In 1949, it was the hometown of vampires; dare to come to this Eastern European country?
This city in Chongqing is not only popular in China, but also among many foreign friends.
In 2018, the Romanian National Television station visited Chongqing for a visit and interview, filming a large number of materials for the production of a documentary film on China and Romania’s establishment of diplomatic relations 70th anniversary (Romania and China established diplomatic relations on October 5, 1949).
As for Romania, many people probably don’t have much impression, but if you mention its most famous ‘vampire’, everyone probably won’t be unfamiliar.
In this country known as ‘Vampire’s Hometown’, you can encounter a real-life version of ‘Twilight’, and this time, Yupu came to Romania for an exploration.
Sighishiwala
Legend has it that this is the most famous home of the legendary Count Dracula and also the most mysterious place in the country.
Sighishiwala is located in western Romania, north of which we chose to take the train. It is worth mentioning that the Romanian railway network is extensive, and the distance between the village and the station is very close, which is very convenient.
Upon arrival in the village, we were attracted by this medieval-style small town, with stone bricks full of historical atmosphere, heavy wooden doors, and more mysterious atmosphere.
Count Dracula was born in a common Romanian farmhouse, which was completely different from the magnificent medieval castle that people often imagine. Now, it has been converted into a vampire-themed restaurant.
The second floor is Dracula’s bedroom, with an atmosphere that smells like vampires, so be careful for those who are timid. Besides vampire-themed attractions, there are also historical clock towers in the town, and a leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets is also a great experience.
Bran Castle
This is the famous Bran Castle, also known as the birthplace of the vampire legend, a must-visit place for vampire enthusiasts.
The castle is near Brasov, and we also chose to take the train.
The castle under the snow looks magnificent, and inside is a museum, which is very large, with exquisite royal architectural style.
There’s a market at the foot of the castle, selling various vampire-themed souvenirs. When you’re tired from walking around the castle, you can go down to the market for a rest.
Cluj-Napoca
Having explored the mysterious vampire culture, the charming scenery and local customs of this place cannot be missed.
Starting from the castle, Yupu first came to the small city of Northwest, Cluj. There are many famous historical sites here, including medieval, neoclassical and modern architecture, which creates a beautiful visual experience.
The most famous one is Union Square, where you can see the magnificent ruins of palaces and churches. In terms of food, the most famous dishes in Cluj are pork chop and mushroom soup, which cannot be missed.
Bucharest
As the capital of Romania, it’s a must-visit.
Yupu took a four or five-hour train ride from Cluj to here, finally arriving at this place. The train station here is the most luxurious one Yupu has ever seen, which is worthy of being called ‘Train Kingdom’.
Bucharest also has the nickname ‘Little Paris’, with architectural features similar to Paris, and you can hear beautiful music everywhere.
The Old Town has the ‘most beautiful museum in Europe’, with a three-story building with a historical atmosphere, which gave Yupu a great visual feast. This city shows the collision of classical and modern elements, and if you have time, you can linger here to experience it.
People’s Palace
This is the most famous landmark in Bucharest, the second largest single building in the world, second only to the Pentagon in the United States. Considering it as a civil building, it is the largest in the world.
How big is the palace? A British TV program host drove a three-car race in the palace’s underground, which cost a fortune, and this super administrative building has also become a must-visit destination for tourists to Romania.
The People’s Palace has as many as 1,100 rooms, many of which are used as conference rooms or offices, but a larger part of them are now idle.
Romania’s journey temporarily came to an end. Starting from the mysterious vampire culture, we gradually explored this country shrouded in mystery. Whether you are a vampire fanatic or just want to enjoy the Eastern European scenery, you cannot miss this place.
PS: Romania’s overall cost of living is not high, and its capital Bucharest is comparable to the level of second-tier cities in China, so there’s no need to worry about spending money when traveling here, and the people here are very kind and the overall atmosphere is good.
