[A 2-Day, 1-Night Foodie Adventure] / A Feast of Delicacies, Chengdu Enchants the World

Fingertips: The only loves in life are beautiful scenery and delicious food, which should never be let down.

Some say that when Chengdu is mentioned, what comes to mind is not the city's name but a myriad of foods. Because Chengdu is a city filled with gastronomy. In every alley and every street of this city, you can encounter a lot of delicious food and interesting snacks anytime, anywhere.

And the enthusiasm of Chengdu people for eating has also led to the highly developed catering industry in Chengdu. Almost every out-of-town tourist who comes to Chengdu is full of interest in Chengdu's hotpot, Sichuan cuisine, snacks, spicy hot pot, and so on. Arriving in Chengdu without tasting its food always leaves one feeling like they entered a treasure mountain and returned empty-handed.

One: Taiziling Ski Resort → Melon Skewers (Jinli) Two: Bieyuanli Bar (Wuhou Shrine) Three: Yuan Gong (People's Park) → Jiaoliao Hotel

One | Chapter One: Everyone Has a Skiing Dream in Their Heart

It is said that Chengdu people have three treasures in winter: eating hotpot, soaking in hot springs, and going skiing. In this chilly season, nothing is more comfortable than these three things.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

And the place where you can most feel the icy world, besides Xiling Snow Mountain, is the Taiziling Ski Resort on Jiuding Mountain. It is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Chengdu. Those who love skiing might want to join us to experience the passion of winter.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

"Among the many immortal mountains in Shu, Jiuding stands out as unique." The Taiziling Ski Resort on Jiuding Mountain in Mao County is the top professional choice for winter tourism skiing in Sichuan. It offers tourists a scenic spot that combines skiing and sightseeing, making it a great destination for many outdoor sports enthusiasts in winter.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

When you arrive at the ski resort, you'll find that it has 3 beginner slopes totaling 290 meters, 3 intermediate slopes totaling 390 meters, and 3 advanced slopes totaling 2630 meters. On top of the advanced slopes, there is also a cable car that goes straight to the mountaintop. Looking down from the summit, the scenery is really beautiful, with the earth covered in a blanket of silver, breathtakingly gorgeous.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

The resort also has multiple recreational activities suitable for children of all ages. You can watch the snow, have snowball fights, take photos, and ski. You can also take kids to the children's play area for sledding. No matter your skiing skill level, you can find a slope that suits you and have a great time.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort / Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

Apart from recreational activities, food and accommodation are also the most concerned issues. To meet the needs of different tourists, the ski resort offers various price standards for dining and lodging. The resort is equipped with the Hemingzhuang Holiday Hotel, which has over 70 guest rooms of various types. The rooms are decorated with wooden sauna boards combined with Qiang ethnic style, and are heated 24 hours a day.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

The resort has two dining areas that can accommodate 2000 people at the same time. They serve hotpot chicken, beef offal hotpot, and other delicacies that are delicious and mouth-watering at first sight. They also offer Tibetan and Qiang ethnic flavors made from plateau yak meat, lamb, wild vegetables, and alpine wild mushrooms.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort / Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

The altitude at Taiziling is around 3000 meters, and the temperature is relatively low. For those who don't exercise, it is recommended to wear more clothes. Once the sun comes out and you start moving, it's actually not cold, but rather hot. Parents should remember to bring an extra set of clothes for their kids, as they can easily sweat and get their clothes wet while playing. Ski equipment can be brought from home or rented. If you don't ski often, renting is more cost-effective. Don't worry if you can't ski; there are instructors who will teach you hands-on.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

Relying on the unique natural terrain of the Jiuding Mountain scenic area, high altitude, and abundant vegetation, the ski resort enjoys fresh air with high concentrations of negative oxygen ions. As a result, the snow quality is a rare powder snow that ordinary ski resorts cannot match.

