Chengdu in Winter: A Unique Charm, a Paradise for Foodies and Fun-Seekers

Winter is the season that most easily stirs emotions. Thoughts are still lingering in autumn, but in an instant, winter arrives.

The winter in Chengdu seems to unfold in a slow-paced life, and the scenery there is endlessly charming.

My initial impression of Chengdu's winter was a world of green, where it felt colder indoors than outdoors.

Now, my feeling of Chengdu's winter is a world of vibrant colors, attracting people with impressionist paintings; it is a poetic spiritual world, an adventure in a culinary fantasy.

"Chengdu is worth remembering. Chengdu's elegance, Chengdu's casualness, Chengdu's simplicity, and Chengdu's unique local flavor leave an unforgettable impression on those who have experienced it."

I think everyone who has been to Chengdu feels a lingering reluctance to leave.

The leisurely Fu River, the bustling Chunxi Road, the laid-back street teahouses, and the lively suburban farmhouse entertainments.

Like a vivid and colorful painting, like a bowl of mellow and long-lasting old wine, they soak into everyone who visits Chengdu.

And Chengdu's cuisine adds the most intense flavor to this memory.

Within this intensity, there is also a warmth that stirs the heart. Small eats like hot pot, chuanchuan, and Sichuan-style malatang, along with the soft lights of street-side shops, will long remain in the hearts of many Chengdu visitors.

Day 1: Yuan Gong (Tazishan Park) → Jiaoliao Hotel

Day 2: Taiziling Ski Resort

Day 3: Gua Chuanchuan (Tianfu Square) → Bieyuan Li Tavern (Kuanzhai Alley)

Having nothing to do on the weekend, I planned a food and travel adventure with friends, enjoying the beautiful scenery while savoring the taste impact of delicacies. I got up very early this morning. After getting ready, I met up with my friends. However, we didn't head straight to the eating place; instead, we first went to a spot to have some fun, and then set off towards our final food destination. My friends all suggested going to the nearby Tazishan Park to play. Action speaks louder than words, so we took the bus there.

When we arrived, we found quite a lot of people there. After all, it was the weekend, and many parents were bringing their children out to play, do activities, and soak up the sun.

Tazishan Park is located in the hilly area east of Chengdu. It has vast terrain, lush trees, and a peaceful environment. Nestled against the hills and near the water, the plants are arranged according to the terrain, lush and verdant, with birdsong and floral fragrance all year round.

The main architectural structure in the park is the Jiutian Tower, named after the famous poem "Climbing Jin City Sanhua Tower" by the Poet Immortal Li Bai: "Now I come to climb and gaze, as if on a journey to the Ninth Heaven." From afar, Jiutian Tower looks like a pagoda; up close, it resembles a building. Its novel and unique design makes it a landmark and magnificent garden landscape in Chengdu. Ascending the Jiutian Tower, one can take in all the beauty of Chengdu, a truly refreshing experience.

The park also features a Bird Singing Forest, which gathers nearly 150 species and about 5,000 birds from around the world, including more than 20 species under national first- and second-class protection. The Bird Singing Forest emphasizes popular science education about birds and highlights bird performances, which are both entertaining and educational for children.

In addition, it is also a great place for people to play, relax, fish, have fun, climb the tower for views, have picnics, and enjoy tea.

Lawns, lakes, pavilions, and paths offer a rustic, wild charm, making it the perfect place to bring kids to let loose. Moreover, Tazishan Park is also the main venue for the annual Chengdu Lantern Festival!

It is indeed a nice place, with everything you need for leisure and entertainment. Before we knew it, we had spent over three hours here, and it was already past 4 PM. No wonder I felt a bit hungry. It seems you get hungry faster when you're out having fun. Next, we set off for our final destination: Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road, which is extremely popular. I had been hearing colleagues talk about it, and finally got the chance to try it out. I checked the navigation, and it wasn't far, so we took a bus there.

This restaurant is on Xuedao Street near Chunxi Road, quite close to the city center. It can be considered a quiet spot amidst the hustle and bustle. The restaurant's decor is very down-to-earth, with an overall style that is Chinese retro, and the environment is tastefully decorated.

Turning from the lobby into the dining area, it was very spacious with many private rooms. The decorations were lush and colorful, giving off a unique atmosphere.

After finding our seats, we began to feast on the food. The dishes I highly recommend are these ones—super delicious and incredibly tasty.

Black Bean Fragrant Whole Fish: The fish is silver carp, which has quite a few bones, so you need to be careful when eating. The fish meat is especially tender and flavorful, soft and smooth, absolutely irresistible.

Longmen Hanging Meat: There is a dedicated young man who helps cut the meat and arranges it on a plate. The meat is crispy and tender, and the outer coating is perfectly fried. You can't stop eating it, one bite after another.

Yuan Gong Sliced Chicken: Most of the chicken slices have some skin attached, with added scallion slices, giving a refreshing taste. Served with a secret red oil, the spiciness is just right.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: It's a combination of double-pepper rabbit and clams. The flavor is especially fresh and delicious, with a numbing and spicy taste that is perfect with rice. The portion is generous, truly a favorite.

After eating and drinking our fill, it was time to go home. The day's outing was over, and back in my dreams, I would savor these endless delicacies.

Ten years have passed like overnight rain, the world of rivers and lakes is chaotic.

What remains unchanged are the Kuan and Zhai alleys; what changes is the human heart. We are never quite satisfied with this bustling world. After witnessing the most splendid sights, we suddenly realize that even the noisy places have their quiet moments. Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley stands the Jiaoliao Hotel.

Amidst the noisy crowd, we gently pushed open this door full of stories. While waiting for the butler to open the door, the old door itself became a sight we couldn't help but admire. This door is made of red bean wood, without any restoration, and still retains its original appearance. The center is painted with the traditional Chinese door gods. The left door god holds a peony, and the right holds a jue (ancient wine vessel). Together, they symbolize promotion and advancement. It is said that this design is also meant to wish the guests staying at Jiaoliao a thriving career and continuous promotions, leading us back to the most natural state of life.

Pushing open the door, we saw a very long corridor. The blue-tiled walls on both sides of the corridor formed a stark contrast with the concrete high-rises. For those of us tired of the fast-paced urban life, the blue tiles seemed to soothe our constantly tense nerves, making us want to touch and get close.

As we walked through the corridor, the birds hopping up and down on both sides became unusually active because of our arrival, chirping incessantly. Although we couldn't understand bird language, we could feel a warm welcome from their calls.

Changing the scene, we officially entered the accommodation area. The Jiaoliao Hotel is quite large. We walked through, appreciating the beauty of this hotel. It has four floors, with guest rooms and an open-air tea terrace. Each floor has its own unique scenery; the view changes with every step, making it hard not to stop and admire.

As soon as we entered the room, we noticed the overall color scheme was a light wood tone, without any additional color embellishments.

From the bed to the wardrobe, window frames, tables, and chairs—all are made of raw phoenix tree wood, smoothed down and used directly. The facilities are very complete, even better equipped than my own home. This kind of lifestyle close to nature is exactly what we need.

We also noticed that each room has orchids, surrounded by bamboo plants. Looking closely, we could see chrysanthemums carved on some of the reliefs, creating a very elegant atmosphere. Combined with the dim, warm lighting, the entire room felt very cozy. The details exuded understated luxury.

The hotel's amenities are truly high-end, all meeting five-star hotel standards. Every aspect provided us with an ultimate accommodation experience. The mattress, Kohler bathroom products, and smart toilet—everything was perfect, giving us the best enjoyment. Running my fingers through every part of the room, I could feel the owner's dedication, and I was moved.

The guestroom also has a SPA room, which was a thoughtful touch that we really appreciated. After a tiring day of sightseeing, we could lie in the SPA room and enjoy the masseur's service, relaxing our muscles and bones, enjoying long-lost comfort.

At Jiaoliao, living among the mountain forest, stone, and bamboo, savoring the Zen elegance, we fully enjoyed the pleasure of carefree living and poetic dwelling. Amidst the bustling Kuan and Zhai alleys, every day sees a throng of people. Outside the long streets filled with flowing crowds, in the tranquil corner of the bustling city, Jiaoliao quietly watches the people coming and going.

Yesterday, we tasted Yuan Gong, strolled through Chunxi Road, and enjoyed divine service at Jiaoliao Hotel. Waking up today, I felt fantastic. Indeed, eating, drinking, and having fun is the best way to relax the body and mind. Winter has arrived as promised. The cold wind carries a hint of chill, but it still can't stop us from moving forward. Today, we decided to visit the renowned Taiziling Ski Resort to experience the unique charm of ice and snow.

Jiuding Mountain Taiziling Ski Resort is located next to National Highway 213 from Wenchuan County to Mao County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, at Qinglongba in the Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area. It is 180 kilometers from Chengdu, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive.

What attracts so many visitors is not just its high popularity, but also its strong technical support. It is said that the ski resort is equipped with pure imported ELAN ski gear, which has supported multiple Taiziling ski competitions, as well as various professional ski equipment from HEAD, BURTON, and NORDICA. This draws many professionals to come and showcase their skills. It truly is the largest, most beautiful, and most professional ski resort in Southwest China.

