A Feast of Exquisite Cuisine, Chengdu Captivates the World

Fingertip: The only things in life that must not be let down are beautiful scenery and delicious food.

Some say that when we think of Chengdu, we don't think of the city name but of a list of delicacies. Because Chengdu is a city filled with food. In every alley and every street of this city, you can encounter a lot of food and many interesting snacks anytime, anywhere.

And the enthusiasm of the people of Chengdu for eating has also led to a 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, and Malatang. To come to Chengdu and not eat the food always gives one the feeling of entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed.

A city has its own history and culture, and also its own characteristic districts. To understand a city's history and culture, you should walk into its characteristic districts, understand the cultural origins and famous anecdotes it carries, touch the residual warmth of its history up close, and feel the bustling commercial atmosphere and the flavor of indulgence that have persisted through the changes of the times.

With rare leisure time and family accompanying me, we decided to wander around Jinli, enjoying the sights and savoring the experience slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and artistic, like a crescent moon in a mirror of time, then Jinli is bustling and worldly, like a few bursts of fireworks blooming outside that mirror.

Walking into Jinli, the tempting aroma of delicious food hits you. Shops are wide open, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies, carefully arranged, appear and disappear in a light haze. Their beautiful shapes, fresh colors, and fragrant scents make you salivate secretly, unable to resist.

Beside the shops, there are Sichuan opera performers in makeup greeting guests. They mimic the movements of the opera, suddenly shrinking their necks and sticking out their heads, turning their white faces red, startling you. Before you can feel surprised or annoyed, they pull you and make a funny face, making you burst into laughter. This teasing and amusement instantly lifts your spirits.

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

Walking along the ancient street feels like walking in a poetic realm with harmonious rhythms. The carved and latticed windows, the ancient walls covered with creeping vines, and the winding winding corridors are like the background of a poem, with a contrast of elegance, vicissitude, and vitality.

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

After visiting Jinli, we got hungry. It seems that the temptation of food is quite strong. I decided to take my family to Gua Chuanchuan at the Jinfangyuan East Road branch. I heard it was pretty good. After arriving, we found the environment of this Gua Chuanchuan restaurant to be really nice.

The overall decoration features green bricks and gray tiles, with red as the main color for the walls, full of festive atmosphere. The space is spacious with clear functional zoning. The Chinese vintage style adds a unique charm to the restaurant, truly antique.

Although we thought it was still early, once inside, we realized it was a different world. There were extremely many people, the entire hall was full, and the chatter was nonstop, but it didn't affect the enthusiasm of the foodies waiting outside. Indeed, good taste is the most important thing—this is the true nature of Chengdu foodies.

Soup Base: The soup base is made with authentic Chengdu methods. The spicy cold pot skewers have a super rich soup base that is freshly boiled every day. The red oil covers a secret high stock base, full of solid ingredients simmered from morning until noon opening. Fragrant but not numbing, spicy but not harsh. This flavor cannot be imitated; only the recipe passed down from the older generation can be called the old Chengdu taste.

70+ Kinds of Skewers to Choose From: Six large freezers offer a dizzying array of choices. The ingredients are protected by five-star cold chain logistics. Fresh ingredients are carefully selected each day, marinated with care, and threaded onto skewers. Choose from meat and vegetables—you pay by weight for the skewers. Take whatever you want and start the crazy skewer-eating mode immediately!

Handmade Signature Dual Dipping Sauces: How fragrant is the dry dip? The combination of crushed peanuts and chili powder easily wins first place. A light roll gives a peanut aroma. The handmade production process, with its elaborate steps, makes it unique. The oil dip includes sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped green onions, also a great helper for reducing spiciness and adding flavor.

Beef Skewers Are Versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can roll up a world. Five-spice, spicy, cilantro, pickled pepper, scallion—the beef needs to be marinated for two to three hours in a secret sauce. Plump pickled peppers with tender beef, a hint of green between the red beef, stand out vividly. When eaten, the heavy flavor bursts on the tongue. In the thick beef pieces, the pickled peppers are ready to explode with juice. Your mouth says no, but your body is honest, sending skewer after skewer to your mouth.

Mini Sausages: Mini sausages are a specialty of Chengdu. These round, plump sausages have a good balance of fat and lean meat, cut into bite-sized pieces. Their slightly sweet taste is very Cantonese-style. The dual sensation of sweet and spicy is captivating, and while relieving the spiciness, the satisfaction doubles! You won't regret coming to this restaurant—it's so delicious you can't stop.

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

Hearing the name "Wuhou," those who have read the Three Kingdoms must be familiar with it. That's right, it is the alias of the famous Zhuge Liang, "Zhuge Wuhou." If your favorite kingdom in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is Shu, then the famous Chengdu attraction—Wuhou Shrine—is a place you must visit. It will surely satisfy all your desires.

Before we knew it, it was afternoon. My family and I decided to visit Wuhou Shrine, to experience the legendary stories of the Three Kingdoms together and fulfill our dream of the Three Kingdoms.

Legend has it that Wuhou Shrine was first built in 223 AD. It was originally built as a mausoleum for Liu Bei. Later generations merged Liu Bei's mausoleum with Zhuge Liang's temple, resulting in the current Wuhou Shrine, a joint shrine for monarch and minister—the only one of its kind in China.

The heroes of Shu, with their ever-changing fortunes, have turned to dust here. Their great achievements are buried and rest here. All the historical stories have settled and brewed here, resulting in the weighty Wuhou Shrine, a place of commemoration for the heroes of Shu Han.

From the Sanyi Temple to Wuhou Shrine, from the Oath of the Peach Garden to Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, we arrived at the main hall of Zhuge Liang's temple. A horizontal plaque in the hall reads "Ming Chui Yu Zhou" (Fame Across the Universe), which is probably the highest praise for Mr. Zhuge. The upper couplet reads: "If you can win by psychological strategy, opposition will naturally disappear; since ancient times, those skilled in war are not fond of fighting." The lower couplet reads: "If you do not assess 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 for the Shu kingdom, his dedication to the cause until his death. He spent his entire life repaying the kindness of the three visits to his thatched cottage—the gratitude for being recognized. Wuhou Shrine is not large; as a shrine located in a bustling area, it occupies relatively little land. It takes about an hour to tour. Yet Wuhou Shrine is also vast, 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, turning to quiet paths, admiring bonsai, observing flowers and plants, smelling subtle fragrances. We looked at the gnarled ancient trees, admired the exquisite arched bridges reflected in the water, sighed at the dilapidated remnants of Han palace pillars. Carrying reverence for the memory of Shu, we slowly walked out.

In Chengdu, a city that prides itself on leisure, there are many bars of all sizes. But Bieyuanli, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and filled with various drinks and snacks, is unique in Chengdu. To provide customers with a better in-store experience, they specially invited a lighting design company to design the lighting effects.

We couldn't waste the evening time. We needed to have a good time, so I planned to take my family to Bieyuanli to enjoy the pleasant evening.

Entering the store, as the lights came on, the entire bar became like a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights resembled stars in the sky, shining brightly in the bar, instantly elevating the atmosphere of entertainment and relaxation.

The selection of alcoholic drinks in the store is as rich as their lighting. They have foreign liquor, Chinese-style cocktails, cocktails, and pure imported beer—everything you want to drink is basically available here!

Night Costume Mask Kiss: This rose wine, with its heartwarming rose fragrance, is beautiful enough to win the favor of young ladies. Because the alcohol content is low, it's a good choice for a small gathering of girlfriends or during leisure time. Upon entry, the rose flavor is not strong, but the deeper you go, the clearer the wine taste becomes, making it captivating.

Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Wine: A blue-and-white porcelain bottle full of martial arts spirit! Using wheat straw as a straw, sipping the wine amidst laughter and chatter has a unique charm.

Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers have always been an inseparable couple. Eating barbecue without wine seems to betray the gathering! Mini sausages, prawns, corn kernels, dried tofu, green beans, and other dishes offer a complete range of spicy, numbing, fresh, and savory flavors, satisfying different people's appetites.

Lemongrass Grilled Fish: Besides barbecue, this grilled fish is also a must-order dish. Although the fish is not big, we were already hooked by its fragrance. Because the fish is grilled with lemongrass, its aroma is fresher! After being deep-fried, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smooth and delicious. It tastes excellent. Sitting and playing in such a music bar is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.

| Part Two: Sichuan Cuisine on the Tip of the Tongue, Unforgettable Yuan Gong

What people call the leisure life of Chengdu is not the office buildings of the High-tech Zone, not the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, nor the street photography of Chunxi Road. Come to People's Park; this is the place where Chengdu people most look forward to living.

People's Park, with a history of 100 years, serves as both a material and spiritual carrier, storing the real old Chengdu life. On weekends, People's Park becomes the liveliest.

There are two old tea houses in the park: Yongju and Heming, with Heming being the most famous. Established in the 1920s, it's nearly a century old, almost as old as People's Park. Hence it is called Century Heming. You must learn to "strike first" because Heming is always full. When someone leaves, grab the seat immediately. Once seated, an aunt wearing blue-and-white porcelain style clothing will come to clear the table and ask you to order tea.

The playground is the loudest place. The noise and laughter of children are endless. The little train, carousel, and roller coaster—every child and big child can find their source of joy.

But the most popular activity at People's Park is still boating. The colorfully mottled little boats imprint the childhood of Chengdu people since the last century. On good weather days, there are the most people, and you have to queue for boating. Young parents bring their children here to row boats, enjoying the happy family time. Of course, there are also couples on dates. In short, no matter who is on the boat, they are as happy as children.

After visiting the park, we planned to take my family to Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. I had heard from friends that this restaurant is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine restaurant, quite popular and bustling, so we specially came to taste it.