Jiuding Mountain · Taiziling Ski Resort

80% of winter days are sunny and bright, with daytime temperatures even reaching 20°C. Here, tourists can enjoy skiing in a sunny ski paradise while staying away from smog, getting close to the blue sky, and basking in the sunshine.

| Chapter Two: A Lifetime of Waiting Might Be for Melon Skewers

A city has its own history and culture, as well as its own characteristic neighborhoods. To understand a city's history and culture, you should step into its characteristic streets and alleys, learn about the cultural origins and famous anecdotes it carries, and intimately touch its historical remnants, feeling the bustling commercial atmosphere and vibrant flavors that have continued through the changes of the times.

With rare leisure time and family accompanying us, we decided to explore around Jinli. We strolled along, enjoying the sights and savoring slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and literary, like a watery moon in a mirror of time, then Jinli is bustling and worldly, like fireworks blooming outside that mirror.

Entering Jinli, the temptations of delicious food hit you right in the face. Shops are open wide, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies, carefully arranged, appear and disappear in the light mist. Their beautiful shapes, fresh colors, and fragrant smells make your mouth water and you can't resist.

Beside the shop doors, there are performers in Sichuan opera makeup greeting customers. They mimic the movements of opera, suddenly retracting their necks and sticking out their heads, turning a white face into a red one, startling you. Before you can be annoyed, they pull a funny face and make you laugh. That teasing and fun instantly lift your mood.

When we first went, the sky was clear. Strolling through Jinli with fewer tourists gave it a hazy, classical charm. The streets of Jinli are not wide, but on both sides, ancient buildings face each other. Strings of red lanterns hang high and low, under eaves or on tree branches, flickering in the misty rain, exuding a unique charm.

Walking on the ancient street feels like walking in a poetic verse with harmonious rhythm. Carved windows, lichen-covered ancient walls, and winding corridors form the backdrop of the poem, with a contrast between vicissitudes and vitality in the elegant atmosphere.

Jinli is an ancient street suitable for nostalgia, and also a place that appeals to both refined and popular tastes. Here you can find memories of Chengdu from the Three Kingdoms period, and also enjoy a leisurely life in the fast-paced city.

After touring Jinli, we got hungry. It seems food has a great allure. We decided to take the family to Melon Skewers at Jinfangyuan East Road store. We heard it was good. When we arrived, we found the environment quite nice.

The overall decoration features blue bricks and green tiles, with red walls full of festive atmosphere. The space is spacious, with clear functional divisions. The Chinese retro style adds unique charm to this shop, making it antique and elegant.

Although we thought it was still early, once inside we found a different world. There were really a lot of people; the entire hall was full, with voices everywhere, but that didn't affect the enthusiasm of the eaters waiting in line outside. Indeed, delicious food is king—this is the true nature of Chengdu foodies.

Hot Pot Base: Authentic Chengdu method to prepare the broth, numbing and spicy in a satisfying way, cold pot skewers with a super rich broth freshly boiled every day. A layer of red oil covers the secret stock pot, full of ingredients simmered from early morning until noon opening. It is fragrant without being numbing, spicy without being dry. This flavor cannot be imitated; only the recipe passed down from the older generation deserves to be called the old Chengdu taste.

Chengdu Melon Skewers / Chengdu Melon Skewers

70+ types of skewers to choose from: six large freezers make your eyes dazzle. The ingredients are kept at five-star cold chain standards, carefully selected daily, marinated with care, and threaded onto skewers. Meat and vegetables, choose as you like. After eating, the skewers are weighed. Take whatever you want and start the crazy skewer-eating mode!

Handmade Special Dual Dip: How fragrant is the dry dip? The combination of crushed peanuts and chili powder easily wins first place. Roll the skewer lightly, and you get the peanut aroma. The complicated handmade process makes it unique. The oil dip, made with sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped green onions, is also a little helper to reduce spiciness and add fragrance.

