Chengdu—What I Miss Is Your Lively Atmosphere

Chengdu is actually not a place that destroys one's willpower. On the contrary, it makes you feel full of vitality. The only reason to succumb is that you cannot resist the unbridled imagination of this city. Its beauty lies in its innocence; people of all ages here have a fatal, captivating sense of ease. They never doubt the meaning of life. They are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play mahjong; if they love eating little spicy peppers, they eat them. There is a certain spirit in Sichuan people—a quiet, fearless, neither servile nor arrogant attitude to live their beloved little life. I would say that rather than liking Chengdu, I like the vibrant earthly life of Chengdu.

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

Yuan Gong, Yuan Gong, meaning "fate brings tribute"—the red plaque with golden characters instantly struck my heart. The moon-white poetic verses on the ground also highlighted the theme of "fate." It seems that I am truly destined to be with this restaurant.

The ceiling of Yuan Gong was covered with red flowers like blazing flames, which felt exceptionally innovative, and my mood unconsciously brightened.

This restaurant is located behind another street near Qingshi Bridge off Chunxi Road; the location is a bit off the beaten path. Compared to the dazzling lights and bustling scene of Chunxi Road, this place seems somewhat detached from worldly affairs, and I just love this otherworldly spot.

The overall restaurant environment is quite spacious, with each table having separate booths, and the distance between them is adequate, suitable for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all—I absolutely love this setting!

Nowadays, restaurants have stylish decor, and this one is no exception. The lighting and color tones, whether in the private rooms or the main hall booths, are quite well-designed!

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, and the flavors are very good. The environment actually has a homey feel; the red flowers and umbrellas as decorations feel very festive and warm. This atmosphere immediately brought a warm surge to my heart—perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff were very good, truly warm and attentive, responding promptly. Although we sat in a relatively secluded location, we could always call a waiter without any issue. They were genuinely kind and friendly to guests, with dedicated guides from entrance to exit—that's something I found quite nice.

Speaking of the dishes, the one that left the deepest impression on me is Yuan Gong's signature Clam Rabbit (Huajia Tu). The green and red peppers accentuated the rabbit meat, making it even more tender and delicious, and the clams also looked appetizing. Taking a bite, the flavors of tenderness, slight numbness, and moderate spiciness burst forth—instantly, my taste buds danced. "When golden wind and jade dew meet, they surpass countless scenes on earth!"

Longmen Diaorou (Dragon Gate Hanging Meat)—for this dish, a special young man helps cut the meat and arranges it on a plate. It has a crispy texture; the outer coating is perfectly fried, and you won't feel greasy even after eating a lot. This is also one of their signature dishes, quite unique.

The old duck soup left a strong impression—it didn't have a strong taste of chicken essence or MSG, but rather a clear, sweet fragrance that perfectly relieved dryness. One sip made me feel relaxed in both body and mind—so comfortable and delicious.

Another dish, Yuan Gong's Sliced Local Chicken (Tuji Pian), was absolutely the best of the evening. The flavor was excellent—underneath were lotus root slices, and the red chili oil aroma was super fragrant. Eating it together with the chicken was simply a heavenly delicacy. My friend and I couldn't stop praising it; it was truly delicious!

The Douchi Whole Fish (Chixiang Quanyu) was a large fish, topped with plenty of fermented black beans and diced meat in sauce. Even without the fish, this condiment alone could go with several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all!

Fate brings people from a thousand miles to meet at Yuan Gong. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As we all know, Chengdu is a food capital. When it comes to representative delicacies, chuanchuan (skewers) definitely has a place. Big handfuls of bamboo skewers, hot red broth, numbing and spicy flavors—it makes your mouth water uncontrollably. This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan flagship store on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.

The variety of skewers in the store is quite abundant, with dozens of types. There are many vegetarian and meat options, which left me dazzled.

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

After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers was served. The broth looked oily and spicy, but the spiciness was actually moderate. It was numbing, spicy, and fragrant. The restaurant also provides dry dip and oil dip for customers to dunk—their dry dip is a specialty, really tasty, and worth recommending.

Besides skewers, there are also quite a few hot dishes that are good, such as numb-spicy pork brains (mala naohua) with a dense and delicate texture; numb-spicy duck blood (mala yaxue) that is tender and smooth; numb-spicy duck intestines (mala yachang) that are crisp and tasty; and numb-spicy luncheon meat, instant noodles, etc., all quite memorable.