When we arrived, many people were already dining! The decoration of this restaurant is quite down-to-earth. The antique environment is very appealing, highlighting the characteristics of old Chengdu. The private rooms, main hall, and booth seats all have a sense of design, decorated with flowers and clusters, revealing a unique charm.

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

Yuan Gong Sliced Chicken: The chicken slices are tender and delicate, taste great. Added with chopped green onions and scallion white slices, it's refreshing and tasty. Topped with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.

Longmen Hanging Meat: The preparation is like a whole deep-fried crispy pork. The young lady cuts it with scissors while saying auspicious words, giving a nice sense of ceremony. The meat is very tender, smooth to eat. Dipping in chili powder makes it even better.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: Tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with fresh and juicy clams immediately elevates the texture. Fragrant and spicy, it's super satisfying to eat.

Yuan Gong Braised Duck: The duck meat is delicate and tasty, with a strong braised aroma. Especially the skin part, it's smooth and delicious, with excellent texture.

Huoshui Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite large. The back of the fish is cut into several slices for better flavor absorption. The fish meat is snow-white and tender. The celery and green pepper segments are particularly delicious—my absolute favorite! Such delicacies should not be missed. Action speaks louder than desire.

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

Jiaoliao, a name that makes you want to know more. These two characters come from "Zhuangzi: The Happy Excursion": "The Jiaoliao bird 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 shouldn't be too greedy. We should try to "not be urged by praise, not be discouraged by criticism, determine the boundary between internal and external, distinguish the realm of honor and disgrace." Perhaps such a state is really too difficult, which is why Jiaoliao exists—to let us slow down, let go of the pursuit, and find a world of our own.

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

Pushing open the door, a corridor greets the eye. At the end of the corridor, there is a plaque reading "Cheng Wu Yi You Xin" (Riding on the Vessel of Things to Roam the Mind). It comes from "Zhuangzi: In the World of Men." After understanding its meaning, one can't help but admire the great wisdom of the old man Zhuangzi.

Entering the hotel, we looked at all four floors one by one. The design and decoration of this hotel are really good, giving a comfortable and cozy feeling. During our visit, we found that every room has its own unique name, such as Yanqian, Youwei, Shijia, etc. We planned to stay in Yanqian because when we first saw this name, my friend and I felt we liked it very much. It seemed to contain a deep meaning, leaving us with endless imagination.

The security of this hotel is also very good. Guest rooms require a key card or the butler to open the door. After confirming our stay, the butler gave us a key card shaped like a Jiaoliao bird, which was cute and charming! Upon closer inspection, there is a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found that the inside and outside are connected. When we call, the butler will put what we need inside, and we can take it directly. This design is very thoughtful, convenient without disturbing guests.

Although the exterior of Jiaoliao is simple and elegant, the items used in the rooms are consistent with five-star hotels. Things like mattresses, linens, bathrooms, and automatic toilets—the hardware facilities are superb. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged. Everything appears so comfortable and cozy. The branded equipment subtly reflects the hotel's high-end quality, making us love it! My friend kept saying that this place is warmer than home.

Entering the room, we found that on the headboard of each room, there is a soulful Jiaoliao bird, gazing deeply, as if thinking or listening. In each room, the Jiaoliao bird's expression and pose are different. My friend and I treated it as our listener, trying to talk to it. Those hard-to-say troubles could all be poured out to this indescribable little creature. After expressing all the unhappiness, I felt much more comfortable.

On the TV wall, a large hand-embroidered Shu embroidery peony blooms, and there are also jumping koi on Shu brocade. Touching them, we couldn't help but admire the skilled craftsmanship and long culture of our ancestors. Overall, the rooms are full of elements of traditional Sichuan culture, allowing us to feel the cultural influence while staying. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but one as thoughtful and attentive as this is rare. This stay was definitely the right choice.

The room also provides four top-grade teas from Mengding Mountain. Having drunk too many carbonated drinks, we usually feel burdened. When we calmed down, we brewed a cup of tea and savored the gift of nature, instantly feeling refreshed and invigorated.

My friend and I also discovered that the most thoughtful part of this hotel is not just the room configuration and decoration, but also the excellent butler service. They can customize travel routes, travel plans for guests, and solve any problems encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast every morning can be customized according to our taste and time, delivered to the room for enjoyment. Lunch is at Zifei, the first restaurant on Kuanzhai Alley themed on Zhuangzi culture. It uses a course format, integrating culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances, taking you into a dynasty of pavilions, ancient zither, and operatic songs. In the morning, opening the wooden window and breathing the first breeze and first ray of sunlight from Kuanzhai Alley is so refreshing. After washing up, we enjoyed the hotel's customized breakfast, filled with emotion.

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 up close.

Observing carefully, we saw a spider on the opposite roof weaving its web, and a falling leaf drifting down onto the table... Look, everything is striving to grow!

In the busy and noisy city, there is always a place of leisure and comfort where you can relax both body and mind.