Chengdu, I Miss Your Lively Atmosphere
Chengdu is actually not a place that erodes 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. Men, women, young, and old who live here have a sort of intoxicating and charming relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play mahjong; if they want to eat small chili peppers, they eat small chili peppers. People in Sichuan have a certain spirit: calm, fearless, living their own beloved life with neither arrogance nor humility. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, it's more accurate to say I love the lively atmosphere of Chengdu.
Chengdu people love good food, and Chengdu is also the capital of cuisine! The most wonderful 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 flavor: the aroma of food. So I came to Chengdu, to this city full of delicious food!
YuAN Gong, YuAN Gong—by fate comes tribute. A red plaque with gold characters instantly struck my heart. The moonlight-colored verses on the ground also hint at the theme of "fate." It seems that this restaurant and I truly have a destined connection.
The ceiling of YuAN Gong is covered with red flowers like blazing flames, feeling particularly innovative, and my mood unconsciously lifted.
This restaurant is located on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshi Bridge. The address is a bit off the beaten path. Compared to the bustling nightlife of Chunxi Road, this place seems somewhat detached from the worldly affairs, and I love this place that feels detached from the mundane world.
The entire restaurant is quite spacious. Each table has its own separate compartment, with a good distance, suitable for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all—I simply love this environment!
Nowadays, restaurant decorations are also very stylish, and this one is no exception. The lighting and color tones, whether in private rooms or the main hall's booths, are quite design-conscious!
The dishes here are also authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, with excellent flavors. The environment actually has a very homey feel. The red flowers and umbrellas as decorations feel very festive and warm. This atmosphere instantly brought a wave of warmth to my heart. Perhaps this is the taste of home.
The service staff were very good, truly warm and attentive, always available when called. Even though our seat was in a relatively remote spot, the servers could still be reached at any time; there was no situation where we couldn't call someone. They were genuinely friendly and courteous to guests, with designated staff guiding us from entry to exit—this is something I consider a positive point.
Now, about the dishes. What left the deepest impression on me was the YuAN Gong Signature Clam Rabbit. The green and red double peppers accentuated the rabbit meat's freshness and tenderness, and the clams looked enticingly colored. One bite, and the fresh tenderness, slight numbness, and moderate spiciness made my taste buds dance. "When golden wind meets jade dew, it surpasses countless moments in the world!"
Longmen Hanging Meat—this dish came with a special young man who cut the meat for us and placed it neatly on the plate. It had a crispy texture, with the outer coating perfectly fried. Even eating a lot didn't make me feel greasy. This is also one of their signature dishes, quite distinctive.
The Old Duck Soup left a rather deep impression. It wasn't heavy on MSG or chicken essence, with a clear, slightly sweet fragrance that just right for quenching dryness. One sip felt soothing to both body and mind—so comfortable and delicious.
Another dish, YuAN Gong Native Chicken Slices, was absolutely the best of the whole meal. The flavor was excellent, with lotus root slices underneath. The red chili oil was very fragrant, and mixed with the chicken slices, it was simply heavenly. My friend and I both praised this dish endlessly—it was truly delicious!
The Scented Bean Whole Fish was a large fish, covered with many fermented black beans and diced sauce meat. Even without the fish, the condiment alone could go with several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all!
"Fate brings people together from a thousand miles away; meet at YuAN Gong." An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!
As everyone knows, Chengdu is the capital of cuisine. When talking about representative foods, chuan chuan (skewers) definitely occupies a place. Large bundles of bamboo skewers, hot red broth, numbing and spicy flavors—makes your mouth water uncontrollably. This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan main branch on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.
The variety of skewers in the shop is quite rich, with dozens of types—plenty of vegetarian and meat options, leaving me dazzled.
The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerators for customers to pick freely. Customers just choose what they like. Another feature here is that the kitchen chef cooks the skewers and serves them directly in a large pot, saving the time of cooking them yourself. For lazy people like us, it's incredibly convenient.
After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers arrives at the table. The broth looks oily and spicy, but the spiciness is moderate. It's numbing, spicy, and fresh. The shop also offers dry and oil dipping sauces. The dry sauce is their specialty and quite good—worth recommending.
Besides skewers, there are several hot dishes like numbing spicy pig brain, with a delicate and smooth texture; numbing spicy duck blood, fresh and tender; numbing spicy duck intestines, crisp and tasty; as well as numbing spicy luncheon meat, instant noodles, etc., all quite memorable.
Although this Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan may not claim to be the best chuan chuan in Chengdu, it is certainly the most distinctive.