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

In Chengdu, a city known for its leisurely pace, there are many bars of all sizes. But a bar like Bie Yuan Li, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and abundant with various drinks and snacks—this is the only one in Chengdu.

The unique cat girl in the store adds a touch of mystery to their nights, making people look forward to the arrival of evening even more.

I heard that this bar hired a company that participated in the lighting design of the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) to create their lighting effects. I can only secretly exclaim: truly a grand production, the boss is really generous!

As the lights turned on, the entire bar turned into a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights were like 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, and the customers' experience is the best affirmation for him.

Since this is a small bar, alcohol is definitely indispensable. There is a huge variety: foreign spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, pure imported beers—everything you can think of, plus many wines whose names I can't even recall, leaving me dazzled. Anyway, whatever you want to drink, you can basically find it here!

Not only that, but even the vessels used to serve food are carefully selected Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain, looking elegant and beautiful, which is very appealing.

Although there are many alcoholic drinks, it seems that what I love is not the strong ones. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, yet it has the strong, mellow aroma of alcohol. After adding lemon juice and cola, Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, similar to lemon iced tea, so it has always been popular among girls. My friend, who is very knowledgeable about wine, told me that this drink is the "wolf in sheep's clothing" in the cocktail world—its alcohol content is relatively high, so those who can't handle it should not overindulge.

There is also a cocktail called "Metropolitan." It is 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 rich fruit flavor, it conquered my heart and became my favorite.

If you happen to order their bartender's special cocktail at Bie Yuan Li, congratulations—you will enjoy a super pleasing cocktail show. The finished cocktail gently emits a misty "fairy air" from the rim of the glass, creating a particularly artistic atmosphere. Savoring it carefully, the deeper your tongue's contact with the cocktail, the more wonderful its flavor becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Ancient Qiang Straw Wine (Guqiang Maigan Zha Jiu), a rice wine served with a wheat straw as a straw, which I've never seen before. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, with a smooth and soft texture. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes the whole body feel warm.

Don't think you can only drink here; actually, this bar is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant, with taste and portions comparable to regular Sichuan restaurants. Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Dumplings, and even the childhood-flavored brown sugar fermented rice (hongtang laozao) are all available here!

Their signature grilled fish has always been a popular dish. The fish is well seasoned, with a crispy outside and tender inside—after a few bites, you'll definitely become a fan.

After seeing so much, if you're curious, go and experience it yourself!

It's only a short 200 meters from the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to Jiaoliao, but you can easily spend half an hour walking there. With rows of snack shops and various gold and silver utensils, if your mind wavers even a little, you'll be immersed in the sights and sounds somewhere.

Eyes feast on the blue bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Ears are filled with the tinkling of coppersmiths and silversmiths and the calls of shopkeepers. The nose is constantly hit by the aroma of tangyou guozi (sugar-oil balls) and danhonggao (egg puffs). It takes quite a lot of willpower to break away from all this.

Full of earthly life and worldly atmosphere. Walking back and forth once is like doing a somersault in the mire of the mundane world—eyes, ears, nose, form, and mind are all thoroughly satisfied.

Jiaoliao, located right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, is a special exception on this century-old alley. The two tightly closed doors, with a copper lock that has been hanging for years, seem to declare a concept of retreating into the courtyard to create its own world.

Truly understand what "city mountains and forests" means—step out to the bustling crowd, step in to guard your inner peace. Build a pure land amid prosperity and comfort, with luxury hidden inside and charm within.

Indeed, the eight-taels heavy copper lock falling separates the gazes of passing tourists and also isolates the 300-year-old lively river-lake atmosphere of the alley outside.

The wind can pass through the courtyard, and birds can perch on the eaves. But none of the noise outside can enter; it takes a quiet space from the bustling city—this is Jiaoliao.

The wooden structure made entirely of tung wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet stable. Soaking in the faint aroma of wood for a long time helps with sleep, calms the mind, and nourishes the body.

The architectural style of the hotel also combines movement and stillness. "Movement" is reflected in the details of the interior decoration. Birds catch the eye from the corridor upon entering the hotel, and continue with bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms, echoing the hotel's name—Jiaoliao.

"Stillness" lies in the antique-style courtyard with blue-black bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree is exquisite, every bamboo and mat is elegant. Each guest room here has a poetic name, as if coming to life with vitality.