Arriving at the ski resort, the first thing was to buy tickets at the entrance, then rent ski equipment: boots, skis, poles. Today was extremely crowded, and we had to queue for a long time, which shows just how popular this place is.

Finally getting onto the slopes, it was fun, but for a group of beginners, we kept falling. Two hours of skiing was our limit. Also, there were so many people, all crowded on the beginner slope, just a short distance from the entrance.

When skiing on a sunny day, it's both hot and scorching, with strong UV rays. At such times, you must apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and try not to wear too many clothes. Dress comfortably. For beginners, it's advisable to hire an instructor; otherwise, you'll fall a lot.

When skiing, you must wear gloves and sunglasses, and you need a helmet for the intermediate slope. Actually, two skis are the best choice for beginners. The skis can be adjusted according to shoe size. Once you're properly geared up, you can enter the ski area.

There are also many places to eat inside the scenic area, such as hotpot and soup pots. The food is quite good, with great color, aroma, and taste—truly a delight. Outside the dining hall, there is a glass sunroom where you can take photos, drink tea, relax, and enjoy the sunshine while looking at the scenery. It's really nice!

Actually, the scenery of Jiuding Mountain is quite beautiful. Taiziling Ski Resort is the most professional ski resort we've visited in Sichuan so far. It has beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes, with various gradients for visitors to choose from. The altitude of the ski resort is about 2,500 meters, similar to Wolong, so there is basically no altitude sickness. The ski resort has a ski trail of 2.5 kilometers.

Relying on the unique natural terrain, high altitude, and rich vegetation of the Jiuding Mountain scenic area, the ski resort has fresh air with a high concentration of negative oxygen ions. It is neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer, with a pleasant climate. It is a rare natural eco-resort area around Chengdu, perfect for skiing and relaxation.

Waking up this morning, I suddenly had the idea to visit Tianfu Square. After discussing with my friends, we decided to go. Today, we took the subway. Taking the bus would have been too crowded. I don't know how long we rode, but it felt quite close.

Upon arrival, I saw a lot of people. Indeed, on weekends, everyone goes out to relax.

Tianfu Square is undoubtedly the political and cultural center of Chengdu, a landmark among landmarks, much like Tiananmen in Beijing.

The Sun Bird stands in the center of Tianfu Square. This is the intersection of Metro Line 1, Line 2, and the soon-to-open Line 18, the central node of Chengdu's southeast, northwest, and southwest traffic arteries.

This is one of the hottest check-in spots for tourists visiting Chengdu. It's always crowded. My most vivid memory was the strong patriotic atmosphere at Tianfu Square just before National Day this year, which deeply moved me.

The biggest highlights of Tianfu Square are:

1. The architectural beauty of the square itself. A Taiji symbol with two rows of "xiang" (乡)-shaped columns on each side. This Taiji landscape can only be perfectly captured from above.

2. The historical significance of the square. It has always been an important landmark around the imperial city, and now it is the economic and cultural center of Chengdu.

3. Transportation hub. Here you can transfer to the subway. There are exhibition halls all around, and convenient transportation. If you meet someone here for the first time, you're sure to find each other.

After visiting Tianfu Square, it was time for lunch. Today, we all agreed to eat at Gua Chuanchuan. Although it's on Jinfangyuan East Road, transportation is convenient, so going back and forth wouldn't take too much time.

Getting off the bus, the first thing I saw was a restaurant decorated in an antique style, yet it looked quite fashionable.

With red as the main color, wooden tables and stools gave a comfortable feeling. The space was spacious with clear functional areas, making it easy for customers to get dishes and dine.

The most notable thing was their dishes, which were super delicious.

Mala Beef: Tender beef marinated for a long time, rich in numbing and spicy flavor. Served with scallions and dry chili powder, it tasted even better.

Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cake: A favorite for dessert lovers. Soft, sticky, smooth, and chewy. Take a bite, and the aroma of rice and spices dances in your mouth. Very delicious!

Spicy Hot Pot Noodles: Spicy and numbing. Encountering such a bowl of hot pot noodles, who cares about appearances? Just gobble it up! The texture—I guarantee that whenever I crave hot pot noodles, I'll come here!

Spicy Tripe: Tripe and bean sprouts go well together. The tripe shreds are thin and springy, with the right amount of numbing and spiciness intertwining in your mouth.

There are also various skewers with meat and vegetables in the freezer, ready for you to choose. Action speaks louder than words—start eating now!

This place is a paradise for skewer lovers! Tender and delicious, you can't stop eating.

As the saying goes, "Walk after a meal, live to 99." So after eating, it's time to take a stroll and then start the evening fun mode.

The best place for an after-dinner walk is undoubtedly Kuanzhai Alley. It not only showcases the life of old and new Chengdu but also represents the slow pace of life of Chengdu people, perfectly matching the leisurely realm of "one step bustling, one step serene."

Walking hand in hand with my friends, it felt like we had clipped a piece of idle time. We sniffed the scent of time, casually followed the wide and narrow alleys, and strolled leisurely and slowly.

Treading on soft time, we entered the alley. Its leisure and slowness made us mistakenly think that time had forgotten to pass, and the story still happened yesterday.

The clean blue bricks and black tiles, old-fashioned wooden doors and windows, hitching stones by the old walls, old teahouses under the eaves, and lush parasol trees—these quaint and clear objects seemed to be separated from the city's noise by a soundproof wall. The worldly dust had been filtered clean. The ancient Ba-Shu dream, in a turn or a glance, gently fell on the threshold of memory, stunning in an instant.

Time is warm and soft. Tourists from all directions come face to face and then pass by, like flowing water, with shallow ripples and cheerful laughter. Original residents, quaint inns, exquisite doorways, towering ancient trees, covered-bowl teahouses, copper-ringed wooden doors, bluestone water tanks, and the vines and flowers cascading from the blue wall buttresses... constitute its unique appeal and Chengdu vocabulary, presenting a modern person's memory of a city.

Walking in the alleys, the sun was mild, flowers were blooming, and the dazzling display of window displays kept our eyes busy. We walked here and there. A small shop full of Zen had exquisite tea sets and floating tea fragrance; a stylish restaurant had a leaping fountain and blurry lights and shadows; a gorgeous and soft window had Jiangnan-style cloth garments and small fans;

On the deep street corner, there were young people lying down getting ear cleaning or setting up stalls for portraits; a classical and elegant inn had singing voices and red lanterns... Here, time is slow, life is idle, and our steps naturally become very light and slow.

Busy locals in Chengdu, after a hard day's work, now also bring their families to stroll. Old and young, men and women, walk in small groups through the alleys, looking, talking, laughing, eating... The dreamlike leisurely nightlife begins now, raising its curtain...

After visiting Kuanzhai, night was about to fall. Now we arrived at our last stop of the day: Bieyuan Li Tavern. Entering this shop, I was immediately attracted by its unique charm. Walking into the hall, looking up, you instantly meet the colorful lights and shadows.

At Bieyuan Li, your eyes always hide stars. This kind of dynamic lighting, where both the lamps and the light move, gives you an excellent visual experience.

All indoor plants are lush and vibrant. The whole room is filled with a romantic atmosphere, like a utopia for young people. The two-story loft plus an open-air garden lets you fall into the gentle night, slowly stirring your tense nerves. Booths and private rooms fully satisfy your desire for free chat. Haha, it's perfect for a gathering of friends.

The tenderness of Bieyuan Li is hidden in its creative decorations: the flower arrangements on the tables, the dazzling light fixtures, the full wall of stored wine, the uniform Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain tableware, and the Chinese-style eaves... It is a fusion of culture and trend, overturning the perception of ordinary taverns. I felt like I was attending a splendid art exhibition.

Here, we not only encountered various unique delicacies but also felt a different kind of brilliant charm.

Long Island Iced Tea: Boys who are attached to alcohol intoxication must not miss the classic Long Island Iced Tea. This most story-rich strong cocktail has amazing explosive power and a strong aftereffect. It looks light, but it's actually a "heartbreaker."

Doujiu Osmanthus: When you come to Bieyuan Li Music Tavern, how can you not have Doujiu? I first chose the Doujiu Osmanthus. Its light color is stunningly beautiful. The floral fragrance of osmanthus wine is very prominent, with a refreshing taste. After a bowl, I just want to roam the world with my beloved.

Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Wine: The story continues, so the wine can't stop. We were drinking happily when the boss said mysteriously, "This Zha wine is really interesting. Want to try it?" Served on the table, this Zha wine with wheat straws as drinking straws has a wild aura. If you want to drink it, you have to use a wheat straw to sip, which is quite fun.

Handmade Stir-fried Tangyuan: A bit like mini-sized candied fruit balls coated with a layer of brown sugar. Soft, sticky, and sweet, this tangyuan is your sweet of the day. It reminds me of the taste of grandma's cooking when I was little.

Fruit Platter: A combination of various fruits. Crisp and refreshing, fresh and delicious, very tasty.

I was really impressed by this shop. It's amazing, and I will come back again.

The meaning of food and scenery is not to escape, not to hide, not to obtain, not to record.

But to change your worldview in an environment beyond imagination, and from then on, slowly change what you truly consider important in your heart.