Chengdu Travelogue: Missing It Before I've Even Left

Chengdu is 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 boundless imagination. Its beauty lies in its innocence. The men and women, young and old living here all have a deadly, charming sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life. They are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play; if they crave little chili peppers, they eat them. Sichuan people have a certain spirit—tranquil, fearless, neither humble nor arrogant, living their own beloved, simple lives. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, it's more accurate to say I love the lively, worldly atmosphere of Chengdu.

Chengdu people love food, and Chengdu is a city of gastronomy! The best feelings in life are surely hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweet tastes, sour tastes, and all flavors of life, but my journey has only one flavor: the aroma of food. So, I came to Chengdu, this city abundant with delicious food!

Yuán Gòng, Yuán Gòng, meeting by fate, with its red plaque and gold characters, instantly struck my heart. The moon-white verses cast on the ground also highlighted the theme of 'fate,' and it seemed I truly had a bond with this restaurant.

The ceiling of Yuán Gòng was adorned with fiery red flowers, feeling especially novel, and my mood unconsciously improved.

This restaurant is located on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshi Bridge. The location is a bit off the beaten path. Compared to the bustling lights and wine of Chunxi Road, it seems somewhat detached from the mundane world, and that's exactly what I love—a place away from the ordinary.

The restaurant's environment is quite spacious, with separate booths for each table. The distance between tables is also appropriate, making it suitable for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded; I absolutely love this setting!

Nowadays, restaurant décor also has a certain flair, and this place is no exception. The lighting and color tones, whether in private rooms or main hall booths, are quite stylish.

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, and the flavors are excellent. The environment actually gives off a homey feeling. The red flowers and umbrellas as decorations feel particularly festive and warm. Such an atmosphere suddenly surges a warm current in my heart—perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff are great, truly warm and attentive, always available when called. Since our seat was in a relatively remote corner, the servers were still easy to reach—there was never a moment we couldn't call someone. They treat guests very warmly and friendly, with dedicated guidance from entrance to exit, which I find to be a very good point.

Now, about the dishes. What impressed me most was the Yuán Gòng Signature Clam Rabbit. The green and red peppers set off the rabbit meat, making it even more tender and delicious, and the clams looked tantalizing. One bite—tender, slightly numbing, with a moderate spiciness—instantly made my taste buds dance. The perfect encounter was truly unmatched!

Lóng Mén Hanging Meat: a dedicated young man helped cut the meat and plate it. It had a crispy texture, and the outside batter was fried perfectly. Eating more didn't feel greasy. This is also one of their signature dishes, quite distinctive.

The Old Duck Soup left a deep impression. It didn't have a strong artificial flavor; it was clear, sweet, and thirst-quenching. One sip made me feel relaxed and refreshed—so comforting and delicious.

Another dish, the Yuán Gòng Local Chicken Slices, was definitely the best of the evening. The flavor was excellent, with lotus root slices underneath. The red chili oil was very aromatic, and when mixed with the chicken, it was simply heavenly. My friend and I couldn't stop praising it—it was truly delicious!

Bean-Fragrant Whole Fish was a large fish topped with plenty of fermented black beans and minced meat. Even without eating the fish, you could finish several bowls of rice with just the toppings. The fish meat was exceptionally tender and not fishy at all!

Fate brings people together across a thousand miles; meeting at Yuán Gòng is destiny. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

In Chengdu, a city known for its leisurely lifestyle, there are many bars of various sizes. But the one that is surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and enriched with various alcohols and snacks is none other than Bié Yuàn Lǐ in Chengdu.

The unique Cat Girl at the shop adds a touch of mystery to their evenings, making people look forward to the arrival of night even more.

I heard that to offer better in-store experiences, this bar hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest to design their lighting effects. I can only whisper, 'What a big production! The boss is really generous!'

As the lights turn on inside, the entire bar becomes a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colorful lights shine like stars in the sky. Looking at the scene, I couldn't help but marvel—indeed, the boss's decision was excellent; the customers' experience is the greatest affirmation.

