Trip Overview
My family and I (2 adults + 2 kids, plus 2 more friends and their 2 kids—that's 4 adults and 4 kids total) decided to do something different for National Day: an 800km electric road trip from Xi'an (西安) to Chengdu (成都) in our brand-new ID.6 X, a 7-seater electric SUV. Was it crazy? Maybe. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Duration: 4 days
Travelers: 4 adults + 4 kids (2 families traveling together)
Budget: ~5,000 RMB total (~$700 USD)
Transportation: Electric SUV (ID.6 X)
Essential Foreigner Info
EV Charging in China: China's charging infrastructure is excellent, especially on major highways. We used Gaode Maps (高德地图) which intelligently planned our charging stops. The navigation showed 16 service areas with 10 charging stations along the 800km route—plenty of options. Pro tip: Charge during dinner breaks or while the kids sleep to maximize time efficiency.
National Day Toll Free: During Chinese national holidays, highway tolls are waived—this saved us hundreds of RMB. If your dates are flexible, holiday travel can significantly cut costs.
Night Driving Strategy: We left at 9 PM and drove through the night. Why? Kids sleep the whole way, fewer cars on the road, and charging stations were completely empty when we stopped. The ID.6 X's assisted driving feature made night driving surprisingly relaxing.
Day 1: Departure and First Charging Stop
We packed our ID.6 X with 4 adults, 2 kids, and enough snacks to survive a zombie apocalypse. Left Xi'an at 9 PM, armed with Gaode Maps' charging route plan. The first charging stop took about 40 minutes—enough time to let the kids run around and grab a quick bite.
The second charging stop was around 40 minutes as well—possibly because it was nighttime, but the charging stations were completely empty. No waiting in line, no drama. By 7 AM the next morning, we arrived in Chengdu.
Day 2: Taikoo Li and First Impressions of Chengdu
Chengdu hits you differently after an overnight drive. The city feels alive, energetic, and somehow both modern and ancient at the same time. Our first stop: Taikoo Li (太古里), the iconic shopping district with its famous panda "climbing" mural.
Taikoo Li (太古里): This open-air shopping complex is basically Chengdu's answer to a European plaza—high-end brands, hipster coffee shops, and locals posing for photos. The panda mural on the building is the ultimate selfie backdrop.
Food Chapter 1: Gan Ji Intestine Powder
A friend recommended Gan Ji Intestine Powder (甘记肥肠粉)—a local Chengdu specialty. The intestine powder is hearty, spicy, and unlike anything we'd had in Shaanxi. Pro tip: Get the huoguo kuazi (锅魁, crispy pork bread) to go with it—think of it as Chengdu's answer to a beef饼 but with actual filling.
Day 3: Jinli Ancient Street and People's Park
We spent the morning at Jinli Ancient Street (锦里), one of the oldest commercial streets in Chengdu. Think of it as a more authentic, less touristy version of Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden—same energy, better people-watching.
The street is lined with teahouses, snack stalls, and shops selling Sichuan crafts. It's pedestrian-friendly and perfect for families.
In the afternoon, we hit People's Park (人民公园)—the heart of Chengdu's local life. Locals come here to dance, play chess, drink tea, and basically hang out for hours. There's even a matchmaking corner where parents post bios of their single children. True story.
Evening: Sichuan Opera and Hotpot
We caught a Sichuan Opera (蜀风雅韵) show—face-changing, fire-breathing, lantern-juggling. The kids were mesmerized. Note: Most shows are in Chinese, but the acrobatics speak for themselves.
For dinner, we tried Laojie Chenpan Malatang (老街称盘麻辣烫)—a dry-style malatang (spicy hot pot) that was totally new to us. It's like hot pot but everything is dry-fried with sauce, then served on a plate. Highly recommended, especially near Jiuyan Bridge (九眼桥).
Then came the main event: Liugong Lao Hotpot (六公里老火锅). This place was packed—we waited in line (a good sign), and the Chongqing-style spicy hotpot did not disappoint. Pro hack: Ask for "numbingly spicy" (麻辣) if you can handle it. The numbing sensation is the signature Sichuan flavor.
Day 4: Panda Base
No trip to Chengdu is complete without the Panda Base (熊猫基地). Pro tip: Get there EARLY. We arrived to find it already packed with families. The pandas were adorable but somewhat lazy (probably used to the attention). Pro tip: Go on a cooler day when they're more active, or visit in the morning when they're fed.
Trip Summary
Total distance: 1,800 km
Highway tolls: FREE (National Day holiday)
EV charging: 5 charges, 220 RMB total—yes, you read that right
Accommodation: 3,000 RMB
Food and drinks: 2,000 RMB
Panda Base tickets: 240 RMB
Total cost: ~5,460 RMB (~$760 USD) for 2 families = ~2,730 RMB per family. Not bad for a 4-day road trip!
Verdict: EV road trips in China are totally viable. The charging infrastructure is solid, night driving saves time, and the cost savings are massive. Next stop: Beijing!