In a city that prides itself on leisure like Chengdu, there are many bars of all sizes. But a bar surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and stocked with all kinds of liquor and snacks like this one—only Bie Yuan Li exists in Chengdu.
The shop's exclusive Cat Girl adds a mysterious touch to their nights, making people look forward to the arrival of evening with more anticipation.
I heard that to offer customers a better experience, the owner hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest to create their lighting effects. I can only secretly remark—such a big production! The boss is really generous!
As the lights inside the bar turn on, the whole place becomes a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brilliantly in the bar. Looking at the scene, I couldn't help but marvel. Indeed, the boss's decision was great; the customers' experience is the greatest affirmation.
Since this is a small bar, alcohol is essential. There is a huge variety: foreign spirits, cocktails, pure imported beers—everything you can imagine. There are also many drinks whose names I couldn't even recognize, leaving me dazzled. In short, whatever you want to drink, you can basically find it here!
Not only that, but even the tableware for food is carefully selected Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain, looking elegant and beautiful, truly captivating.
Although there are so many alcoholic drinks, what I seem to favor is not the strong ones. Long Island Iced Tea looks as clear and mild as black tea, yet it has the strong, mellow fragrance of alcohol. Mixed with lemon juice and cola, Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, similar to lemon black tea, making it a favorite among girls. A friend of mine, who knows a lot about drinks, told me that this cocktail is "a wolf in sheep's clothing" in the bartending world—its alcohol concentration is quite high, so those who can't drink much should not indulge.
There is also a drink called Metropolitan. It is no exaggeration to say that Metropolitan is one of the world's most popular cocktails. To this day, it has remained popular for over thirty years. With its relatively low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruity flavor, it won me over and became my favorite.
At Bie Yuan Li, if you happen to order their bartender's special cocktail, congratulations—you'll enjoy a super visually appealing show. The finished cocktail slowly "breathes" mist from the rim of the glass, creating a particularly artistic atmosphere. As you savor it, the deeper the contact between your tongue and the cocktail, the more wonderful the taste becomes.
I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Gujiang Wheat Straw Rice Wine. Rice wine drunk through a wheat straw—this was my first time seeing it. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth and gentle on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes your whole body feel warm.
Don't think you can only drink here; actually, this place is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant. The flavor and portion size can rival those of outside Sichuan restaurants. Dan dan noodles, Zhong dumplings, and childhood-flavored fermented glutinous rice with brown sugar can all be found here!
Their specialty grilled fish has always been a popular item. The fish is grilled to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sure to win you over in just a few bites.
After seeing so much, if you're curious, go experience it yourself!
From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiao Liao hotel is only about two hundred meters, but it can take a full half hour to walk. Lined with snack shops and various gold and silver utensils, if your mind wavers even a little, you'll be swept away by the sights and sounds.
Your eyes take in the blue bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Your ears are filled with the tinkling sounds of bronze and silver craftsmen and the calls of shopkeepers. Your nose is met with the aromas of sugar-oil fruits and egg pancakes. Escaping from all this requires considerable willpower.
Full of worldly hustle and bustle. Walking back and forth once is like turning a somersault in the sea of mortal desires—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, mind, all thoroughly satisfied.
Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, the Jiao Liao hotel is a special exception in this century-old lane. The tightly closed double doors and the ever-present brass lock seem to declare a philosophy of retreating into a small courtyard and creating one's own world.
Truly understanding what it means to be "a forest within the city"—step out to hustle and bustle, step in to remain true to your heart. Build a pure land amidst prosperity and ease, with luxury hidden within and charm contained.
And indeed, once the heavy brass lock is fastened, it separates the gazes of passing tourists and keeps out the boisterous world that has soaked the alley for three hundred years.
The wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves, but not a bit of the outside noise can get in. In the midst of a bustling city, Jiao Liao secures a slice of tranquility.
The wooden structure made entirely of paulownia wood is an encounter between traditional aesthetics and modern techniques—natural yet sturdy. Long-term exposure to the faint fragrance of wood can help with sleep, soothe the mind, and calm the body.
The hotel's architectural style also combines movement and stillness. "Movement" lies in the detailed crafting of the interior decoration. Birds begin to appear from the entrance corridor, and guest rooms feature bird-shaped decorations, echoing the hotel's name—Jiao Liao.
"Stillness" lies in the antique quadrangle courtyard of greenish-black tiles and bricks, where every plant and blade of grass is exquisitely serene, every bamboo and mat is of elegant taste. Each guest room has its own poetic and picturesque name, as if infused with life and vividness.