Since it's a microbrewery, alcohol is definitely essential. They have an enormous selection: foreign spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, authentic imported beers, and many more that I couldn't even name—dazzling. Basically, whatever you want to drink, you can find it here!

Not only that, but even the vessels for food are carefully selected Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain, looking elegant and beautiful, truly captivating.

Although there is a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, what I seem to favor is not the strong spirits. Long Island Iced Tea, clear and refreshing like black tea, also has the richness and fragrance of alcohol. With added lemon juice and cola, Long Island Iced Tea is sweet, much like lemon iced tea, and hence always popular among girls. A friend who knows his drinks told me that this cocktail is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' in the mixology world—its alcohol content is quite high, so those who can't hold their liquor shouldn't indulge too much.

Another drink here is called Metropolis. It's no exaggeration to say that Metropolis is one of the world's most popular cocktails. To this day, it has been popular for over thirty years. With its lower alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruitiness, it also won me over and became one of my favorites.

If you happen to order the bartender's special concoction at Bié Yuàn Lǐ Bar, then congratulations—you'll get to witness a super visually pleasing cocktail show. The finished cocktail slowly 'breathes' out mist from the rim of the glass, creating a very artistic ambiance. Savoring it, the deeper the contact between your tongue and the cocktail, the more wonderful the taste becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Gǔ Qiāng Wheat Straw Smashed Liquor. It's rice wine served with a wheat straw as a straw, which was a first for me. The rice wine is sweet and rich, smooth and gentle on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes the whole body feel warm.

Don't think that you can only drink here; the place is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant, with the flavor and portion sizes comparable to any outside Sichuan eatery. Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Shui Jiao, and the childhood-tasting fermented rice with brown sugar—all are available here!

Their signature grilled fish is always a popular item. The fish is well-marinated, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—one taste and you'll become a fan.

Now that you've seen so much, go and experience it for yourself!

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiāo Liáo hotel is only about two hundred meters, but it's enough to spend half an hour walking. Row upon row of snack shops, all kinds of gold and silver utensils—if your mind wanders even a little, you'll be engulfed by the scene.

With eyes on the gray bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets, ears filled with the tinkling of bronze and silver craftsmen and the cries of shopkeepers, and nose catching the fragrance of sugar-oil fruit and dan'ao cake, it takes quite some willpower to break free from all this.

Full of earthly bustle and worldly air. Walking through once is like a somersault through the mire of the mortal world—eyes, ears, nose, color, mind—all thoroughly satisfied.

Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley stands Jiāo Liáo, an exception on this century-old lane. Its tightly closed double doors and the constantly locked copper lock seem to declare a philosophy of hiding within the courtyard and being self-contained.

Truly experiencing what is 'urban forest'!' Out: bustling and crowded; in: quiet and true to heart! Amid prosperity and comfort, a pure land is built, hidden luxury within, spirit and charm inside.

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

Wind can pass through the courtyard; birds can perch on the eaves. But the noise outside cannot enter at all—it's a piece of tranquility in the midst of a busy city. This is Jiāo Liáo.

The all-tung wood structure represents the meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet stable. Long-term immersion in the faint woody aroma helps sleep, calms the mind, and soothes the body.

The hotel's architectural style also combines movement and stillness. 'Movement' is seen in the details of the hotel's interior decoration. Birds come into view from the entrance corridor, with bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms, echoing the hotel's name—Jiāo Liáo.

'Stillness' lies in the antique courtyard complex of gray-green bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree is tranquil; every bamboo and mat holds elegance. Every guest room has its own poetic and picturesque name, seemingly imbued with life and vitality!

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean, with complete amenities: King Koil's special edition mattress, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... Various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc., are all available. The overall feeling is very warm and comfortable. There is also an open small balcony where you can look out at Kuanzhai Alley from your window—transcending the world while still being in it; this is the life I want. If you want to relax a tired body, they also provide professional spa services.

Breakfast is especially thoughtful. Upon check-in, the butler will ask about meal time and taste preferences—very considerate. You can choose between Chinese and Western cuisine, with fruit, dried fruit, and various pastries included, and it's delivered to your room! Full of love.