Beef Skewers are Versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can roll up a world. Spiced, spicy, coriander, pickled pepper, scallion—the beef must be marinated with a secret sauce for two to three hours. Plump pickled peppers plus tender beef, with a hint of green between the red beef, stand out. The heavy flavor bursts on your tongue when you eat it. In the thick beef chunks, the pickled pepper is ready to burst with juice. Your mouth says no, but your body is honest, sending skewer after skewer to your mouth.

Small Sausages: Small sausages are a Chengdu specialty. Plump little sausages with a good balance of fat and lean, cut into bite-sized pieces, slightly sweet, very Cantonese style. The sweet and spicy double-layer flavor is captivating. While reducing spiciness, satisfaction doubles! You won't regret coming to this shop; it's so good you can't stop eating.

Two | Chapter One: The "Boss" of Bars, Find Your Own Intoxication

Hearing the name "Wuhou," those who know the Three Kingdoms will surely be familiar with it. Yes, it is the alias of the famous Zhuge Liang, "Zhuge Wuhou." If your favorite in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is the Shu Kingdom, then the famous Chengdu attraction—Wuhou Shrine—is a must-see. It will surely satisfy all your desires.

Soon it was afternoon, and my family and I planned to visit Wuhou Shrine, to experience the legendary stories of the Three Kingdoms and fulfill our Three Kingdoms dream.

It is said that Wuhou Shrine was first built in 223 AD, originally to build a mausoleum for Liu Bei. Later generations combined Liu Bei's mausoleum with Zhuge Liang's shrine, forming the present temple where both ruler and minister are worshipped—the only such temple in China.

The heroes of the Shu Kingdom, with their changing fortunes, have turned to dust here. Their great achievements are buried and rest here. All historical stories have settled and fermented here, giving us this weighty Wuhou Shrine, a place to honor the heroes of Shu Han.

From Sanyi Temple to Wuhou Shrine, from the Oath of the Peach Garden to the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, we arrived at the main hall of Zhuge Liang's temple. Hanging in the middle of the hall is a horizontal plaque reading "Name Spread Across the Universe," presumably the highest praise for Master Zhuge. The couplet reads: "If you can win hearts, opposition will naturally disappear; since ancient times, those who know war are not fond of fighting. If you do not judge the situation, both leniency and strictness will be wrong; later rulers of Shu must think deeply."

These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang's loyalty and ambition to serve Shu Kingdom with all his heart until his death. He used his entire life to repay the favor of the three visits to his thatched cottage. Wuhou Shrine is not large; located in the bustling city, it covers a small area. You can finish touring it in about an hour. Yet Wuhou Shrine is also large, because it carries not just a scenic spot, but the history of a dynasty, a tribute and remembrance of that era.

We walked and stopped along the way, turning into quiet paths, admiring bonsai, observing flowers and plants, and smelling faint fragrances. We looked at the old trees with gnarled roots, admired the delicate arched bridges and their reflections, and sighed at the damaged Han palace pillars. With respect for the Shu Kingdom, we slowly walked out.

In this city of Chengdu, known for its leisure, there are many bars of all sizes. But Bieyuanli, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and enriched with various alcohols and snacks, is the only one of its kind in Chengdu. To ensure customers have a better experience, they even specially invited a lighting design company to design the lighting effects.

We couldn't waste the evening time and planned to take the family to Bieyuanli to enjoy the pleasant night.

Upon entering, as the lights turned on, the whole bar seemed like a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colorful lights were like stars in the sky, shining brightly in the bar, instantly elevating the entertaining and relaxing atmosphere.

The bar's alcohol selection is as rich as its lights: foreign liquors, Chinese-style cocktails, mixed drinks, and pure imported beers—all available! Basically, whatever you want to drink, you can find here!

Night Suit Mask's Kiss: This rose wine, with its refreshing rose fragrance, is attractive enough for ladies. With a low alcohol content, it's perfect for a gathering of girlfriends or a leisurely moment. The rose flavor is not strong at first, but as you drink, the taste becomes clearer and more captivating.

