The Charm Everywhere: What I Miss Is the Lively Vibe of Chengdu

Chengdu is not a place that dampens your willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel full of vitality. The only reason to sink is that you cannot resist the city's wild imagination. Its beauty lies in innocence—the men, women, and children here all possess a captivating relaxed vibe. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play; if they love to eat small spicy peppers, they eat. People from Sichuan have a certain spirit—calm, fearless, and dignified, living their beloved little lives without obsequiousness or arrogance. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, it's that I love the lively vibe of Chengdu.

Chengdu people are passionate about food, and Chengdu is also a capital of cuisine! The most beautiful feelings in life must be hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and all tastes of life, but my journey has only one flavor: the aroma of food. So I came to Chengdu, this city full of delicious food!

Yuàn Gòng, Yuan Gong, fate brings tribute. The red plaque with golden characters struck me instantly. The moon-white verses cast on the ground also highlighted the theme of 'fate,' and it seemed that this restaurant and I were truly destined.

The ceiling of Yuan Gong was covered with fiery red flowers like flames, feeling exceptionally creative, and my mood unconsciously improved.

This restaurant is located behind another street near Chunxi Road and Qingshi Bridge. The location is a bit remote compared to the bustling lights and wine of Chunxi Road; here, it feels somewhat detached from the mundane, and I love this otherworldly place.

The restaurant environment is quite spacious, with separate booths for each table, and the distance is just right for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all; I absolutely adore this setting!

Nowadays, restaurant decor has a certain style, and this one is no exception. The lighting and color tones, whether in private rooms or main hall booths, are quite tasteful and design-oriented.

The dishes here are authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine, and the flavors are excellent. The environment actually feels very homey; the red flowers and umbrellas as decorations give a very festive and warm feeling. Such an atmosphere instantly surged warmth into my heart—perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff were great—enthusiastic, attentive, and responsive. Even though we were seated in a relatively remote spot, the servers were always within call, and there was no such situation of being unable to get someone's attention. They were genuinely friendly and welcoming to guests, from entering to leaving, with dedicated guidance—this is something I consider a good point.

As for the dishes, the most memorable for me was Yuan Gong's signature 'Rabbit with Clams.' The green and red double peppers made the rabbit meat fresher and more tender, and the clams looked seductive in color. One bite—tender, slightly numbing, with a moderate spiciness—instantly set my taste buds dancing. A golden breeze and jade dew meet, surpassing countless mundane pleasures!

'Longmen Hanging Meat': a dedicated server cuts the meat into pieces and arranges them on a plate. It has a crispy texture; the coating is fried to perfection, and it doesn't feel greasy even after eating a lot. This is one of their signature dishes, quite distinctive.

The old duck soup left a deep impression. It wasn't heavy on MSG flavor but rather clear, sweet, and refreshing, perfect for relieving dryness. One sip made me feel relaxed and comfortable—so delicious and soothing.

Another dish, 'Yuan Gong Local 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 a heavenly delicacy. My friend and I couldn't stop praising this dish—it was really well made!

'Soybean Sauce Whole Fish' was a large fish covered with fermented black beans and diced sauce meat. Even without the fish, the condiment alone could accompany several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all!

Fate brings people together from thousands of miles away—meeting at Yuan Gong. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a capital of cuisine. When it comes to representative foods, chuanchuan (skewers) definitely deserve a place. Big handfuls of bamboo sticks, steaming red broth, spicy and numbing, make your mouth water uncontrollably. This Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan main branch on Jinfangyuan East Road can be your choice.

The variety of skewers is quite rich, with dozens of types. Both vegetable and meat options are abundant—so many that I couldn't decide.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in a refrigerated display for diners to pick. All you need to do is choose what you like. Another feature here is that the kitchen cooks the skewers and brings them out in a large basin, so you don't have to cook them yourself—just eat directly. For lazy people like me, it's super convenient.

After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers arrives. The broth looks oily and spicy, but the spiciness is moderate. It's numbing and fragrant when you eat it. The restaurant also provides dry dip and oil dip for diners to use. The dry dip is their specialty—very good and worth recommending.

