[Tastebud Odyssey] /A Feast for the Palate, Chengdu Dazzles the World!

Fingertips: In life, scenery and cuisine are the only things not to be let down.

Some say that when we think of Chengdu, it’s not the city’s name that comes to mind first, but its countless delicacies. Because Chengdu is a city filled with food. In every alley, on every street of this city, you can encounter a wide variety of delicious foods and interesting snacks at any time.

And the enthusiasm of Chengdu people for eating has also fueled the high development of Chengdu’s catering industry. Outsiders who visit Chengdu are invariably fascinated by its hot pot, Sichuan cuisine, snacks, and spicy hot pot. Going to Chengdu without tasting its food feels like entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed.

One: Taizi Ridge Ski Resort → Melon Skewers (Jinli) Two: Bieyuanli Tavern (Wuhou Shrine) Three: Yuan Gong (People's Park) → Jiaoliao Hotel

One | I. Everyone Has a Dream of Skiing

It is said that the winter treasures of Chengdu people are three: eating hot pot, soaking in hot springs, and going skiing. In this chilly season, nothing is more enjoyable than these three things.

And the place where you can most deeply feel the snowy world, besides Xiling Snow Mountain, is the Taizi Ridge Ski Resort in Jiuding Mountain, which is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Chengdu. Friends who love skiing might want to join us to experience the passion of winter.

“Among the many fairy mountains in Shu, Jiuding is unparalleled.” The Taizi Ridge Ski Resort in Maoxian County’s Jiuding Mountain is the top professional choice for Sichuan’s winter tourism skiing market, offering tourists a scenic area that combines skiing and sightseeing, making it a great winter destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

When you arrive at the ski resort, you’ll find not only 3 beginner slopes (total length 290 meters), 3 intermediate slopes (total length 390 meters), and 3 advanced slopes (total length 2,630 meters). There’s also a cable car above the advanced slopes leading to the summit. Looking down from the peak, the scenery is breathtaking—the earth is covered in silver, so beautiful it’s intoxicating.

The resort also features several activities suitable for children of all ages: watching snow, having snowball fights, taking photos, skiing, and sledding in the kids’ play area. Regardless of your skiing skill level, there’s a slope here for you to enjoy.

Besides activities, food and accommodation are also top concerns. To meet the needs of different tourists, the ski resort offers multiple price levels for dining and lodging. The resort is equipped with the Hemingzhuang Holiday Hotel, which has over 70 guest rooms, decorated in a combination of wooden sauna boards and Qiang ethnic style, with 24-hour heating.

The resort has two dining areas that can accommodate 2,000 people at the same time. They offer hot pot chicken, beef offal hot pot, and more—delicious and appetizing at first glance. They also serve Tibetan and Qiang style specialties featuring plateau yak meat, lamb, wild vegetables, and mountain wild mushrooms.

Taizi Ridge is about 3,000 meters above sea level, and the temperature is quite low. For those not engaging in sports, it’s recommended to dress warmly. Once the sun comes out and you start moving, it’s actually not cold—even quite hot. Parents should remember to bring an extra set of clothes for their children, as playing can easily make them sweat and wet their clothes. Ski equipment can be brought or rented. If you don’t ski often, renting is more cost-effective. If you’re worried about not knowing how to ski, don’t worry—there are coaches to teach you hands-on.

Relying on the unique natural terrain of Jiuding Mountain, its high altitude, and abundant vegetation, the ski resort boasts fresh air with high levels of negative oxygen ions, resulting in the rare powder snow seldom found in ordinary ski resorts.

Eighty percent of winter days are sunny and bright, with daytime temperatures even reaching 20°C. At this sunny ski resort, you can enjoy skiing while staying away from smog, getting close to the blue sky, and basking in the sunshine.

| II. Something Worth Waiting for in Life Might Be Melon Skewers

A city has its own history, culture, and distinctive neighborhoods. To understand a city’s history and culture, you should visit its characteristic streets, learn about its cultural origins and famous stories, touch the warmth of its history, and feel the bustling commercial atmosphere and lively charm that have persisted through the ages.

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

Entering Jinli, you’re greeted by an irresistible temptation of food. Shops are wide open, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies, beautifully adorned, appear faintly in a light haze—beautiful shapes, vibrant colors, inviting aromas—making your mouth water and impossible to resist.

