Authentic Chengdu Flavor: 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, Kuan Alley, and Zhai Alley. Here, you can experience the local street life of this city.

Kuanzhai Alley has always been a symbol of a leisurely and comfortable lifestyle. Some say Kuanzhai Alley is like Beijing's Nanluoguxiang, but in my opinion, Nanluoguxiang has an ancient and traditional charm, while Kuanzhai Alley is leisurely and舒缓. However, both share one common feature: they are filled with many specialty snacks. The local famous foods here will definitely satisfy your appetite!

Because Kuanzhai Alley preserves too much of old Chengdu culture, when you stroll through it, you will see a blend of history and modern fashion. Surprisingly, this doesn't feel disharmonious at all; instead, it creates a wonderful sensation. The rows of walls built with bricks from different eras, along with the relief-like paintings of old street life, make Chengdu's afternoon leisurely and beautiful.

When you come to Kuanzhai Alley, don't say you're just here to see the scenery without eating anything—I'm afraid you'd be embarrassed to say you've visited Kuanzhai Alley. There are so many Chengdu snacks here that you can indulge yourself. I love all kinds of wontons—sweet, salty, numbing, spicy—superb taste and very cheap. Mom's Rabbit Head, diced rabbit, street-side chuan chuan, guokui, Zhong Shui Jiao, and Bo Bo Ji are all quite good. I also recommend the sweet noodles here; they suit my taste perfectly, delicious and affordable, really great.

Strolling around Kuanzhai Alley and feeling its charm, you'll find that here you can slowly enjoy a tranquility that is hard to find in daily life. Sipping a cup of tea while eating Chengdu's specialty snacks—this might be true enjoyment.

In ancient times, there was a saying, 'The wren builds its nest in the deep forest'; now, there is 'The wren builds its nest in Kuanzhai.' Speaking of Kuanzhai Alley, this is a bustling area of Chengdu. From ancient times to the present, dignitaries have settled here, and even ordinary people hang around here often.

Today, tourists and pedestrians come in an endless stream. From afar, you can smell the aromas of snacks drifting from every corner of the alley, and you can hear the voices of vendors, their cries rising and falling as they promote their goods.

The Jiaoliao Humanistic Boutique Hotel, nestled in a peaceful corner amidst the hustle and bustle, perches delicately and modestly within the Kuanzhai Alley scenic area—at No. 28 Kuan Alley. The hotel is near Metro Line 4. It is about 19 kilometers from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, about a 40-minute drive. Nearby are famous attractions like Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli, Tianfu Square, and Chunxi Road.

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

Before coming, we had already inquired about the origin of the hotel's name. It is said that 'Jiaoliao' is originally a kind of bird, from Zhuangzi's line: 'The wren nests in the deep forest, content with but a single branch.' This embodies a philosophy of casting aside worldly distractions, guarding the true heart, returning to nature, and achieving free and easy poetic dwelling, as well as a philosophy of returning to nature and staying away from the clamor.

This time, instead of nesting in the deep forest, Jiaoliao chose this alley full of the breath of human life, located on a long street crowded with visitors, creating a haven of urban nature for travelers from afar.

Amid the noisy crowd, we pushed open this old, heavy door. The first thing that came into view was the main entrance. On the screen doors on both sides were hollow-carved patterns, including bat motifs, symbolizing blessings and happiness. Two bats at the corners had water ripple patterns above them, meaning 'blessings as vast as the East Sea.' The bat on the central axis represented 'blessings descending from heaven.' Together with the middle one, they formed the 'Five Blessings Arriving at the Door.' It is hoped that every honored guest here will enjoy longevity, a good end, wealth, health, and virtue.

Passing through the courtyard and into the corridor, we saw a bamboo, a tile, flowing water, and rockery, giving a feeling of primitive elegance and classic beauty, as if entering a parallel space separate from the world's prosperity—separated by just one wall. My companion, as if on a roll, kept exclaiming how beautiful it was, constantly taking photos, happy as a child.

Entering the lobby and looking around carefully, the entire hotel's decoration style is full of the characteristics and elegance of Sichuan folk houses. The antique, simple imitation Qing dynasty architecture combines movement and stillness, revealing the essence of landscape in every inch. It seems the owner of this hotel put a lot of effort into such exquisite decoration; no wonder it's so popular.

As we passed through the corridor, the parrots hanging on both sides, jumping up and down, became unusually lively because of our arrival, chirping incessantly, which amused my friend. It seemed the birds were also welcoming our stay!

