💅🏻Best thing to get from chongqing + prep tips!!

Slay!

This is the story of my first time travelling to a country and everyone in the group of 8 came home with destroyed legs.

🥸 YUP.

As everyone all got these mysterious bites, some delayed reactions, we knew it wasn’t bedbugs but rather some sort of sandfly or flea (?) or some damn mutated alien insect.

Went to GP, and specialist, but they can’t tell what type of bug bites too. Just treated for it. We do suspect the bug made its appearance on our legs at the hiking areas where the air was kinda moist but hot but also slightly cool (??)

🕷️ SCRATCHING 24/7

I would rate the itch 999999999/10.

Worse itch ever had and I’ve had in my life. And I have inflammatory eczema / prurigo half my life. I’ve also been bitten by sandflies at Sentosa 10 years ago but as itchy as it was, THIS TOPS EVERYTHING.

For 2 weeks, my routine was scratching relentlessly the moment I’m not doing anything which required my attention away from the itch, such as eating meals, n I barely slept much throughout cause I will wake up just to scratch.

🤷🏼‍♀️ OVERALL CQ TRIP THOUGHTS 💭

1. The food choices are very repetitive at every shop and it was okay at best. In SG we are spoilt for choices of having so many cuisines and variety that often we overlook how much of a blessing it is. I cannot imagine eating pork steamed bun every morning for breakfast till I die as the only choice.

2. Lowkey lost my mood at the amount of rude people. Got pushed at every location even when there is no reason to be pushed. For a lift, or a cable car, for fun because they felt like it. Ended up not rly taking much pics and just “enjoyed” the moments and sceneries as much as I could.

3. Not an ideal weather for hiking in Oct. At mountain areas, it’s cold but next moment it’s hot and back again and not to mention these mutated alien bugs came out of hibernation this period to bite all of us.

4. Kinda underwhelming honestly compared to the reviews posted by other people

5. Will I return to CQ? Idts….. but I wouldn’t mind going to other parts of China in the future after getting over the trauma from these bug bites from hiking

——

📦 PREPARING FOR YOUR CQ TRIP

- Bring bug repellent spray especially if you’re not in the city!!

- If you are a very picky eater, you might want to reconsider coming

- You can ask for not just 少辣,but also 少麻 😅 (learnt from a local)

- Set up meituan (their grabfood/courier), DiDi (transport), AliPay, WeChat Pay in SG before leaving for CQ

- Lots of stairs -> Wear good walking, running or hiking shoes + avoid skirts (cause stairs)

- Prepare to get pushed & queue cut everywhere, mental preparation is key 😮‍💨

Ok that’s it for today thx for reading 😀🙏🏻🙏🏻

#chongqing #chinatravelguide #chinatrip #travelrecommendation #traveltips

2025/10/20 Edited to

... Read moreIf you're considering a visit to Chongqing, here are some additional tips to complement your trip planning and shopping list. First, when shopping for souvenirs, look out for local specialties such as the famous Chongqing spicy hot pot base, unique tea blends, and snacks like preserved plums or river fish snacks that make authentic gifts. Don't miss checking out street markets or smaller shops aside from major malls for more unique finds. Additionally, technology is integral to daily life in Chongqing, particularly apps like Meituan for food delivery and DiDi for transport. I highly recommend setting these up before your trip to avoid any language barriers or connectivity issues. Regarding health and safety, pack a strong insect repellent, especially if you plan to hike or visit mountainous areas. The area's humidity and occasional bugs can catch you off guard, as I experienced firsthand with extremely itchy insect bites lasting weeks. Lightweight long sleeves and insect-repelling sprays are lifesavers. Lastly, when dealing with local crowds and common pushing, stay patient and maintain your composure. Mental preparation is key, especially in busy tourist spots or queues. With these extra pointers, you’re better equipped to enjoy Chongqing's culture, flavors, and sights while minimizing discomfort and maximizing fun. Safe travels!