A Gluttonous Feast in the Glamorous City of Chengdu

Fingertip: The only things in life that cannot be let down are beautiful scenery and delicious food.

Some say that when Chengdu is mentioned, what comes to mind is not the city's name but its countless delicacies. Because Chengdu is a city filled with food. In every alley and on every street of this city, you can encounter many delicious foods and interesting snacks at any time.

And the enthusiasm of Chengdu people for eating has led to a highly developed catering industry in Chengdu. Almost every out-of-town tourist who comes to Chengdu is full of interest in its hotpot, Sichuan cuisine, snacks, and spicy hot pot. Going to Chengdu without eating its food always gives one the feeling of entering a mountain of treasures and returning empty-handed.

A city has its own history and culture, as well as its own characteristic districts. To understand a city's history and culture, you should step into its characteristic districts, learn about the cultural origins and stories of famous figures it carries, touch the lingering warmth of its history up close, and feel the bustling commercial atmosphere and the flavor of indulgence that have persisted through the changes of the times.

With rare leisure time and family accompanying us, we decided to wander around Jinli, savoring the sights slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and literary, like a crescent moon reflected in a time mirror, then Jinli is bustling and worldly, like a few bursts of fireworks blooming outside the mirror of time.

Entering Jinli, the allure of delicious food and wonderful aromas hits you right in the face. Shops open wide, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies, elaborately decorated, appear faintly in the swirling mist. Their beautiful shapes, fresh colors, and fragrant smells make your mouth water uncontrollably.

Beside the shops, there are performers dressed as young Sichuan opera singers greeting customers. They mimic the movements of opera, suddenly retracting their necks and turning their white faces into red ones, startling you. Before you can be surprised or annoyed, they pull a funny face to make you laugh. That instant amusement lifts your spirits.

When we first arrived, the sky was clear. Strolling through Jinli with fewer tourists, it had a hazy, classical charm. The streets of Jinli are not wide, but ancient buildings face each other on both sides. Strings of red lanterns hang high and low, some under the upturned eaves and corners, others on branches, twinkling in the misty rain, radiating a unique charm.

Walking through the ancient street feels like strolling in a poem with harmonious rhythm. Carved windows, ancient walls draped with creeping vines, and winding corridors with secluded paths—like the backdrop of a poem—offer a contrast between deep elegance and the vicissitudes of time, the old and the vivid.

Jinli is an ancient street suitable for nostalgia, a place that caters to both refined and popular tastes. Here you can find memories of Chengdu from the Three Kingdoms period, and also enjoy a leisurely life in the fast-paced city.

After touring Jinli, we got hungry—it seems the temptation of food is quite strong. We decided to take the family to Gua Chuan Chuan at Jinfangyuan East Road, which we heard was pretty good. Upon arriving, we found the environment at Gua Chuan Chuan to be really nice.

The overall decoration features green bricks and green tiles, with red walls full of festive atmosphere. The space is spacious with clear functional divisions. The Chinese vintage style adds a unique charm to the shop, making it truly antique.

Although we thought it was still early, once inside we realized it was a different world—the place was packed with people. The entire hall was full, with voices buzzing, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the foodies waiting in line outside. Indeed, good taste is the king—this is the true nature of Chengdu foodies.

Soup base: Made with authentic Chengdu methods, the cold pot skewers are perfectly spicy. The super-rich soup base is freshly boiled every day, covered with red oil over a secret broth. Full of dried ingredients, it simmers from early morning until noon opening. The flavor is fragrant without being numbing, spicy without being harsh—a taste that cannot be imitated. Only the recipe passed down from the older generation can be called the old Chengdu flavor.

70+ types of skewers to choose from: Six big freezers offer a dazzling selection. The ingredients are protected by a five-star cold chain. Fresh ingredients are carefully selected, marinated with care, and skewered. Meat and vegetables are available; you pay by the weight of the sticks after eating. Take whatever you want and start the crazy skewer-eating mode!

