Latest Chengdu Travel Guide, Food Recommendations, and Accommodation Recommendation for August 2020 - Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel (Shaanxi Street Branch)
Chengdu, one of China's top ten ancient capitals, its long-standing food culture endows this city with unique charm and soul. Even walking on the streets, you can occasionally smell the enticing aroma of hotpot. Malatang, hotpot, grilled meat, skewers... all the Sichuan cuisine you can think of is here. For a true foodie who loves Sichuan food, it's like entering a 'food paradise,' full of happiness.
In ancient times, Chengdu was known as the 'Land of Abundance.' Today, Chengdu is a modern international metropolis with towering skyscrapers and top international brands. Walking through the bustling streets, you can see faces of different colors. Here, there are beautiful natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, tempting Sichuan cuisine, and the beloved giant pandas... There's always a reason to like this city.
Since this trip had ample time, the itinerary wasn't too packed. I just wanted to eat and play slowly, to my heart's content.
D1: Kuanzhai Alley - Taikoo Li
D2: Jinli - Wuhou Shrine - Du Fu Thatched Cottage
D3: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
D4: Mount Qingcheng
D5: Dujiangyan
D1 Kuanzhai Alley - Taikoo Li
Activities: Kuanzhai Alley - Taikoo Li
Food: Jiyu Thai Seafood Hotpot (Taikoo Li branch), Oyster Hero (Taikoo Li branch)
Accommodation: Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel (Shaanxi Street Branch)
Kuanzhai Alley is one of the must-visit places in Chengdu. It consists of three parallel alleys: Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, and Jing Alley. The buildings imitate Qing Dynasty courtyard houses, giving a unique charm. On both sides of the alleys stand various specialty shops offering food, cultural creative products, and traditional culture displays. Even the panda graffiti on the walls is incredibly cute.
Address: Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Opening hours: All day
Transportation: Metro Line 4, Kuanzhai Alley Station
A representative view of Zhai Alley: 'Zhai Alley Huimou'
Taikoo Li feels similar to Taikoo Li in Beijing. I just strolled around and didn't take many photos. The main reason for coming here was to eat, so let's focus on the food.
Food recommendation: Jiyu Thai Seafood Hotpot (Taikoo Li branch)
Jiyu Thai Seafood Hotpot (Taikoo Li branch)
Address: No. 169 Xia Dongda Street, Chengdu, at the 1st entrance of Jingronghui Phase 2 Yangzhan Exhibition
Transportation: Metro Line 2/3, Chunxi Road Station, Exit B, 380m walk
This hotpot restaurant is extremely popular at Taikoo Li. Originating from Phuket, Thailand, it features an eye-catching INS-style duplex dining space with fresh and simple color schemes, surrounded by greenery and an artistic layout. Every corner exudes visual comfort.
We ordered the signature fresh ingredient Tom Yum Kung pot. They crack open a coconut, pour the fresh coconut juice into the broth, add a mix of fresh ingredients, and after boiling, the broth is rich in flavor, smooth, and layered. For dipping sauces, besides classic Thai and signature lemon mint, they also offer local favorites like secret Sichuan millet pepper and Sichuan dry spice.
All seafood and spices are air-shipped daily from Thailand. Shrimp paste, fish paste, and luncheon meat are made fresh by hand. The crab, abalone, and shrimp are especially fresh—the crab and abalone are alive, and after cooking, they taste incredibly fresh.
The restaurant has an unlimited free area. If you order a set meal based on the number of diners, desserts, snacks, and staples are unlimited. I highly recommend a few high-value sweet treats and staples: lava cake, coconut bowl, mango sticky rice, and rabbit pudding.
Also, the service from the waitresses is super attentive—they help peel shrimp and even hold a light for you when taking photos. I really love this place.
Food recommendation: Oyster Hero·Self-service Grilled Oyster Shop
Oyster Hero·Self-service Grilled Oyster Shop
Address: 2nd Floor, No. 25附23, Section 4, Hongxing Road, Chengdu
Transportation: Metro Line 2/3, Chunxi Road Station, Exit E2, 500m walk
If you like oysters, you absolutely cannot miss Oyster Hero in Chengdu. It's very close to Taikoo Li, convenient for a stroll. Group purchase price is only 98 yuan per person. Besides grilled oysters, other meats and seafood are unlimited, including scallops, sea clams, fresh shrimp, clams, ribs, squid, chicken wings, etc. You'll definitely eat to your heart's content. Also, there's a self-service area for various fruits, desserts, and snacks—all free.
