Feast of Gluttony, Chengdu Captivates the World!!

At Fingertips: The only things in life not to be let down are beautiful scenery and delicious food.

Some say that when mentioning Chengdu, what comes to mind is not the city name but a myriad of culinary delights. Because Chengdu is a city filled with food. In every alley and every street of this city, you can encounter many delicious foods and interesting snacks anytime, anywhere.

And the enthusiasm of Chengdu people for food has also led to the highly developed catering industry in Chengdu. Any out-of-town tourist visiting Chengdu is inevitably interested in its hotpot, Sichuan cuisine, snacks, and spicy hot pot. Visiting Chengdu without trying the local food feels like entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed.

A city has its own historical culture and its own characteristic districts. To understand a city's history and culture, one should step into its characteristic districts, understand the cultural origins and stories of famous figures it carries, touch its historical warmth up close, and feel the bustling commercial atmosphere and the flavor of hedonism that still persists through the changes of the times.

With rare leisure time and family accompanying us, we decided to wander around Jinli, strolling and admiring, savoring slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and artistic, like a moon reflected in a mirror of time; then Jinli is bustling and secular, like fireworks blooming outside the mirror of time.

Entering Jinli, the temptation of delicious food hits you right in the face. Shops are wide open, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies, beautifully arranged, appear faintly in the misty smoke. Their beautiful shapes, fresh colors, and fragrant aromas make your mouth water uncontrollably.

Beside the shops, there are Sichuan opera young male performers in makeup greeting customers. They imitate opera movements, suddenly shrinking their necks and stretching their heads, turning from a white face to a red face, startling you. Before you can be surprised or annoyed, they pull a funny face and make you laugh. This tease and amusement instantly lift your spirits.

When we first arrived, the sky was clear. Strolling in Jinli, there were fewer tourists, which added a hazy classical charm. The streets of Jinli are not wide, but ancient buildings on both sides face each other, with strings of red lanterns hanging high and low, either under flying eaves and upturned corners or on tree branches, twinkling in the misty rain, possessing unique charm.

Walking in the ancient street feels like walking in a poem with harmonious rhythm. Carved windows and doors, trailing creepers on ancient walls, winding corridors leading to secluded spots are like the background of a poem, with a contrast of vicissitudes and vitality amidst elegant taste.

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

After visiting Jinli, we got hungry. It seems the temptation of food is quite strong. I decided to take my family to Gua Chuanchuan (Melon Skewers) at the Jin Fang Yuan East Road branch. I heard it was good. When we arrived, I found the environment of this Gua Chuanchuan really great.

The overall decoration features gray bricks and green tiles, with red walls creating a festive feel. The space is spacious, with clear functional divisions. The Chinese retro style adds unique charm to the restaurant, making it antique and elegant.

Although we thought it was still early, once we entered, we found it was another world inside. There were so many people, the entire hall was full, with voices everywhere. But this didn't affect the enthusiasm of foodies waiting outside. Indeed, delicious food is king; this is the true nature of Chengdu foodies.

Soup base: Authentic Chengdu practice for the broth, spicy and satisfying cold pot skewers. The super concentrated broth is boiled fresh every day, covered with red oil over the secret stock. Full of ingredients simmered from early morning until noon opening. It's fragrant but not numbing, spicy but not dry. This flavor simply cannot be imitated; only recipes handed down from the older generation can be called the old Chengdu taste.

70+ kinds of skewers to choose from: Six large freezers dazzle you. Five-star cold chain ensures the freshness of ingredients. Fresh ingredients carefully selected daily, marinated with care, skewered. Meat and vegetables optional. After eating, the skewers are weighed to charge. Whatever you want to eat, grab it and start the crazy skewer mode!

Handmade specialty double dipping sauce: How fragrant is the dry dipping? The combination of crushed peanuts + chili powder easily wins. Roll it lightly and you get a peanut fragrance. The elaborate handmade process determines its uniqueness. The oil dipping sauce made with sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped scallions is also a great helper to relieve spiciness and add fragrance.

Beef skewers are versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can wrap a world. Five-spice, spicy, cilantro, pickled pepper, scallion. The beef must be marinated with secret sauce for two to three hours. Plump pickled peppers with tender beef, a trace of green in the red beef stands out. When eaten, the heavy flavor bursts on the tongue. In the thick beef pieces, there are pickled peppers ready to explode with juice. The mouth says no, but the body is honest, sending skewer after skewer to the mouth.

Small sausages: Small sausages are a Chengdu specialty. Plump little sausages with a perfect balance of fat and lean, cut into bite-sized pieces. The slightly sweet taste is very Cantonese-style. The dual sensation of sweet and spicy is fascinating. While relieving spiciness, satisfaction doubles! You won't regret coming to this restaurant; it's so delicious you can't stop.

Two | Bar "Big Boss", Finding Your Own Intoxication

Hearing the name "Wuhou," anyone familiar with the Three Kingdoms will not feel strange. It is the alias of the famous Zhuge Liang, "Zhuge Wuhou." If your favorite faction in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is Shu, then the famous Chengdu attraction—Wuhou Shrine—is a place you must visit. It will surely satisfy all your desires.

