Immersed in Tianfu, Reluctant to Leave: My Chengdu Travelogue

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 wild imagination. Its beauty lies in innocence. Men and women, young and old, living here all possess a deadly charming sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—they play mahjong when they want to, and eat small chilies when they like. The people of Sichuan have a certain spirit within them—a tranquil, fearless one, neither humble nor arrogant, as they live their beloved little lives. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, I should say I love the lively atmosphere of Chengdu.

Chengdu's Cuisine Blooms Everywhere

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

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a culinary capital. When it comes to iconic dishes, chuan chuan (skewers) definitely holds a place. Big handfuls of bamboo skewers, steaming red broth, spicy and fragrant—it makes your mouth water uncontrollably.

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

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerators for customers to choose freely—just pick what you like. Another feature is that the chef cooks the skewers in large batches and brings them out in a big pot, saving you the trouble of cooking them yourself. For someone lazy like me, this is incredibly convenient.

After a short wait, a piping hot pot of skewers arrives at the table. The broth looks oily and spicy, but the heat is moderate. It's spicy and savory with a fresh fragrance. The shop offers both dry and oil dipping sauces. The dry sauce is their specialty and tastes great—worth recommending.

Besides skewers, there are also some hot dishes that are quite good, like spicy pork brain (smooth and delicate), spicy duck blood (tender and silky), spicy duck intestines (crisp and refreshing), as well as spicy luncheon meat and instant noodles, all leaving a lingering aftertaste.

In a city known for its leisurely lifestyle, there are many small bars of various sizes. But a bar like this one—surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and filled with a rich variety of drinks and snacks—can only be found at Bie Yuan Li in Chengdu.

The unique Cat Girl at the bar adds a touch of mystery to the night, making people look forward to the evening even more.

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 create the bar's lighting effects. I can only silently remark, what a grand production! The boss is truly generous!

When the lights come on, the whole bar turns into a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, the colored lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brightly inside the bar. Gazing at the scene, I couldn't help but marvel—indeed, the owner's decision was spot on; the customers' experience is the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a small bar, drinks are a must. They have a massive selection: foreign liquor, cocktails, and pure imported beer—everything you can think of, and many that I couldn't even name. It's dizzying to look at. Basically, whatever you want to drink, you can find here!

Not only that, but even the vessels used for serving food are 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 the strong, fiery drinks. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, but still has the rich, mellow aroma of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, it tastes sweet, quite similar to lemon iced tea, which is why it's always popular among girls. My companion, who knows a lot about drinks, told me that this cocktail is "a wolf in sheep's clothing"—it has a relatively high alcohol content, so those who can't hold their liquor shouldn't overindulge.

Another drink here is called The Metropolitan. It's no exaggeration to say that The 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 strong fruity flavor, it won me over and became one of my personal favorites.

At Bie Yuan Li, if you happen to order one of their signature cocktails made by the bartender, congratulations—you'll be treated to a spectacular cocktail-making show. The finished cocktail slowly "breathes" a wisp of mist from the rim of the glass, creating a particularly artistic ambiance. Sip slowly; the deeper the tongue contacts the cocktail, the more wonderful its flavor becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—the ancient Qiang wheat straw wine. Rice wine sipped through a wheat straw—this is the first time I've seen such a thing. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth and soft on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes your whole body feel warm.

Don't think you can only drink here; this place is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant. The taste and portions can rival any outside Sichuan eatery. You can find dan dan noodles, zhong dumplings, and even the childhood-flavored fermented rice with brown sugar here!

Their specialty grilled fish is always a popular dish. The fish is grilled to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender inside—guaranteed to win you over after just a few bites.

After seeing all this, if you're curious, go experience it for yourself!

It's only a short two-hundred-meter walk from the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to Jiaoliao, but it can take a full half hour. Row upon row of snack shops, various gold and silver utensils—if your mind wanders even a little, you'll be swept away by the sights and sounds.

Your eyes take in the green bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Your ears are filled with the rhythmic tapping of bronze and silver craftsmen and the calls of shopkeepers. The tip of your nose catches the aroma of sugar-oil fruit and egg puff cakes. Breaking free from all this requires considerable willpower.

It's full of the hustle and bustle of life and worldly affairs. Walking back and forth once feels like tumbling through the entanglements of the mortal world, satiating all the senses—eyes, ears, nose, color, and mind.

Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley stands Jiaoliao, a unique exception to this century-old lane. Its two tightly closed gates, with a copper lock perpetually falling, seem to declare a concept of retreating into the small courtyard to create a world of one's own.

I truly understood what it means to have "a forest in the city"—outside is bustling, inside is quiet and true to one's heart! Amid the prosperity and comfort, they built a pure land, containing luxury within, and imbued with charm.

And it really is so: once the heavy eight-tael copper lock falls, it separates the gazes of passing tourists and shuts out the lively world that has soaked this lane for three hundred years.

The wind can pass through the courtyard; birds can perch on the eaves. But none of the clamor outside can enter. Taking a slice of tranquility amid the noisy city—that is Jiaoliao.

The wooden structure crafted entirely from paulownia wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. Immersed in the faint scent of wood for a long time can help calm the mind and promote sleep, nurturing peace.

The architectural style of the hotel also combines movement and stillness. "Movement" lies in the meticulous details throughout the hotel's decor. From the entrance corridor, birds catch the eye, and the bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms echo the hotel's name—Jiaoliao.

"Stillness" is found in the antique quadrangle courtyard with green and black bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree exudes elegance; every bamboo mat and reed reveals taste. Each guest room has its own poetic name, as if it were alive and vibrant!

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean.

Breakfast is also particularly warm. Upon check-in, the butler asks about your meal time and taste preferences—very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western cuisine, and it's accompanied by fruits, nuts, and various pastries, delivered to your room! Full of love.

Living here is truly leisurely and comfortable, enjoying this beautiful view alone, fully embracing the joy of freedom!

Du Fu Thatched Cottage—My Unique Memory

Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located on the bank of Huanhua Creek, 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 entire site is grand and luxurious, Du Fu's actual residence is only a tiny part of the scenic area—just a few small, shabby thatched huts. The large-scale buildings were actually constructed by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.

After entering the cottage, there are many forks in the road, each with signposts guiding visitors. A little further in, an ancient alley appears: vermilion walls on both sides, roof tiles embedded with round bricks carved with animal faces, and moss spots on the tiles indicating that this alley has existed for some time. The blue stone slabs underfoot have been worn black and cracked from footsteps.

Passing through the alley, a winding stream comes into view, with green bamboos growing on both banks, accompanied by towering ancient trees—a truly poetic scene.

Before I knew it, we arrived at a place that looked like a thatched cottage. Yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! Small paths run on both sides, and a bamboo fence encloses the little garden.

The roof does not incorporate modern materials, but it is no longer the same hut Du Fu lived in back then. Standing in front of the house, I just wanted to feel the timeless verse: "Where could I get a spacious mansion covering ten thousand rooms, to shelter all the poor scholars of the world and bring them joy!" I saw loose dirt on the walls, revealing large sections of a bamboo frame. The wood on the threshold felt like it would shatter with one step.

Walking through the cottage, I was immersed in the breath of history and thick poetic sentiment, making me linger 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 most is the lively, earthly atmosphere of Chengdu...