All seafood is cleaned and shucked in an open kitchen, layered with ice, so freshness is guaranteed. Before grilling, you can get a pot of steamed oysters, open the shells, dip in sauce, and start eating while waiting. The fresh oysters are large, with thick meat and generous portions, topped with a secret garlic sauce. After grilling, the meat is tender and flavorful.
The shop's style is fresh, simple, and artistic. The green leather seats are comfortable. The staff are diligent, helping with grilling and offering tips, and are very friendly. They clean the tables promptly, keeping everything tidy. The exhaust system is good, so you don't have to worry about smoke or oil smells.
Accommodation: Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel (Shaanxi Street Branch)
Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel is located in the city center at Shaanxi Street, southwest of Tianfu Square. It's about 930m from Metro Lines 1 and 2, 327m from People's Park, 350m from the famous He Ming Teahouse (inside People's Park), 290m from the trotter food street, 1.3km from Kuanzhai Alley, 1.8km from Wuhou Shrine and Jinli, 1.6km from Chunxi Road, and 2.5km from Taikoo Li. The location is excellent with convenient transportation. Nearby are educational institutions, key schools, high-end businesses, office buildings, including the Education Department, Human Resources and Social Security Department, Public Security Department, Shishi Middle School, City Heart, Renhe Spring, etc., all within walking distance.
The hotel has over 90 guest rooms. Within the hotel grounds is a provincial-level cultural relic—the Shaanxi Guild Hall, built during the Kangxi period, with a calligraphy plaque by Yu Youren. Over 300 years old, the ancient architectural style blends with modern fashion, full of the charm of ancient Shu culture, allowing you to sleep in a classical Chinese garden courtyard, enjoying tranquility amid the hustle and bustle, elegant and refined.
Address: No. 130 Shaanxi Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu [Tianfu Square/Yanshi Kou Commercial Area, Kuanzhai Alley/Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital area]
Transportation: Metro Line 2, People's Park Station, Exit E, 560m walk
D2 Jinli - Wuhou Shrine - Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Activities: Jinli - Wuhou Shrine - Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Food: Malubianbian (Zhimin Road branch), Yufu Yuzi (Zhimin Road branch)
Accommodation: Chengdu Ximu Shanju Hotel (Shaanxi Street Branch)
Address: No. 231 Wuhouci Street, Chengdu
Opening hours: All day
Transportation: Bus routes 1, 57, 304, 306, 335 go directly
Jinli is one of the oldest and most commercial streets in Western Shu history, famous since the Qin, Han, and Three Kingdoms periods. It's a 550-meter-long street themed around the lifestyle of the Ming and Qing dynasties in western Sichuan, combining Three Kingdoms culture with Chengdu folk customs, showcasing the unique essence of Chengdu culture. Lotus ponds, study halls, Sichuan opera face-changing, cultural creative shops, inns, and snacks attract a continuous stream of tourists all year round.
Wuhou Shrine is the most famous memorial site for Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, and heroes of the Shu Han, and the most influential Three Kingdoms museum in China. It is also the only joint temple in China where a monarch and his ministers are worshipped together. It stands like a historical monument recording the Three Kingdoms period over 1,700 years ago. Wuhou Shrine is adjacent to Jinli, so you can visit both on the same day.
Address: No. 231 Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Opening hours: Summer: 7:30~21:00, Winter: 8:00~18:30
Tickets: Adults 60 yuan, Students 30 yuan
Transportation: Bus routes 1, 10, 57, 82, 301, 334, 335, 123, 521, 901, 904
Address: No. 37 Qinghua Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu
Opening hours: (May~October): 8:00~18:30, (November~April next year): 8:00~18:00
Transportation: Bus routes 19, 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 309, 319
Du Fu Thatched Cottage is hailed as the 'Sacred Land in Chinese Literary History.' It was the residence of Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu after he fled to Shu to escape the An Lushan Rebellion. He lived here for four years and wrote over 240 poems.
Despite his own poverty, he harbored aspirations to help the world, linking his personal suffering with the people's hardships and the nation's crises, elevating it to a noble sentiment of concern for the country and its people, an inexhaustible source for his poetry.
The thatched cottage, red walls, grey tiles, green bamboo, and epic hall... quiet and elegant, exuding an ancient literary atmosphere. Walking around, rereading poems from my school textbooks in the epic hall evokes a sense of familiarity, as if memories are reawakened.
