My Days Wandering the Streets of Chengdu in 2020
Perhaps because of the pandemic, there were far fewer tourists, but that made it even easier to soak up Chengdu's lively atmosphere. In 2020, many new check-in spots quietly emerged in Chengdu.
Chengdu LUMA Designer Hotel
Address: 1F, Zone A, Renhe Center, No. 61 East Renmin Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu (right next to Tianfu Square, excellent location)
Style: A gallery-style designer hotel hidden in a narrow alley. You could call it minimalist or Nordic – every corner reveals its beauty, perfect for shooting stunning photos.
“Walking down the streets of Chengdu, it feels like everyone looks familiar, and every smile carries goodwill.”
Coffee shops can be found in every corner of Chengdu. They may be unassuming, yet they are thoughtfully designed, providing a temporary haven for Chengdu locals to spend their afternoons.
Chengdu has countless museums, but there is one that many people have probably never heard of. Here, you can quietly spend an entire day exploring the history of Sichuan cuisine, tasting various snacks, trying your hand at cooking, or simply relaxing.
Today, bookstores in Chengdu are multiplying. They are constantly innovating in design, scale, and theme. I have visited over a dozen unique bookstores, both large and small. If you love browsing bookstores, Chengdu's bookstores will keep you occupied for days.
A newly discovered everyday neighborhood at Chengdu's East Gate, with a Republic of China architectural style, quieter and less crowded than Kuanzhai Alley.
Bold street culture: Chengdu's youth have found a skateboarding paradise in the bustling Taikoo Li area.
Long-missed Chengdu cuisine. After the pandemic, the city's food scene has sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain. This has always been one of the reasons to visit Chengdu.
It turns out Chengdu also has islands. We watched an open-air movie by the lake.
Chengdu has very few places bordering water or lakes, and those that exist are usually far from the city center, such as Sancha Lake and Ye Lake. However, in Tianfu New Area, besides the well-known Xinglong Lake, don't miss Luxelakes! Last month, my friends and I visited a new island in Luxelakes, which quickly became the top choice for summer weekends.
There are gardens, lawns, wooden cabins, and an open-air movie we hadn't seen in ages – it felt like going back to childhood. We could happily spend an entire day there.
A charming little island at Chengdu's South Gate. You can reach it by water (reservation required for the boat), by car, or by taking the subway and then a taxi.
The island is surrounded by the lake on three sides, with shady trees, making it especially suitable for summer. Chengdu's ideal summer is hidden here.
Here is the tourist map of the entire Luxelakes area. It looks quite large. Thanks to its prime location, the most expensive villas in Chengdu are nearby.
Walking further in, you can see the spot for the evening open-air movie. We arrived at 7 PM, but the movie started at 8 PM, so we first explored and took photos.
Nearby, there is a small tent – a must-visit spot. The tent is surrounded by flowers and plants, very photogenic. We posed for a couple of shots.
There is a designated camping and picnic area by the shore. It costs around 58 RMB per visit, and it was almost fully booked when we arrived. It's perfect for family outings.
Nearby, there is a lovely wooden cabin (a small shop). As night fell, the lights began to come on.
Having a delightful dinner here was wonderful. We put on some music – perfect!
The movie started, and everyone found their spots. If you want to sit on the front cushions, arrive early to grab them. We got there at 7 PM and had to sit in the back, but the view was even broader from there.
The movie was randomly selected from the library. When we went, they screened *Life of Pi*; my friends on another day watched *Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea* – very nice.
Summer, movies, evening – all we needed was beer. Drinking while watching a movie is the ideal summer pastime. Happy weekend!
🚌Transport Guide:
① By subway: Get off at Luxelakes Station on Line 1, walk across Tianfu Avenue to reach the scenic area entrance. Alternatively, get off at Hongshi Park Station on Line 1, take the free shuttle bus from Luxelakes Art Exhibition Center to Lufang Center Pier, then take a yacht to Luxelakes Island Pier.
② By car: Navigate to “Luxelakes Island” and park in the scenic area parking lot, then walk onto the island. (Free parking within 30 minutes; 15 RMB per visit if more than 30 minutes; timer resets after 24:00 daily.)
❗Notes:
① You need to make a reservation in advance for the yacht ride on the “Luxelakes Water City” platform.
② Remember to bring mosquito repellent.
