Nostalgia for the Charm Found Everywhere in Chengdu

Chengdu is not a place that wears down your willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason to indulge is that you cannot resist the city's unrestrained imagination. Its beauty lies in innocence, and the men and women, young and old living here exude a kind of deadly charming relaxed vibe. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—they play mahjong when they want, eat small chili peppers when they want. The people of Sichuan have a certain spirit—calm, fearless, neither humble nor arrogant, living the small, beloved lives they desire. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, I should say I like the mundane vitality of Chengdu.

Chengdu people love food, and Chengdu is also a city of gastronomy! The best feelings in life must be hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and all flavors of life, but my journey has only one flavor: the aroma of food. So I came to Chengdu, to this city full of delicious food!

Yuan Gong, Yuan Gong, fate brings tribute. The red plaque with gold characters instantly struck my heart. The moon-white poetic verses cast on the ground also highlighted the theme of 'fate.' It seems that I truly have a predestined connection with this restaurant.

The ceiling of Yuan Gong was covered with red flowers like blazing flames, which felt exceptionally 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 nightlife of Chunxi Road, this place seems somewhat detached from worldly affairs, and I love this unworldly place.

The overall restaurant environment is quite spacious, with each table having separate compartments. The distance between tables is just right, suitable for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all—I absolutely love this atmosphere!

Nowadays, restaurant decors are all quite stylish, and this one is no exception. The lighting and color tones, whether in the private rooms or the main hall booths, are full of design sense!

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, and the taste is excellent. The environment actually has a homely feel, with red flowers and umbrellas as decorations that feel very festive and warm. This atmosphere instantly brought a surge of warmth to my heart—perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff were very good, truly enthusiastic and attentive, always available when called. Although our table was in a relatively remote spot, we could always get the attention of the servers without any problem. They were really friendly and kind to guests, with dedicated staff guiding us from entrance to exit—this is one aspect I particularly appreciated.

As for the dishes, the most memorable for me was Yuan Gong's signature Clams and Rabbit. The green and red peppers enhanced the tenderness of the rabbit meat, and the clams looked enticing. One bite—tender, slightly numbing, with a moderate spiciness—and instantly, my taste buds danced. When golden wind and jade dew meet, they surpass countless worldly pleasures!

Longmen Diao Rou (Dragon Gate Hanging Meat), this dish had a special young man to help cut the meat and plate it. Crispy texture, the outer batter was perfectly fried. Even eating a lot, it 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 taste of chicken essence or MSG, but was clear, sweet, and fragrant, perfect for relieving dryness. One sip made me feel refreshed both physically and mentally. So comfortable and delicious.

Another dish, Yuan Gong's sliced free-range chicken, was definitely the best of the evening. The taste was excellent, with lotus root slices underneath. The red chili oil was very aromatic, and when mixed with the chicken slices, it was simply heavenly. My friend and I couldn't stop praising it—truly delicious!

The black bean and whole fish was a large fish, topped with plenty of fermented black beans and minced pork. Even without the fish, this sauce alone could go with several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all!

Fate brings us together from a thousand miles away, meeting at Yuan Gong. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a city of gastronomy. When it comes to representative foods, chuan chuan (skewers) definitely occupy a place. Big bundles of bamboo skewers, hot red broth, numbing and spicy, make your mouth water uncontrollably. This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan main store on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.

The variety of skewers in the store is quite abundant, with dozens of types. There are many vegetarian and meat options, which made my head spin.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerators for customers to pick by themselves. All you need to do is choose what you like. Another feature here is that the chef cooks the skewers and then serves them directly in a large pot, saving the time of cooking and waiting. For lazy people like us, it couldn't be more convenient.

After a short wait, a pot of steaming hot skewers arrived. The broth looked oily and spicy, but actually had moderate spiciness. It was numbing, spicy, and fragrant. The restaurant also provides dry dipping powder and oil dipping sauce; the dry dip is their specialty, very tasty and worth recommending.

Besides skewers, there were plenty of hot dishes as well, such as spicy pig brain, with a smooth and delicate texture; spicy duck blood, fresh and tender; spicy duck intestines, crispy and tasty; and spicy luncheon meat, instant noodles, etc., all quite memorable.

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

In Chengdu, a city known for its leisurely lifestyle, there are many bars and taverns of all sizes. But a place like this, surrounded by greenery, illuminated by neon lights, and stocked with a wide variety of drinks and snacks—there is only one Bie Yuan Li in Chengdu.

