. The brothers, who usually fight and love each other, become allies, dividing labor and working enthusiastically. I think men find it easier to achieve great things because they can always imagine a battlefield and charge forward with passion. Haha.

From blazing sun to sunset, mom was shivering even wrapped in a bathrobe, while they were still planning the "war" ahead...

Look at the second son's legs after a day of sand play – like he's wearing stockings. You can imagine how tanned he got after several days.

As for the little sister, it was probably her first time at the beach. She refused to step on the sand; when placed on the beach, she just cried and went limp, as if she couldn't stand. So she just acted cute and posed.

The older brothers were in charge of making fun;

The little sister was in charge of acting cute;

So what was Dad in charge of? Making jokes!

Grandma, despite being over 80, also went into the water, dug sand, joined the ball pit battle, and when tired, lounged on a beach chair, enjoying the sunshine and a nap.

And me? Watching kids, holding kids, taking pictures of kids... Luckily, I have two photos to prove I was there, gaga.

Really just two photos – a shame for the new swimsuit I bought.

Besides messing around, we also had other plans.

Since we were passing by, we visited Nanwan Monkey Island. The highlight is that the monkeys are free-ranging – they jump and play around, beg for food, fight for territory, and "date" in public... It's similar to a zoo, but since they're not caged, it feels fresh to have them around.

Whenever monkeys approached, I was on high alert, worried about the kids, so I didn't capture the feeding or the monkeys following us – a bit of a pity.

Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park – challenging the glass walkway and the super suspension bridge.

For me, such challenges are nothing. Because I'm afraid of heights, so I should simply give up. But sending my husband with the two boys to "adventure" was a first... Deliberating.

This was our first time renting an RV, so we had no experience. With a C-class license, we simply compared the Yutong 530C (with a Volvo logo on the front) and the Maxus RV90C, and the Yutong clearly won.

A few tips for long-distance RV trips for fellow travelers:

1. RVs are tall; when visiting cities or staying overnight, check outdoor parking conditions (underground garages are usually inaccessible). Parking attendants often charge double for RVs because they look big, but they can fit into regular spots – just slightly longer. If parked at the end, they don't obstruct other vehicles.

2. On highways, the front seats feel a draft from below, especially in winter. Even with the heater on, cold air seeps in, making legs cold (I'm sensitive to cold).

3. The small table next to the sofa has no raised edge, so items can slide off forward while driving. There are two cup holders, but they're not enough. Next time I rent, I'll prepare a raised edge for the front side of the table. Also, don't place fragile items on the counter next to the sink (not in the bathroom) – they can slide off during driving.

4. If not sleeping in the RV, remember to take food out of the fridge to prevent spoilage when power is cut. The RV heater is very strong, with vents under the bed; keep perishables away from the heater vents.

5. There's a button on the side of the toilet; use it to flush. Ventilate to avoid odor, otherwise the whole trip...

6. If temperatures drop below freezing, the RV's water system can freeze; drain the freshwater tank in advance. No water for the toilet or sink is a big deal, so plan accordingly. For washing hands, you can connect a large drinking water bottle to the water line – it works fine, and you can refill at highway service areas.

7. The Yutong 530C has ample storage – multiple cabinets inside, very spacious. Also, its external luggage compartment is much larger than comparable RVs. Besides stuffing various items into cabinets, the left rear external compartment held two 28-inch suitcases and three handbags; the right front external compartment held one 22-inch; the space between driver and passenger seats held another 28-inch; behind the passenger seat between the seat and sofa, we stuffed another 22-inch – scary amount of luggage, haha. Here's my packing list (due to my cleanliness obsession, I brought quite a lot).

Our journey was eventful, with special weather conditions – heavy snow, patchy fog, rain, bright sunshine – truly experiencing four seasons and both rain and shine. Though there were nerve-wracking moments, we came through safe, making it a valuable life experience.

Special mention: When passing through Luohe, Henan, on the outbound trip, we encountered patchy fog – maybe due to fishponds? It lasted about 200-300 km. Not ordinary fog, but thick patches like cotton balls hitting us, completely obscuring the road. And we were driving at night, making it especially dangerous. My tip: slow down, turn on hazard lights, keep a fixed distance from the car ahead (always see its taillights), and maintain a steady speed without changing lanes. That keeps you safe.

Before departure, I estimated we'd need 7-8 nucleic acid tests, but only Beijing, Wuhan, and Haikou had strict checks. Some places didn't check at all – wasted throat swabs, gaga. Beijing and Wuhan need no explanation; let me tell about Haikou.

In the travelogue's opening about itinerary adjustments, I mentioned we took the ferry from Xuwen Port in Zhanjiang. Because the ferry was full, our departure kept getting delayed; we disembarked after 2 AM. As required, everyone had to show their travel code to get a pass to exit the port.

My husband and I prepared everyone's information and went to process the formalities. Since we already had negative test results within 48 hours, we thought it would be smooth. But the staff saw an asterisk on the green travel codes (a case was reported in Beijing on the afternoon of our departure, January 18) and told us: travelers from Beijing need to show two negative nucleic acid test results within 48 hours. Those without would be taken to a designated site for testing and wait for results – about 4 hours.

So, a staff member on an electric scooter led our convoy (those without vehicles boarded a bus). It wasn't far, but the scene was vivid. Don't think about sneaking away – they had already confiscated our IDs and would only return them after test results were clear. So, just follow obediently.

Since it was late at night, there was no queue for testing. After the swab, we went into a hall to wait. Each person got a reclining chair – reasonably comfortable, but the hall was large and cold; we were all wearing down jackets (we were supposed to be on a beach vacation – quite funny). Most people in the hall were from Beijing and Guangdong, adults and children, snoring everywhere.

Our family had special circumstances: my mother is over 80, and the third princess, one and a half, was crying for milk. How could the elderly and infant endure the cold hall? So we talked to the staff, and they agreed to let the nanny, grandma, and the little girl go back to the RV to rest; the rest of us couldn't leave. But our IDs were confiscated; how could we leave? There was only one entrance/exit, guarded by multiple staff – we weren't fugitives, haha.

My husband and I stayed with the two sons, drowsy and half-asleep for nearly three hours (cold, couldn't sleep well), until we were finally told we were cleared. By the time we reached the hotel in Haikou, it was past 7 AM. The hotel front desk staff waited up for us all night (I kept him updated via WeChat).

Though the Haikou check was grueling, it felt worthwhile during the subsequent Hainan vacation. Because of Haikou's strict checks, the virus was essentially kept out, so no one wore masks in Hainan, making the vacation relaxed and carefree. Kudos – well done!

As this was our first RV road trip, this travelogue is different from my previous ones – a bit loose and scattered. Along the way, we paid homage to culture, enjoyed landscapes, relaxed by the sea, and celebrated festivals.

The journey was like a patchwork of colors, the feelings like a mixing palette – indescribably wonderful, full of surprises.

Table of Contents:

1. Beijing-Sanya-Beijing itinerary planning

2. The "color scheme" theme

3. Guochao colors: Wuhan, Guilin, Yangshuo, Changsha, Yueyang, Zhanjiang

4. Macaron colors – Hainan vacation

5. Behind-the-scenes

6. Conclusion

Travel Information:

Hotel Index

Strategy Index

Flight Index