③ It's more cost-effective to have an early dinner or bring your own fruits and snacks.
Check-in at a Cave Bookstore with a Super Photogenic Spiral Staircase
A hugely popular bookstore that went viral online right after opening. It's in Mengzhui Bay, not far from Taikoo Li.
The entrance looks very unassuming, but inside it's a whole different world.
Not far from the left side of the entrance is the store's most distinctive spiral staircase.
The bookstore has three floors. The second floor has a bar where you can order drinks, and the third is for handicraft activities (including painting and DIY) and selling small items.
The rustic wooden tables and chairs in Chengdu style, the faint scent of books as you walk around – sitting by the window on the upper floor reading a book, an afternoon can slip away quietly.
🌟Store Name: Geometry Bookstore
📍Address: Wangping Binhe Road, Mengzhui Bay (next to Taikoo Li)
🚌Transport: Line 2, Dongmen Bridge Subway Station
🕒Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
❗Notes: Many people come to take photos. It's better to visit on weekdays or near opening/closing times.
Falling in Love with a City, Starting from a Coffee Shop · Little Travel
Even though I'm not a big coffee drinker, I love visiting coffee shops. Some people say never treat opening a coffee shop as a business or investment – it's actually a lifestyle.
Nowadays, Chengdu has many coffee shops that have appeared almost overnight, each with its own character. A friend from out of town once said that every time he comes to Chengdu, he seeks out its coffee shops.
Last weekend, I went to a coffee shop with a friend and discovered a hidden gem that fulfilled all my fantasies about coffee shops.
I've been to Kuanzhai Alley countless times, but it was my first time on Binsheng Street. The street itself is very nice, not crowded, and peaceful – a bit like Paotongshu Street.
If not for my friend, I would have missed this place for who knows how long. From the outside, the shop looks small, but inside it's more spacious. There are three main coffee-drinking areas, each beautifully decorated.
That day it happened to be sunny (after several days of rain). The light was fantastic, lifting my mood. Sitting by the window or under a canopy was a real treat. My friend and I stayed all afternoon, reluctant to leave. I'll definitely come back often.
“I think, when I no longer have to worry about making a living, I would open a coffee shop, with bookshelves, warm sunlight, where people can order coffee and sit quietly reading.”
🌟Little Travel
💰Cost: Average 47 RMB per person
📍Address: No. 24, Binsheng Street, Unit 1 (next to the Civil Affairs Bureau Marriage Registration Office)
🕒Business Hours: 9:00 – 21:00
Möbius Strip of Infinity – New Landmark of the Hi-tech Zone
“The most complex pedestrian bridge in China,” “A real-life Möbius strip,” “Chengdu's hottest internet-famous spot in 2020.”
A Museum You Can Eat At – Guaranteed You Haven't Been
I've visited many museums in Chengdu, both large and small, but I had almost never heard of this one until I decided to go. When I first heard there was a Sichuan Cuisine Museum in Chengdu, I was as curious as a child: Can you build a museum for food? Are there many things to eat inside?
The name sounded a bit magical. After living in Chengdu for so long, I'd never been. Finally, two months ago, I had the chance to visit this mysterious museum with a friend.
“The name of the panda and the taste of Sichuan cuisine are two treasures of Sichuan.” – Zoltán Somogyi (Executive Director of UNWTO)
If you come to Chengdu and want to avoid the tourist crowds while experiencing authentic Chengdu, the Sichuan Cuisine Museum is a great choice.
The museum includes the Collection Hall, Interactive Demonstration Hall, Tea and Leisure Hall, Kitchen God Shrine, Sichuan Cuisine Raw Material Processing Tool Display Area, Sichuan Cuisine Raw Material Display Area, and the Soul of Sichuan Cuisine – Pixian Broad Bean Paste Traditional Craft Display Area, among others.
We first went to the Collection Hall, where a guide provided a free, very detailed explanation.
The Collection Hall spans 12,000 square meters and displays over 3,000 items of Sichuan cuisine vessels and utensils from the Warring States period to modern times. These items can be categorized by use: cooking vessels, serving vessels, wine vessels, eating utensils, and tea sets. Additionally, the collection includes texts, books, and drawings related to Sichuan cuisine.
This is a Guang kiln pickling jar from the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. The guide said it's the museum's treasure.
