Travel and Eat - www.haochibites.com

Shangri-La Day 6: Chasing Gods & Giants of Meili Snow Mountain and Shika Snow Mountain

Leave a Comment / December 17, 2025 / Beef, Chinese Food, Dessert, Mild and Soothing, Pork, Roasted/Grilled, Shangri-La, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Stir-fry/Sauté, Sweet(-ish), Tibetan Food, Vegetables

Our final day in Shangri-La is marked by the grand finale, the crescendo of our week-long journey through this highland paradise – standing before one of the world’s most majestic and mysterious mountain ranges. The Unconquerable: Meili Snow Mountain 🙏 To be clear, this is not a climbing guide. The Meili Snow Mountains are, in […]

Shangri-La Day 6: Chasing Gods & Giants of Meili Snow Mountain and Shika Snow Mountain Read More »

Shangri-La Day 5: Exploring Tiger Leaping Gorge & the Fairy Terraces of Baishuitai

7 Comments / December 3, 2025 / Barbecue, Beef, Chinese Food, Pork, Roasted/Grilled, Shangri-La, Spicy, Tibetan Food, Tofu, Vegetables

Our one-day private car tour from the Dukezong Ancient Town to the roaring Tiger Leaping Gorge and the dreamlike beauty of Baishuitai (White Water Terraces) was a whirlwind journey. It shows two dramatically different, yet equally stunning faces of Shangri-La‘s wild nature. We were lucky to find a great driver, Mr. He (和师傅), who offered us

Shangri-La Day 5: Exploring Tiger Leaping Gorge & the Fairy Terraces of Baishuitai Read More »

Shangri-La Day 4: From a Heavenly Ride Around Napahai Lake to a Tibetan Celebration by Firelight

9 Comments / November 19, 2025 / Beef, Chicken, Chinese Food, Hotpot, Mild and Soothing, Shangri-La, Soup, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Tibetan Food, Vegetables

On the fourth day of our Shangri-La trip, we set out on a ride we’d been eagerly awaiting: circling the breathtaking Napahai Lake. Napahai: The Mountain’s Mirror Napahai is a seasonal alpine lake and a protected nature reserve in Yunnan. Just a stone’s throw from the Dukezong Ancient Town, Napa Lake is stunning even on

Shangri-La Day 4: From a Heavenly Ride Around Napahai Lake to a Tibetan Celebration by Firelight Read More »

Shangri-La Day 2: The Golden Majesty of Ganden Sumtseling Monastery

16 Comments / October 22, 2025 / Barbecue, Beef, Chinese Food, Deep-Fry, Lamb, Roasted/Grilled, Shangri-La, Spicy, Stir-fry/Sauté, Tibetan Food, Vegetables

The Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (also known as Songzanlin Monastery🎬) in Shangri-La is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in all of Yunnan. Built directly into the mountainside, its structures rise in cascading, layered tiers, creating a fortress-like silhouette that exudes both mystery and solemnity – earning it the title of the “Little Potala Palace.”📍 Location: No. 3 Niwang Road, Jiantang

Shangri-La Day 2: The Golden Majesty of Ganden Sumtseling Monastery Read More »

Madrid Part 3 – Royal Palace, Basque Flavors & Flamenco Night

18 Comments / August 13, 2025 / Fish, Madrid, Mediterranean Food, Mild and Soothing, Offal, Pork, Roasted/Grilled, Seafood, Soup, Spanish Food, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Sweet(-ish), Vegetables

When it comes to grandeur, few places rival the – ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID (PALACIO REAL DE MADRID). Built in the 18th century under the orders of King Philip V, this opulent palace is the largest royal palace in Europe by floor area, boasting a staggering 3,418 rooms. From priceless masterpieces by Goya to the breathtaking frescoes of the Throne Room and

Madrid Part 3 – Royal Palace, Basque Flavors & Flamenco Night Read More »

Madrid Part 1: Food, Transit, Hotels & a 3-Day Itinerary Beginning at Mercado de San Miguel