Beside the shop doors, Sichuan opera performers in makeup greet customers. They mimic opera moves, suddenly shrinking their necks and extending their heads, turning a white face into a red one, startling you. Before you can be annoyed, they pull a funny face and make you burst into laughter. That bit of fun instantly lifts your spirits.

When we first arrived, the sky was clear. Strolling through Jinli with fewer visitors, there was a certain 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, either under upturned eaves or on tree branches, flickering in the misty rain, exuding unique charm.

Walking in the ancient street feels like strolling through a poetic realm with harmonious rhythms. Carved and lattice windows, ancient walls covered with creeping vines, and winding pathways leading to secluded spots serve as the backdrop of a poem—amidst a refined elegance that contrasts the old with the new.

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

After touring Jinli, we felt hungry. Indeed, the lure of food is strong. We decided to take the family to Melon Skewers at Jinfangyuan East Road, having heard good things. Upon arrival, we found that the environment of this Melon Skewers was truly nice.

The overall decoration features gray bricks and green tiles, with red walls full of festive feeling. The space is spacious, with clear functional divisions. The retro Chinese style adds unique charm to this shop, making it antique and elegant.

Although we thought it was still early, once inside we discovered a hidden world; there were so many people! The whole hall was full, with constant chatter, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the foodies queuing outside. Indeed, delicious food is king—this is the true nature of Chengdu foodies.

Broth base: Authentic Chengdu style broth prepared daily, a cold pot skewer with a delightfully spicy kick. The extra-rich broth is boiled fresh every day, covered with red oil over a secret stock base. Simmered from early morning until noon opening, it’s fragrant without being numbing, spicy without being dry. This flavor cannot be imitated; only recipes passed down from older generations can be called the old Chengdu taste.

70+ kinds of skewers: Six large freezers offer a dazzling array. Fresh ingredients are carefully selected daily, marinated with care, skewered—both meat and veggie options. You pay by weight for the sticks after eating. Grab whatever you fancy and start madly devouring skewers!

Handmade signature dipping sauces: How fragrant is the dry dip? A combination of crushed peanuts and chili powder easily takes first place. One light roll gives a peanut aroma. The labor-intensive handmade process makes it unique. The oil dip, made with sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped green onions, is also a great helper to reduce spiciness and add fragrance.

Beef skewers are versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can wrap up a world. Five-spice, spicy, coriander, pickled pepper, scallion—the beef is marinated in secret sauce for two to three hours. Plump pickled peppers paired with tender beef, a hint of green between red slices—very eye-catching. As you eat, the heavy flavors explode on your tongue. The thick beef pieces wrap around pickled peppers ready to burst. Your mouth says no, but your body is honest—you keep sending skewers to your mouth.

Mini sausages: Mini sausages are a Chengdu specialty. These plump little sausages, with a good ratio of fat to lean, are cut into bite-sized pieces. Their slightly sweet taste is very Cantonese. The sweet and spicy dual sensation is addictive, and the satisfaction doubles while relieving spiciness! You won’t regret coming to this shop; it’s so delicious you can’t stop eating.

Two | I. The “Boss” of Bars: Find Your Own Intoxication

Hearing the name “Wuhou,” anyone familiar with the Three Kingdoms knows it refers to the famous Zhuge Liang, also known as “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 definitely fulfill all your desires.

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

Legend has it that Wuhou Shrine was first built in 223 AD to commemorate Liu Bei. Later, Liu Bei’s mausoleum was combined with Zhuge Liang’s shrine to form the current combined temple of ruler and minister—the only one of its kind in China.

The heroes of the Shu kingdom, with their changing fortunes, turned to dust here; their great achievements were buried and rested here. All the 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 in the Peach Garden to Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, we arrived at the main hall of Zhuge Liang’s shrine. In the center of the hall hung a horizontal plaque inscribed “Famous Throughout the Universe”—surely the highest praise for Master Zhuge. The left couplet reads: “If you can attack the heart, opposition will disappear; from ancient times, those who knew war were not fond of fighting.” The right couplet: “If you don’t judge the situation, leniency or strictness will both be wrong; later rulers of Shu should think deeply.”

These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang’s lifelong loyalty and ambition for Shu, using his entire life to repay the kindness of the Three Visits and recognition. Wuhou Shrine is not large; situated in the bustling city, it covers a modest area, taking about an hour to tour. Yet it is also vast, because it carries not just a scenic spot but the history of an entire dynasty, a tribute and remembrance of that era.

