🌍 Chinese Spicy Hot Pot Food Tour (7-10 Days) – From Chongqing to Northwest China

🌶️ Phase 1: Chongqing Core Area (3-4 Days) – Holy Land of Hot Pot

Keywords: Magical Mountain City, Authentic Hot Pot, Cultural Exploration

📍 Key Activities

Day 1: Old Hot Pot at Hongya Cave + Night View of Jiefangbei
- Experience Highlights:
  - Taste century-old hot pot at Hongya Cave, observe the melting process of tallow-based broth;
  - Learn the "seven up, eight down" technique for beef tripe and pair with duck intestines, fish maw;
  - Evening tour of Hongya Cave and lights show at Qiansimen Bridge (recommend boat tour).
- Recommended Accommodation: Chongqing Ascott Lai Fu Hotel
  - Location: Yuzhong District, Lai Fu Complex, 10-minute walk to Hongya Cave.
  - Features: Apartment-style kitchen for takeaway hot pot, river-view rooms for night scenery.
  - Ctrip Rating: 8.9｜💰 Price: ¥800-1500/night
Day 2: Hillside Hot Pot + Hot Pot Museum
- Experience Highlights:
  - Enjoy Xiaoyu Hot Pot on Nan Shan Hill, savoring the Sichuan peppercorn and chili blend;
  - Visit Hechuan Hot Pot Museum to trace the evolution of hot pot from street vendors to global industry.
- Recommended Accommodation: Chongqing Ritz-Carlton Reserve
  - Location: Jiefangbei WFC Tower, across from Dezhang Hot Pot Museum.
  - Features: Skyline views, proximity to famous hot pot restaurants like Peijie.
  - Ctrip Rating: 9.0｜💰 Price: ¥1200-2000/night
Day 3: Bunker Hot Pot + Industry Tour
- Experience Highlights:
  - Dine in Chongqing’s wartime bunkers (e.g., Dongting Hot Pot), blending history and heat;
  - Tour Dezhang Hot Pot Factory and customize your own spice blend (12°-75° heat levels).
- Recommended Accommodation: Continue using Chongqing Ritz-Carlton Reserve

🚂 Phase 2: Sichuan Flavor Exploration (2 Days) – Roots of Spicy Taste

Keywords: Sichuan Cuisine Origins, Zigong Salt Flavor, Chengdu Hot Pot Comparison

📍 Key Activities

Day 4: Zigong Salt Flavor & Hot Pot Origins
- Experience Highlights:
  - Taste water-boiled beef and cold rabbit to explore the link between Sichuan spices and salt history;
  - Visit Zigong Salt History Museum and Shenhaijing Ancient Salt Field to debate hot pot’s origin.
- Recommended Accommodation: Zigong Jinling Tanmulin Hotel
  - Location: Near Zigong Salt History Museum, 15-minute drive to Shenhaijing.
  - Features: Salt merchant-themed design, modified Sichuan hot pot available.
  - Ctrip Rating: 4.7｜💰 Price: ¥400-700/night
Day 5: Chengdu Hot Pot Comparison
- Experience Highlights:
  - Compare Chongqing’s bold flavors with Chengdu’s complex spice profiles (e.g., Xiaolongkan);
  - Tour Sichuan Cuisine Museum to learn cooking techniques and regional differences.
- Recommended Accommodation: Chengdu Langpu Grand Hyatt
  - Location: Taikoo Li area, 8-minute walk to Xiaolongkan flagship store.
  - Features: Art-themed hot pot dining experience.
  - Ctrip Rating: 4.8｜💰 Price: ¥900-1600/night

🚞 Phase 3: Northwest Spicy Exploration (2-3 Days) – Silk Road Flavors

Keywords: Silk Road Heat, Rustic Northwest, Hot Spring Detox

📍 Key Activities

Day 6: Tianshui Spicy Noodles Festival
- Experience Highlights:
  - Try Tianshui Spicy Noodles (Ganju chili + Maiji peppercorn) at Wenti Old Street;
  - Use dedicated bus lines and hand-drawn English map for exploration.
- Recommended Accommodation: Tianshui Huachen Hotel
  - Location: City center, adjacent to Wenti Spicy Noodle Street.
  - Features: Provides bus schedules and hand-drawn maps.
  - Ctrip Rating: 4.5｜💰 Price: ¥300-500/night
Day 7: Maijishan Cultural Exploration
- Experience Highlights:
  - Visit Maijishan Grottoes and Fuxi Temple to trace the Silk Road spread of spices;
  - Enjoy a "Double Pepper Banquet" (Ganju chili + Maiji peppercorn) with local potatoes and handmade noodles.
- Recommended Accommodation: Maijishan Hot Spring Resort
  - Location: Maijishan Scenic Area, 1.5 km from grottoes.
  - Features: Hot springs for detox after hot pot, English menu available.
  - Ctrip Rating: 4.6｜💰 Price: ¥600-1000/night

🌄 Unique Experiences (Off-the-Beaten-Path)

Destination	Core Experience	Recommended Hotel
Pingshan, Yunnan	Forest terrace hot pot with smoked pork leg (adjustable spiciness)	Muyang River Eco-Resort
Shizuishan, Ningxia	Post-hot pot hot spring therapy (buffet with English menu)	Jinlang Hot Spring Hotel
Longyan, Fujian	Adjacent to Mama Spicy Hot Pot, with shuttle service to Guzhangshan Scenic Area	Liancheng明珠 Mercure Hotel

💡 Tips for International Travelers

Language & Payment:
- Download Google Translate (menus include English translations);
- Link UnionPay to Alipay/WeChat for payments (some small shops only accept cash).
Spice Levels & Ingredients:
- Newcomers can request "light oil" or 12° mild broth;
- Must-try: Water buffalo tripe (7-second crunch), fresh duck intestines (curl to remove), Hanshou peppercorn (broth base).
Booking & Timing:
- Book 1 month in advance for Chongqing Hot Pot Festival (Oct) and Tianshui Spicy Noodle Festival (Mar);
- Search "Hot Pot Route" on Ctrip, filter for "English service" and "international credit card".
Safety & Culture:
- Hot pot restaurants are often in narrow alleys; travel in groups and keep belongings safe;
- Chinese hot pot uses tallow; ask for clear broth if new to spicy food.

Tour Highlights:

From Taste to Culture: Museums, factories, and historical sites reveal the geography, economy, and human stories behind the spice.
Contrast Experiences: Rustic bunker hot pot vs. hillside magic views; Northwest boldness vs. Sichuan refinement.
Policy Benefits: Local governments offer travel packages (e.g., Tianshui Spicy Noodle Festival, Chongqing Hot Pot Expo) with discounts on transport and tickets.

Pre-Trip Prep: Check the Chongqing Hot Pot Industry Association website or local tourism WeChat accounts for event updates (e.g., Chongqing Hot Pot Festival in October).

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