Ancient Qiang Straw Wine: A blue-and-white porcelain bottle full of Jianghu spirit. Using a wheat straw as a straw, sipping wine amidst laughter and joy gives a unique feeling.

Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers are an inseparable couple. Barbecue without wine seems to let the party down. Small sausages, prawns, corn kernels, tofu skin, green beans, and a variety of dishes, all spicy and fresh, satisfy different people's appetites.

Lemongrass Grilled Fish: Besides barbecue, this grilled fish is a must-order. Although the fish is not large, the aroma has already hooked the aunties. Because lemongrass is added to the fish, the fragrance is even fresher! After frying, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smooth and delicious, truly delightful. Sitting and having fun in such a music bar is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.

| Chapter Two: The Taste of Sichuan Cuisine on the Tongue, Unforgettable Yuan Gong

People say the leisure life in Chengdu is not about office buildings in Hi-Tech Zone, not about crowded Kuanzhai Alley, and not about street photography on Chunxi Road. Come to People's Park—this is the life Chengdu people most look forward to.

Chengdu People's Park / Chengdu People's Park

With a history of 100 years, People's Park, as a material and spiritual carrier, stores the real old Chengdu life. On weekends, People's Park becomes the busiest.

Chengdu People's Park

There are two old tea houses in the park: Yongju and Heming, among which Heming is the most famous. It was built in the 1920s, nearly a hundred years old, almost the same age as People's Park. Hence it is called Century-Old Heming. You must learn to "strike first," because Heming is always full. Once someone leaves, grab a seat immediately. After sitting down, aunty in blue-and-white porcelain style clothing will come to clean the table and let you order tea.

Chengdu People's Park

The playground is the place with the highest decibels. The noise of children playing and laughing is endless. Small train, carousel, roller coaster—every child and big child can find their source of joy.

Chengdu People's Park

But the most popular activity in People's Park is still rowing boats. The mottled little boats bear the childhood of Chengdu people since the last century. On sunny days, there are the most people, and you need to queue for rowing. Young parents bring their children to row, enjoying the happy family time. Of course, there are also couples on dates. In short, no matter who is on the boat, everyone is as happy as a child.

After touring the park, we planned to take the family to Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. A friend previously told me that this shop is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan restaurant, very popular and bustling. So today we specially came to taste it.

When we arrived, many people were already dining! The decoration of this shop is quite down-to-earth, with an antique environment that is very attractive. The atmosphere highlights old Chengdu characteristics. The private rooms, hall, and booths are all designed with style, decorated with flowers and plants, revealing a unique charm.

Many of the customers here are tourists visiting Chengdu. The dishes they order are very Chengdu-style: Maoxuewang, sliced chicken, and the signature rabbit are why I must visit. I haven't eaten such fresh, spicy, and numbing dishes for a long time. Big thumbs up!

Yuan Gong Sliced Chicken: The chicken slices are tender and delicate, taste great, with green onion and white scallion pieces, refreshing and tasty, drizzled with secret red chili oil, with just the right spiciness.

Longmen Hanging Meat: It looks like a whole piece of fried crispy meat. The little sister cuts it while saying auspicious words. The ritual feel is nice. The meat is tender, smooth, and even better dipped in chili powder.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: The tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with refreshing and juicy clams instantly elevates the texture and flavor. It's fragrant and spicy, super enjoyable.

Yuan Gong Braised Duck: The duck meat is tender and tasty, with a rich braised aroma. Especially the skin part is fragrant, smooth, and delicious, with an excellent texture.

Huoshui Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite large. The back of the fish is cut into slices to better absorb the flavor. The fish meat is white and delicate, and the celery and green pepper segments are particularly tasty. It is simply my favorite! Such deliciousness should not be missed. Action speaks louder than heartbeats.

| Chapter Two: Natural Humanities, Exquisite Sentiments—The Unique Charm of Jiaoliao

Jiaoliao—a place whose name makes you want to know more. The name comes from Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering": "The wren nests in the deep forest, but only occupies one branch; the mole drinks from the river, but only fills its belly." In this world of insatiable desires, we must not be too greedy. Try to be "one who, though the whole world praises him, does not become more diligent, and though the whole world condemns him, does not become discouraged; he defines the boundary between inner and outer, and discerns the realms of honor and disgrace." Perhaps such a state is really too difficult, which is why Jiaoliao exists, allowing us to slow down and put aside a corner of the world we chase.