We walked slowly, occasionally stopping—turning into quiet lanes, admiring bonsai, observing flowers and plants, smelling faint fragrances. We saw ancient trees with interlocking roots, exquisitely arched bridges and their reflections in water, and sighed at the battered remnants of Han palaces. Carrying a sense of respect for the memory of Shu, we slowly walked out.

In this city of Chengdu, which prides itself on leisure, there are countless bars, big and small. But a place like Bieyuanli, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and rich with all kinds of drinks and snacks, is the only one of its kind in Chengdu. To give customers a better experience, they even specially invited a lighting design company to create the lighting effects.

Evening time shouldn’t be wasted; we wanted to have some fun. So I planned to take my family to Bieyuanli to enjoy the cozy night.

Upon entering, as the lights turned on, the whole tavern became a colorful neon world. Light and shadow intertwined, colorful lights like stars in the sky, shining brilliantly in the tavern, instantly lifting the leisure and entertainment atmosphere.

The selection of drinks is as rich as the lighting: foreign spirits, Chinese cocktails, cocktails, and pure imported beer—they have everything! Basically, if you want to drink it, you can find it here.

Mask of the Night Suitor: This rose wine, with its intoxicating rose fragrance, is so beautiful that girls are sure to love it. Since the alcohol content is low, it’s perfect for gatherings with girlfriends or relaxing moments. Upon entry, the rose flavor is not strong, but the wine’s taste becomes clearer as you drink, making it mesmerizing.

Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Liquor: The blue-and-white porcelain bottle is full of martial spirit! Using a wheat straw as a straw, drinking this liquor amidst laughter adds a unique touch.

Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers are an inseparable pair; eating barbecue without a drink feels like letting down the party! Mini sausages, shrimp, corn kernels, dried tofu, green beans—many items, with a full range of spicy and savory flavors, satisfying different palates.

Lemongrass Grilled Fish: Besides barbecue, this grilled fish is a must-order. Although the fish is not big, its aroma had already caught us. The addition of lemongrass gives the fish a fresher fragrance. After frying, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, smooth and delicious, with a taste that’s absolutely delightful. Sitting and playing in such a music tavern is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.

| II. A Taste of Sichuan Cuisine, Unforgettable Yuan Gong

People often talk about Chengdu’s leisurely life: it’s not the office buildings of High-tech Zone, not the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, and certainly not the street photography of Chunxi Road. Come to People’s Park—this is the life Chengdu people most look forward to.

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

The park has two old tea houses: Yongju and Heming, among which Heming is the most famous. Built in the 1920s, it’s nearly a century old, almost as old as People’s Park. So it’s called the Century-old Heming. You must learn to “strike first,” because Heming is always full. As soon as someone leaves, grab a seat. Once seated, a lady in blue-and-white porcelain style uniform will come to clear the table and let you order tea.

The playground is the loudest area. The noise of children playing and laughing is constant. Trains, carousels, roller coasters—every kid and big kid can find a source of joy.

But the most popular activity in People’s Park is still boating. Colorfully faded boats carry the childhood memories of Chengdu people from the last century. When the weather is good, there are the most people; you have to queue for a boat. Young parents bring their children to boat, enjoying family happiness; of course, there are also young couples on dates. In short, no matter who is on the boat, everyone is as happy as a child.

After touring the park, I planned to take my family to Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. Earlier, a friend told me that this place is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine restaurant, quite popular and bustling, so we specially came to taste it.

By the time we arrived, many people were already dining! The decor of this shop is quite down-to-earth, with an antique charm that draws people in. The atmosphere highlights old Chengdu features. The private rooms, main hall, and booth areas are all quite stylishly designed, decorated with clusters of flowers, exuding a unique charm.

Many of the patrons here are tourists visiting Chengdu. The dishes they ordered are typical Chengdu specialties. The blood curd with tripe (maoxuewang), sliced chicken, and signature rabbit are the reasons I must visit. It’s been a long time since I had such deliciously spicy and fragrant dishes—big thumbs up!

Yuan Gong Sliced Chicken: The chicken slices are tender and delicious, topped with scallion and white scallion slices, light and refreshing. Drizzled with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.