Handmade special double dipping sauce: How fragrant is the dry dip? The combination of crushed peanuts and chili powder easily wins first place. A gentle roll gives a peanut aroma. The intricate handmade process makes it unique. The oil dip, made with sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped green onions, is also a small expert at relieving spiciness and adding fragrance.

Beef skewers are versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can roll up a world. Five-spice, spicy, cilantro, pickled pepper, and scallion—the beef is marinated in a secret sauce for two to three hours. Plump pickled peppers with tender beef, a hint of green among the red beef, stand out. When eaten, the heavy flavor bursts on the tongue. In the thick beef pieces, pickled peppers are ready to burst with juice. Your mouth says no, but your body is honest, sending skewers to your mouth one after another.

Small sausages: Small sausages are a specialty of Chengdu. Plump little sausages with a balanced fat-to-lean ratio are cut into bite-sized pieces. The slightly sweet taste is very Cantonese-style. The dual sensation of sweet and spicy is captivating, and the satisfaction doubles while relieving the spiciness! You won't regret coming to this restaurant—it's so delicious you can't stop eating.

Two | One: Bar "Boss", Find Your Own Intoxication

Hearing the name "Wuhou," anyone familiar with the Three Kingdoms will recognize it—this is the alias of the famous Zhuge Liang, "Zhuge Wuhou." If your favorite kingdom in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is Shu, then Chengdu's famous scenic spot—Wuhou Shrine—is a must-visit. It will surely satisfy all your desires.

Soon it was afternoon. My family and I planned to visit Wuhou Shrine, to experience the legendary stories of the Three Kingdoms together and fulfill our Three Kingdoms dream.

Legend has it that Wuhou Shrine was first built in 223 AD, originally constructed as a mausoleum for Liu Bei. Later generations merged Liu Bei's mausoleum with Zhuge Liang's shrine to form the current joint temple of ruler and minister, the only one of its kind in China.

The heroic figures of the ever-changing Shu kingdom have turned to dust here; their great achievements are buried and rest here. All historical stories have settled and fermented here, resulting in the weighty Wuhou Shrine—a place to commemorate the heroes of Shu Han.

From Sanyi Temple to Wuhou Shrine, from the Oath of the Peach Garden to Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, we arrived at the main hall of Zhuge Liang's temple. In the middle of the hall hangs a horizontal plaque inscribed "Ming Chui Yu Zhou" (Eternal Fame in the Universe), which must be the highest praise for Master Zhuge. The first couplet reads: "If you can win hearts, opposition naturally disappears; since ancient times, those who know war are not fond of fighting." The second couplet reads: "If you do not assess the situation, leniency or strictness will both be wrong; those who later govern Shu must think deeply."

These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang's lifelong loyalty and ambition to serve Shu with utmost devotion until his death. He used his entire life to repay the favor of the three visits and the recognition of his talent. Wuhou Shrine is not large; located in the bustling city, it occupies a modest area, and you can finish touring it in about an hour. Yet Wuhou Shrine is also vast, because it carries not just a scenic spot, but the history of a dynasty—a tribute and remembrance of that era.

We walked and stopped, turning into secluded paths, admiring bonsai, viewing flowers and plants, catching faint scents. We looked at ancient trees with gnarled roots, watched the shadows of delicate arched bridges over water, and sighed at the damaged remnants of Han palaces. Carrying a sense of reverence for the Shu kingdom, we slowly walked out.

In Chengdu, a city that prides itself on leisure, there are many bars of all sizes. But a bar like Bie Yuan Li, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and filled with various drinks and snacks, is unique in Chengdu. To give customers a better in-store experience, they specially invited a lighting design company to design the lighting effects.

We couldn't waste the evening time; we planned to take the family to Bie Yuan Li to enjoy the cozy night.

Upon entering, as the lights turned on, the entire bar turned into a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resembled stars in the sky, shining brilliantly in the bar, instantly lifting the entertainment and leisure atmosphere.

The drinks in the bar are as abundant as its lights. Foreign spirits, Chinese-style cocktails, cocktails, and pure imported beers are all available here! Basically, whatever you want to drink, you can find it here!

