Chengdu in Winter: A Unique Charm, a Paradise for Foodies and Fun-Seekers

Winter stirs emotions most easily; thoughts still lingering in autumn, in an instant, winter arrives.

Chengdu's winter seems to unfold in a slow-paced life, where the scenery holds endless charm.

Initially, Chengdu's winter struck me as a world of lush green, where indoors felt colder than outdoors.

Now, I see Chengdu's winter as a colorful world, captivating with impressionist scenes; it is a spiritual realm full of poetry, a wondrous adventure in a culinary fantasy.

"Chengdu is worth savoring. Chengdu's elegance, its laid-back attitude, its simplicity, and its unique local flavor leave an unforgettable impression on those who have experienced it."

I think everyone who has visited Chengdu feels a lingering sense of nostalgia.

The leisurely Fu River, the bustling Chunxi Road, the idle street-side tea houses, the lively suburban farmhouse fun—

It's like a vivid and vibrant painting, like a mellow and lingering vintage wine, soaking into everyone who comes to Chengdu.

And Chengdu's cuisine adds the strongest flavor to this nostalgia.

Amid this intensity, there are many heart-tugging warm touches: hot pot skewers, Sichuan spicy hot pot, and other snacks, along with the soft lights of small street-side shops, will linger long in the hearts of many Chengdu visitors.

Day 1: Yuan Gong (Tazishan Park) → Jiaoliao Hotel

Day 2: Taiziling Ski Resort

Day 3: Gua Chuan Chuan (Tianfu Square) → Bieyuanli Bar (Kuanzhai Alley)

With nothing special to do on the weekend, my friend and I decided to embark on a food-and-travel adventure, enjoying beautiful scenery while savoring the taste impact of delicious food. We got up early this morning, packed up, and met up with my friend. But we didn't head straight to eat; instead, we first found a place to have some fun, then set off towards our ultimate food destination. My friends suggested visiting nearby Tazishan Park for a while. Actions speak louder than words, so we took a bus there.

After arriving, we found quite a crowd, after all, it was the weekend. Many parents brought their kids out to play, do activities, and bask in the sun.

Tazishan Park is located in the hilly area east of Chengdu city. It is vast, lush with trees, and peaceful. Nestled against a hill and bordering water, the plants are arranged according to the terrain, verdant and green, with birdsong and fragrance year-round.

The main building in the park, Jiutian Tower, takes its name from the famous poem "Ascending Jin City Sanhua Tower" by the immortal poet Li Bai: "Now I come to ascend and gaze, as if on a tour of the Ninth Heaven." From afar, Jiutian Tower looks like a pagoda; up close, it resembles a building. Its novel and unique design makes it a landmark scenic garden structure in Chengdu. Climbing to the top, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Chengdu's beauty, refreshing the mind and spirit.

The park also features a Bird Singing Forest, housing nearly 150 species and about 5,000 birds from around the world, including more than 20 species under national first- and second-class protection. The Bird Singing Forest focuses on bird science education and highlights bird performance, which is both fun and educational for children to learn about birds.

Besides, it's a great place for people to play, relax, fish, enjoy entertainment, climb the tower for views, picnic, and sip tea.

Lawns, lakes, pavilions, and paths offer rustic charm, perfect for bringing kids to run wild. Additionally, Tazishan Park is the main venue for the annual Chengdu Lantern Festival!

It's indeed a nice place with everything for leisure and recreation. Before we knew it, we'd spent over three hours here, and it was already past four. No wonder I felt a bit hungry—going out sure makes you hungry faster. Next, we headed to our ultimate destination: Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road, which is super popular. My colleagues had been talking about it, and I finally had a chance to check it out. I checked the navigation; it wasn't far, so we took a bus there.

This restaurant is on Xuedao Street near Chunxi Road, quite close to the city center, a quiet spot amidst the hustle and bustle. The decor is very down-to-earth, with a retro Chinese style and elegant surroundings.

Turning from the lobby into the dining area, the space is very spacious with many private rooms, decorated with flowers and lush greenery, giving it a unique charm.

Once we found our seats, we started attacking the food. The first dishes I want to recommend are these—super delicious, super tasty.

Braised Whole Fish with Black Bean Sauce: The fish is silver carp, with many bones, so eat carefully. The flesh is very tender and flavorful, incredibly smooth and tasty—utterly irresistible.

Longmen Hanging Meat: A special young man helps cut the meat and plate it. The meat is crispy and tender, and the batter is perfectly fried. You can't stop eating one piece after another.

