Authentic Taste of Chengdu: My Culinary Journey in Chengdu

If you come to Chengdu, you must not miss this attraction—Kuanzhai Alley.

Although it's called Kuanzhai Alley, it actually consists of Jing Alley, Wide Alley, and Narrow Alley. Here, you can experience the local life of this city.

Kuanzhai Alley has always been a symbol of leisurely and comfortable living. Some say Kuanzhai Alley is like Beijing's Nanluoguxiang, but in my view, Nanluoguxiang has an ancient and traditional charm, while Kuanzhai Alley is leisurely and soothing. However, both share one common feature: a wide variety of specialty snacks. The local famous foods here will definitely satisfy your appetite!

Because Kuanzhai Alley preserves a lot of old Chengdu culture, when you stroll through it, you'll see a blend of history and modern fashion. You'll find that there's no disharmony at all; instead, it gives a wonderful feeling. The rows of brick walls built in different eras, and the bas-relief-like paintings of old street life, make this Chengdu afternoon leisurely and beautiful.

When you come to Kuanzhai Alley, don't say you're just here to see the scenery without eating something. I'm afraid you'd be embarrassed to say you've visited Kuanzhai Alley. There are so many Chengdu snacks here, it's a feast for the senses. I love all kinds of wontons—sweet, savory, numbingly spicy, and spicy—the flavors are superb, and the prices are very cheap. Mama Rabbit Head, Diced Rabbit, skewers on the street, Guokui, Zhong Dumplings, and Bo Bo Chicken are all pretty good. I also recommend a sweet noodle shop here; it suits my taste perfectly—delicious and affordable, really great.

Wandering around Kuanzhai Alley and feeling its charm, you'll find that here you can slowly enjoy a tranquility not found in everyday life. Sipping a cup of tea and tasting Chengdu's specialty snacks—that's probably true enjoyment.

In ancient times, there was a saying, 'The wren nests in the deep forest,' and now there's 'The wren nests in Kuanzhai.' Speaking of Kuanzhai Alley, it's a bustling area of Chengdu. From ancient times to the present, nobles and officials have settled here, and even ordinary folks often wander around and linger here.

Now, tourists and passersby come in an endless stream. From afar, you can smell the aroma of snacks wafting from all corners of the alley, and you can hear the voices of vendors, with their rhythmic and varied calls promoting their goods.

The Jiaoliao Humanistic Boutique Hotel, nestled in a quiet corner amidst the hustle and bustle, stands gracefully and unobtrusively within the Kuanzhai Alley scenic area at No. 28 Kuan Alley. The hotel is close to Metro Line 4. It is about 19 kilometers from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, about a 40-minute drive. Nearby attractions include Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli, Tianfu Square, and Chunxi Road.

If you want to enjoy a peaceful vacation without missing the city's prosperity and excitement, the Jiaoliao Humanistic Boutique Hotel is the perfect choice.

Before we came, we had already inquired about the origin of the hotel's name. It is said that Jiaoliao is originally a type of bird, derived from Zhuangzi's phrase: 'The wren nests in the deep forest, but occupies only one branch.' This conveys a poetic dwelling that discards worldly troubles, guards the true heart, returns to nature, and attains freedom, as well as a philosophy of returning to nature and staying away from the noise of the world.

But this time, the wren does not nest in the deep forest; it chooses this alley full of human warmth, located on a long street bustling with tourists, opening up a resting place in the city's mountains and forests for those who have traveled far.

Amid the noisy crowd, we pushed open this old and grand door. The first thing that caught our eyes was the main gate. On the screen doors on both sides, there were hollow-carved floral patterns, including bat motifs, which symbolize blessing and happiness. The two bats at the corners, with ripples of water above them, imply 'blessings as vast as the eastern sea.' The bat on the central axis represents 'blessings descending from heaven.' Together with the one in the middle, they form the 'five blessings arriving at the door.' We hope that every distinguished guest here will enjoy longevity, a good death, wealth, health and peace, and virtue.

After passing through the courtyard and into the corridor, we saw bamboo and tiles, flowing water and rocks, giving a sense of ancient elegance, as if entering a parallel space parallel to the worldly hustle, separated by just one wall. Our companion seemed incredibly excited, constantly saying how beautiful it was, taking photos nonstop, and laughing like a child.

Entering the lobby, we observed that the entire hotel's decoration style is full of Sichuan-style residential characteristics and elegance. The antique, simple, and elegant pseudo-Qing ancient architecture blends motion and stillness, revealing the essence of landscapes within a small space. It seems the owner of this hotel put a lot of thought into it, decorating it so exquisitely—no wonder it's so popular.