Night Suit Mask Kiss: The rose brew, with its refreshing rose fragrance, is so beautiful that it wins the favor of young ladies. Since the alcohol content is low, it's perfect for small gatherings with girlfriends or leisurely moments! Upon tasting, the rose flavor is not strong at first, but as you go on, the taste of alcohol becomes clearer, intoxicating.

Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Wine: The blue and white porcelain bottle is full of Jianghu spirit! Using wheat straw as a straw, sipping the wine amidst laughter and joy, it has a unique flavor.

Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers are an inseparable couple. Having barbecue without wine seems to betray the party! Small sausages, prawns, corn kernels, dried tofu, green beans, and many other items—spicy and fresh, satisfying different people's appetites.

Lemongrass Roasted Fish: Besides barbecue, this roasted fish is a must-order dish. Although the fish is not big, the aroma already captivated Ba Shimei. The addition of lemongrass makes the fish's aroma fresher! The fried fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, smooth and delicious, with an excellent flavor. Sitting and playing in such a music bar is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.

Two | Two: Sichuan Cuisine on the Tip of the Tongue, Unforgettable Yuan Gong

What people call Chengdu's leisurely life is not the office buildings in the High-tech Zone, nor the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, nor the street photography on Chunxi Road. Go to People's Park—this is the place where Chengdu people most look forward to living.

With a history of 100 years, People's Park serves as a material and spiritual carrier, storing the real old Chengdu life. On weekends, People's Park becomes the liveliest.

There are two old tea houses in the park, Yongju and Heming, with Heming being the most famous. Built in the 1920s, nearly a hundred years old, it is almost as old as the park itself, hence called Centennial Heming. You must learn to "strike first," because Heming is always full. As soon as someone leaves, you grab a seat. Once seated, a lady in blue-and-white porcelain-style attire comes to clean the table and lets you order tea.

The playground is the place with the highest decibels. The noise and laughter of children are endless. The little train, carousel, roller coaster—every child and big child can find their source of joy.

But the most popular activity in People's Park is still boating. Color-faded little boats bear the childhood memories of Chengdu people from the last century. On days with good weather, there are the most people, and you have to queue for boating. Young parents bring their children to boat here, enjoying the happiness of a harmonious family. Of course, there are also young couples on dates. Anyway, whoever is on the boat is as happy as a child.

After the park, today we planned to take the family to Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. A friend had told me it is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan restaurant, quite popular and bustling, so we came specially to try it.

By the time we arrived, many people were already dining! The shop's decoration is quite down-to-earth. The antique environment is attractive, highlighting the old Chengdu characteristics. The private rooms, hall, and booth seats are all well-designed, decorated with flowers, revealing a unique charm.

Many of the customers here are tourists visiting Chengdu. Judging by the dishes they ordered, they are very typical Chengdu specialties. Mao Xue Wang, Tu Ji Pian (local chicken slices), and the signature rabbit are reasons I must visit. I haven't had such fresh, fragrant, spicy, and numbing dishes in a long time—big thumbs up!

Yuan Gong Local Chicken Slices: The chicken slices are tender with excellent texture, topped with scallions and white scallion slices—refreshing and tasty. Drizzled with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.

Longmen Hanging Meat: Made similar to a whole fried crispy pork. The young lady cuts it while saying auspicious words—a nice ritual. The meat is tender, smooth, and even better when dipped in chili powder.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: Tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with refreshing and juicy clams—the flavor layers are instantly elevated. Spicy and fragrant, it's super enjoyable.

Yuan Gong Braised Duck: The duck meat is delicate and tasty, with a rich braised aroma. The skin part is especially smooth and delicious, with excellent texture.

Huoshui Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite large. The back is slashed with a knife to let the flavor penetrate. The fish meat is snow-white and delicate. The celery and green pepper segments are especially tasty—my absolute favorite. Such deliciousness cannot be missed; action is better than longing.

