Take You on a Journey | Chengdu, a Culinary Journey with Poetry and Distant Horizons

About Chengdu, every visit has countless reasons, such as missing Chengdu's 'gourmet food' and its 'slow pace'. The song 'Chengdu' became a hit nationwide, making Chengdu appear more vividly in our minds. Of course, I am no exception; I would go to a place because of a song, seeking its unique charm, and also unexpectedly find a different side of it. For instance, this time, I went to Chengdu, strolling through its streets. What I cannot take away is not only you, but also your flavor, and those unforgettable stories. This time, I stayed at Home Inns & Metropark in Chengdu, where I could relax and enjoy the summer freely! Following Home Inns & Metropark's Urban Relaxation Guide, I explored the possibilities of life in Chengdu and unlocked different ways to play. Free summer, Go travel now! Embark on a culinary journey!

Chengdu snacks have a long history, with countless delicious foods lining the streets, rich in strong local characteristics. Hotpot, snacks, skewers... these are as renowned nationwide as Sichuan cuisine. They hold a significant place in the treasure trove of China's culinary heritage. For native Chengdu residents, food has long been an indispensable part of life. If you come to Chengdu without indulging in some food, it feels like entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed. From various noodle dishes to wontons and dumplings, from glutinous rice cakes and tangyuan to banquet pastries, from cold appetizers to hot drinks and soups, from pan-fried and oil-grilled to steamed, baked, and roasted—all kinds of fancy foods offer a mix of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors with vibrant colors. Whether traditional or modern, I believe Chengdu people's preservation and innovation in cooking methods are among the reasons for Chengdu cuisine's enduring popularity.

The first smell you encounter upon arriving in Chengdu is definitely the aroma of hotpot. Hotpot is absolutely indispensable in the life of Chengdu residents and is also the first impression outsiders have of Chengdu. In the eyes of Chengdu people, there is nothing a hotpot meal cannot solve. Hotpot restaurants of all sizes compete with each other, each with its unique merits. It's no exaggeration to say that if you take a map of Chengdu and randomly point at a few landmarks, you might hit several hotpot restaurants. The spicy and rich broth is the essence of authentic Chengdu hotpot, with the flavor evolving from a single spicy and numbing taste to鸳鸯 (Yuanyang) hotpot, three-flavor and four-flavor hotpots, as well as medicinal hotpot, fish head hotpot, etc.

When mentioning Chengdu, we not only think of hotpot but also a similar food: skewers (chuanchuan). Although skewers are also a form of hotpot, in Chengdu, skewers are even more popular than traditional hotpot. In recent years, skewers have spread from Sichuan to the whole country, and 'malatang' is also a variant. Across the country, whether in alleys and streets or shopping malls, we can see 'malatang' everywhere, especially near schools where several shops might open side by side. But when we truly come to Chengdu, we find that the 'malatang' here is very different from what we eat in our own cities.

In every alley and street of Chengdu, you can encounter many delicious foods and interesting snacks at any time. As a paradise for foodies, it would take several days and nights to taste everything. It is said that a city that understands food understands life better. In Chengdu, eating is satisfying (bashi), and the locals live comfortably (anyi). The spicy flavors in the streets and alleys are full of the warmth of everyday life. A city of gastronomy, with details revealing people's care and craftsmanship for food. In turn, food constantly soothes people's anxiety and loneliness, helping them maintain inner fulfillment through three meals a day.

Whether you are traveling or staying at home, 'shopping' is definitely a must. 'Shopping' and 'eating while shopping'—even if you are lying in bed, most people probably pick up their phones to browse the virtual 'street' online. For this editor who loves traveling, 'shopping' is essential every time I visit a city. Next, let me talk about the three most famous streets in Chengdu. One is 'the most commercial,' one is 'the most down-to-earth,' and one is 'the most artistic.'

As the saying goes, 'If you haven't been to Chunxi Road, you haven't been to Chengdu!' When mentioning Chengdu, you must mention Chunxi Road. I believe many people are impressed by the giant panda climbing the building on IFS. As a landmark of Chengdu, Chunxi Road is not only the most prosperous comprehensive commercial circle but also a sentiment people have towards Chengdu. It is Chengdu's fashion bulletin board, its pop culture station, and synonymous with Chengdu's charm. In 2005, Chunxi Road, known as the top commercial street in central and western China, the premier business hub in the region, and the golden street of Chengdu, ranked in the top three of the 'China Commercial Street Ranking,' second only to Hong Kong and Shanghai's Nanjing Road. For out-of-towners visiting Chengdu, not visiting Chunxi Road would be a great regret!

Second, Jinli Ancient Street

In Chengdu, there is also a street that adds brilliance—a historical district that 'came out of nothing'—Jinli Ancient Street, located on the east side of Wuhou Shrine. If you have a friend from Chengdu, they will surely say, 'Don't go, Jinli is not worth visiting; the food there is just for tourists.' But if you are an out-of-towner visiting Chengdu, don't listen to your friend—you must go to Jinli Ancient Street. Because it is a microcosm of old Chengdu, the most 'down-to-earth' place, and the 'most Chengdu' place.