Longmen Hanging Meat: It resembles fried pork strips. While cutting it, the waitress says auspicious words, adding a ceremonial feel. The meat is tender, smooth and slippery to eat, and even better dipped in chili powder.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: Tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with juicy clams elevates the texture layers. Fragrant and spicy, incredibly satisfying.

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

Living Water Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite large, with several cuts on the back for easier flavor absorption. The fish meat is white and delicate, and the celery and green pepper segments are particularly tasty—absolutely my favorite. Such delicious food must not be missed; action speaks louder than words.

| II. Natural Humanities, Exquisite Sentiments | The Unique Charm of Jiaoliao

Jiaoliao—a place whose name inspires curiosity. It comes from Zhuangzi’s “Free and Easy Wandering”: “A wren makes its nest in the deep forest, but it uses only one branch; a mole drinks from the river, but it fills only its belly.” In this world of insatiable desires, we shouldn’t be too greedy. We should try to be like the one who “if the whole world praises him, he is not more diligent; if the whole world condemns him, he is not discouraged. He has fixed the distinction between internal and external, and discerned the boundary between honor and disgrace.” Perhaps such a state is too difficult to achieve, which is why Jiaoliao exists—to let us slow down, put aside our pursuit, and find a small space of our own.

Jiaoliao Hotel is a strong branch in this vast forest, pursuing carefree living, unwilling to drag its tail in the mud. It draws nourishment from old Chengdu culture, seeking a “slow life” in the busy city, returning to a natural state of living.

Pushing open the door, the corridor comes into view. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque reading “Ride on things to roam with the mind,” from Zhuangzi’s “The Human World.” Understanding its meaning, one can’t help but admire the great wisdom of the old master Zhuang.

After entering the hotel, we looked at each of the four floors. The design and decoration are really good, giving a comfortable and cozy feeling. During our visit, we noticed that every room has its own unique name, such as Yanqian, Youwei, Shiwei, and so on. We decided to stay in Yanqian, because at first sight of the name, my friend and I felt we liked it—as if the two characters contained deep meaning, leaving us endless imagination.

The hotel’s security is also very good; you need a key card or the butler to open the room doors. After confirming our stay, the hotel butler gave us a key card shaped like a wren—adorable! Upon closer inspection, there is a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it connects the inside and outside. After we call, the butler places what we need inside, and we can take it directly. This design is thoughtful—convenient and not disturbing to guests.

Although Jiaoliao looks simple and elegant from the outside, the items inside the rooms are all consistent with five-star hotels: mattresses, linens, sanitary ware, and fully automatic toilets—all top-notch hardware. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged. Everything feels so comfortable and cozy. Various brand-name equipment subtly reflects the hotel’s high-end quality—we simply loved it! My friend kept saying it felt more comfortable than home.

After entering, we found that in each room, there is a tender wren on the headboard, gazing deeply, as if in thought, as if listening. In each room, the wren’s expression and look are different. My friend and I treated it as our listener, trying to talk to it. All those unspeakable worries can be poured out to this little creature that can only be understood, not explained. After expressing all unhappiness, we felt much relieved.

On the TV wall, there is a large handmade Shu embroidery peony in full bloom, and carp leaping on Shu brocade. Touching them, we couldn’t help but admire the skilled craftsmanship and long culture of our ancestors. Overall, the room is full of traditional Sichuan cultural elements, allowing guests to feel a cultural immersion while staying. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but one as thoughtful and considerate as this is rare. Our choice this time was definitely right.

The room also provides four top-grade teas from Mount Mengding. Having drunk too many carbonated drinks, we often feel burdened. When we settled down, we brewed a cup of tea, savoring nature’s gift, and felt refreshed and clear-headed.

My friend and I also found that the most heartwarming part of this hotel is not just the room configuration and decoration, but also the excellent butler service. They can customize travel routes, trip plans, and solve any problem encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast each morning can be customized according to our taste and time, delivered to the room. Lunch is at Zifei, the first dining venue in Kuanzhai Alley themed on Zhuangzi’s culture, combining culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances. It takes you to a dynasty of pavilions, ancient qin, and opera songs. In the morning, opening the wooden window, breathing in the first breeze and first rays of sunlight of Kuanzhai Alley, so refreshing and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the hotel’s customized breakfast, feeling deeply touched.

After eating, 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.

Looking closely, we spotted a spider weaving its web on the roof opposite, and a falling leaf landing on the table… Look, everything 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.