The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean, fully equipped. They feature King Koil "Serenity" joint mattress, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... various beverages, snacks, fruits, tea, etc. are all available, giving an overall warm and comfortable feeling. There is also an open-air terrace—looking out at Kuanzhai Alley from the window in the morning, being in the world while being detached—this is the life one desires. And if you want to relax a tired body, professional spa services are also available.
Breakfast is also particularly warm. Upon check-in, the butler will ask about your dining time and taste preferences—very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western meals, accompanied by fruits, dried fruits, various pastries, and it's delivered to your room! Full of love.
Staying here, you truly enjoy a leisurely comfort, possessing this beautiful scenery, and fully experiencing the joy of carefree living!
Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area in Maoxian County, about 180 km from Chengdu. It takes about 3.5 hours by car from Chengdu. The resort's highest altitude is 2,971 meters, lowest 2,733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people won't experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy with peace of mind. The total length of the ski trails is 2.5 km, making it the longest ski resort in southern China.
Taiziling is a fairly professional ski resort, with 3 advanced runs, 3 intermediate runs, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you're experiencing skiing for the first time or a professional with all the skills, you'll find fun here.
Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area boasts a beautiful natural environment, with picturesque mountains and clear waters, rich vegetation. It is a multifunctional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The concentration of negative oxygen ions is extremely high, PM2.5 remains below 10 for a long time, and during the snow season, over 70% of the days are sunny and bright, earning it the reputation of a city of sunshine and a land of snow scenes.
The ski trails there are naturally winding and undulating, called "dream trails" by skiing enthusiasts. Many trails are available for you to choose from—lots of options, plenty of surprises—providing a wonderful stage for beginners and skiing experts to enjoy themselves and showcase their skills.
Skiing is really an energy-consuming activity, plus the ultraviolet rays are very strong. After a while, you'll be sweating profusely and feel exhausted. You need to replenish water and rest properly. Resting while looking at the blue sky, taking photos, and admiring others' cool poses is also very enjoyable. The weather is good; sunlight reflects off the snow, making the glare strong, so it's best to bring sunglasses.
To go on the advanced runs, you must take the cable car, and you must wear a helmet on the cable car. So if you plan to try the advanced runs, remember to rent a helmet.
On the cable car, with white snow beneath your feet and the sun above, and skiers whizzing below, I was especially afraid of dropping my equipment or phone—it was quite thrilling.
After about ten minutes on the cable car, you reach the starting point of the advanced runs. As soon as I got off, my legs went weak—the first slope must be at least 40 degrees.
Indeed, "it is lonely at the top." There were even fewer people on the advanced runs. Very few were using double skis; most were excellent players with their own snowboards, skiing down in a few moves and disappearing in an instant.
If you get hungry, you can buy something to eat. There are dining areas inside the resort, but you can also bring your own food, like some rice and self-heating hot pot—it's quite nice. The hot pot at the hotel is tasty, no worse than outside. A big pot of red broth, but not greasy—enjoying the spiciness while viewing the snow scenery is a true pleasure.
From the moment you step into Jiuding Mountain, you will experience a natural realm far from noise, full of poetic charm, unity of heaven and man, and ancient tranquility. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have a more harmonious, intimate, and wonderful holiday with family and friends—why not do it!
Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu is located on the bank of Huanhua Brook 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 current thatched cottage is built on a grand and luxurious scale, Du Fu's actual residence is only a very small part of the scenic spot—just a few small, broken thatched huts. The large-scale constructions are actually later buildings built to commemorate Du Fu.
After entering the thatched cottage, there are many forks in the road, with signposts guiding visitors to scenic spots. A little further in, you'll see an ancient-looking lane: the walls on both sides are vermilion, the tiles are embedded with round bricks carved with animal faces, and the moss on the tiles shows that the lane has been around for some time. The bluestone slabs underfoot have been worn dark and cracked.
Passing through the lane, you'll see a winding stream with green bamboo on both banks, accompanied by towering ancient trees—a truly poetic scene.
Before you know it, you arrive at a place that looks like a thatched cottage—yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, and a bamboo fence surrounds the small garden.
The roof doesn't incorporate modern building materials, but it is no longer the hut Du Fu lived in back then. Here, I just want to stand in front of the house and feel the timeless verse: "Could I get a vast mansion for all the poor scholars in the world to share with smiling faces?" I saw the soil on the walls loose, revealing large frames woven from bamboo strips. The wood on the threshold felt like it could break under a single step.
Walking through the thatched cottage, I was enveloped by a strong sense of history and rich poetic flavor, indulging 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 atmosphere of Chengdu...
