A Deep Tour of Chengdu Brought Me Deep Memories

Chengdu's cuisine is vast and profound. To be honest, the main purpose of coming to Chengdu was to sample all kinds of local specialties. Even if I couldn't try every single dish, I wanted the chance to visit the must-eat spots. Lucky for me, I made it here. Though I can't say I fully accomplished my ambitious goal, I definitely reaped many rewards.

339 has long been a gathering place for Chengdu's nightlife and has become a new landmark of the city's evening scene. Many bars and entertainment venues there are attractive, but one stood out and drew us in: Bie Yuan Li, a small tavern full of literary and artistic atmosphere.

It's located near the 339 TV Tower, at No. 96 Mengzhui Wan. The environment is quite nice. The bar is fairly spacious with two floors, good ventilation, and no feeling of stuffiness inside.

The interior design features a Chinese courtyard style, blending a living atmosphere with modern flair. Wooden tables and leather chairs are comfortable, and the two-story space is roomy.

With the recommendation of a young server, we chose a type of alcohol: a hot pot wine that was especially rich and fragrant. It tasted of various fruit aromas, sweet and smooth on the palate. The alcohol content is very low, not intoxicating, making it a suitable drink for women.

The snack of lemongrass grilled fish was also delicious. The fish was grilled crispy on the outside and tender inside, incredibly tasty. Although it looked covered in chili, it wasn't very spicy. The aromatic fish paired well with the wine.

Unexpectedly, there were also famous Chengdu snacks like "Three Cannon Balls" and glutinous fried little tangyuan—soft, sticky, and irresistible.

The freshly fried French fries were crispy and delicious. The shop was thoughtful to provide two dips: mayonnaise and ketchup. Personally, I prefer the tomato flavor; after all, the classic can't be surpassed in my heart.

The fruit platter had super fresh fruits, sweet and intoxicating. Not only was the taste good, but the presentation was also beautiful, accidentally revealing my hidden girlish heart.

The barbecue platter was Dai-style "Baba Shao" with generous portions, both meat and vegetables. The taste was good—meats and offal were grilled tender, easily coming off the skewers with a light bite.

I liked this tavern. Though called a small tavern, it's more like a typical quiet bar—not too noisy, not too quiet. The decoration was nice, with lighting in the hall creating a great atmosphere. Plus, there was live music, adding to the vibe.

Perhaps life needs such spontaneous travel to wherever you want to go. So I came to a must-visit spot in Chengdu: Wenshu Monastery.

Wenshu Monastery is located in Qingyang District, with a very long history. It is one of the national key Buddhist temples designated by the State Council. It's a place you must visit when in Chengdu.

As I turned the street corner, red walls with grey tiles came into view. Looking over the antique walls, I saw towering trees inside, and couldn't help but exclaim to myself: "What a tranquil spot amidst the hustle and bustle!"

Stepping into the courtyard, I was greeted by a teahouse and a vegetarian restaurant. In the teahouse, many people were leisurely drinking tea and chatting—a lively scene. The tea drinkers and tourists seemed frozen in that moment, and the beautiful picture made me sigh in admiration: such a carefree scene!

Since we arrived in the afternoon, it wasn't yet time for tea, so we passed through. To avoid crowds, we headed toward less populated areas. Walking along, we reached a small courtyard bustling with visitors. But to me, it presented a warm and peaceful scene, like a flowing freehand painting—dynamic yet tranquil, tranquil yet dynamic.

Following a side path, we reached the rear hall, where we encountered some participants of a monastery life experience camp. Dressed in loose white casual clothes, they sat in a circle discussing their feelings and insights about meditation.