Yuan Gong Sliced Local Chicken: Most of the slices are chicken with skin, mixed with scallion slices, giving a refreshing texture. Drizzled with secret red chili oil, the spiciness is just right.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: A combination of double-pepper rabbit and clams, incredibly fresh and savory. The numbing and spicy flavor pairs perfectly with rice. It's generously portioned and an absolute favorite.

After eating and drinking our fill, it was time to go home. Having finished today's outing, we returned to our dreams to savor these endless delicious memories.

Over ten years passed like a rainy night, the rivers and lakes bustling.

What remains unchanged are the narrow and wide alleys; what changes is people's hearts. For this bustling world, we are never fully satisfied. Having experienced worldly beauty, we suddenly realize: even noisy places have their quiet moments. Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley stands the Jiaoliao Hotel.

Amid the noisy crowd, we gently pushed open this door full of stories. While waiting for the butler to open the door, the old door itself became an unavoidable sight. The gate is made of rosewood, without any restoration, preserving its original appearance. In the middle are traditional Chinese door gods. The left door god holds a peony, the right holds a jue (ancient wine vessel), together symbolizing promotion and wealth. It is said this design also wishes guests staying at Jiaoliao a thriving career and continuous advancement, guiding us back to the most natural state of life.

Pushing the door open, we saw a long corridor. The blue tile walls on both sides stood in sharp contrast to the concrete and steel high-rises. For us, weary of the fast-paced city life, the blue tiles seemed to soothe our constantly tense nerves, making us want to touch and get close.

As we passed through the corridor, birds hopping up and down on both sides became unusually active due to our arrival, chirping incessantly. Though we couldn't understand their language, we could feel a warm welcome from their calls.

Shifting scenes, we officially entered the accommodation area. The Jiaoliao Hotel is quite large; we walked through, admiring the beauty of this hotel. It has four floors, with guest rooms and an open-air tea terrace. Each floor offers unique views; as we moved, the scenery changed, making us stop and admire.

Upon entering our room, we noticed the overall color tone is light wood, without any other ornamentation.

From the bed to the wardrobe, window frames, tables, and chairs, everything is made of smooth-polished raw parasol wood, used directly. The facilities are very complete, even more well-equipped than my own home. This lifestyle close to nature is exactly what we need.

We also noticed each room has orchids, surrounded by bamboo. Upon closer inspection, some relief sculptures depict chrysanthemums, creating a very elegant atmosphere. Combined with the dim yellow lighting, the whole room feels very warm. The details reflect understated luxury.

The facilities at this hotel are truly top-notch, matching five-star hotel standards, bringing us the ultimate stay experience. The mattress, Kohler bathroom products, and smart toilet—everything is so perfect, giving us the best enjoyment. Running my fingers through every part of the room, I felt the owner's thoughtfulness, and my heart was moved.

The guest room also has a SPA room, which we greatly appreciated. After a tiring day out, we could lie in the SPA room, enjoy the masseur's service, relax our muscles and bones, and fully indulge in long-lost comfort.

At Jiaoliao, nestled among mountain forests, bamboo, and stones, savoring Zen elegance and charm, we fully enjoy the joy of freedom—a poetic dwelling. The bustling Kuanzhai is always crowded with people every day. Beyond the long streets of flowing crowds, in the quiet amidst prosperity, Jiaoliao silently watches the people coming and going.

Yesterday we tasted Yuan Gong, strolled Chunxi Road, and enjoyed divine service at Jiaoliao Hotel. Waking up today, I felt great. No wonder food, fun, and relaxation are the top choices to unwind. Winter arrived as promised, with a chill in the cold wind, but it couldn't stop our forward pace. Today we decided to visit the famous Taiziling Ski Resort, to experience the unique charm of snow and ice.

Jiuding Mountain Taiziling Ski Resort is located next to National Highway 213 from Wenchuan County to Mao County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, in Qinglong Dam within Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area. It's 180 kilometers from Chengdu, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive.

What attracts so many visitors is not just its high popularity but also strong technical support. It is said that the ski resort is equipped with imported ELAN ski equipment, which has supported multiple Taiziling ski competitions, as well as various professional ski gear from HEAD, BURTON, and NORDICA, attracting many professionals to show off their skills. It's truly the largest, most beautiful, and most professional ski resort in Southwest China.

Upon arrival at the ski resort, the first thing was to buy tickets at the scenic entrance, then rent ski gear: boots, skis, poles, and other equipment. There were tons of people today, and we queued for a long time, showing just how popular this place is.

