A Gluttonous Feast, Chengdu Outshines the World
Fingertips: The only things not to be let down in life are beautiful scenery and delicious food.
Some say that when we mention Chengdu, what comes to mind is not the city name but countless delicacies. Because Chengdu is a city filled with food. In every alley and every street of this city, you can encounter plenty of delicious food and interesting snacks anytime, anywhere.
And the passion Chengdu people have for eating has also led to the highly developed catering industry. Any out-of-town visitor to Chengdu is full of interest in Chengdu's hotpot, Sichuan dishes, snacks, malatang, and so on. Going to Chengdu without enjoying its food always leaves one with the feeling of having entered a treasure mountain and returned empty-handed.
A city has its own history and culture, as well as its own distinctive neighborhoods. To understand a city's history and culture, you should step into its special areas, learn about the cultural origins and stories of famous figures it carries, and touch the warmth of history up close, feeling the bustling commercial atmosphere and the flavor of indulgent living that have persisted through the changes of the times.
With rare leisure time and family accompanying us, we decided to wander around Jinli, enjoying the sights and savoring them slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and artistic, 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, the temptation of delicious food hits you in the face. Shops are wide open, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies meticulously arranged appear faintly in the misty air. Viewing their beautiful shapes, discerning their fresh colors, and smelling their fragrant scents make one's mouth water uncontrollably.
Beside the shops, costumed Sichuan opera young performers greet guests. They mimic the movements from plays, suddenly retracting their necks and sticking out their heads, turning a white face into a red one, startling you. But before you can be surprised or annoyed, they pull a funny face to make you burst into laughter. That teasing and amusement instantly lift your spirits.
When we first arrived, the sky was clear. Strolling through Jinli with fewer tourists, it had a unique hazy classical charm. The streets of Jinli are not wide, but ancient buildings on both sides face each other. Strings of red lanterns hang high and low, either under the upturned eaves or on tree branches, flickering in the hazy rain, full of unique charm.
Walking along the ancient street feels like wandering in a poetic realm with harmonious rhythm. Carved and latticed windows, ancient walls draped with creeping vines, winding paths leading to secluded corridors—all serve as the backdrop of the poem, contrasting deep elegance with vicissitude and vitality.
Jinli is an ancient street suitable for nostalgia and a place that appeals to both refined and popular tastes. Here you can find memories of Chengdu from the Three Kingdoms period, or enjoy a leisurely life in the fast-paced city.
After visiting Jinli, we got hungry. It seems the allure of food is quite strong. Deciding to take my family to the Gua Chuancuan branch on Jinfangyuan East Road, I heard it was pretty good. Upon arriving, we found the environment of this Gua Chuancuan was indeed nice.
The overall decoration features green bricks and green tiles, with red as the main color on the walls, full of festive atmosphere. The space is spacious with clear functional divisions. The Chinese vintage style adds a unique charm to the shop, making it truly classical.
Although we thought it was still early, upon entering we realized it was bustling inside. There were really a lot of people, with the entire hall full. The sound of voices was nonstop, but that didn't affect the enthusiasm of foodies queuing outside. Indeed, good taste is king—that's the true nature of Chengdu foodies.
Broth: Authentic Chengdu method for preparing the soup base. Cold skewers with a satisfying spiciness. Freshly boiled ultra-rich broth every day, covered with red oil over a secret high-soup base. Full of ingredients simmered from morning till opening at noon. Fragrant without being numbing, spicy without being harsh. This flavor simply can't be imitated; only the recipe passed down from the older generation can be called the old Chengdu taste.
70+ types of skewers to choose from: Six large freezers with dizzying options, ensuring a five-star cold chain for ingredients. Fresh ingredients carefully selected daily, marinated with care, and skewered. Meat and vegetables at your choice. After eating, the skewers are weighed by the catty. Take whatever you want and start the crazy skewer-eating mode!
Handmade special dual dipping sauces: How fragrant is the dry dipping powder? The combination of crushed peanuts and chili powder easily takes the lead. Rolling lightly gives a peanut aroma. The elaborate handmade process determines its uniqueness. The oil dip uses sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped scallions, also a great help in reducing spiciness and adding fragrance.
Beef skewers are versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can roll out 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 hint of green standing out in the red beef, bursting with strong flavors on the tongue. In the thick beef pieces, pickled peppers ready to explode with juice. The mouth says no, but the body is honest, sending one skewer after another to the mouth.
Mini sausages: Mini sausages are a Chengdu specialty. Round and plump, with a perfect ratio of fat to lean, cut into bite-sized pieces. Slightly sweet, very Cantonese in style. The dual sensation of sweet and spicy is captivating—it doubles the satisfaction while relieving the spiciness! You won't regret coming to this shop; it's so delicious you can't stop eating.
Two | One: Bar "Boss", Finding Your Own Intoxication
Hearing the name "Wuhou," those who have read the Three Kingdoms must be familiar with it. Indeed, this 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 must-visit. It will definitely satisfy all your desires.
Soon it was afternoon. My family and I decided 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, originally to build a mausoleum temple for Liu Bei. Later generations merged Liu Bei's mausoleum temple with Zhuge Liang's shrine to form the current joint temple of monarch and minister—the only one of its kind in China.
The heroes of Shu, with their changing fortunes, have turned to dust here. Their great achievements are buried and rest here. All historical stories have settled and fermented here, resulting in the weighty Wuhou Shrine—a place to honor the heroes of Shu Han.
From Sanyi Temple to Wuhou Shrine, from the Oath of the Peach Garden 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 inscribed "Ming Chui Yu Zhou" (Famous throughout the universe), which must be the highest praise for Mr. Zhuge. The upper couplet reads: "If you can win hearts, opposition will naturally disappear; since ancient times, military experts have not been fond of war." The lower couplet: "If you do not judge the situation, leniency or strictness will both be wrong; later rulers of Shu must think deeply."
These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang's lifelong loyalty and ambition for Shu, devoting himself completely to the state until his death. He used his entire life to repay the kindness of the three visits and the recognition of his talent. Wuhou Shrine is not large; located in the bustling city, it does not occupy much space—it takes about an hour to tour. Yet Wuhou Shrine is also vast because it carries not just a scenic spot but the history of a dynasty, a tribute and remembrance to that era.
We walked and stopped along the way, turning into quiet paths, admiring bonsai, observing flowers and plants, and smelling subtle fragrances. Looking at ancient trees with twisted roots, delicate arched bridges reflecting in the water, and sighing at the dilapidated remnants of Han palaces. With respect for the memory of Shu, we slowly walked out.
In Chengdu, a city that prides itself on leisure, there are many bars of all sizes. But one like Bieyuanli, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and rich with various alcohols and snacks, is unique 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 night; we needed to have a good time. I planned to take my family to Bieyuanli to enjoy the pleasant evening.
Upon entering, as the lights turned on, the whole bar became like a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights like stars in the sky shone brilliantly, instantly lifting the atmosphere of entertainment and relaxation.
The bar's selection of alcohol is as rich as its lighting—foreign spirits, Chinese-style cocktails, cocktails, and pure imported beer are all available! Basically, whatever you want to drink can be found here!
Night Suit Mask Kiss: A rose wine that attracts ladies just by its appearance, with a refreshing rose fragrance. Since the alcohol content is low, it's good for small gatherings of girlfriends or leisurely moments. The rose flavor is not strong at first, but the taste becomes clearer as you drink, enchanting you.
Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Wine: A celadon porcelain bottle with a strong Jianghu vibe! Wheat straws serve as straws, sipping the wine amidst laughter and joy—a unique experience.
Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers have always been an inseparable pair. Eating barbecue without alcohol seems to betray the gathering! Mini sausages, prawns, corn kernels, dried tofu, green beans, and many other items—spicy, numbing, and savory—can satisfy different people's cravings.
Lemongrass Grilled Fish: In addition to barbecue, this grilled fish is a must-order. Although the fish is not big, the aroma captivated us. Because the fish is grilled with lemongrass, the fragrance is fresher! Fried till crispy on the outside and tender inside, it tastes excellent. Sitting and having fun in such a music bar is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.
| Two: Tip-of-Tongue Sichuan Cuisine, Unforgettable Fate with Yuan Gong
What people call leisure life in Chengdu is not the office buildings of Gaoxin District, not the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, nor the street photography of Chunxi Road. