Sichuan, What I Miss Is Your Lively Atmosphere

Chengdu is actually not a place that dampens one's willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason to sink is that you cannot resist the city's unrestrained imagination. Its beauty lies in its innocence. The men, women, old, and young living here all have a fatal, charming sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—playing mahjong when they want, eating little chili peppers when they crave. Sichuan people have a certain spirit, one that is serene, fearless, and unassuming, living their own beloved little lives. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, I should say I like Chengdu's lively atmosphere, its烟火气 (the hustle and bustle of everyday life).

Chengdu people love food, and Chengdu is a food capital! The best feelings in life are surely hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and all flavors of life, but my journey has only one taste: the aroma of food. So I came to Chengdu, to this city full of delicacies!

Yuangang, Yuangang—destiny brings tribute. The red plaque with gold characters instantly struck my heart. The moonlight-colored verses on the ground also hinted at the theme of "destiny." It seems I am truly fated with this restaurant.

The ceiling of Yuangang is covered with fiery red flowers, which feels exceptionally creative, and my mood unknowingly brightened.

This restaurant is located on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshiqiao. The location is a bit off the beaten path; compared to the dazzling nightlife of Chunxi Road, it seems somewhat detached from worldly affairs, and it is precisely this detachment I love.

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

Nowadays, restaurant decorations are quite stylish, and this one is no exception. The lighting tones, whether in private rooms or main hall booths, are thoughtfully designed!

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, and the flavors are excellent. The environment feels like home, with red flowers and umbrellas as decorations, creating a festive and warm atmosphere that instantly brought a warm current to my heart. Perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff were great—truly enthusiastic and attentive, available at any call. Even though our seats were a bit secluded, we could always get service without any issues. Their attitude toward guests was genuinely friendly and kind, with dedicated guidance from entry to exit—something I consider a highlight.

Now about the dishes: what impressed me most was Yuangang's signature Clam and Rabbit. The green and red chili peppers made the rabbit meat exceptionally tender and delicious, and the clams looked enticing. One bite brought tenderness, a slight numbness, and a moderate spiciness—it was like a dance on the palate. A perfect match, better than countless worldly delights!

The Dragon Gate Hanging Meat was a dish where a dedicated staff member helped cut the meat and plate it. It had a crispy texture, the outer batter was fried perfectly, and it wasn't greasy even after eating a lot. It's one of their signature dishes, quite distinctive.

The Old Duck Soup left a deep impression—it wasn't heavy on MSG or chicken essence, with a refreshing and sweet taste that perfectly quenched the thirst. One sip and I felt completely relaxed—it was so comforting and delicious.

Another dish, Yuangang Local Chicken Slices, was definitely the best of the night. The flavor was excellent, with lotus root slices underneath, and the red oil was incredibly fragrant. Mixed with the chicken slices, it was a heavenly delicacy. My friend and I couldn't stop praising this dish—it was truly delicious!

The Black Bean Whole Fish was huge, topped with lots of fermented black beans and minced pork. Even without the fish, you could eat several bowls of rice with those toppings. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all.

Fate brings us together across a thousand miles—destined to meet at Yuangang. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that surprises you endlessly!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a food capital. When it comes to representative foods, chuanchuan (skewers) definitely holds a place. Big handfuls of bamboo sticks, hot red broth, numbing and spicy—it's mouthwatering. The Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan main store on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.

The skewers here come in many varieties—dozens of kinds, with both vegetarian and meat options—overwhelming my eyes.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerators for customers to choose freely. You just pick what you like. Another feature is that the kitchen cooks the skewers and serves them directly in a large basin, saving you the trouble of cooking and waiting. For lazy people like me, it's incredibly convenient.

After a short wait, a pot of steaming skewers arrives. The broth looks oily and spicy but is actually moderate in heat. Upon tasting, it's numbing, spicy, and fragrant. The restaurant provides dry dip and oil dip for dipping. The dry dip is their specialty—very tasty and recommended.

Besides skewers, there are also several hot dishes worth trying, such as spicy pig brain (smooth and creamy), spicy duck blood (tender and silky), spicy duck intestines (crisp and tasty), spicy luncheon meat, instant noodles, etc.—all quite memorable.

This Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan may not be the best chuanchuan in Chengdu, but it is definitely the most unique.

In Chengdu, a city that prides itself on leisure, there are many small bars of all sizes. But a bar like Bieyuan Li—surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and filled with various alcohols and snacks—is the only one of its kind in Chengdu.

The unique Cat Girl in the shop adds a mysterious touch to the night, making people look forward to the evening even more.

I heard that to give customers a better experience, the shop hired a company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) to create their lighting effects. I can only say quietly: what a big production! The boss is really generous!

As the lights turn on, the whole bar becomes a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brilliantly. Looking at this scene, I couldn't help but marvel—indeed, the boss's decision was spot on; the customers' feelings are the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a small bar, alcohol is a must. They have an enormous variety: foreign spirits, cocktails, pure imported beer, and many wines I couldn't even name—dazzling my eyes. Basically, if you want to drink it, you can find it here!

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

Although there are many alcoholic beverages, what I seem to favor is not that fiery kind. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, yet carries the rich, mellow fragrance of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, much like lemon iced tea, which is why it's always popular among girls. A friend who knows a lot about wine told me this drink is a "wolf in sheep's clothing" in the cocktail world—high alcohol content, so if you can't handle much, don't overindulge.

Another drink here is called Metropolitan. It's no exaggeration to say that Metropolitan is one of the world's most popular cocktails. To this day, it has been popular for over thirty years. With its relatively low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruit flavor, it won me over and became my favorite.

If you happen to order a bartender's special at Bieyuan Li, congratulations—you will enjoy a super pleasing cocktail show. The mixed cocktail slowly "breathes out" mist from the rim, creating a very artistic atmosphere. Savor it carefully; the deeper the contact between your tongue and the cocktail, the more wonderful the taste becomes.

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

Don't think you can only drink here; this place is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant. The taste and portion size can rival outside Sichuan restaurants. Dan dan noodles, Zhong dumplings, and childhood-tasting fermented rice with brown sugar—all available here!

Their specialty grilled fish is always a popular item in the shop. The fish is well-seasoned, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—guaranteed to win you over after a few bites.

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

It's only a short two hundred meters from the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to Jiaoliao, but it can take half an hour to walk. Rows of snack shops, various gold and silver utensils—if your mind wavers, you might get lost in some sight or sound.

Your eyes take in the blue bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Your ears are filled with the clinking of bronze and silver artisans and the calls of shopkeepers outside. Your nose catches the aroma of sugar-oil fruit and egg cakes. Breaking free from all this takes a lot of willpower.

Full of worldly hustle and bustle. Walking back and forth feels like tumbling through the sea of worldly desires; your eyes, ears, nose, and mind are all thoroughly satisfied.

Jiaoliao, right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, is clearly an exception on this century-old lane. The tightly closed double doors and the ever-present brass lock seem to declare a philosophy of retreating into the courtyard to be self-contained.

Truly experiencing what it means to be "a city forest"! Step out and it's bustling; step in and you return to a calm heart. Amid prosperity and leisure, a pure land is built, hiding luxury within, full of charm.

And indeed, the heavy brass lock, weighing half a jin (about 250g), separates the gazes of passing tourists and walls off the lively world steeped in three hundred years of alley life.

Wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. But the commotion outside cannot enter at all. Amid the noise of the city, Jiaoliao claims a piece of tranquility.

The wooden structure built entirely from paulownia wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. Long-term immersion in the subtle woody scent can help with sleep, calm the mind, and relax the body.

The hotel's architectural style is also a combination of motion and stillness. "Motion" is reflected in the detailed decorations throughout the hotel. Birds come into view from the entrance corridor, and guest rooms feature bird-shaped decorations, echoing the hotel's name, Jiaoliao.

"Stillness" lies in the blue-tiled, gray-bricked antique quadrangle courtyard. Every plant and tree is graceful; every bamboo and mat is elegant. Each guest room has its own poetic name, as if alive and vivid!

