Recording the Deep Memories Chengdu Brought Me
Chengdu’s food culture is vast and profound.
To be honest, my main purpose in coming to Chengdu was to taste all kinds of its specialties. Even if I couldn’t try every delicious dish here, I wanted a chance to visit the must-try spots in Chengdu. Luckily, I made it here. Although I dare not say I truly fulfilled my ambition, I did gain a lot.
The 339 TV Tower area has long been a gathering place for Chengdu’s nightlife and has become a new landmark of the city’s nightlife. Many bars and entertainment venues here are attractive, but one stood out and drew us in—Bie Yuan Li, a small tavern full of literary and artistic vibes.
It’s located near the 339 TV Tower, at No. 96 Mengzhuiwan Street. The environment is quite nice. The bar is fairly spacious, with two floors and good ventilation—you won’t feel stuffy inside.
The interior is designed like a Chinese courtyard, blending a living atmosphere with a fashionable touch. The wooden tables and leather chairs are comfortable, and the two floors offer plenty of space.
Thanks to the recommendation of a young male server, we chose a kind of alcohol—this hot pot wine was especially fragrant and rich. It tasted like a mix of various fruit aromas, sweet and smooth on the palate. The wine had a low alcohol content, so it wouldn’t make you drunk—a great drink for women.
A snack, lemongrass grilled fish, was also delicious. The fish was grilled to a crispy golden brown, crispy on the outside and tender inside—so tasty. It looked covered in chili, but the actual flavor wasn’t too spicy. The fragrant fish paired well with the wine.
Unexpectedly, they also served famous Chengdu snacks like San Da Pao (three cannonballs). The soft, glutinous fried little tangyuan (sweet rice balls) were incredibly chewy and irresistible.
Freshly fried French fries were crispy and tasty. I have to say the restaurant was thoughtful, providing two dips: salad dressing and ketchup. Personally, I prefer the tomato flavor—after all, the classic can’t be surpassed in my heart.
The fruit platter offered super fresh fruits with a sweet taste that was really intoxicating. Not only was the flavor good, but the presentation was also beautiful; my hidden girlish heart was accidentally revealed.
A barbecue platter in Dai-style—“Ba Ba Shao” (skewers grilled in batches)—was generous in portion, with both meat and vegetables. The taste was good, and the meat and offal were grilled so tender that they easily slipped off the skewer with a gentle bite.
I really like this little tavern. Although it’s called a small tavern, it feels more like a typical quiet bar—not too noisy, not too quiet. The decoration is nice, with lighting that creates a great atmosphere inside the hall. Plus, there was live singing, which added to the vibe.
Perhaps in life, we need such spontaneous trips where we go wherever we want. So, I came to a must-visit spot in Chengdu—Wenshu Monastery.
Wenshu Monastery is located in Qingyang District, Chengdu. It has a long history and is one of the national key Buddhist temples designated by the State Council. It’s a place you must visit when in Chengdu.
Just as we turned the corner, a wall with red bricks and green tiles came into view. Looking over the antique wall, I saw towering trees inside, and I couldn’t help but silently praise: what a perfect place to find tranquility amid the bustle.
Stepping into the courtyard, we were greeted by a teahouse and a vegetarian restaurant. In the teahouse, many people were leisurely drinking tea and chatting, a scene that unfolded before my eyes. The tea drinkers and the sightseers seemed to freeze in that moment together. The beautiful picture made me sigh—what a carefree and contented scene!
Since we arrived in the afternoon and had just started exploring, it wasn’t yet time for tea, so we passed through. To avoid the crowds, we headed toward less crowded areas. As we walked, we reached a small courtyard where visitors were numerous and lively. But to me, it presented a warm and peaceful scene, like a flowing freehand painting—dynamic within stillness, stillness within motion.
Following a side path, we arrived at the rear hall and encountered some participants of a monastery life experience camp. They were dressed in loose white casual clothes, sitting in a circle, discussing their feelings and insights from meditation.