Soon it was afternoon. My family and I planned to visit Wuhou Shrine, feel 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. Initially, it was built for Liu Bei's tomb. Later generations merged Liu Bei's tomb with Zhuge Liang's ancestral temple, resulting in the current combined temple of lord and minister, the only one of its kind in China.

The heroes of Shu, whose fortunes changed like clouds, turned to dust here. Their great achievements are buried and resting here. All historical stories have settled and brewed here, resulting in the weighty Wuhou Shrine, the place to commemorate the heroes of Shu Han.

From Sanyi Temple to Wuhou Shrine, from the Peach Garden Oath to Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, we arrived at the main hall of Zhuge Liang. In the center of the hall hangs a horizontal plaque with the inscription "Famous Throughout the Universe," undoubtedly the highest praise for Mr. Zhuge. The couplet reads: "If one can win over hearts, opposition will naturally disappear; since ancient times, those who know military affairs are not fond of war. If one does not assess the situation, both leniency and strictness will be wrong; later rulers of Shu should ponder deeply."

These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang's loyalty and ambition to exhaust himself for Shu until his death. He devoted his entire life to repay the favor of the three visits and his recognition. Wuhou Shrine is not large; located in a busy area, it doesn't occupy much land. It can be visited in about an hour. Yet Wuhou Shrine is also huge, because it carries more than just a scenic spot; it is the history of a dynasty, a tribute and remembrance of that era.

We walked and stopped, turning into quiet paths, admiring bonsai, observing flowers and plants, smelling subtle fragrances. We looked at ancient trees with intertwined roots, delicate arched bridges and water reflections, and sighed at the damaged pillars of Han palaces. With respect for the memory of Shu, we slowly walked out.

In Chengdu, a city known for leisure, there are many bars large and small. But a bar like Bie Yuan Li, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and rich with various alcohols and snacks, is the only one of its kind in Chengdu. To provide customers with a better experience, they specially invited a lighting design company to design the lighting effects.

We couldn't waste the evening; we needed to have a good time. I planned to take my family to Bie Yuan Li to enjoy the pleasant night.

Upon entering, as the lights turned on, the whole bar felt like a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resembled stars in the sky, shining brilliantly in the bar, instantly elevating the entertainment and leisure atmosphere.

The alcohols in the bar are as rich as their lights: foreign liquors, Chinese-style cocktails, cocktails, and authentic imported beers—everything is available! Basically, if you want to drink it, you can find it here!

Tuxedo Mask's Kiss: Rose wine whose beauty alone wins the favor of ladies, with a refreshing rose fragrance. Since the alcohol content is low, it's suitable for small gatherings of girlfriends or leisurely moments. The rose flavor is not strong at first, but the wine taste becomes clearer towards the end, enchanting.

Ancient Qiang wheat stalk sipping wine: A blue-and-white porcelain bottle full of Jianghu atmosphere! Using wheat stalks as straws, sipping wine amidst laughter adds a special flavor.

Barbecue platter: Wine and grilled skewers are an inseparable couple. Having barbecue without wine seems to betray the party! Small sausages, prawns, corn kernels, tofu, green beans, and many other items. Spicy, numbing, and fresh, catering to different tastes.

Lemongrass grilled fish: Besides barbecue, this grilled fish is a must-order. Although the fish is not big, the aroma had already hooked us. Because lemongrass is added to the fish, the fragrance is fresher. After frying, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, smooth and delicious, extremely satisfying. Sitting and playing in such a music bar is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.

Two | Taste of Sichuan Cuisine, Unforgettable Yuangong

People talk about Chengdu's leisure life, which is not about high-tech zones' office buildings, not the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, nor the street photos of Chunxi Road. Come to People's Park, where Chengdu people expect the best life.

With a 100-year history, People's Park serves as a material and spiritual carrier, storing the real old Chengdu life. On weekends, People's Park becomes the liveliest.

There are two old tea houses in the park: Yongju and Heming, with Heming being the most famous. Built in the 1920s, nearly a hundred years old, it is almost as old as the park itself, hence called the century-old Heming. You must learn to "strike first," because Heming is always full. Once someone leaves, immediately grab a seat. After sitting down, an auntie in blue-and-white porcelain clothing will come to clean the table and take your tea order.

The playground is the loudest place. The sounds of children laughing and playing are endless. The small train, carousel, roller coaster—every child and big kid can find their source of joy.

But the most popular activity in People's Park is still boating. The color-stained little boats bear the childhood memories of Chengdu people from the last century. On good weather days, there are the most people, and boating requires queuing. Young parents bring their children to boat, enjoying the happiness of family togetherness. Of course, there are also many dating couples. Anyway, no matter who is on the boat, they all smile like children.

After visiting the park, we planned to take my family to Yuangong on Chunxi Road. I had heard from friends that this restaurant is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan restaurant, very popular and bustling. So today we specially came to taste it.

When we arrived, many people were already dining! The restaurant decoration is quite down-to-earth. The antique environment is very attractive, highlighting the characteristics of old Chengdu. The private rooms, hall, and booths all have a sense of design, decorated with flowers, revealing a unique charm.

Many of the customers are tourists visiting Chengdu. I noticed they ordered very Chengdu-style dishes. Maoxuewang, sliced chicken, and signature rabbit are the reasons I must visit. It's been a long time since I tasted such fresh, spicy, and numb dishes. Big thumbs up!

Yuangong Sliced Chicken: The chicken slices are delicate in texture, with great taste. Adding scallions and white scallion slices makes it refreshing. Topped with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.

Longmen Hanging Meat: Prepared like a whole fried crispy pork. The waitress cuts it while saying auspicious words. The ritual is nice. The meat is tender and smooth. Dipping in chili powder makes it even better.

Yuangong Signature Rabbit: Tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with juicy clams instantly elevates the texture. Fragrant and spicy, it's super satisfying to eat.

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

Water Flower Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite big. The fish back is sliced a few times for better flavor absorption. The fish meat is snow-white and delicate. Celery and green pepper segments are especially tasty—my absolute favorite! Such delicious food must not be missed. Action speaks louder than words.

Two | Natural Humanity, Delicate Sentiments | The Unique Charm of Jiaoliao

Jiaoliao—a place whose name makes you want to know more. The name comes from Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering": "The wren builds its nest in the deep forest, but only occupies one branch; the field mouse drinks from the river, but only fills its belly." In this insatiable world, we should not be too greedy. We should try to be "not urged by the world's praise, not discouraged by the world's blame, clear about the distinction between inner and outer, discerning the boundaries of honor and disgrace." Perhaps such a state is really too difficult, hence there is Jiaoliao, allowing us to slow down and let go of the space we chase.

Jiaoliao Hotel is a sturdy branch in this vast forest, pursuing only freedom and unwilling to drag its tail in the mud. It absorbs the nutrition of old Chengdu culture, seeking a "slow life" in the busy city, returning to a natural state of living.

Pushing open the door, we see a corridor. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque with the inscription "Riding on Things to Wander with the Mind." This comes from Zhuangzi's "The World of Men." After understanding its meaning, I can't help but admire the great wisdom of the old master Zhuang.

After entering the hotel, we visited all four floors one by one. The design and decoration of this hotel are really nice, giving a comfortable and peaceful feeling. During the tour, we found that each room has its own unique name, such as Yanqian, Youwei, Shijun, etc. We planned to stay in Yanqian because when we first saw the name, my friend and I immediately liked it, as if the two characters contained deep meaning, leaving us endless imagination.

The hotel also has good security. Guest rooms can only be entered with a keycard or by the butler opening the door. After confirming our stay, the butler gave us a wren-shaped room card, cute and charming! Looking closely, we noticed a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it connects inside and out. When we call, the butler will place our needs inside, and we can directly take it. Such a design is very considerate, convenient without disturbing guests.

Although Jiaoliao looks ancient and plain from the outside, the items inside are consistent with five-star hotels. For example, mattresses, linens, bathrooms, and automatic toilets—all hardware facilities are superb. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged, everything feels comfortable and peaceful. The branded facilities invisibly highlight the hotel's high-end, making us love it! My friend kept saying it's more cozy than home.

After entering, we noticed a thoughtful wren at the head of each bed, deeply gazing, as if in deep thought or listening. In each room, the wren's posture and expression 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 felt, not expressed. After saying all the unhappiness, I felt much better inside.

On the TV wall, there is a large hand-embroidered Shu peony blooming, along with a koi fish leaping on Shu brocade. As we touched them, we couldn't help but admire the skillful craftsmanship and long-standing culture of our ancestors. Overall, the rooms are full of Sichuan traditional cultural elements, allowing us to experience cultural edification while staying. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but such a thoughtful and considerate hotel is rare. We definitely made the right choice this time.

The room also provides four top-grade teas from Mengding Mountain. Drinking too many carbonated drinks usually burdens us. When we calmed down, we brewed a cup of tea, savoring nature's gift, and felt instantly refreshed.

My friend and I also discovered that the most thoughtful part of this hotel is not just the room configuration and decoration, but also the excellent butler service. They can customize travel routes for guests, plan itineraries, and solve any problems encountered in the hotel. Even our daily breakfast can be customized according to our taste and time, delivered to the room. Lunch is enjoyed at Zifei, Kuanzhai Alley's first cultural dining themed on Zhuangzi's philosophy. It integrates culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances, taking you into a time of pavilions, ancient zithers, and operatic songs. In the morning, pushing open the wooden window, breathing the first breeze and sunlight of Kuanzhai Alley, so refreshing and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the customized breakfast, feeling deeply touched.

After breakfast, 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.

Observing carefully, we noticed a spider weaving its web on the opposite roof, and a falling leaf landing on the table... Look, everything is striving to grow!

In the busy and noisy city, there is always a leisurely, cozy place to release your body and mind.