Chengdu, What I Miss Is Your Lively Atmosphere

Chengdu is not a place that dampens your willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason for indulgence is that you cannot resist the city's wild imagination. Its beauty lies in innocence, and the men, women, old, and young living here all have a charming and irresistible sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play mahjong; if they love eating small chili peppers, they eat small chili peppers. People from Sichuan have a certain spirit—calm, fearless, and neither humble nor arrogant, living their beloved little life. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, I'd say I like the lively atmosphere of Chengdu.

Chengdu people love food, and Chengdu is the city of gastronomy! The best feelings in life are surely hidden in journeys. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and the myriad flavors of life, but my journey has only one flavor: the fragrance of food. So I came to Chengdu, the city where delicious food is everywhere!

Yuangang, Yuangang, destiny brings tribute, with red plaques and gold characters, instantly striking my heart. The moon-white verses on the ground also hint at the theme of 'destiny.' It seems that this restaurant and I truly have a connection.

The ceiling of Yuangang is covered with flaming red flowers, giving it an exceptionally creative feel, and my mood unconsciously improves.

This restaurant is on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshi Bridge. The location is a bit off; compared to the bustling nightlife of Chunxi Road, it seems somewhat detached from the mundane world, and I love this place that is free from worldly affairs.

The entire restaurant is quite spacious, with each table having separate booths. The distance is also comfortable, suitable for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded, and I absolutely love the environment!

Nowadays, restaurant decor has a certain style, and this one is no exception. The lighting tone, whether in private rooms or hall booths, has a great sense of design!

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, all very tasty. The environment actually has a homey feel, and the red flowers and umbrellas as decorations feel very festive and warm. This atmosphere suddenly brings a warm surge to my heart; perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff are quite good, really warm and attentive, always available when called. Even though our seats were quite secluded, the waitstaff could always be reached easily, and there was no situation where we couldn't get someone's attention. They treat guests very kindly and friendly, with dedicated personnel guiding you from entry to exit—this is something I consider very positive.

Speaking of dishes, the most memorable one is Yuangang's Signature Clam and Rabbit. The green and red peppers highlight the freshness and tenderness of the rabbit meat, and the clams look tantalizing. One bite brings freshness, a slight numbing sensation, and a moderate spiciness. In an instant, your taste buds dance, and 'golden wind and jade dew meet, surpassing countless worldly pleasures!'

Longmen Hanging Meat—this dish has a special assistant who cuts the meat and puts it on a plate. It has a crispy texture, and the outer batter is perfectly fried. Even if you eat a lot, it doesn't feel greasy. It's one of their signature dishes and quite unique.

The Old Duck Soup left a strong impression. It doesn't have a strong MSG taste; it's clear, slightly sweet, and refreshing, perfect for quenching dryness. One sip makes you feel relaxed in both body and mind—so comfortable and delicious.

Another dish, Yuangang Local Chicken Slices, was definitely the best of the whole meal. The taste was excellent, with lotus root slices underneath. The red chili oil was very fragrant, and mixed with the chicken slices, it was simply heavenly. My friend and I couldn't stop praising this dish; it was truly delicious!

The Soy-Fragrant Whole Fish was huge, covered with plenty of fermented black beans and minced meat sauce. Even without eating the fish, the condiment alone could go with several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not at all fishy!

'Fate brings us together across a thousand miles; we meet at Yuangang.' An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is the city of gastronomy. When it comes to representative foods, Chuan Chuan (skewers) definitely holds a place. Large handfuls of bamboo skewers, hot red broth, numbing, spicy, and fragrant—it makes your mouth water uncontrollably. This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan main branch on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.

The variety of skewers in the shop is quite rich, with dozens of types. Both vegetarian and meat options are plentiful, leaving me dazzled.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and stored in refrigerators for customers to choose freely. Just pick what you like. Another feature of the skewers here is that the kitchen chef cooks them and serves them directly in a large basin, saving you the wait. You can start eating immediately—so convenient for lazy people like us.

After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers arrives at the table. The broth looks oily and spicy, but the spiciness is moderate. It tastes numbing, spicy, and fragrant. The restaurant also provides dry dipping powder and oil dip. The dry dip is their specialty, quite good, and worth recommending.

Besides skewers, there are also several hot dishes worth trying, such as Spicy Pig Brain, which is creamy and delicate; Spicy Duck Blood, tender and smooth; Spicy Duck Intestines, crispy and tasty; and Spicy Luncheon Meat, Instant Noodles, etc., all quite memorable.