Living here is truly carefree and comfortable—enjoying this wonderful view alone, fully experiencing joy!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in the Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area in Maoxian County, about 180 kilometers from Chengdu. It takes about 3 and a half hours to drive from Chengdu to the ski resort. The highest altitude of the ski resort is 2971 meters, the lowest is 2733 meters, with a vertical drop of 238 meters. Most people do not experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy with peace of mind. The total length of ski trails is 2.5 kilometers, currently the longest of any ski resort in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort has relatively professional ski trails, with 3 advanced trails, 3 intermediate trails, and 3 beginner trails. Whether you're trying skiing for the first time or you're a professional with all the skills, you can find fun here.

The Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area boasts beautiful natural scenery with lush mountains and clear waters, rich in vegetative resources. It is a multifunctional area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The negative oxygen ion concentration is extremely high, with PM2.5 consistently below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the time the weather is sunny and bright, earning it the name of City of Sunshine, Land of Snowscapes.

The ski trails inside wind and undulate naturally, called dream trails by ski enthusiasts. With multiple trails to choose from, there are plenty of options and surprises, providing beginners and experts alike with a wonderful stage for fun and skill display.

Skiing is really physically demanding, and with strong ultraviolet rays, after a while you'll be sweating and feeling exhausted. Be sure to replenish fluids and take breaks. While resting, looking at the blue sky, taking photos, and admiring others' cool postures is also very enjoyable. The weather is great; sunlight shining on the snow reflects brightly, so it's best to bring sunglasses as part of your gear.

To go to the advanced trails, you must take a chairlift, and you must wear a helmet. So if you plan to go on advanced trails, remember to rent a helmet.

Sitting on the chairlift, stepping on the white snowy ground, with the sun overhead and skiers swooshing below, I was especially afraid of dropping my gear or phone—quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the chairlift, we reached the start of the advanced trail. As I got off the chairlift, my legs went weak. The first slope was at least 40 degrees.

Indeed, 'it's cold at high altitude.' There were fewer people on the advanced trail, and very few using double planks. Most were accomplished single-plankers who, in a few quick moves, slid down and disappeared in no time.

If hungry, you can buy some food; there are places to eat inside the ski resort. But if you want to bring your own, that's fine too. Bringing some rice and a self-heating hotpot is quite nice. The hotpot at the hotel was tasty, not worse than outside. A big pot of red, enjoying it without greasiness—while viewing the snow scenes, stimulated by the spiciness of hotpot, that's true enjoyment.

From the moment you set foot in Jiuding Mountain, you will experience a natural realm far from noise, full of poetry and painting, unity of heaven and man, ancient simplicity and tranquility. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have a joyous, intimately bonded holiday with family and friends. Why not do it!

Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu is located by Huanhua Creek outside the west gate of Chengdu. It is a must-visit for tourists to Chengdu.

As the name suggests, Du Fu Thatched Cottage is Du Fu's former residence. Although the cottage is built grandly and luxuriously, Du Fu's actual residence is only a tiny part of the scenic spot—just a few small, broken thatched huts. The large-scale buildings are actually later constructions to commemorate Du Fu.

Upon entering the thatched cottage, there are many forks in the road, with road signs directing visitors to scenic spots. Going further in, a quaint little alley comes into sight: walls on both sides are vermilion, with round bricks engraved with animal faces embedded in the tiles. The mottled moss on the tiles indicates that the alley has been around for some time. The blue stone slabs underfoot have turned dark and cracked with wear.

Passing through the alley, a winding stream appears before your eyes, with green bamboo growing on both banks and ancient towering trees—a truly poetic view.

Unconsciously, we arrived at a place like a thatched cottage. Yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, and the small garden is enclosed by bamboo fences.

The roof does not use 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 eternal verse: 'Could I get a mansion broad and great, to shelter all poor scholars from the cold, and make them all smile!' I see the soil on the walls loosen, revealing large sections of bamboo strips forming the framework. The wood on the threshold feels so fragile that one step might break it.

Walking in the thatched cottage, the air is filled with a sense of history and rich poetic feeling, making me sink into it 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 still the lively, worldly atmosphere of Chengdu...