When Traveling to Chengdu, Don't Miss These Food, Scenery, and Instagram-Worthy Check-In Spots!

The writer Qijin Nian once wrote: whether it's New York, Tokyo, Beijing, or Shanghai, it can be said that if you love him, take him there, for it is heaven. But if I were to take the one I love most to a city, it would be Chengdu, because for me, Chengdu is heaven. As the 'Land of Abundance,' Chengdu has attracted many domestic travelers since the pandemic improved. As a foodie, you must not miss this city full of the warmth of烟火. It not only boasts a rich and diverse food culture but also many Instagram-worthy check-in spots. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and set off immediately!

1. Niuhua Bapo Malatang (Chunxi Store): A New Late-Night Dining Choice

Every city has different foods representing it due to regional climate differences, and these delicacies have become symbols of the area. For example, soup dumplings remind us of Shanghai's City God Temple, hot dry noodles remind us of Wuhan, and large pancakes remind us of Shandong. The same logic applies. When I mention malatang, I instantly think of Chengdu. Niuhua Bapo Malatang is the best malatang I've ever had in Chengdu, no doubt. I think from now on, whenever someone mentions Chengdu to me, I will definitely recommend this restaurant.

Niuhua Bapo Malatang is not just a well-known trendy restaurant; it is also an old establishment with a long history. It has been around for 30 years since its founding. The founder, named 'Zhang Yonggui,' was called 'Bapo' by his parents because he was the eighth child. He created this malatang in 1988. Gradually, it has developed into over a hundred branches today. In 2018, it was featured on 'A Bite of China,' and its rich and mellow flavor even appeared on Hunan TV's 'Day Day Up.' That show is one I've watched since childhood, and whenever it recommends something, it's usually a safe bet. So this time in Chengdu, my friend and I came to this familiar trendy spot.

As soon as we entered the store, we were greeted by a tantalizing aroma of food. The environment here is very rustic and perfect for gatherings. My friend and I found a more artsy corner by the wall. We asked the waiter what pot base to choose if we were afraid of spicy food. He recommended the tomato yuanyang pot—one side spicy, one side not—perfect for a foodie like me who wants to eat spicy but fears it. It's very convenient that you can scan a QR code to order via phone, which satisfied my social anxiety a bit! Opening the menu, the ingredients were incredibly abundant and dazzling: brightly colored duck blood, cubed frozen tofu, various mushrooms arranged like flowers, and round quail eggs all waiting to be eaten. Also, if you register as a member for free, you get complimentary snacks, which is a great deal.

[Fried Skewers] If you're hungry, you can first order the Leshan-style fried skewers here, because they are the fastest to prepare. I highly recommend these. I rarely see fried foods in malatang shops, and they are delicious. They use over twenty high-quality seasonings and cold oil to fry fresh ingredients, extracting the fragrant oil. The meat is dry but not tough—absolutely delicious. Especially the pork belly and beef. I ate a lot. The pork belly was a bit fatty but not greasy at all, very appetizing.

[Hot Pot Skewers] With such a fragrant pot base, how could you not pair it with abundant skewers? The hot pot skewers here are fully self-service, charged by the weight of the sticks, and not too expensive. So my friend and I picked all the ingredients we liked. I took three of each of my favorites: duck tongue, seaweed, beef, etc. The waiter said some popular items sell out quickly, so if you like them, come early to pick them. I really loved duck intestines and ate several plates—it was so satisfying.

When eating hot pot skewers, you must pair them with the restaurant's special dipping sauces for the best flavor. There's a little notice in the store called 'Ultimate Delicious Way,' which involves mixing the dry dip, oil dip, and base dip all together. The dry dip's savoriness, the oil dip's fragrance, and the base dip's flavor all blend, creating different layers on your tongue. It's fantastic.

[Caramel Bean Pudding] I tried this kind of bean pudding for the first time. The taste is absolutely amazing. You must have this after eating skewers. The smoothness of the bean pudding combined with the sweetness of caramel is simply wonderful—sweet and delightful.

[Jasmine Ice Jelly] This is the best dessert I've ever had in a malatang shop, and it was even featured on 'Day Day Up.' If you bring your loved one to this restaurant, you must recommend this dish. It's not only visually appealing but also very delicious.