This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan may not claim to be the best skewers in Chengdu, but it is definitely the most special.

In this leisurely city of Chengdu, there are many bars and taverns large and small. But only Bieyuan Li is surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and packed with a variety of drinks and snacks.

The unique Cat Girl in the shop adds a touch of mystery to their nights, making people look forward to the evening with anticipation.

I heard that to give customers a better experience, the owner hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest Stadium to design their lighting effects. I can only secretly say, 'What a grand production! The boss is really generous!'

When the lights come on, the whole tavern looks like a colorful neon wonderland. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brightly. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but marvel; indeed, the boss's decision was right, and the customers' experience is the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a small tavern, alcohol is a must. They have a huge variety: foreign spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, pure imported beers, and many others I couldn't name. It was dazzling. Basically, if you want it, you can find it here!

Not only that, but even the vessels used for serving food are carefully selected Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain, looking elegant and beautiful, captivating.

Although there are many alcoholic drinks, it seems that what I love isn't the strong, fiery kind. Long Island Iced Tea appears clear and light like black tea, but it has the strong, mellow fragrance of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, similar to lemon black tea, so it's always popular with girls. A friend who knows a lot about drinks told me this cocktail is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' in the mixology world, with a relatively high alcohol content. If you can't hold your liquor, don't overdo it.

There's another drink called Metropolitan. It's no exaggeration to say that Metropolitan is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. To this day, it has been popular for over thirty years. With its low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruitiness, it has conquered me and become one of my favorites.

At Bieyuan Li Tavern, if you happen to order their bartender's special mix, congratulations, you'll enjoy a super visually pleasing cocktail show. The finished cocktail slowly 'breathes' a misty vapor from the rim, creating a very artistic atmosphere. Savor it slowly; the deeper your tongue interacts with the cocktail, the more wonderful its flavor becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Wine. Rice wine with a wheat straw as a straw—this is the first time I've seen it. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth and velvety on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes your whole body feel warm.

Don't think they only serve alcohol here; this place is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant. The taste and portion sizes can rival those of outside Sichuan restaurants. Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Shui Jiao, and the childhood-tasting Fermented Glutinous Rice with Brown Sugar can all be found here!

Their signature grilled fish has always been a popular dish. The fish is well-seasoned, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Just a few bites and you'll be hooked.

Now that you've seen so much, go experience it yourself!

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiaoliao (Wren) is only about 200 meters, but it can take a full half hour to walk. Rows of snack shops, all kinds of gold and silverware—if your mind wavers even a little, you'll be lost in some spectacle.

With your eyes taking in the blue bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets, your ears filled with the clinking of bronze and silver craftsmen and the calls of shopkeepers, and your nose catching the aroma of sugar-oil fruits and egg-baked cakes, it takes great willpower to break free.

Full of the warmth of human life and worldly affairs. Walking back and forth feels like doing a somersault in the dust of worldly attachments, satisfying all senses.

Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, the Jiaoliao stands as an exception. Its tightly closed double doors and the brass lock that seems permanently in place declare a concept of shutting oneself away in a small courtyard.

Truly experiencing what it means to be 'a mountain forest within the city'—stepping out is bustling, stepping in is guarding your inner peace. Within the prosperous ease, they build a pure land, hiding luxury and spirit within.

This is indeed the case: once the heavy brass lock falls, it blocks the gazes of passing tourists and separates from the lively world that has permeated the alley for three hundred years.

Wind passes through the courtyard, birds perch on the eaves. But the clamor outside cannot enter even a little. This is Jiaoliao, finding tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.

The wooden structure made entirely of Paulownia wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. Long-term exposure to the faint woody aroma can help you sleep, calm your mind, and relax your body.

The hotel's architectural style also combines movement and stillness. 'Movement' is reflected in the details throughout the hotel's decor. Birds catch your eye from the entrance corridor, and continue with bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms, echoing the hotel's name—Jiaoliao.

'Stillness' is found in the imitation ancient courtyard with greenish-black bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree exudes tranquility, every bamboo and mat adds elegance. Each guest room has a poetic name, as if coming to life!

The rooms are predominantly decorated with raw wood, fresh and clean, with complete facilities. They feature the King Koil 'Jingzhu Shiguang' co-branded mattress, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... and all kinds of beverages, snacks, fruits, and tea are available. The overall feel is warm and comfortable. There is also an open-air balcony where you can look out over Kuanzhai Alley in the morning, joining the world while staying detached—this is the life I want. And if you want to relax your tired body, they offer professional spa services.

