China was our first stop, and it was the right choice. We wanted to begin our journey in a place that would shake us out of old habits, test our adaptability, and open our eyes. China did exactly that.

From Chengdu we took a flight to Shanghai.

First, we stayed a couple of nights outside the city at a hotel with a pool. The place was shabby, the standard low, but the pool gave the kids joy and Hannes even learned to swim there!

Our journey continued to Chengdu, a city so green it almost felt alive. Ivy climbed the bridges ten meters high, as if the jungle itself had decided to reclaim the concrete.

Once the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital of several dynasties, the city carries thousands of years of stories. It feels alive with history – but traveling here with children adds another layer: how do we balance sightseeing, learning, and simply being a family?

For centuries, Pingyao was one of China’s most important cities – it was even home to China’s very first bank!

Time to explore the mega city!

It was the kids who noticed first: “Mom and Dad… we haven’t been outside in 24 hours!”

Yesterday, we left our house.

The cats and chickens are still there, staying with our friends who’s moving in.
We left a note with some instructions and routines.
I kissed the cats goodbye, whispered things they’ll never understand, and walked out.