Legend has it that Jinli was one of the oldest and most commercial streets in the history of Western Shu, known nationwide as early as the Qin, Han, and Three Kingdoms periods. Here you can find well-arranged blue-tiled buildings, rich and authentic Chengdu cuisine, profound and pure ancient Shu culture, and simple and lovely Chengdu residents. Strolling through it gives you a sense of time travel. Jinli Ancient Street solidifies the influence of Three Kingdoms culture into a lively folk marketplace, complementing Wuhou Shrine inside and out, making the solemn and dignified Prime Minister's Temple exude a vibrant contemporary atmosphere, earning it the reputation of 'Chengdu's version of the Qingming Festival by the Riverside.'

Third, Kuanzhai Alley

Compared with the 'down-to-earth' Jinli, Kuanzhai Alley appears more 'petite bourgeoisie and artistic.' Actually, it may not be quite appropriate to call Kuanzhai Alley a street because it is a district, somewhat different from the streets we imagine. Kuanzhai Alley is a relatively well-preserved Qing Dynasty ancient street left in Chengdu, consisting of Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, Jing Alley, and the imitation ancient courtyard houses with blue brick and tiles in between. I believe every tourist visiting Chengdu will come here to check in!

It is called 'the most artistic' because its existence represents the restoration of the collective memory of Chengdu's old town and the reshaping of its folk soul. Look at the elderly playing chess under the shade of trees, tourists sitting on bamboo armchairs enjoying ear cleaning, and inside there are luxurious mid-to-high-end restaurants and bars... Here, you can see the mottled traces of time recorded by ancient buildings and feel the modern fashion deep within the courtyards. Here, you can slow down, relax, and personally experience the perfect blend of ancient and modern, as well as the past and present of time's flow.

Chengdu · Museums

1. Chengdu Museum

Chengdu Museum is located on the west side of Tianfu Square in the city center, adjacent to Sichuan Provincial Library, Sichuan Art Museum, and Sichuan Science and Technology Museum. It covers an area of about 17 mu (about 1.13 hectares) with a total building area of 65,000 square meters, making it the largest comprehensive museum in Chengdu. Take the subway to Tianfu Square Station, then take the elevator to the ground square; the black building on the west side is Chengdu Museum. As you ascend the steps, you can see the main building is divided into two parts: the south building is mainly for administrative use (tourists can store luggage, etc.) with an academic lecture hall (multi-function hall) underground; the north building is mainly for exhibition, with the first floor housing the lobby, screening room, and No. 1 temporary exhibition hall.

Chengdu Museum is like a book—an encyclopedia of this city, detailing the development and changes of this historical and cultural city. Sichuan Provincial Museum is also like a book, but it is not an encyclopedia exclusive to one city; it is an encyclopedia of the province, detailing the development and changes of the Chengdu Plain.

2. Sichuan Museum

Sichuan Museum is located in the Huanhuaxi Historical and Cultural Scenic Area of Chengdu. It was first established in 1941, then called Sichuan Museum, renamed West Sichuan Museum at the end of 1950, officially named Sichuan Provincial Museum in 1952, and in 2009, with the completion of the new building, it was officially renamed Sichuan Museum. It is the largest comprehensive museum in Southwest China and a national first-class museum.

The museum houses over 260,000 cultural relics, including more than 50,000 precious ones. It currently has 14 exhibition halls, including 10 permanent exhibitions on calligraphy and painting, ceramics, bronzes, ethnic artifacts, arts and crafts, Tibetan Buddhism, Wanfo Temple stone carvings, Zhang Daqian's paintings, Han Dynasty pottery and stone art, and 4 temporary exhibition halls for various temporary exhibitions, comprehensively reflecting the glorious history of Sichuan's Ba-Shu culture. The exquisite exhibits with strong regional cultural characteristics give it an important position among public museums nationwide.

3. Jinsha Site Museum

Jinsha Site is located at No. 2 Jinsha Site Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan. It is a site from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, with important remains including large building foundations, a sacrificial area, general residential areas, and large cemeteries. Numerous precious artifacts have been unearthed, including gold, bronze, jade, stone, ivory, and lacquerware, as well as tens of thousands of pottery shards, tons of ivory, and thousands of wild boar tusks and antlers. It is considered the site with the richest gold and jade artifacts and the densest ivory in the world, and the longest-lasting, best-preserved ancient sacrificial remains with the richest sacrificial relics and artifacts in China.

The Jinsha Site is a major archaeological discovery, the first major archaeological find of the 21st century in China, and another major discovery in Sichuan after Sanxingdui. It was selected as one of the 'Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of 2001 in China.' As archaeologists continue to excavate, its mystery has gradually been unveiled. It was the capital of the ancient Shu kingdom, a center of ancient civilization on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River from the 12th to the 7th century BC, dating back about 3,200 to 2,600 years, pushing Chengdu's history as a city from 2,300 years ago to about 3,000 years ago.

Travel is about going from a place you're tired of to a place others are tired of. This trip to explore Chengdu was not only about finding delicious food and discovering the city's uniqueness but also about saving more time to explore. So this time, I chose to stay at the Home Inn Plus Hotel (Chengdu People's Park Metro Station Tianfu Square Branch). First, its location is excellent, in the well-connected city center, close to People's Park Station, making it very convenient to reach various destinations. Second, every trip requires good food and good accommodation. As one of the 'Rest Assured Hotels,' Home Inn Plus Hotel has various safety measures that ensure absolute peace of mind. So choosing Home Inn Plus this time was a habitual choice, trusting it to give me a home-like feeling in an unfamiliar city. Additionally, Home Inns & Metropark has launched a series of activities called '17 Cities Happy Hotel Summer' for the summer vacation. Don't miss out if you want to travel around!