
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Wei Chen explores the Hongshan Culture Museum in Chifeng, tracing the origins of the jade dragon and the people who made it, then reflects on the city's layers over a local dinner.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 22 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chifeng, China.
Places in this episode: Hongshan Park, Hongshan Culture Museum, Chifeng Museum, Chenji Dishi, Balin Youqi, Liao Shangjing, Ulan Butong.
Covered: Chifeng Hongshan culture, Local food: duijia and milk tea, Chifeng museum and city walk, Mongolian history and archaeology, Travel practicalities in Chifeng.
Chapters:
00:00 Hongshan Park
00:38 Museum
03:03 Balin Youqi
04:54 Liao Shangjing
06:03 Ulan Butong
08:22 Night
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Chifeng #InnerMongolia #HongshanCulture #JadeDragon #ChinaTravel #MongolianFood #Duijia #MilkTea #Grassland #ChifengMuseum #HongshanPark #LiaoDynasty #TravelChina #ChinaHistory #MongoliaLife #EthnicTravel #SilkRoad
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen wakes in a yurt on the Ulan Butong grassland, learns to make Mongolian milk tea, watches a Naadam archery contest, and reflects on the Hongshan jade dragon and the vast, quiet country of Inner Mongolia.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 21 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chifeng, China.
Places in this episode: Ulan Butong, Balin Youqi, Dali Lake.
Covered: Ulan Butong grassland, Naadam festival, Mongolian milk tea and food, Hongshan culture and jade dragon, Grassland self-drive and road conditions, Yurt stay practicalities.
Chapters:
02:07 Ulan Butong
06:05 Chifeng
09:32 Night wind
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#UlanButong #InnerMongolia #GrasslandTravel #NaadamFestival #MongolianMilkTea #YurtStay #HongshanCulture #ChifengMuseum #WolfTotem #ChinaTravel #TravelChina #MongolianLamb #GrasslandNight #DaliLake #RoadTripChina
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen arrives in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, from Chengde, and heads straight for the Ulan Butong grassland. He reflects on the journey, the landscape, and the practicalities of traveling in this part of China, from road conditions to the cost of a yurt stay.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 20 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chifeng, China.
Places in this episode: Chifeng Museum, Ulan Butong, Dali Lake, Hexigten Global Geopark, Ji Hotel.
Covered: Chifeng city, Ulan Butong grassland, Hongshan culture, Practical travel info, Grassland yurt stay.
Chapters:
00:00 Chifeng
01:33 Chifeng Museum
03:19 Ulan Butong
04:22 Dali Lake
05:38 Campfire crackling
06:45 Hexigten Global Geopark
08:16 Grassland morning
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#ChinaTravel #InnerMongolia #ChifengCity #UlanButong #GrasslandLife #HongshanCulture #JadeDragon #MongolianFood #YurtStay #DaliLake #HexigtenGeopark #NaadamFestival #TravelChina2026 #GrasslandAdventure #MongolianHeritage #ChifengMuseum
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
On his final day in Chengde, Wei Chen walks the rain-soaked Mountain Resort, reflects on the impermanence of empire, and savors one last bowl of lamb soup before heading north to the grasslands.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 19 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Chengde Mountain Resort, Wenjin Pavilion, Lizheng Gate, Shuangxinlou, Erxianju Night Market, China Construction Bank, Milu Coffee, Little Potala.
Covered: Chengde in rain, Imperial history, Local food costs, Travel preparation, Chengde reflections.
Chapters:
00:00 Hotel room interior, rain on window
00:31 Lizheng Gate
02:16 Shuangxinlou
03:37 Erxianju Night Market
04:40 Milu Coffee
06:36 Little Potala
07:42 Quiet room, night
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Chengde #ChinaTravel #Hebei #BishuShanzhuang #MountainResort #PingquanLambSoup #ManchuEightBowls #MiluCoffee #RainyDayChengde #ImperialChina #QingDynasty #ChengdeDiaries #ChinaPodcast #TravelChina #ChengdeHotels #GrasslandsNext #Bashang #Saihanba
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen spends his final full day in Chengde before heading north—visiting the Little Potala in the morning, savoring a lamb soup lunch, and reflecting on the city's imperial history and the practical costs of travel, from bus fares to the Mountain Resort ticket.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 18 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Putuo Zongcheng Temple (Little Potala), Erxianju Night Market, Huoshenmiao bus GPS centre, Wulie River, Chengde Mountain Resort, Shuangqiao District.