Two | Two: Natural Humanities, Exquisite Sentiments | The Unique Charm of Jiaoliao

Jiaoliao—a place whose name makes you want to learn more. The name comes from Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering": "The tailorbird nests in the deep forest, needing only one branch; the field mouse drinks from the river, needing only to fill its belly." In this insatiable world, we cannot be too greedy. We must try to be "unmoved by the world's praise or blame, discerning the boundary between inner and outer, distinguishing between honor and disgrace." Perhaps such a state is too difficult, hence Jiaoliao exists, allowing us to slow down and let go of the pursuit in a small space.

Jiaoliao Hotel is a sturdy branch in the vast forest, pursuing freedom, unwilling to drag its tail in the mud. It draws nourishment from old Chengdu culture, seeking a "slow life" in the busy city and returning to a natural state of living.

Pushing open the door, a corridor comes into view. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque inscribed "Cheng Wu Yi You Xin" (Rely on things to roam the mind). Originating from Zhuangzi's "The Human World," after understanding its meaning, one can't help but admire the great wisdom of the old master Zhuang.

Entering the hotel, we took a look at all four floors. The hotel's design and decoration are indeed excellent, giving a comfortable and peaceful feeling. During the tour, we found that each room has its own unique name, such as Yanqian (Shallow Words), Youwei (Slight Flaw), Shijia (Worldly...), etc. We planned to stay in Yanqian because the moment we saw the name, my friend and I really liked it—it seemed to contain profound meaning, leaving us with endless imagination.

The hotel's security is also very good. Guest rooms require a card or the butler to open the door. After confirming our stay, the hotel butler gave us a cute Jiaoliao-shaped room card—adorable! Upon closer inspection, there is a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it connects inside and out. After we call, the butler places the items we need inside, and we can take them directly. This design is thoughtful—convenient and non-intrusive to guests.

Although Jiaoliao looks simple and elegant from the outside, everything inside the room matches the standards of a five-star hotel. For example, the mattress, linens, bathroom fixtures, and fully automatic toilet—the hardware is excellent. Various ornaments are all available and neatly arranged, everything appearing comfortable and cozy. The branded equipment subtly reflects the hotel's high-end quality—we absolutely loved it! My friend kept saying it was even more warm and cozy than her own home.

After entering, we found that on the bedside of each room, there is a soulful Jiaoliao bird, gazing deeply, as if in deep thought or listening. In each room, the Jiaoliao's expression and pose are different. We treated it as our listener, trying to talk to it. Those troubles hard to tell anyone could be poured out to this small creature that can only be understood but not explained. After speaking out all the unhappiness, we felt much better.

On the TV wall, a large hand-embroidered Shu embroidery peony is in full bloom, along with a carp leaping on Shu brocade. As we touched them, we couldn't help but admire the mature craftsmanship and long-standing culture of our ancestors. Overall, the room is full of elements of traditional Sichuan culture. Staying here, you also feel the influence of humanities. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but it's rare to find one so thoughtful and considerate. This stay was definitely the right choice.

The room also provides four top-grade teas from Mount Mengding. Having drunk too many carbonated beverages usually, it's a burden on the body. When we settled down, we brewed a cup of tea, savoring nature's gift, and instantly felt refreshed and invigorated.

My friend and I also found that the hotel's most considerate aspect is not just the room configuration and decoration, but also the excellent butler service. They can customize travel routes and plans for guests, and solve any problems encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast every morning can be customized, delivered to the room according to our taste and schedule. Lunch is enjoyed at Zifei, the first cultural restaurant in Kuanzhai Alley themed on Zhuangzi culture. It integrates culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances, leading you into pavilions and a dynasty of ancient zither and opera songs. Opening the wooden window in the morning, breathing in the first breeze and first ray of sunlight of Kuanzhai Alley, it was so refreshing and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the custom-made breakfast, filled with emotion.

After the meal, we stood in the small garden breathing fresh air, admiring the clear night sky, brewing a cup of hot tea, and exploring the stories of time in this ancient alley up close.

Carefully observing, we noticed a spider weaving its web on the opposite roof, and a falling leaf landing on the table... Look, everything in the world is striving to grow!

In the busy and noisy city, there is always a place of leisure and comfort where your body and mind can be released.