Moving forward, we arrived at Wenshu Pavilion, where the Sutra Library is located. The door was not open, but in the courtyard we saw several monks sweeping fallen leaves. Later, I learned that the Sutra Library is usually closed to visitors, only opening on certain days. It is said to house tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures, including the "Medicine Buddha Sutra" and "Diamond Sutra" bestowed by Emperor Kangxi, as well as calligraphy and paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The most famous is the ink work "Empty Forest" (Kong Lin) also bestowed by Emperor Kangxi. Since we couldn't enter, we had to leave with that regret. Perhaps a little regret makes life more interesting.

Following another path, we came to the central area of Wenshu Monastery. The halls were magnificent, majestic, and ancient, evoking a sense of reverence. The pavilions had flying eaves and carved window lattices with exquisite patterns, full of classical beauty.

Wenshu Monastery is a typical traditional Chinese architectural complex with many antique buildings to admire. Due to time constraints, we couldn't explore the entire monastery. But life should have some regrets; that makes it more interesting.

As the saying goes, "Young men shouldn't enter Sichuan, and old men shouldn't leave Shu." Chengdu is known as a city you won't want to leave once you arrive. The rich Sichuan culture is displayed in every street and alley. Whether it's the food, the scenery, or the Sichuan girls, it's all dazzling and overwhelming.

Coming to Chengdu, eating, drinking, and having fun are essential. And with that comes accommodation. If we're talking about lodging, you must check out this homestay hotel: Jiaoliao Humanistic Boutique Hotel. The moment you step in, you'll be amazed.

Location: The hotel is located in Kuanzhai Alley, known as "Chengdu's Living Room."

Metro: The entrance of Kuanzhai Alley is right at Metro Line 4.

Geographic location: The location is fantastic! Right inside the Kuanzhai Alley scenic area, you can go out and stroll and eat. It's very convenient. It's not far from Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, Tianfu Square, etc. You can take the metro or a taxi, which costs about 10 yuan.

Hotel style: The overall style of this homestay is exactly what I like. The guest rooms are designed in a Japanese style, made of pure wood. The rooms have a unique fragrance that is very soothing. There are also handmade Shu embroidery and a painting of a wren specifically painted by a master.

The hotel has many calligraphy, paintings, and antiques that the owner worked hard to collect. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and impeccable.

Room: The door uses an electronic lock, ensuring safety. The entire room, including decorations and bed, is made of phoenix tree wood, giving off a faint woody scent that is very relaxing.

The room has a dedicated dining area, and both lunch and dinner are quite good.

Bathroom: When I go out, whether staying in a hotel or homestay, my main concern is always the bathroom. The cleanliness of the bathroom can definitely affect my mood. I give Jiaoliao's bathroom full marks! Details show understated luxury. Five-star-plus amenities: Carnation linens, King Koil mattresses, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets. Even turning on the tap feels like the owners put thought into it.

Wash area: Notably, the wash area is separated into wet and dry zones. You can shower or lie in the bathtub. The hotel also provides bath salts.

The toiletries set is June Jacobs (a high-end spa skincare brand from New York, USA). I previously used this brand at a Sheraton in Guangdong and loved it. I didn't expect to use it again in Chengdu. Moreover, according to the butler, June Jacobs customized a treatment method for the hotel, incorporating local culture, environment, climate, and some traditional Chinese medicine techniques, creating the hotel's unique "Jiaoliao Nest in the Forest" (Jiaoliao Chao Lin).

Bedding: Lying down is extremely comfortable; you fall asleep in minutes. The quilt and mattress are soft and skin-friendly. I like to sleep on buckwheat pillows, and the hotel thoughtfully provided one.

The biggest highlight is the hotel butler—a very enthusiastic group. When I was about to arrive at Kuanzhai Alley, the butler contacted me in advance and even came to the alley entrance to pick me up, introducing the culture of Kuanzhai Alley along the way. This alone made me very fond of the hotel. Upon arrival, the butler learned that I can't eat spicy food, so for breakfast they specially prepared wontons without spicy seasoning.

Life is not only about food and beautiful scenery but also about the marks of struggle. On the long road of life, we need to work a little harder.