The Charm of Chengdu That Meets You Everywhere, What I Miss Is Its Lively Atmosphere

Chengdu is not a place that dampens your willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason to sink is your inability to resist the city's wild imagination. Its beauty lies in its innocence; the men, women, old, and young living here all have a fatal, charming sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play mahjong; if they love little chili peppers, they eat them. The people of Sichuan have a spirit that is calm, fearless, and lives their beloved little life with neither servility nor arrogance. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, it's more accurate to say I like Chengdu's lively atmosphere.

Chengdu locals love food, and Chengdu is also a city of gastronomy! The best feelings in life are surely hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and the 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 everywhere!

Yuán Gòng, Yuán Gòng, fate brings tribute, with red plaques and gold characters, it struck my heart in an instant. The moon-white verses on the ground also highlighted the theme of 'fate'; it seems my connection with this restaurant is truly destined.

The ceiling of Yuán Gòng was covered with fiery red flowers like flames, feeling especially innovative, and my mood unconsciously brightened.

This restaurant is on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshi Bridge; the location is a bit off the main path. Compared to the dazzling nightlife of Chunxi Road, it seems somewhat detached from worldly affairs, and I love this place that feels away from the worldly hustle.

The entire restaurant has a spacious environment, with each table having separate compartments and a good distance, suitable for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all—I absolutely love this environment!

Nowadays, restaurant decorations are also quite stylish; this one is no exception. The lighting and tones, whether in private rooms or the main hall's booth seats, are quite designed!

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, and the flavors are very good. The environment actually feels like home; the red flowers and umbrellas as decorations give a very festive and warm feeling. This atmosphere instantly brought a warmth to my heart; perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff were very good, truly warm and attentive, always available when called. Although our seat was quite off to the side, we could always get a server's attention whenever needed, without the situation of not being able to call anyone. Their attitude towards guests was genuinely kind and friendly, with dedicated guidance from entrance to exit—this is something I found quite good.

Speaking of dishes, what impressed me most was Yuán Gòng's signature Clam Rabbit. The green and red twin peppers made the rabbit meat even more tender and delicious, and the clams looked enticingly colored. With one bite, tender, slightly numbing, with a moderate spiciness, instantly the taste buds danced. A golden breeze and jade dew meeting surpass countless things in the world!

Dragon Gate Hanging Meat: this dish had a special young man who would cut the meat and place it on a plate. It had a crispy texture, the outside coating was perfectly fried, and eating more didn't feel greasy. This is also one of their signature dishes, quite unique.

The Old Duck Soup left a deep impression; it didn't have a strong MSG or chicken essence flavor, but was clear, sweet, and aromatic, just right for relieving dryness. A sip made both body and mind feel smooth—so comfortable and delicious.

Another dish, Yuán Gòng Local Chicken Slices, was absolutely the best of the evening. The flavor was very good, with lotus root slices underneath. The red chili oil was very fragrant, and eating it together with the chicken slices was simply a heavenly delicacy. My friend and I were full of praise for this dish—it was truly made deliciously!

The Black Bean Flavored Whole Fish was a big fish, covered with many black beans and minced meat. Even without the fish, this condiment alone could accompany several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all!

Fate brings us together across thousands of miles, meeting at Yuán Gòng. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a city of gastronomy. When talking about representative foods, chuan chuan (skewers) certainly occupy a place. Big handfuls of bamboo sticks, hot red broth, numbing and spicy, make 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 shop is quite rich, with dozens of types. Both vegetable and meat options are plentiful, making it hard for me to choose.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerators for customers to pick freely. Diners just need to select what they like. Another feature here is that the kitchen cooks the skewers and serves them directly in a large pot, saving you the time of cooking yourself. For lazy people like us, it's incredibly convenient.

After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers arrived. The broth looked oily and spicy, but the spiciness was moderate. It was numbing, spicy, and fragrant. The shop also provides dry and oil dipping sauces. The dry sauce is their specialty, with a great flavor—worth recommending.