And that's not all—we tried many other foods we'd never had before at Niuhua Bapo Malatang. I really liked it. It wasn't as spicy as I imagined; it was very mild. I loved it. This is the most authentic taste of Le (luo) Shan, and a must-visit spot in Chengdu. My favorites are duck tongue and bullfrog, and I was surprised to find them here. A little tip: it's best to come early, or you'll end up waiting forever like I did. But of course, the delicious food here is worth the wait!

Address: 1st Floor, Dongfang Times Mall, No. 43 Tianxianqiao South Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu

Average cost per person: 79 RMB

2. Zhou Xiaoyu Cold Pot Fish (Jiaotong University Direct Store): A New Place to Eat Fish and Bullfrog

As a blessed land, Chengdu has a network of rivers and abundant products. With wide river basins, people use the water to raise fish. Over time, they've developed a complete variety of fish dishes. I take eating fish very seriously. First, the fish must be fresh, without any trace of fishiness. This requires high standards in fish preparation. At Zhou Xiaoyu Cold Pot Fish, my expectations for fish were fully met. They say their motto is 'No fish, no freshness; no bullfrog, no joy.' Haha, it suits my taste perfectly. If you also love fish, bring your friends and come along!

As soon as we arrived at the store, we were stunned by the sign. I've never seen a fish-themed restaurant this big. And the name 'Zhou Xiaoyu' is quite文艺. The service lady told us the fish here comes from the famous 'Heilongtan Reservoir' in the area, with no hormones and not artificially fattened. Fish raised this way retain more of their natural flavor and are very fresh. Why is it called cold pot fish? Because the chef prepares the fish in advance, and you can eat it directly without needing to light a fire, hence 'cold pot' fish.

[Classic Red Pot] The store offers several main pot bases. The one I ordered is the very popular Classic Red Pot. It's fiery and passionate, numbing and spicy, with a clear oil surface that blends the rich umami of the fish. It's incredibly satisfying and looks very appetizing.

[Silver Carp] Silver carp, commonly known as 'bighead fish,' is highly nutritious and rich in protein. You can eat a lot without worrying about gaining weight. When the waiter brought it over, the tender and tasty fish meat was clearly layered. I ate it with the restaurant's special oil dip, which contains scallions and other seasonings. This made the fish even silkier and more enjoyable. Don't give up on the fish head—it's rich in lecithin and other nutrients. Only those who know how to eat can appreciate its goodness.

[Bullfrog] If you find pork too tough, lamb or beef too gamey, or chicken boring, then you must try the bullfrog at Zhou Xiaoyu. The meat is tender, smooth, not greasy, and the portions are generous. You won't be able to stop eating. It doesn't clash with the fish in the pot; it's very delicious and doesn't fill you up too much. My friend and I had a great time.

[Fruits, Vegetables, Snacks] This is the final stage of eating cold pot fish. When the pot is cold, we eat the fish. After finishing the fish, we light the fire and it becomes a hot pot with fish soup as the base. At this point, whether it's crisp lettuce, tender bean sprouts, or soft potatoes, everything is excellent. After eating fish, bullfrog, and vegetables, there's nothing more perfect. And here, fruits, vegetables, and snacks are all free to add—eat as much as you want.

In short, for fresh bullfrog and fish, go to Zhou Xiaoyu. This is the taste of Chengdu in my heart. The poem says, 'People come and go on the river, but they only love the beauty of sea bass.' We rarely feel the bitterness of that poem nowadays, but I think fish is so beautiful for a reason. Even before I've set foot on the return journey, I already miss the flavors here.

Location: No. 136~138 Qunxing Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu

Average cost per person: 62 RMB

3. Kuanzhai Alley: Come for a Stroll When You're Tired

It is often said, 'Don't enter Sichuan when young, don't leave Shu when old.' This phrase perfectly illustrates the comfortable life in Chengdu—so cozy and leisurely that it's hard to leave. It's a gentle land where tired people want to fall into drunken bliss. If you ask me what places are worth visiting, I would recommend Kuanzhai Alley.

Located near Changshun Street in Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Kuanzhai Alley consists of two adjacent alleys: Xingren Alley and Taiping Alley, which were part of the Bordered Red Banner garrison. The entire area is made up of three parallel alleys: Wide Alley (Kuan Xiangzi), Narrow Alley (Zhai Xiangzi), and Well Alley (Jing Xiangzi). It is said that 'leisure is in Wide Alley, taste is in Narrow Alley, and soaking is in Well Alley.' You can take a bus and get off at 'Jinhe Road' or 'Changshun Shangjie Station,' or take Metro Line 4 directly to 'Kuanzhai Alley.' The century-old remnants of the last century are all preserved here.