Besides, the hall also houses a “Sichuan Cuisine Lineage Chart” that traces the historical origins and stylistic schools of Sichuan cuisine, illustrating the development and cultural heritage of the entire Sichuan culinary system.
I took a photo of a very meaningful grain coupon. When I was a child, we could still find a few at home, but now not a single one remains.
A kitchen of an ordinary family from the last century, full of nostalgia – my grandmother's house was very similar.
Then we went to the Sichuan Cuisine Raw Material Display Area. Since the museum is in Pixian, the Pixian broad bean paste was a must-see.
We arrived at the bean paste sun-drying yard. The guide said the longer the bean paste is sun-dried, the better, but not exceeding four years, and the color deepens over time.
Nearby, there is a Pixian bean paste shop – perfect to take one home!
Next to the drying yard, there are many snacks available for free with the admission ticket!
These include over 20 types of snacks such as Chengdu dan dan noodles, cold noodles, cold jelly, and roasted sweet potatoes. You can eat to your heart's content, and the taste is excellent – even better than many outside restaurants!
Seasonings on the tables are free to add. Although it was sunny, sitting inside was quite cool. I chatted with my friend, saying we could bring our families here for a whole day in the future – with mahjong, tea, various snacks, a quiet environment, and the opportunity to see cultural relics.
This is a small tea house where you can play cards, drink tea, and chat. It's amazing that a museum has such a thing.
In the Kitchen God Shrine, worshipping the Kitchen God is part of Sichuan folk culture. According to tradition, the Kitchen God reports good deeds to heaven and protects the household on earth.
A live demonstration of Sichuan cuisine knife skills: a chef, blindfolded, used a heavy cleaver to slice a piece of dough into shreds thin enough to pass through a needle – incredible!
✨Highlights:
“A museum you can eat at – a tourism business card of Chengdu.”
① View thousands of artifacts related to Sichuan cuisine – its origins, development, and evolution.
② Stir the Pixian broad bean paste and experience the traditional processes of “turning,” “sun-drying,” and “airing” from the Qing Dynasty.
③ Enjoy mahjong and tea freely.
④ Enjoy over 20 types of handmade snacks for free.
⑤ From Han Dynasty bricks to Qing Dynasty cotton-thread-embroidered Shu embroidery, from rosewood-inlaid Huanghuali screens to hand-carved wooden doors, Sichuan-style architecture and gardens awaken a deep love for nature.
❗Note: Classic Sichuan snacks are all you can eat! Dan dan noodles, purple sweet potato cake, ice jelly, cold noodles, stone-ground tofu pudding, roasted potatoes, mung bean porridge, boiled peanuts, etc. – all included in the ticket!
📍Address: Ronghua North Lane, Ancient Town, Pidu District, Chengdu
💰Ticket: 60 RMB
🕒Opening Hours: 9:00 – 18:00
“Small hermit hides in the wild; great hermit hides in the city.” A city's homecoming path.
“Small hermit hides in the wild; great hermit hides in the city.” Just one street away from the bustling Taikoo Li lies the quiet Chongde Lane in an old courtyard. An unremarkable alley, but a line on the wall – “A city's homecoming path” – piqued my curiosity, so I went in to explore.
Chongde Lane was designed by Chengdu artist Wang Hai. After living in Hong Kong for over 20 years, he returned to Chengdu and converted old houses into what is now Chongde Lane.
The former West Sichuan residential structures have been transformed into a living space for enjoying a slow lifestyle. This century-old mansion sits quietly in a corner of the city, exuding its unique charm.
Time leaves its marks.
Strolling through the narrow lanes of Chongde Lane, the restored brick walls of the old residences line both sides.
It's amazing to find such a quiet place in the bustling urban area. Sipping a cup of tea, picking up a book – it's a rare moment of tranquility.
Why is it called “A city's homecoming path”? Perhaps because for over a hundred years, local residents have passed through this narrow lane on their way home, or perhaps because this small space survives in a rapidly developing city – people may still remember it as a lane they once walked. It inherits Chengdu's traditions, gives them new life, and endures through time, ever new.
📍Address: About 50 meters northwest of the intersection of Hongshizhu Heng Street and Yixue Lane, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
💰Ticket: Free
If you love a leisurely lifestyle, you should definitely visit Chengdu when you have the chance – take the time to wander through these alleys; every shop is worth checking out.