Jiaoliao Hotel is a strong branch in this vast forest, seeking only freedom, unwilling to drag its tail in the mud. It absorbs the nourishment of old Chengdu culture, pursues "slow life" in the busy city, and returns to a natural state of living.

Pushing open the door, a corridor comes into view. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque with the words "Ride Things to Wandering Heart" (Cheng Wu Yi You Xin). This comes from Zhuangzi's "The World of Men." After understanding its meaning, one cannot help but admire the great wisdom of the old man Zhuangzi.

After entering the hotel, we looked around all four floors. The design and decoration of this hotel are really nice, giving a comfortable and relaxing feeling. During the tour, we found that every room has its own unique name, such as Yan Qian (Shallow Words), You Wei (Having Subtlety), Shi Wei (Hypocrisy of the World), etc. We planned to stay in Yan Qian, because when we first saw this name, my friend and I liked it very much. It seemed to contain deep meaning, leaving us endless imagination.

The security of this hotel is also very good. The guest rooms require swiping a card or opening by the butler to enter. After confirming our stay, the butler gave us a wren-shaped room card, which was cute and charming! Upon closer inspection, there is a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it was connected inside and out. When we called, the butler would put what we needed inside, and we could just take it. This design is very thoughtful, convenient without disturbing guests.

Although Jiaoliao looks ancient and simple from the outside, the items in the room are consistent with five-star hotels. For example, mattresses, linens, bathroom fixtures, and automatic toilets—the hardware facilities are superb. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged. Everything feels comfortable and convenient. All kinds of branded equipment invisibly reflect the hotel's high-end quality, making us fall in love with it! My friend kept saying that it is even more cozy than home.

After entering, we found that at the head of each bed, there is a deep-looking wren, gazing intently, as if thinking or listening. In each room, the wren's expression is different. We treated it as our listener, trying to talk to it. Those unspeakable troubles can all be poured out to this little creature that can only be felt but not put into words. After saying all the unhappiness, we felt much better inside.

On the TV wall, there is a large hand-embroidered Shu peony blooming, and a koi leaping on Shu brocade. Reaching out to touch them, we could not help but admire the skilled craftsmanship and ancient culture of our ancestors. Overall, the room is full of elements of Sichuan's traditional culture. While staying, you can also feel the cultural influence. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but a hotel with such thoughtful care is rare. This stay was definitely the right choice.

The room also provides four top-quality teas from Mengding Mountain. Drinking too many carbonated drinks usually feels heavy, so when we calmed down, we brewed a cup of tea and savored the gift of nature. Immediately, we felt refreshed and clear-minded.

My friend and I also found that the most considerate part of this hotel is not only the room configuration and decoration, but also the excellent butler service. They can customize travel routes for guests, make travel plans, and handle any issues encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast each morning can be customized, delivered to the room according to our taste and time. Lunch is enjoyed at Zifei, which is the first cultural restaurant in Kuanzhai Alley themed on Zhuangzi's culture. It combines culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances, taking you into a world of pavilions, ancient zithers, and opera songs. In the morning, opening the wooden window, breathing in the first breeze and first sunshine of Kuanzhai Alley, it is so refreshing and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the hotel's customized breakfast, feeling deeply moved.

After eating, we stood in the small garden breathing fresh air, admiring the clear night sky, brewing a cup of hot tea, and exploring the stories of time in this ancient alley from up close.

Looking carefully, we noticed a spider weaving its web on the opposite roof, and a falling leaf on the table... Look, everything is striving to grow!

In the busy and noisy city, there is always a place of leisure, comfort, and relaxation for your body and mind.