The rooms are mostly decorated with raw wood, fresh and clean, with complete facilities: King Koil "Jingzhu Shiguang" co-branded mattresses, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... Various drinks, snacks, fruits, and tea are available, creating a very warm and comfortable atmosphere. There is also an open-air balcony where you can look out at Kuanzhai Alley in the morning—entering the world while being detached from it; this is the life I desire. And if you want to relax your tired body, professional spa services are available.

Breakfast is also particularly thoughtful. Upon check-in, the butler asks about meal time and taste preferences—very considerate. You can choose between Chinese and Western meals, with fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries included. And it's delivered to the room! Full of love.

Living here is truly leisurely and comfortable, enjoying this unique scenery, fully embracing the joy of carefreeness!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area, Mao County, about 180 km from Chengdu. It takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Chengdu to the ski resort. The highest altitude is 2971 meters, the lowest 2733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people don't experience altitude sickness, so you can ski with peace of mind. The total length of the ski slopes is 2.5 km, making it the longest ski slope in southern China.

Taiziling is a relatively professional ski resort, with 3 advanced slopes, 3 intermediate slopes, and 3 beginner slopes. Whether you're a first-timer or an expert with all the skills, you can find fun here.

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

The ski trails here are naturally winding and undulating, called "dream slopes" by skiing enthusiasts. Multiple trails are available for you to choose from—many choices, full of surprises, providing a wonderful stage for both beginners and skiing gods to enjoy themselves and showcase their skills.

Skiing is really physically demanding, plus the UV is very strong. After a short while, you'll be sweating profusely and exhausted. Remember to hydrate and rest appropriately. During breaks, look at the blue sky, take photos, and admire others' cool postures—it's also very enjoyable. The weather is fine, sunlight reflects off the snow, making it very dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses.

To go to the advanced slopes, you must take the cable car, and helmets are mandatory for the cable car. So if you plan to try advanced slopes, remember to rent a helmet.

Sitting on the cable car, with white snow beneath your feet and the blazing sun above, and skiers zipping past below, you'll be especially afraid of dropping your gear or phone—it's quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, you reach the starting point of the advanced slope. The moment you step off, your legs go weak; the first slope is at least 40 degrees.

Indeed, "it's lonely at the top." There are fewer people on the advanced slopes. Very few use double planks; most are skilled players with their own snowboards, gliding down in a few moves and disappearing in no time.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There are places to eat inside the ski resort, but you can also bring your own—rice and self-heating hotpot are quite good. The hotpot at the hotel is tasty, no worse than outside. A big pot of red broth, oily but not greasy—enjoying the spicy thrill of hotpot while watching the snow scenery is a true treat.

From the moment you step into Jiuding Mountain, you will experience a natural realm far from noise, poetic, harmonious with nature, ancient and serene. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have a joyful, intimate holiday with family and friends—why not do it!

Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu is located on the bank of 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 Du Fu's former residence. Although the thatched cottage complex is grand and luxurious, Du Fu's actual residence is only a tiny part of the scenic spot—a few small, shabby thatched huts. Those large-scale constructions were built by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.

When you enter the cottage grounds, there are many forks, each with signposts guiding visitors to scenic spots. A bit further in, an antique alley comes into view: the walls on both sides are vermilion, the tiles inlaid with round bricks engraved with animal faces, and the moss on the tiles shows that the alley has been around for a while. The bluestone slabs underfoot have turned black and cracked.

Passing through the alley, a winding brook appears, with green bamboos on both banks and towering ancient trees—a truly poetic scene.

Before you know it, you arrive at a place resembling a thatched cottage—yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, with bamboo fences enclosing the small garden.

The roof hasn't been built with modern materials, but it's no longer the one Du Fu lived in back then. Standing in front of the house, I only wanted to feel the timeless verse: "Could I get a vast mansion covering ten thousand rooms, to shelter all the poor scholars on earth and bring them joy!" Seeing the loose soil on the walls revealing large bamboo strips forming the framework. The wooden threshold looks so old that one step might break it.

Walking in the thatched cottage, I was greeted by a strong sense of history and thick poetic atmosphere, making me indulge in it, unwilling 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 the lively, earthy atmosphere of Chengdu!