Covered: Chengde Mountain Resort and Outer Temples, Imperial history and Macartney mission, Manchu-Mongol cuisine and local food, Local transportation and bus cards, Packing and moving on from Chengde, Travel costs and budgeting in China.
Chapters:
00:00 Quiet city street at dawn
01:35 Temple courtyard
03:23 Huoshenmiao bus GPS centre
06:38 Restaurant interior
08:24 Quiet room with rain
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#ChengdeTravel #ChinaTravel #HebeiTourism #LittlePotala #ManchuFood #LambSoup #NightMarket #ChengdeDiaries #TravelChina #ImperialHistory #ChinaCulture #GrasslandsJourney #PingquanLambSoup #Erxianju #BusCard #QingDynasty #SoloTravelChina #ExploreChengde
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen spends his final full day in Chengde inside the Mountain Resort's Wenjin Library, tracing the fate of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries and the emperor who built a summer capital to rule an empire of books and borders. A quiet episode about the weight of libraries.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 17 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Wenjin Pavilion, Yongyou Temple, Shuangxinlou, Rehe Geological Museum, Pule Temple, Erxianju Night Market.
Covered: Wenjin Library and Four Treasuries, Digital garden exhibition, Final reflections on Chengde, Costs of meals and coffee, Qianlong and impermanence.
Chapters:
00:00 Wenjin Pavilion
03:33 Yongyou Temple
05:29 Shuangxinlou
08:05 Erxianju Night Market
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Chengde #ChengdeMountainResort #WenjinPavilion #ChineseHistory #QingDynasty #TravelChina #ChinaPodcast #ChengdeTravel #LibraryHistory #Hebei #UNESCO #ChinaTravel #SlowTravel #EmperorQianlong #LiteraryHistory #RainyDayTravel
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen spends a quiet morning inside the Chengde Mountain Resort, reflects on the Macartney mission's failed diplomacy, and enjoys a final lamb soup before preparing to leave for the grasslands. Practical notes on costs, visas, and transit cards round out the episode.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 16 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Chengde Mountain Resort, Lizheng Gate, Wenjin Pavilion, Danbo Jingcheng Hall, Shuangxinlou, Puning Temple, Erxianju Night Market, Yan Yu Lou.
Covered: Chengde Mountain Resort in early morning, Macartney mission and Qing diplomacy, Chengde practical transit and costs, Puning Temple and Guanyin statue, Preparation to leave Chengde.
Chapters:
00:00 Lizheng Gate
02:06 Lakeshore
03:15 Wenjin Pavilion
04:34 The Temple Cafe
06:56 Erxianju Night Market
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#ChengdeTravel #MountainResort #ChinaTravel #Hebei #QingDynasty #MacartneyMission #LambSoup #PuningTemple #TravelChina #SummerPalace #UNESCO #ChinaHistory
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen spends a rainy day inside Chengde's Mountain Resort, watching the imperial performance 'Audience with the Emperor,' exploring the Wenjin Pavilion library, and reflecting on the Macartney mission. He seeks shelter at The Temple Cafe and ends the day with a quiet meal at Shuangxinlou, pondering the diplomacy of weather and walls.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 15 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Lizheng Gate, Danbo Jingcheng Hall, Wenjin Pavilion, The Temple Cafe, Shuangxinlou, Erxianju Night Market, Puning Temple, Chengde Hotel.
Covered: Chengde Mountain Resort in rain, Imperial performance 'Audience with the Emperor', Macartney mission and Qing diplomacy, Shuangxinlou restaurant and gaidao rou, The Temple Cafe and local coffee, Erxianju Night Market in rain.