Besides skewers, there are also several hot dishes, such as spicy pig brain (smooth and delicate), spicy duck blood (tender and smooth), spicy duck intestines (crisp and tasty), as well as spicy luncheon meat and instant noodles, all quite unforgettable.

This Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan may not claim to be the best in Chengdu, but it is the most distinctive one.

In Chengdu, a city known for its leisure, there are many bars of various sizes. But a bar like this—surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and stocked with a wide array of drinks and snacks—there is only one: Bieyuan Li.

The unique cat girl in the shop adds a mysterious touch to the night, making people look forward to the arrival of evening.

I heard that to provide customers with a better experience, the owner hired a company that participated in the lighting design for the Bird's Nest in Beijing. I can only mutter to myself—such a big production, the boss is really generous!

As the lights turn on, the entire bar becomes a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brightly in the bar. Looking at the scene, I couldn't help but exclaim—indeed, the owner's decision was great; the customer's experience is the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a small bar, alcohol is essential. There are truly many drinks here: foreign liquor, cocktails, and pure imported beers—all available, and many that I couldn't even name. My eyes were dazzled. Basically, if you want to drink something, you can find it here!

Moreover, even the vessels used for serving food are carefully selected blue-and-white porcelain from Jingdezhen, looking elegant and beautiful, captivating the heart.

Although there are many alcoholic beverages, what I like is not the strong spirits. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and serene as black tea, yet has the rich and mellow fragrance of alcohol. With added lemon juice and cola, Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, very similar to lemon black tea, so it's always popular among girls. A friend who is very knowledgeable about alcohol told me that this drink is the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' of the cocktail world—it has a high alcohol content, so those who can't handle alcohol shouldn't drink too much.

Another drink here is called 'Metropolitan.' It's no exaggeration to say that 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 has won me over and become my favorite.

If you happen to order the bartender's special cocktail at Bieyuan Li, congratulations—you'll enjoy a superbly pleasing cocktail show. The finished cocktail slowly 'breathes' mist from the rim of the glass, creating a very artistic atmosphere. As you taste it slowly, the deeper the contact between your tongue and the cocktail, the more wonderful the flavor becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail: 'Guyuan Wheat Straw Wine'—a rice wine that uses a wheat straw as a straw. This is the first time I've seen this. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth on the palate. 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 portions can rival outside Sichuan restaurants. Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Dumplings, and childhood-style fermented glutinous rice with brown sugar can all be found here!

Their specialty grilled fish is always a popular dish in the restaurant. The fish is grilled to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; I guarantee you'll be won over after a few bites.

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

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiaoliao hotel is only a short 200 meters, but it can easily take half an hour to walk. Rows of snack shops, various gold and silver utensils—if your mind wavers, you'll be engulfed by the sights and sounds.

Your eyes take in the green bricks, black tiles, ancient trees, and long streets. Your ears are filled with the tinkling sounds of copper and silver craftsmen and the calls of vendors outside shops. Your nose picks up the aromas of sugar-glazed fried fruit and egg puff cakes. Escaping from all this requires considerable willpower.

It's full of worldly life and secular atmosphere. Walking back and forth once is like doing a somersault in the dust of the human world; your eyes, ears, nose, colors, and mind are all thoroughly satisfied.

Jiaoliao, right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, is an exception on this century-old street. The two tightly closed doors, the bronze lock that has been down for years, seem to declare the philosophy of 'shutting oneself in the courtyard as a world of one's own.'

I truly realized what 'city forest' means—going out is bustling and noisy, coming in is quiet and keeping the original heart. In the midst of prosperity and comfort, a pure land is built, with luxury inside and spirit within.

And indeed it is: once the eight-tael copper lock falls, it separates the gazes of passing tourists and also shuts out the lively and chaotic world that has soaked into the alley for three hundred years.

Wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. But none of the noise outside can get in—a slice of tranquility in the midst of the city. This is Jiaoliao.

The wooden structure made entirely of tung wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. Long-term exposure to the faint fragrance of wood can help sleep, calm the mind, and relax the body.