Finally getting onto the slopes was fun, but for a group of beginners, we kept falling. Two hours of skiing was our limit, and there were so many people crowded on the beginner track, just near the entrance.

When skiing under the sun, it's both hot and sunny with strong UV. Be sure to apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, don't overdress, and wear comfortable clothes. For beginners, it's recommended to hire a coach, otherwise, you'll fall a lot.

Always wear gloves and sunglasses while skiing; you must wear a helmet on intermediate slopes. Actually, double skis are the best choice for beginners; the skis can be adjusted according to boot size. Once properly equipped, you can enter the snow field.

There are also many places to eat inside the scenic area, like hot pot and soup pot, which taste quite good—colorful, fragrant, and delicious, almost like heavenly food. Outside the dining hall, a glass sunroom was built, where people can take photos, drink tea, relax, and enjoy the sunshine while viewing the scenery—really nice!

Actually, the Jiuding Mountain scenery is quite beautiful, and Taiziling Ski Resort is the most professional one we've been to in Sichuan. It has beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails with various slopes for visitors to choose. The ski resort is at an altitude of about 2,500 meters, similar to Wolong, so altitude sickness is unlikely. The ski resort has 2.5 kilometers of ski runs.

Relying on Jiuding Mountain's unique natural terrain, high altitude, and rich vegetation, the ski resort has fresh air with high negative oxygen ion content. It's neither severely cold in winter nor hot in summer, with a pleasant climate. It's a rare natural eco-resort around Chengdu, perfect for relaxing during skiing.

Waking up early today, a sudden thought came to me: to visit Tianfu Square. After discussing with my friend, we decided to go. We took the subway today; the bus was too crowded. I'm not sure how long the ride took, but it felt quite close.

Upon arrival, we found lots of people. It's the weekend, so everyone is out to relax.

Tianfu Square is undoubtedly Chengdu's political and cultural center, a landmark among landmarks, like Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

The Sun Bird stands in the center of Tianfu Square, which is the junction of Metro Lines 1 and 2, and the upcoming Line 18, the central node of Chengdu's southeast-northwest transportation artery.

It's one of the hottest check-in spots for out-of-town tourists, always bustling. What impressed me most was the strong patriotic atmosphere at Tianfu Square just before National Day this year, deeply moving me.

But the biggest highlights of Tianfu Square are:

1. The architectural beauty of the square itself: a Taiji symbol flanked by "xiang"-shaped building pillars on both sides. This Taiji scenery is best captured from above.

2. The square's historical significance: It has always been an important landmark around the imperial city, and now it's Chengdu's economic and cultural center.

3. Transportation hub: You can transfer to the subway here, and there are exhibition halls all around. Convenient transportation makes it easy to meet up if it's your first visit.

After touring Tianfu Square, it was time for lunch. Today we unanimously decided to eat at Gua Chuan Chuan. Although it's on East Jinfangyuan Road, transportation is convenient, so it won't take much time to go back and forth.

Getting off the bus, we saw a shop decorated in an antique style, looking quite trendy.

With red as the main color, wooden tables and stools, it gave a cozy feeling. The space was spacious with clearly divided functional areas, making it easy for customers to get food and dine.

The most noteworthy is their menu, which is super delicious.

Spicy Beef: Tender beef marinated for a long time, spicy and flavorful. When served, sprinkle with scallions and dried chili powder for an even better taste.

Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cake (Ciba): A favorite for dessert lovers, soft and sticky, smooth and chewy. Take a bite, and the aroma of rice and spices dances in your mouth—very delicious!

Spicy Hot Pot Noodles (Mao Huo Guo Fen): Spicy and numbing. With such a bowl of hot pot noodles, who cares about appearance? Just gobble it up! The texture—I guarantee if you crave hot pot noodles, you'll come here!

Mao Qian Ceng Du (Layered Tripe): Eating layered tripe with bean sprouts gives a great texture. The tripe shreds are thin and bouncy, with just the right amount of numbing and spiciness intertwining in your mouth.

Also, in the freezer, there are all kinds of meat and vegetable skewers for you to choose from. Actions speak louder than words—come and eat!

This place is a paradise for skewer lovers. Tender and delicious meat, so good you can't stop.

As the saying goes, "Walk after meals, live to ninety-nine." After eating, we should take a stroll and then start the evening party mode.