Food recommendation: Yufu Yuzi Pebble Fish Hotpot (Zhimin Road)
Yufu Yuzi Pebble Fish Hotpot (Zhimin Road direct branch)
Address: No. 48附2 Zhimin Road, Chengdu
Transportation: Metro Line 3, Xin'nanmen Station, Exit B, 190m walk
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30-24:00
This place is famous for its unique pebble fish hotpot, attracting many customers. The shop has a traditional Shu fishing village style, vintage and solemn. Old wooden doors and windows, hanging bamboo hats, straw rain capes, black-and-white photo frames—all elements exude a simple and natural warmth, making you feel like you've entered a fisherman's home for a delicious fish feast.
At the entrance, a row of glass fish tanks holds different fish species such as silver carp, triangular bream, naked carp, long-snout catfish, and red sand fish. You can choose according to your preference. The live fish are freshly killed and sliced for the table, ensuring perfect freshness. The tables and chairs are made of bamboo, and the table has a rotating tray specifically for snacks—a thoughtful detail.
Let's talk about the most distinctive pebble pot base, symbolizing 'stone brings good luck.' There are three flavors: classic spicy red pot, traditional sauerkraut pot, and lemon ginger pot (if you don't eat spicy, you can choose the lemon ginger pot). The server brings a iron pot with pebbles heated to over 300 degrees, puts in the fresh fish slices, pours in the broth, covers it, and after a few minutes, it's ready to eat. The fish slices cooked with pebbles, paired with special dipping sauce, are tender, smooth, and delicious.
Besides fish, various snacks and cold dishes are highly recommended: honey cherry tomatoes, small crispy fish, farm-style cold jelly, orange steamed buns, purple rice glutinous rice cake, honey pickled radish, and red oil chicken feet.
Food recommendation: Malubianbian Malatang (Zhimin Road branch)
Malubianbian Malatang (Zhimin Road branch)
I've eaten at other branches before, but this is my first time tasting the authentic Chengdu flavor.
Address: No. 48 Zhimin Road, Chengdu (Metro Line 3, Xin'nanmen Station, Exit B)
Transportation: Metro Line 3, Xin'nanmen Station, Exit B, 170m walk
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00-01:00 next day
I knew this place was popular. To avoid the crowd, my friend and I arrived early at 4 PM. The shop's design has a strong nostalgic feel: blue-painted wooden tables and chairs, grey cement walls, red slogans, a small shop, old-fashioned street lamps and bulbs... In the bustling, lively space, three or five friends sit around small square tables, chatting while enjoying hot, delicious food. The fiery red pot bubbles, the aroma of skewers wafts... The scene feels like a trip back to the warm, slow-paced childhood, happy and joyful.
A huge selection of skewers is in the refrigerated section, neatly arranged. Seafood, meatballs, meats, vegetables, and more—plenty of choices. After eating, the skewers are weighed for payment. Besides skewers, there are also a la carte items. I highly recommend their fragrant beef, brain flower, hotpot noodles, potato slices, and ice jelly. Plus, a big bottle of soy milk to soothe the spice—extremely satisfying.
D3 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Activities: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Food: Chengdu Chike (Zhimin Road branch)
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Address: No. 1375 Panda Avenue, North, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Opening hours: 07:30~18:00
Tickets: Adults 52 yuan, Students 27 yuan
Transportation: Take bus routes 1, 49, 53, 63, 64, 69, 71, 83 to Qinglongchang Bus Center, then transfer to bus 198 or 87 to reach the base.
Visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in summer to see the long-awaited 'national treasure' pandas. They are the most adorable animals, captivating fans worldwide. Giant pandas naturally have eye makeup, and their round bodies make climbing trees look like agile little fat guys. Red pandas look like cats but are bigger, with long, ringed tails—very striking.
The base is 10 km from the city center with convenient transportation. Taking a taxi is more convenient. Tickets can be purchased in advance, and you can enter by scanning a QR code at the entrance.
Note: You must get up early. We arrived a little after 11 AM, and many pandas were already asleep.
Food recommendation: Chengdu Chike (Zhimin Road branch)
Chengdu Chike (Zhimin Road branch)
The dishes are very authentic and very Chengdu, with new dishes introduced regularly.
Address: No. 48 Zhimin Road, Chengdu
Transportation: Metro Line 3, Xin'nanmen Station, Exit B, 180m walk
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00
Yuanyang Boiled Beef: Two flavors, half spicy and half not. When served, hot oil is poured over the beef, making it sizzle and release a spicy aroma. The beef is exceptionally good.
Special Grilled Fish Slices: Generous portions. Unlike traditional grilled fish slices, these are served skewered and soaked in a sauce. The meat is tender, smooth, fresh, and not too spicy as expected. I was too busy eating to ask about the specific preparation.
Sauerkraut Fish Soup: Comes free with the grilled fish slices. Sour, fresh, and appetizing.