As we passed the corridor, the parrots hanging on both sides, jumping up and down, became unusually active because of our arrival, chirping incessantly. This amused my friend—it seemed these birds were also welcoming our stay!

The green bricks and grey tiles of this hotel complement the birds' chirps, creating a dynamic interplay of movement and stillness that echoes the hotel's design style.

The 'movement' is reflected in the meticulous details throughout the hotel's decoration, with bird-shaped ornaments echoing the hotel's name.

The 'stillness' is embodied in the antique courtyard houses made of grey bricks and tiles, where every plant and tree exudes quiet elegance, and every bamboo and stone displays refined taste, establishing a peaceful and leisurely atmosphere, allowing one to wander freely and enjoy life.

Passing through the corridor, we arrived at the accommodation area. Entering the guest room, we found that the materials used are all natural, solid wood. The room also features Shu embroidery—one of the four famous embroideries—and a traditional rice pounding vessel, fully interpreting the idea of returning to simplicity.

Upon careful observation, we found that the hardware facilities inside the room are also impressive. Whether it's the bathroom fixtures, smart toilets, or mattresses, they are all configured to the top standards of international five-star hotels. Understated luxury exudes a high-end vibe, far surpassing other hotels—how could our group not be tempted?

Inheriting the culture of Laozi and Zhuangzi, building high-end facilities, not following the crowd, nor abandoning the world. The Jiaoliao Hotel allows you to find the perfect balance between bustling excitement and peaceful seclusion, letting you enjoy both the tranquility away from the world and the convenience of city life, all for your unique experience.

Speaking of Sichuan, you must not forget the place where giant pandas live—the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Many people love the adorable and charming appearance of giant pandas. In the past, we could only see pandas online. When browsing pictures, we found them soft, cute, and adorable. This time, visiting the base and thinking about seeing real pandas, we were especially excited—after all, they are our national treasure. 'Being cute for the country' is their real skill.

At this base, you will see many giant pandas, which feels completely different from browsing pictures online!

The panda cubs enjoy a national treasure-level treatment here. The environment is a full simulation of pandas' wild habitat.

There are lakes, streams, and of course, their favorite food—bamboo!

Most notably, there are 'panda villas' built for them. These are also their daily leisure and entertainment venues. When the weather is cool, pandas play in the yard—some stroll leisurely, others roll on the ground—what a carefree scene!

Tourists can watch the adorable pandas from behind railings. When it's hot, pandas smartly hide in their rooms, and visitors can only watch them snoozing through the glass.

In short, when you come to Sichuan, you must visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The pandas here are in various poses, covering everything you want to see.

The national treasure giant pandas are truly adorable—chubby, cute, free, and happy. I suddenly found myself envying them. Maybe, and perhaps not just me!

Eating Skewers in a Lively Atmosphere

It is located right at Exit A of Huazhaobi on the metro line, just a few minutes' walk away—Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan. The sign is really eye-catching. When I walked in, I felt the style was unique, quite Chinese, and kind of interesting.

I have to say their storefront decoration is quite grand. Inside, there are square tables with enough space between them, so it doesn't feel crowded. Sitting inside is very comfortable.

The serving speed is also quite fast. I must mention that their skewers are cold pot skewers—meaning you choose your own ingredients, and the store cooks them and brings them directly to you. No need to worry if they're cooked; just eat them straight away—very convenient.

The dry dipping powder is their specialty. It tastes great and has many crushed peanuts, which feels really good. My friend loved it so much that he wanted to ask the vendor about the specific seasoning, but it's impossible—they won't reveal it. The dry dipping powder is good, but for someone like me who doesn't handle spiciness well, it wasn't very suitable. For those who love spicy food, this is your dipping weapon!

Of course, they don't only have skewers; bowl dishes are also their specialty. Many small bowl dishes taste quite good. Recommended must-try dishes: Spicy Hot Pot Noodles—they are really delicious and very flavorful. Each noodle is soaked in the soup—the taste is indescribable, absolutely amazing!

Mao Tater Tots are my favorite. Not too spicy, and each potato paired with the toppings is amazingly delicious. The potatoes are neither hard nor mushy—just the right texture. After one bowl, I wanted a second one.

My first time eating rabbit kidneys was at Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan. Unexpectedly, they were very tasty, even a bit better than I imagined. The texture was tender, and popping one in my mouth at a time was absolutely satisfying.

After finishing the skewers, I had a bowl of ice jelly to cut the grease—life is just that wonderful.

Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan: savor the moments.