28 Comments / July 16, 2025 / Barbecue, Deep-Fry, Dessert, Dim Sum, Dumplings, Madrid, Mediterranean Food, Mild and Soothing, Pork, Rice Bowl/Dish, Roasted/Grilled, Seafood, Spanish Food, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Sushi, Sweet(-ish), Vegetables

Long before Madrid became the dazzling capital we know today—buzzing with tapas bars, royal palaces, and sunset-lit rooftops—it was called Magerit, or “land of abundant water,” by the Moors. This poetic name hints at its origins: in 865 AD, Emir Muhammad I ordered a fortress to be built along the banks of the Manzanares River

Madrid Part 1: Food, Transit, Hotels & a 3-Day Itinerary Beginning at Mercado de San Miguel Read More »

Chengdu Part 5: Du Fu’s Cottage, Urban Glamour & Nine-Grid Hotpot

49 Comments / July 2, 2025 / Beef, Chengdu, Chicken, Chinese Food, Dumplings, Fish, Hotpot, Mild and Soothing, Noodles, Pork, Roasted/Grilled, Soup, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Stir-fry/Sauté, Tofu, Vegetables

If you’re visiting Chengdu, the Du Fu Thatched Cottage is definitely worth a visit! Step back over a thousand years and into the world of Du Fu, China’s revered ‘Poet Sage’🌿 DU FU THATCHED COTTAGE Officially known as the Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, this was the former home of the great Tang Dynasty poet during his

Chengdu Part 5: Du Fu’s Cottage, Urban Glamour & Nine-Grid Hotpot Read More »

Chengdu Part 4: Face to Face with the Giant Buddha of Leshan & Local Eats

14 Comments / June 4, 2025 / Beef, Chengdu, Chicken, Chinese Food, Duck, Mild and Soothing, Noodles, Offal, Roasted/Grilled, Soup, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Sweet(-ish), Tofu, Vegetables

World’s Largest Stone Buddha High above the roaring confluence of three mighty rivers—Min River (岷江 Min Jiang), Qingyi River (青衣江 Qingyi Jiang), and Dadu River (大渡河 Dadu He)—sits the planet’s largest stone-carved seated Buddha🎬. Officially named Jiazhou Lingyun Temple Giant Maitreya Stone Statue (嘉州凌云寺大弥勒石像), and also known as Lingyun Giant Buddha (凌云大佛) or Maitreya Statue (弥勒大像),

Chengdu Part 4: Face to Face with the Giant Buddha of Leshan & Local Eats Read More »

Chengdu Part 3 – Three Kingdoms Legends, Kung Fu Tea, Ancient Streets & Hotpot Tips

23 Comments / May 21, 2025 / Beef, Chengdu, Chinese Food, Dessert, Fish, Hotpot, Mild and Soothing, Offal, Seafood, Spicy, Vegetables

After the trip to the misty heights of Qingcheng Mountain and the glowing “blue tears” of Dujiangyan, we decided to slow things down and explore within Chengdu’s city limits this time. Yes, Chengdu isn’t just pandas and mountains—this city has a long and rich history, especially when it comes to the legendary Three Kingdoms period

Chengdu Part 3 – Three Kingdoms Legends, Kung Fu Tea, Ancient Streets & Hotpot Tips Read More »

Chengdu Part 2: Spirituality, Scenery and Sichuan Flavors in the UNESCO Treasures of Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan

12 Comments / April 16, 2025 / Chengdu, Chinese Food, Dumplings, Fish, Mild and Soothing, Pork, Rabbit, Seafood, Soup, Spicy, Stewed/Braised, Stir-fry/Sauté, Tofu, Vegetables

Chengdu and its surrounding metropolitan area are known as a significant religious and spiritual hub, attracting both pilgrims and tourists with its numerous temples, monasteries, and historic sites. Today, we’re diving into the next three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region (last time, we introduced you to the panda resorts in Chengdu). This time

Chengdu Part 2: Spirituality, Scenery and Sichuan Flavors in the UNESCO Treasures of Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan Read More »

Travel & Eat