The hotel's architectural style combines movement and stillness. 'Movement' lies in the detailed design throughout the hotel's interior. Birds appear from the long corridor upon entering the hotel to the bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms, echoing the hotel's name—Jiaoliao.

'Stillness' lies in the antique quadrangle courtyard of black and gray bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree is exquisitely quiet, every bamboo and mat is gracefully tasteful. Each room here has its own poetic name, as if full of life and vitality!

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean, and fully equipped: they feature King Koil Quiet Moments joint mattress, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... Various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc., are all provided, creating a very warm and comfortable overall feel. There is also an open-air balcony where you can look out at Kuanzhai Alley in the morning, stepping out of the world while still in 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 warm. Upon check-in, the butler will ask about your preferred meal time and taste preferences—very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western food, accompanied by fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries, delivered to your room! Full of love.

Living here, you truly feel at ease, enjoying this beautiful scenery alone, relishing the joy of leisure!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in the Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area in Mao County, about 180 kilometers from 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. Generally, people do not experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy it with ease. The total length of the ski slopes is 2.5 kilometers, making it the longest ski resort in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort has relatively professional ski slopes: 3 advanced slopes, 3 intermediate slopes, and 3 beginner slopes. Whether you are skiing for the first time or a master with all the 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 area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The concentration of negative oxygen ions in the area is extremely high, and PM2.5 is consistently below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the time is sunny, making it a veritable city of sunshine and snow kingdom.

The ski slopes are naturally winding and undulating, called 'dream slopes' by ski enthusiasts. There are many slopes to choose from, offering plenty of choices and surprises, providing a wonderful stage for beginners and experts alike to have fun and show off their skills.

Skiing is really a physically demanding activity, and the ultraviolet rays are very strong. After a short while, you'll be drenched in sweat and exhausted, so you need to rehydrate and rest properly. While resting, looking at the blue sky, taking photos, and admiring others' cool postures is also enjoyable. The weather was great, and the sunlight reflecting off the snow was very dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses in your gear.

To go to the advanced slopes, you must take the cable car, and for the cable car, you must wear a helmet. So if you plan to go to the 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 swooping by below, I was especially afraid of dropping my equipment or phone—it was quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, we reached the starting point of the advanced slope. As soon as I got off, my legs went weak; the first incline was at least 40 degrees.

Indeed, 'high places are cold and lonely.' On the advanced slopes, there were even fewer people. Very few were on double skis; most were excellent players with their own snowboards, who swiftly skied down and disappeared in moments.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There are dining areas inside the ski resort, but you can also bring your own food. Bringing some rice and self-heating hot pot is quite nice. The hotpot in the hotel is delicious—no worse than what you get outside—a big pot of bright red broth, rich but not greasy. Enjoying the snow scenery while savoring the spicy kick of hotpot is a true pleasure.

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

Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located on the banks of Huanhua Stream outside the west gate of Chengdu, and it's 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 thatched cottage has been built on a grand and luxurious scale, Du Fu's actual residence is only a very small part of the scenic area—just a few small, dilapidated thatched huts. The large-scale constructions were built by later generations in memory of Du Fu.

After entering the cottage, you'll encounter many forks, with signposts indicating the direction of tourist attractions. Further in, a quaint alley catches your eye: vermilion walls on both sides, tiles embedded with circular bricks carved with animal faces, and mottled moss on the tiles indicating that the alley has been around for some time. The bluestone slabs underfoot have turned black and developed cracks.

Passing through the alley, a winding stream appears, with green bamboo growing on both banks, accompanied by towering ancient trees—a truly poetic sight.

Before we knew it, we arrived at a place that looked like a thatched hut—this is Du Fu's former residence! Small paths on both sides, with bamboo fences enclosing the little garden.

The roof doesn't incorporate modern building materials, but it's 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 verse: 'How can I get thousands of spacious houses to shelter all the world's poor scholars with joyful faces!' I saw the mud on the walls peeling off, revealing large bamboo strips that formed the framework. The wood on the threshold felt like it would break under one step.

Walking through the cottage, I was hit by the breath of history and strong poetic charm, making me linger and not want 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 vibe of Chengdu...