The hotel's blue bricks and black tiles interact with the birds' chirping—one movement, one stillness—complementing the hotel's design style, creating a mutual reflection. Both movement and stillness are concretely manifested.

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

The 'stillness' is embodied in the antique, imitation Qing courtyard houses with blue-black bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree exudes tranquility, every bamboo and stone brings elegance, establishing a quiet and leisurely life tone, allowing one to wander freely and enjoy absolute freedom.

Passing through the corridor, we arrived at the accommodation area. Entering the guest room, we found that the materials used were all natural, solid raw wood. The room also featured Shu embroidery—one of the four famous embroidery styles—and a traditional rice pounding mortar, fully interpreting the original meaning of 'returning to simplicity.'

Observing carefully, we noticed that the hardware facilities in the room were also of high quality. Whether it was the sanitary ware, the fully intelligent induction toilet, or the mattress, they were all configured according to the top standards of international five-star hotels. Understated luxury exudes a high-end atmosphere. This level of configuration far surpasses other hotels—how could our group not be tempted?

Inheriting the culture of Laozi and Zhuangzi, creating high-end facilities, neither vulgar nor detached from the world. The Jiaoliao Hotel allows you to find the perfect balance between bustling excitement and peaceful seclusion, enabling you to enjoy both the tranquility beyond the mundane and the convenience of urban life—all for your unique experience.

Speaking of Sichuan, one must not forget the home of giant pandas—the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Many people love the adorable and clumsy appearance of giant pandas. Before, we could only see pandas online. When browsing pictures of pandas, we found them really soft, cute, and lovely. This time, coming to the panda base, knowing we would see real giant pandas, we were especially excited. After all, they are our national treasure. 'Serving the country by being cute'—that's the true power of panda cubs.

At this base, you will see many giant pandas—it's a completely different feeling from browsing pictures online!

The panda cubs here enjoy a national treasure-level treatment. The environment is fully simulated to replicate pandas' wild habitat.

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

Most notably, 'Panda Villas' have been built for them. These are also their daily leisure and entertainment spaces. When the weather is cool, panda cubs play here; some stroll leisurely in the yard, others roll on the ground—such a carefree and happy scene!

Visitors can watch the adorable pandas from behind railings. When it's hot, the pandas wisely hide in their rest areas, and visitors can only watch them snoring through the glass.

In short, when you come to Sichuan, you must check in at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The pandas here are in all kinds of poses—everything you want to see is here.

The national treasure giant pandas are truly adorable—clumsy, cute, free, and happy. Suddenly, I find myself envying these pandas. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not the only one who thinks so!

Red and Hot Eating Chuan Chuan

Located just a few minutes' walk from Huazhaobi Metro Exit A, Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan has a very eye-catching signboard. When I walked in, I felt the style was unique, with a particularly Chinese vibe—quite interesting.

I must say their storefront decoration is very grand. Inside, there are square and proper tables with enough spacing, so it doesn't feel cramped. Sitting inside is very comfortable.

The serving speed is quite fast. I have to mention that their chuan chuan is a cold-pot type—you choose your ingredients, and the shop cooks them and brings them to you directly. No need to worry if the food is cooked; just eat as soon as it arrives—very convenient.

The dry dipping powder is their specialty. It tastes great, with lots of crushed peanuts on top—it feels really good. My friend especially loved it; she even wanted to ask the shop about the exact seasoning of this dry powder, but that's impossible—the shop won't reveal it. The dry powder is good, but for someone like me who doesn't eat very spicy food, it's not very suitable. For those who love spicy food, this is your dipping weapon!

Of course, they don't just have chuan chuan; bowl dishes are also their specialty. Many small bowl dishes taste quite good. Recommended must-order dishes: Spicy Hot Pot Noodles (Mao Huoguo Fen) are really delicious and very flavorful. Every strand of noodle is soaked in the broth—the taste is absolutely amazing, no words can describe it!

The Spicy Mashed Potatoes (Mao Tu Dou Tuo Tuo) are my favorite—not too spicy, and the potatoes paired with those seasonings are incredibly tasty. The potatoes are neither too hard nor too soft—perfect texture. After eating one bowl, you'll want a second.

My first time eating rabbit kidney was at Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan. Unexpectedly, the rabbit kidney tasted very good, even a little better than I imagined. Tender texture, one bite each—absolutely delightful.

After finishing the chuan chuan, I had some ice jelly to cut the grease. Life is really wonderful!