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

This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan may not be the best skewer place in Chengdu, but it is the most special one.

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

The unique Cat Girl in the shop adds a mysterious touch to their nights, making people look forward to the arrival of evening with more anticipation.

I heard that to provide customers with a better experience, the owner hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest (National Stadium). I can only whisper: what a big production, the boss is really generous!

As the lights inside the bar turned on, the whole place became a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resembled stars in the sky, shining brightly in the bar. Looking at the scene, I couldn't help but marvel—indeed, the owner's decision was right; the customers' feelings are the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a small bar, alcohol is certainly essential. The selection here is huge: foreign liquors, cocktails, pure imported beers—everything you can imagine, and many drinks I couldn't even name. My eyes were dazzled. Anyway, if you want to drink something, you can probably find it here!

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

Although there are many alcoholic beverages, what I seem to love is not the strong, fiery drinks. A Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, yet it has the strong, mellow fragrance of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, it tastes sweet, similar to lemon black tea, making it a favorite among girls. My friend, who knows a lot about 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 should not indulge.

Another drink here is called 'Metropolitan.' Saying it is one of the world's most popular cocktails is no exaggeration. To this day, it has been popular for over thirty years. With its low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruity flavor, it won me over and became my favorite.

At Bie Yuan Li Bar, if you happen to order their bartender's special cocktail, congratulations, you'll be treated to a super eye-catching cocktail show. After mixing, the cocktail slowly 'exhales' a mist from the rim of the glass, creating a particularly artistic atmosphere. Savoring it carefully, the deeper the contact between the tongue and the cocktail, the more wonderful the taste becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Guqiang Wheat Straw Wine, a rice wine drunk through a wheat straw as a straw. This is the first time I've seen this. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth and silky in the mouth. Drinking a small bottle in winter warms your whole body.

Don't think you can only drink at this place; it's actually a hidden Sichuan restaurant. The taste and portions are comparable to outside Sichuan restaurants. Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Dumplings, and even the childhood-tasting fermented rice with brown sugar can all be found here!

Their signature grilled fish is always a popular dish. The fish is very flavorful, with a crispy outside and tender inside. I guarantee a few bites will make you a fan.

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

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiao Liao (a hotel) is only about two hundred meters, but it can take a full half hour to walk. Rows upon rows of snack shops, various gold and silver utensils—if your mind wavers even a little, you'll get lost in the sights and sounds.

In my eyes, there were green bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. In my ears, there were the clinking sounds of bronze and silver craftsmen hammering and the calls of shopkeepers outside. At the tip of my nose came the aroma of candied fruit and egg cakes. It takes a lot of willpower to break free from all this.

Full of bustling human life and worldly atmosphere. Walking back and forth once is like doing a somersault in the cycle of worldly desires—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—all are completely satisfied.

The Jiao Liao in the very center of Kuanzhai Alley is clearly an exception in this century-old alley. The two tightly closed gates and the ever-present brass lock seem to declare a concept of retreating into one's own courtyard and being self-contained.

I truly understood what it means: 'City and forest!' Step out and it's bustling; step in and you keep your heart still! Build a pure land amidst prosperity and leisure, hiding luxury within, with spirit and charm.

Indeed, once the eight-tael brass lock falls, it blocks the gaze of passing tourists and keeps out the lively world that has soaked the alley for three hundred years.

The wind can cross the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. But the noise outside cannot enter at all. Taking peace amidst the hustle and bustle—this is Jiao Liao.

The wooden structure made entirely of paulownia wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet solid. Long-term immersion in the faint scent of wood helps sleep, calms the mind, and soothes the body.

The architectural style of the hotel also combines movement and stillness. 'Movement' lies in the details of the hotel's interior design. Birds begin to appear from the hotel's entrance corridor and continue to the bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms, echoing the hotel's name—Jiao Liao.

'Stillness' lies in the antique quadrangle courtyard of black-and-white bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree is elegant, every bamboo and mat is charming. Each guest room here has its own 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 mattress, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc., are all provided, giving an overall very warm and comfortable feeling. There is also a small open-air balcony. In the morning, you can look out at Kuanzhai Alley, entering the world while being detached—this is the life I want. And if you want to relax a tired body, they also offer very professional spa services.

Breakfast is also especially heartwarming. Upon check-in, the butler asks about your dining time and taste preferences—very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western meals, which are paired with fruits, nuts, and various pastries, and are delivered to your room! Full of love.

Living here, I truly feel at ease and comfortable, enjoying this beautiful scenery alone, fully experiencing the joy of carefree leisure!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area, Maoxian 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 2971 meters, the lowest is 2733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people won't have altitude sickness, so you can enjoy with peace of mind. The total length of the ski trails is 2.5 kilometers, making it the longest ski resort in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort has relatively professional ski slopes, with 3 advanced runs, 3 intermediate runs, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you are a first-timer feeling the snow or a professional with all skills, you can find fun here.

Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area has a beautiful natural environment, with clear waters and lush mountains, rich in vegetation. It is a multifunctional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The area has extremely high concentrations of negative oxygen ions, with PM2.5 consistently below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the time it is sunny, truly a city of sunshine and a kingdom of snow scenery.

The trails inside are naturally winding and undulating, called 'dream trails' by ski enthusiasts. Many trails are available for you to choose from, with plenty of options and surprises, providing a wonderful stage for beginners and skiing masters to enjoy and showcase their skills.

Skiing is really a physically demanding activity, plus the ultraviolet rays are very strong. After a while, you'll be sweating profusely and exhausted. It's important to hydrate and rest properly. While resting, looking at the blue sky, taking photos, and admiring others' cool poses are also very enjoyable. The weather was good; sunlight reflecting off the snow was dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses as part of your gear.

To go on the advanced runs, you must take the cable car, and you must wear a helmet on the cable car. So friends planning to hit the advanced runs must remember to rent a helmet.

Sitting on the cable car, with the white snow beneath your feet and the sun above, skiers whizzing past below, I was particularly afraid of dropping my gear or phone—it was quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, I arrived at the starting point of the advanced run. Getting off the cable car, my legs felt weak; the first slope was at least 40 degrees.

Truly 'high places are unbearably cold.' There were even fewer people on the advanced run. Very few were on double boards; most were excellent players with their own single boards, sliding down in a few moves and disappearing in no time.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food; there are dining areas inside the ski resort. But if you want to bring your own, that's fine too. Bringing some rice or a self-heating hotpot is quite nice. The hotpot at the hotel was delicious, no worse than what you get outside. A big pot of bright red broth, but it tasted rich without being greasy. Enjoying the spiciness of hotpot while viewing the snow scenery—that's true enjoyment.

From the moment you step into Jiuding Mountain, you will experience a natural realm far from the noise, poetic, harmonious between man and nature, simple and peaceful. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have a more harmonious, close, and wonderful holiday with family and friends. Why not!

The Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu is located on the bank of Huanhua Stream outside the west gate of Chengdu. It is also a must-visit for tourists coming to Chengdu.

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

After entering the thatched cottage, you'll encounter many intersections with signs directing visitors to the scenic spots. Going a bit further, an ancient-looking alley comes into view: the walls on both sides are vermilion, the tiles above embedded with round bricks carved with animal faces, and the moss on the tiles shows that this alley has been built for some time. The bluestone slabs underfoot have been stepped on until they turned dark and cracked.

Passing through the alley, a winding stream appears before your eyes, with green bamboo growing on both banks, accompanied by towering ancient trees—a truly poetic 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 did not incorporate modern building materials, but it was no longer the one Du Fu lived in back then. Here, I just wanted to stand in front of the house, feeling the timeless verse: 'How can I get thousands of spacious mansions to shelter all the world's poor scholars with joy!' The soil on the walls was loose, revealing large frames woven from bamboo strips. The wood on the threshold felt like it would break with one step.

Walking through the thatched cottage, I was met with a strong sense of history and poetry, making me indulge in it, 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 lively atmosphere of Chengdu...