The best place for an after-dinner walk is undoubtedly Kuanzhai Alley. It not only showcases the old and new lifestyles of Chengdu but also represents the slow pace of life of Chengdu people, perfectly matching the leisurely state of "one step bustling, one step tranquil."

My friend and I walked hand in hand, as if cutting out a slice of leisurely time. We savored the taste of time, unhurriedly following the wide and narrow alleys, strolling leisurely and slowly.

Stepping on the soft light of time, we entered the alley. The leisure and slowness here made us mistakenly think time had stopped, that stories were still happening yesterday.

Clean blue bricks and black tiles, old-fashioned wooden doors and windows, hitching stones by old walls, old tea houses under the eaves, lush plane trees—these antique and clear objects seem to separate the noise of the city with a soundproof wall. The worldly dust has been filtered away. The ancient Bashu dream, in a turn or a glance, softly falls on the threshold of memory, stunning in an instant.

Time is soft. Tourists from north and south come face to face, then pass by, like flowing water with shallow waves and smiling voices. Original residents, quaint inns, exquisite gateways, towering ancient trees, covered-bowl tea houses, copper-ring wooden doors, blue-stone water vats, and vines and flowers cascading from the blue walls—all these constitute its unique attraction and Chengdu vocabulary, presenting modern people's memory of a city.

Walking in Kuanzhai Alley, the sun is warm, flowers bloom, and the dazzling window displays keep the eyes busy. We walk here and there, looking around. A shop full of Zen charm has exquisite tea sets and overflowing tea fragrance; a trendy restaurant has leaping fountains and blurry lights; a soft and charming window display has Jiangnan-style cloth clothes and small fans;

At the corner of the deep alley, there are young people lying down getting ear cleaning or setting up stalls for portraits; a classical and elegant inn has the sound of opera singing and red lanterns... Here, time is slow, life is leisurely, and your walking pace naturally becomes very light and slow.

The busy Chengdu locals, after a day's work, now bring their families to wander here. Old and young, men and women, in groups of three or five, walk in the alleys, watching, talking, laughing, eating... The dreamlike slow nightlife begins.

After strolling through Kuanzhai, dusk was approaching. We arrived at our last stop of the day—Bieyuanli Bar. As soon as we entered, we were drawn by its unique charm. Walking into the lobby, looking up, we made eye contact with colorful lights and shadows.

At Bieyuanli, your eyes always hold stars. The dynamic lighting, where lights and shadows move, brings an excellent visual experience.

All the indoor plants are vibrant and full of life. The room is filled with romantic vibes, like a young people's utopia. Two-story loft plus an open garden lets you fall into the gentle night, slowly stirring your tense nerves. Booth seats and private rooms fully satisfy your desire for cheerful conversation; perfect for a friend gathering.

The tenderness of Bieyuanlie is hidden in its ingenious decorations: flower arrangements on tables, dazzling lights, a full wall of wine storage, uniform Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain tableware, and Chinese-style eaves... It's a fusion of culture and trends, overturning the common perception of ordinary bars. I felt like I was attending a splendid art exhibition.

Here, we not only encountered various delicious treats but also experienced a different kind of brilliant charm.

Long Island Iced Tea: Boys who crave alcohol intoxication must not miss the classic Long Island Iced Tea. This most story-rich strong cocktail has amazing explosive power and a strong aftertaste. It looks light, but is actually a "heart igniter."

Doujiu Osmanthus: When you come to Bieyuanli Music Bar, how can you not have Doujiu (a drinking game with shots)? I chose Doujiu Osmanthus first. The light color is stunningly beautiful. The osmanthus wine has a prominent floral fragrance, refreshing on the palate. One bowl down, I wanted to wander the world with my beloved.

Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw·Za Wine (fermented liquor): The story continues, and the wine can't stop. We were drinking happily when the boss mysteriously said, "Our za wine is really interesting, want to try it?" Served at the table, the za wine with wheat straw as a straw has a wild aura. If you want to drink, you have to use the wheat straw to sip—very fun.

Handmade Fried Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls): A bit like mini-sized sugar-oil fruit, coated with a layer of brown sugar. Soft, sticky, and sweet—these tangyuan are today's sweet treat, reminding me of my grandmother's cooking.

Fruit Platter: A mix of various fruits, crispy and refreshing, fresh and delicious.

I was really impressed by this place—it's amazing, and I'll definitely come back again.

The meaning of food and scenery is not to escape, hide, acquire, or record.

But rather, in an environment beyond imagination, to change one's worldview, gradually changing what one truly considers important.