Breakfast is also very warm. Upon check-in, the butler asks about your meal time and taste preferences, very attentive. You can choose between Chinese and Western breakfast, with fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries, all delivered to your room! It's full of love.

Living here truly brings leisurely contentment, owning this beautiful scenery, enjoying all the joys of freedom!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in the Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area of Mao County, about 180 kilometers from Chengdu. The drive from Chengdu to the ski resort takes about 3.5 hours. The highest altitude of the ski resort is 2971 meters, and the lowest is 2733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people do not experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy yourself without worry. The total length of the ski runs is 2.5 kilometers, making it currently the ski resort with the longest runs in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort has quite professional ski runs, including 3 advanced, 3 intermediate, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you are experiencing skiing for the first time or you are a skilled professional, you can find joy here.

Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area boasts beautiful natural scenery with clear waters and green mountains, rich in vegetation resources. It is a multifunctional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The area has a very high concentration of negative oxygen ions, with PM2.5 consistently below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the days are sunny, making it truly a city of sunshine and a land of snowscapes.

The ski runs inside are naturally winding and undulating, called 'dream runs' by skiing enthusiasts. There are many runs to choose from—lots of options, full of surprises—providing a wonderful stage for both beginners and experts to have fun and showcase their skills.

Skiing is really energy-consuming, and with strong UV rays, you can break into a sweat and feel exhausted after a while. Remember to hydrate and rest properly. When resting, look at the blue sky, take photos, and admire others' cool poses—it's very enjoyable. The weather is great, and sunlight reflects off the snow, which can be very dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses in your gear.

To get on the advanced runs, you must take the cable car, and to take the cable car, you must wear a helmet. So if you plan to go on the advanced runs, remember to rent a helmet.

On the cable car, with snow-white earth beneath your feet and the sun overhead, skiers whizzing by below, I was particularly worried about dropping my gear or phone—it was quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, we reached the starting point of the advanced run. As soon as I stepped off the cable car, my legs went weak; the first slope was at least 40 degrees.

Indeed, 'high places are cold.' There were even fewer people on the advanced run. Few people were on double skis; most were excellent players with their own snowboards, who would slide down in a few moves and disappear in an instant.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There is a dining area in the ski resort, but you can also bring your own food. Bringing some rice and a self-heating hot pot is a pretty good idea. The hot pot in the hotel is also tasty, no worse than what you'd get outside. A big pot of red, spicy broth is rich but not greasy. Enjoying the snow scenery while savoring the spicy kick of hot pot—that's real enjoyment.

From the moment you set foot in Jiuding Mountain, you will experience a natural realm far from the hustle and bustle, full of poetic charm, harmony between man and nature, and ancient tranquility. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have an even more joyful and intimate holiday with family and friends. Why not do it?

Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located on the bank of the Huanhua Stream outside the west gate of Chengdu. It is a must-visit for tourists coming to Chengdu.

As the name suggests, Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of Du Fu. Although the buildings of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage are grand and luxurious, Du Fu's actual dwelling is only a very small part of the scenic spot—a few small, dilapidated thatched huts. Those large-scale constructions were built by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.

After entering the thatched cottage, there are many forks in the road, with signposts guiding tourists to various spots. Going further in, a quaint small alley comes into view: the walls on both sides are vermilion, with round bricks carved with animal faces embedded in the tiles. The mottled moss on the tiles indicates that this alley has been around for some time. The bluestone slabs underfoot have turned black and cracked.

Passing through the alley, a winding stream comes into sight. Both banks are lined with green bamboo and towering ancient trees, creating a poetic and picturesque scene.

Unconsciously, we arrived at a place like a thatched hut. Yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, and a bamboo fence encloses the small garden.

The roof does not incorporate modern building materials, but it is no longer the one Du Fu lived in back then. Here, I just want to stand in front of the house and feel the timeless masterpiece: 'How can I get thousands of spacious houses to shelter all the world's poor and make them smile!' I saw the soil on the wall loose, revealing a framework woven from bamboo strips. The wood on the threshold looked as if one stomp could break it.

Walking in the thatched cottage, the air is filled with the breath of history and strong poetic sentiment, making me indulge and reluctant to leave for a long time...

What I miss is the scenery of Chengdu; what I miss is the food of Chengdu; what I miss is still the lively atmosphere of Chengdu...