Leek Dipping Duck Intestines: The intestines are very clean, dipped in a secret leek sauce, with no fishy taste. When first served, I almost mistook it for cold noodles.
Kong Gan Fan: Kong Gan Fan originates from Sichuan dialect, a regional dietary memory with a history of over 2,000 years. Cooked rice mixed with diced potatoes, cowpeas, carrots, and cured meat—very flavorful. I ate two bowls myself.
Sichuan Pepper Sucking Chicken Feet: Soft and sticky chicken feet that melt in your mouth.
Ba Ba Duck Head: A duck head so spicy it might make you cry. Very spicy and addictive—be cautious if you can't handle spicy food.
Brown Sugar Tofu Pudding: Topped with soft-cooked red beans, paired with sweet tofu pudding—delicious.
D4 Mount Qingcheng
Activities: Mount Qingcheng
Food: Mount Qingcheng Town
Accommodation: Zitong Xiaoyuan (Purple Copper Small Courtyard) in Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng is the birthplace of Taoism in China, one of the top ten scenic spots in Chengdu. The mountains are interlocking, forests lush and green, 'naturally moist without rain, naturally cool without wind,' earning the reputation of 'Mount Qingcheng's quietness under heaven.' It is also one of Chengdu's popular summer retreats.
Address: Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Opening hours: 08:00~19:00
Tickets: Adults 80 yuan
Transportation: Take a bullet train from Xipu Station to Mount Qingcheng Station
Visiting Mount Qingcheng on a rainy day,
I specifically chose the 'Front Mountain' route, which takes less time,
Walking through the misty mountains,
The overcast light makes it dimmer,
Climbing up the wet, narrow stone steps,
Feeling the poetic 'winding path leading to a secluded spot,'
After reaching the highest peak, Laojun Pavilion (1260m),
The wind blows the clouds away, revealing the beautiful contours of the mountains,
I love the wonders of nature,
Not only for its inherent beauty,
But also for the little surprises it bestows.
Dujiangyan Mount Qingcheng Zitong Xiaoyuan
This inn is in the town. After booking online, contact the owner in advance, and they will pick you up from the Mount Qingcheng high-speed rail station. They also provide free rides to Mount Qingcheng. The inn is cozy, clean, and comfortable. One great thing about staying here is having access to the town's night market.
D5 Dujiangyan
Activities: Dujiangyan
Food: Dejiner Braised Kebabs (Xiangshulin branch)
Address: Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Opening hours: Winter: 8:00-17:30, Other seasons: 8:00-18:00
Tickets: Adults 80 yuan
Transportation: Taxi, Mount Qingcheng to Dujiangyan (cost 34 yuan)
Dujiangyan is an ecological water conservancy project built in 256 BC. It is the oldest large-scale water conservancy project in the world, continuously providing flood control and irrigation for over 2,000 years. Its completion turned the ancient Sichuan Basin from flood-prone, barren hills and wilderness into the later Land of Abundance.
Marco Polo wrote in his travelogue: 'The water of Dujiang is very swift, with many fish, and many boats travel up and down, carrying goods.' This vividly depicts the prosperity along the Dujiangyan riverbanks in ancient times.
Food recommendation: Dejiner Braised Kebabs (Xiangshulin branch)
Dejiner Braised Kebabs (Xiangshulin branch)
Address: No. 75, Floor -1, Xiangguo Li Food Plaza, No. 23, East Xiangshulin Road, Chengdu
The restaurant is beautifully decorated, with a quiet atmosphere. Large floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious and comfortable dining space, innovative dishes, and a wide variety of drinks.
Unlike traditional grilled meat, all the meat here is hung in a large jar, covered, and slow-braised. The bottom of the jar has charcoal, ensuring even heating, locking in moisture and aroma, and being environmentally friendly. The resulting skewers are exceptionally delicious.
Pickled Chicken Feet: Top recommendation. Well-marinated, firm texture, addictive.
Clothesline Potato Shreds: Very long potato shreds hung on a special wooden rack. They are crispy, sweet, and sour with a hint of spiciness.
Black Pepper Beef Short Ribs: Braised short ribs, locked in moisture, with an excellent texture.
Finger-licking French Lamb Chops: Selected lamb, perfectly cooked, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
February Melon: Crisp and refreshing, with a slight sweetness.
Mushrooms: Thick and juicy, delicious.
Additionally, there are three types of dipping sauces for different grilled ingredients.
I love this feeling: drinking beer, eating small skewers, and feeling the slow pace of life.
Chengdu truly is a city you don't want to leave once you visit.