Going further, we reached Wenshu Pavilion, which houses the Sutra Library. The door was not open, but we saw several monks sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard. Later, I learned that the Sutra Library is usually closed to visitors, only opening on specific days. It is said to contain 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 “Empty Forest” (Kong Lin) inscription, also granted by Emperor Kangxi to Wenshu Monastery. Since we couldn’t enter, we had to leave with that regret. Perhaps a little regret makes life more interesting.
Following another path, we reached the central area of Wenshu Monastery. The halls were grand and majestic, thick with antiquity, inspiring a sense of awe. The pavilions and towers had upturned eaves and carved lattice windows with exquisite patterns, full of classical beauty.
Wenshu Monastery is a typical Chinese traditional building. There are many antique structures to appreciate. Due to time constraints, we couldn’t explore the entire monastery. But life needs some regrets—it seems more fun that way.
As the saying goes, “Young people should not enter Sichuan, and old people should not leave Shu.” Chengdu is known as a city where you never want to leave once you’ve arrived. The rich Sichuan culture is displayed in every street and alley of Chengdu. Whether it’s food, scenery, or Sichuan girls, it’s all dazzling and overwhelming.
When in Chengdu, eating, drinking, and having fun are essential. And of course, accommodation is also important. When it comes to staying, you must check out this guesthouse hotel—Jiaoliao Boutique Hotel. The moment you step inside, it will definitely impress you.
Location: The hotel is located in Kuanzhai Alley, known as the “Chengdu 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 step out and immediately start shopping and eating. It’s not far from Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, or Tianfu Square—you can take the metro or a taxi, which costs about 10 yuan.
Hotel style: I really like the overall style of this guesthouse. The room design leans toward Japanese style, constructed entirely of solid wood. The room has a unique, pleasant fragrance that feels very soothing. There is also handmade Shu embroidery in the room and a wren painted by a master artist specifically.
The hotel has many calligraphy, paintings, and antiques that the owner worked hard to collect. Every detail shows thoughtfulness and is impeccable.
Room: The door uses an electronic lock for safety. The entire room, including decorations and bed, is made of sycamore wood, giving off a faint woody scent that is very relaxing.
There is a dedicated dining area in the room. Lunches and dinners taste quite good.
Bathroom: When I go out, whether staying at a hotel or guesthouse, my biggest concern is always the bathroom. Its cleanliness can absolutely affect my mood. I give the bathroom at Jiaoliao full marks! The details reveal understated luxury. It has five-star-plus amenities: Carnation brand linens, King Koil mattresses, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets—I feel every faucet shows the owner’s care.
Wash area: It’s worth mentioning that the wash area is separated into dry and wet zones. You can take a shower or lie in the bathtub for a soak, and the hotel provides bath salts.
The three-piece toiletries set is from June Jacobs (a high-end spa skincare brand from New York). I used this brand before at a Sheraton in Guangdong and loved it. I didn’t expect to use it again in Chengdu. According to the butler, June Jacobs customized a special treatment for the hotel, combining local culture, environment, climate, and some traditional Chinese medical therapy methods to create the hotel’s unique “Jiaoliao Chaolin” experience.
Bedding: Lying down was so comfortable that I fell asleep in no time. The quilt and mattress are soft and skin-friendly. I like sleeping on buckwheat pillows, and the hotel thoughtfully provided one for me.
The biggest highlight is the hotel butlers—a group of very enthusiastic people. When I was about to arrive at Kuanzhai Alley, the butler contacted me in advance, came to the alley entrance to pick me up, and along the way introduced the culture of Kuanzhai Alley. That alone made me feel very positive about the hotel. After arriving at the hotel, the butler learned that I couldn’t eat spicy food, so for breakfast, they specially prepared wontons without chili for me.
Life is not only about the company of good food and beautiful scenery but also about the marks of hard work. On the long journey of life, we need to strive a little more.