Chapters:
00:00 Lizheng Gate
01:29 Wenjin Pavilion
03:17 Erxianju Night Market
04:12 Shuangxinlou
06:29 City street, light rain
07:54 Puning Temple
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Chengde #ChinaTravel #ChengdeMountainResort #RainyDayTravel #ImperialChina #QingDynasty #MacartneyMission #GaidaoRou #TheTempleCafe #Shuangxinlou #ErxianjuNightMarket #WenjinPavilion #Hebei #SummerTravel #ChinaHistory #Podcast
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen explores Chengde's historical role as the Qing dynasty's frontier stage, from the Mountain Resort to the Outer Temples, and reflects on the Macartney mission. He also samples Pingquan lamb soup and visits the Rehe Geological Museum, considering the practicalities of a day in this cool imperial retreat.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 14 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Chengde Mountain Resort, Lizheng Gate, Erxianju Night Market, Rehe Geological Museum, Puning Temple, Shuangxinlou, Shuangluan District, Shuangta Mountain.
Covered: Chengde Mountain Resort, Outer Eight Temples, Macartney mission, Chengde local food, Shuangta Mountain, Chengde geology.
Chapters:
00:00 Lizheng Gate
01:44 Rehe Geological Museum
04:21 Shuangluan District
05:57 FULL House Coffee Bar
08:00 Erxianju Night Market
09:50 Quiet room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Chengde #Hebei #ChinaTravel #MountainResort #OuterTemples #PuningTemple #ShuangtaMountain #ReheGeologicalMuseum #ManchuCuisine #PingquanLambSoup #ErxianjuNightMarket #QingDynasty #MacartneyMission #SummerPalace #TravelChina #ChinaHistory #HebeiTravel #Jehol
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
Wei Chen takes the high-speed train north from Chengde to Saihanba, the Qing imperial hunting grounds turned world's largest man-made forest. He walks among the larches, reflects on an empire that landscaped wilderness itself, and comes back to a bowl of lamb soup in the cool evening air.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to China: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full China guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 13 of China Travel Podcast with Wei Chen. Wei Chen is in Chengde, China.
Places in this episode: Saihanba National Forest Park, Shuangxinlou, Erxianju Night Market, Mulan paddock, Bashang grasslands.
Covered: Saihanba forest and Mulan paddock, Man-made forests and land restoration, Qing hunting diplomacy, Local food: lamb soup and almond tea, Day trip logistics from Chengde.
Chapters:
00:00 Erxianju Night Market
01:03 Mulan paddock
01:46 Bashang grasslands
03:55 Shuangxinlou
05:23 Restaurant interior
06:40 Quiet room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SaihanbaForest #ChengdeTravel #ChinaTravel #QingHistory #ManMadeForest #HebeiProvince #ForestHiking #LambSoup #ChengdeFood #AlmondTea #NightMarket #RoseCakes #ChinaNature #TravelChina #SummerEscape #ForestBathingChengde
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/
From the publisher's feed
This podcast follows one resident's attempt to know China by moving through it slowly, city by city, season by season. Travelling here means negotiating a country where the tropical south and the subarctic north are linked by high plateaus, deserts, and dense eastern river plains.
Across episodes, he moves from the hutongs and government buildings of Beijing to the high-altitude grasslands of Qinghai, from the karst hills around Guilin to the port cranes of Shenzhen. The route also pauses in places like Tianjin, where the patterns of daily life differ from the more famous nearby capital.
The show unfolds over time: one region is learned, then the next, often connected by a river, a railway line, or one of China's regional languages. Seasons return to the same streets and wet markets, so a first impression is tested against a later one. That slow accumulation is the point of knowing a place as large and varied as China.
Wei Chen lives in China and stays for two years, moving between cities, coastlines and smaller towns on a route that follows the seasons. Not a week-long visit — Wei is there in every kind of weather, working out where to eat on an ordinary Tuesday, which train to take, what a festival actually feels like from the pavement.
A new episode arrives every day. Each one is short and specific: one neighbourhood, one journey, one meal, one museum worth the detour — with the practical detail that matters. What it costs. When it closes. Whether the queue is worth it. What to do when it rains. Every episode carries a full transcript and chapter markers.
☕ Enjoying the show? These episodes are free and stay that way because listeners chip in — if a coffee's worth it, support the journey: buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Part of Paris2Tokyo — one show for each of the world's hundred most-visited countries. Made for travelers, wherever you are going next.
#China #ChinaTravel #EastAsia #Beijing #TravelPodcast #Travel #Paris2Tokyo
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/china/