The Kailu and Jiuyitang in Wide Alley perfectly showcase its artistic atmosphere. The horse hitching stone on the old wall at the entrance of No. 32 Narrow Alley was once the residence of the Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners' families hundreds of years ago, extending the literary and trendy vibe. In Well Alley, a 400-meter-long east-west sculptural wall built from bricks and stones of historical sections is a display of Chengdu's烟火 atmosphere.

The lively and artistic Narrow Alley is a showcase of old Chengdu's charm. The green stone-paved roads stretch for miles, with lush trees by the roadside and elegant wooden lattice windows. This is Chengdu's gentleness, while the bustling crowds represent its烟火气息. In Kuanzhai Alley, I encountered many interesting things that let you feel the essence of Chengdu.

4. Jinli: A World Like a Dream of Splendor

Land of Abundance, giant pandas, food, slow pace—search Chengdu online and these words pop up. This city is full of烟火, but stepping into Jinli, I realized that no matter how noisy the world is, it remains literary and undisturbed by any outside interference.

Nowadays, many cities in China have a folk culture street, whether it truly represents local customs or not. Locals often copy them mechanically. But in Chengdu, you encounter genuine Sichuan folk culture: tea houses, inns, and stages that might make you feel as if you've traveled back a thousand years to the Shu region.

'Jinli' was originally a street in the Qin, Han, and Three Kingdoms periods where brocade weaving and sales were concentrated. Zhuge Liang said, 'The resources to defeat the enemy rely solely on brocade.' Stretching half a kilometer, Jinli covers 30,000 square meters and integrates tourism, shopping, and leisure. As we strolled, we discovered many wonderful spots. Under the banyan tree is a stage with bright red lanterns. When someone sings on stage, 'Such music should only exist in heaven; how many times can it be heard in the mortal world?' On stage, roles appear; under the stage, a sea of people. The actors on stage perform stories from scripts. Do the people under the stage have their own scripts?

The old man we met in Jinli seemed like a true Chengdu native, leisurely smoking his pipe, indifferent to the bustling crowd. Chengdu people's optimism and humor are well known. One tourist experienced a night of both earthquake and storm in Chengdu, standing shivering on the street in the early morning, while a nearby boy was chatting on the phone: 'Mom, the earthquake even comes with a combo meal!' Looking at the old man's expression, you could tell there were no worries, no arguments. Life already pushes people upward, so why add trouble?

Hundred-year-old wooden doors, thousand-year-old stone roads. Walking in the ancient streets of Jinguan, I finally calmed my heart. If possible, I hope you too can come and walk through Jinli with me to experience the most authentic old Chengdu.

5. Taikoo Li: A Gathering Place for the Fashionable and Young

Every city has a place where the most trendy young people gather. In Chongqing, it's 'Jiefangbei'; in Shanghai, it's 'Nanjing Road'; in Beijing, it's 'Sanlitun'; in Wuhan, it's 'Jianghan Road'; and in Chengdu, it's 'Taikoo Li.'

As soon as I arrived at Taikoo Li, I was impressed by its youthful vibe. This fashion check-in spot fully integrates with the city, influencing the latest fashion trends, culture, and consumption in Chengdu. Covering a total area of 70,800 square meters, the Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li is very worth visiting.

All kinds of luxury brands are available, and occasionally you can see very cute things that make girls smile. The dessert carts seem to have come out of a fairy tale, bringing warmth on late nights. The cart filled with Brownie bears and rabbits looks like it was downloaded from a少女 magazine, exuding cuteness. And there are stores gathering all kinds of trendy brands, making you feel like the coolest person in the world!

These are just a tiny glimpse of Taikoo Li. This commercial core area adjacent to the thousand-year-old Daci Temple is called the city's newest fashion pulse. It is an open街区, a fusion of culture, and a shared space. If you love trends, come here to check in. If you love the most fashionable street photography, remember to come here too!

For Chengdu, I want to say: take those you love and those you hate with you. Those you love will feel the warmth of the world, and those you hate will no longer hate after walking through this mortal world. Chengdu people love eating, love playing, and are naturally optimistic, which ensures that Chengdu is a city full of烟火. Here, you can relax and find your truest self.