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural 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 all available. The overall feeling is very warm and comfortable. There is also a small open-air balcony where you can watch the Kuanzhai Alley outside your window in the morning—living both in and out of the world; this is the life I want. And if you want to relax your tired body, they also offer very professional spa services.

Breakfast is also particularly warm. Upon check-in, the butler will ask about dining time and taste preferences—very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western meals, with fruit, dried fruit, and various pastries. And it is delivered to the room by the butler! Full of love.

Staying here is truly leisurely and comfortable, uniquely enjoying this beautiful scenery, fully experiencing the joy of carefree living!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in the Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area in Mao County, about 180 km from downtown Chengdu. It takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Chengdu to the ski resort. The highest altitude of the ski resort is 2,971 meters, the lowest is 2,733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people do not experience altitude sickness here, so you can enjoy safely. The total length of the ski trails is 2.5 kilometers, making it currently the longest ski resort in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort has relatively professional ski trails, with 3 advanced, 3 intermediate, and 3 beginner trails. Whether you are a first-timer feeling skiing or a professional with all kinds of skills, you can find fun here.

Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area has a beautiful natural environment with green mountains and clear waters, rich in vegetation resources. It is a multi-functional scenic spot integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The concentration of negative oxygen ions is extremely high, and PM2.5 has long been below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the time is sunny with good weather, making it a city of sunshine and a country of snow scenery.

The snow trails inside are naturally winding and undulating, known by skiing enthusiasts as "dream snow trails." There are many trails to choose from, with plenty of options and surprises, providing a wonderful stage for beginners and ski gods to play freely and showcase their skills.

Skiing is really a physically exhausting activity, plus the ultraviolet rays are very strong. After a while, you'll be sweating profusely and feeling exhausted. Be sure to rehydrate and rest properly. During breaks, you can look at the blue sky, take photos, and admire other people's cool poses—it's very enjoyable. The weather is great, but sunlight reflecting off the snow is dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses in your gear.

To go on the advanced trails, you must take the cable car, and wearing a helmet is mandatory on the cable car. So if you plan to go on advanced trails, remember to rent a helmet.

Sitting on the cable car, with the snow-white ground underfoot and the scorching sun overhead, and skiers whizzing past below, I was particularly worried about dropping my equipment or phone—it was really thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, we reached the start of the advanced trail. As soon as I got off, my legs went weak—the first slope had to be at least 40 degrees.

Truly "it is lonely at the top"—on the advanced trail, there were even fewer people. Very few use double boards; most were skilled players with their own snowboards, who slid down swiftly and disappeared in no time.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There's a dining area in the ski resort, but you can also bring your own. Bringing some rice and a self-heating hot pot is quite good. The hot pot in the hotel is delicious, no worse than what you'd get outside. A big pot of bright red broth, oily but not greasy—enjoying the spicy thrill of hot pot while viewing the snow scenery—that's a real treat.

From the moment you step into Jiuding Mountain, you will experience a natural realm far from the hustle and bustle, full of poetic charm, harmony between man and nature, and ancient tranquility. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have an even more joyful and intimate holiday with family and friends—why not do it!

Chengdu 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 site is grand and luxurious, Du Fu's actual residence is just a tiny part of the scenic spot—a few small, dilapidated thatched huts. Those large-scale constructions were actually built by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.

After entering the cottage, there are many intersections with signposts guiding visitors to various scenic spots. Going further in, a quaint little alley comes into view: the walls on both sides are vermilion, and the tiles above are embedded with round bricks engraved with animal faces. The mottled moss on the tiles indicates that this alley has been built for some time. The blue stone slabs underfoot have become dark and black from wear, with cracks appearing.

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 and picturesque scene.

Before we knew it, we arrived at a place that looked like a thatched hut. Yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, and a bamboo fence encloses the small garden.

The roof has no modern building materials, but it is no longer the one Du Fu lived in back then. Here I just want to stand in front of the house and feel the timeless masterpiece: "How can I get a vast mansion of a thousand rooms to shelter all the cold scholars in the world, making them all smile?" I saw the soil on the walls loosening, revealing large frames woven from bamboo strips. The wood on the threshold felt like it could break under one step.

Walking in the thatched cottage, I was met with a strong sense of history and thick poetic atmosphere, making me linger and 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 vibrant earthly life of Chengdu...