The unique cat girl in the store added a touch of mystery to their nights, making people look forward to the arrival of evening even more.

I heard that to provide customers with a better experience, this place even hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) to create their lighting effects. I could only secretly exclaim, what a grand production! The boss is really generous!

As the lights turned on, the whole tavern became a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, the various colorful lights looked like stars in the sky, shining brightly. Looking at this scene, I couldn't help but marvel. Indeed, the boss's decision was right; customers' feelings are the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a small tavern, alcohol is definitely essential. They have an enormous selection: foreign liquors, mixed drinks, cocktails, pure imported beers—everything you could want, plus many that I couldn't even name. I was dazzled. In short, whatever you want to drink, you can basically find it here!

Not only that, but even the vessels used for serving food were carefully selected by the boss—Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain, looking elegant and beautiful, truly captivating.

Although there are many alcoholic beverages, it seems that my favorite is not a strong one. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, yet it has the strong, mellow fragrance of alcohol. After adding lemon juice and cola, the Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, similar to lemon black tea, so it has always been popular among girls. A friend of mine who really understands alcohol told me that this drink is the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' of the cocktail world—its alcohol content is quite high, so those who can't handle it should not overindulge.

There's also a cocktail called the Metropolitan. It's no exaggeration to say that the Metropolitan is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. To this day, it has been popular for more than thirty years. With its relatively low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruity flavor, it conquered me and became my favorite.

At Bie Yuan Li tavern, if you happen to order their bartender's special cocktail, congratulations—you will enjoy a super pleasing cocktail show. After mixing, the cocktail slowly 'breathes' out a misty vapor from the rim of the glass, creating a particularly artistic atmosphere. Savoring it carefully, the deeper your tongue touches the cocktail, the more wonderful its taste becomes.

I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—the Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Jiu. It's a rice wine drunk through a wheat straw as a straw—the first time I've seen such a thing. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth and gentle on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes you feel warm all over.

Don't think you can only drink here. In fact, this place is also a hidden Sichuan restaurant, with flavors and portions that can rival outside Sichuan eateries. Dan dan noodles, Zhong dumplings, and the childhood-tasting brown sugar fermented rice—you can get them all here!

Their signature grilled fish has always been a popular dish in the store. The fish is well-seasoned, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. I guarantee you'll become a fan after just a few bites.

After reading all this, if you're curious, hurry up and experience it yourself!

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to Jiaoliao is just a short two hundred meters, but it can take a full half hour to walk. Row upon row of snack shops, all kinds of gold and silver utensils—if your mind wavers even a little, you'll be engulfed in the sights and sounds.

Eyes feast on the blue bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Ears are filled with the tinkling sounds of copper and silver artisans and the shopkeepers' calls to customers. The nose is constantly hit by the aroma of tangyou guozi (sugar-oil balls) and danhonggao (egg pancakes). To break free from all this takes quite a bit of willpower.

Full of earthly vitality and mundane atmosphere. Walking back and forth once feels like doing a somersault in the mire of the mortal world—eyes, ears, nose, colors, and sensations, all thoroughly satisfied.

Jiaoliao, right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, is clearly an exception on this century-old lane. The two tightly closed doors, with a copper lock that seems permanently in place, seem to declare a philosophy of retreating into one's own courtyard and creating a world of one's own.

Truly experiencing what it means—'city forest'! Step out and it's bustling; step in and you quietly guard your inner peace. In the midst of prosperity and comfort, build a pure land, with hidden luxury and inner charm.

And it is indeed so: the eight-tael copper lock falls, separating the gazes of passing tourists, and also isolating the three-hundred-year-old lively world of the alley.

Wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. But the noise outside cannot enter at all. Taking a slice of tranquility in the midst of the bustle—this is Jiaoliao.

The overall wood structure, made of tung wood, is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. Long-term immersion in the faint scent of wood helps with sleep, calms the mind, and soothes the body.

The architectural style of the hotel also combines movement and stillness. The 'movement' is reflected in the meticulous details of the interior decoration. Birds come into view from the hallway entrance, and the guest rooms feature bird-shaped ornaments, echoing the name of the hotel—Jiaoliao (wren).

The 'stillness' lies in the antique-style courtyard with green-black bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree is exquisitely arranged, every bamboo and mat exudes elegance. Each guest room here has its own poetic name, as if full of life and vibrant!

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean, with complete facilities. They feature King Koil's 'Jingzhu Shiguang' co-branded mattresses, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... and various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea—everything is available. Overall, it feels very warm and comfortable. There is also a small open balcony where you can look out at Kuanzhai Alley in the morning, being worldly while staying detached—this is the life I want. And if you want to relax your tired body, they also offer very professional spa services.

Breakfast is also very warm. Upon check-in, the butler will ask about your meal time and taste preferences, very considerate. You can choose between Chinese and Western breakfast, which comes with fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries. And it's delivered to your room! Full of love.

Living here is truly leisurely and comfortable, possessing this wonderful scenery alone, and enjoying the pleasure of carefree leisure!!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in the Jiudingshan Scenic Area in Mao County, about 180 kilometers from downtown Chengdu. It takes about three and a half hours to drive from Chengdu to the ski resort. The highest elevation of the resort is 2,971 meters, the lowest is 2,733 meters, with a vertical drop of 238 meters. Most people do not experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy it with peace of mind. The total length of the ski trails is 2.5 kilometers, making it currently the longest ski resort in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort offers relatively professional ski trails, with 3 advanced runs, 3 intermediate runs, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you are experiencing skiing for the first time or you are a professional with all the skills, you can find fun here.

The Jiudingshan Scenic Area boasts beautiful natural environment, with green mountains and clear waters, and abundant vegetation. It is a multi-functional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The concentration of negative oxygen ions in the area is extremely high, and PM2.5 has long been below 10. During the ski season, 70% of the time it's sunny—truly a city of sunshine and a land of snow scenery.

The ski trails inside are winding and undulating very naturally, called 'dream snow trails' by skiing enthusiasts. With multiple trails to choose from, there are plenty of options and surprises, providing a wonderful stage for beginners and experts alike to have fun and show off their skills.

Skiing is really a physically demanding activity, and with the strong ultraviolet rays, you'll be sweating profusely and feel exhausted after a short while. Be sure to rehydrate and rest appropriately. While resting, you can look at the blue sky, take photos, and admire others' cool postures—it's also very enjoyable. The weather is great, but the sunlight reflecting off the snow is blinding, so it's best to bring sunglasses in your gear.

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

On the cable car, with your feet over the snowy ground, the blazing sun above, and skiers whizzing by below, I was especially afraid of dropping my gear or phone. It was quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, we reached the starting point of the advanced trail. As soon as I got off, my legs went weak—the first slope was at least 40 degrees.

Truly, 'it is cold at the top.' There were even fewer people on the advanced trail. Few were on skis; most were skilled snowboarders with their own boards, sliding down in a few moves and disappearing in no time.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There are places to eat within the ski resort, but you can also bring your own—some rice and a self-heating hot pot would be quite nice. The hot pot at the hotel is also good, no worse than outside. A large pot of red, vibrant soup, which is indeed oily but not greasy. Enjoying the snowy scenery while savoring the spicy thrill of hot pot—that's true enjoyment.

From the moment you set foot in Jiudingshan, you will experience a natural realm far from the noise, full of poetry and beauty, where man and nature are one, ancient and tranquil. And at the Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have an even more harmonious, intimate holiday with family and friends. Why not do it!

Chengdu's Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located by the Huanhua Stream outside the west gate of Chengdu. It is also a must-visit for tourists coming to Chengdu.

As the name suggests, Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of Du Fu. Although the cottage complex is grand and luxurious, Du Fu's actual residence is only a very small part of the scenic area—just a few small, dilapidated thatched huts. The large-scale constructions were built by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.

After entering the cottage, there are many forks in the road, with signposts directing visitors to scenic spots. Going further in, you see an ancient little alley: the walls on both sides are vermilion, the tiles above are embedded with round bricks carved with animal faces, and the mottled moss on the tiles shows that this alley has been here for a while. The bluestone slabs underfoot have become dark and black from wear, with cracks appearing.

Passing through the alley, you see a winding stream, with green bamboo growing on both banks, accompanied by towering ancient trees—a truly poetic and picturesque scene.

Before we knew it, we arrived at a place that looked 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 uses no modern building materials, but it is no longer the one Du Fu lived in. Here, I just wanted to stand in front of the house and feel the timeless verse: 'How can I get a thousand grand houses to shelter all the scholars in the world?' The soil on the walls is loose, revealing large sections of bamboo framework. The wood on the threshold feels like it could break under a single step.

Walking in the thatched cottage, you are greeted by the full breath of history and a strong poetic atmosphere, making me indulge in 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 the mundane vitality of Chengdu...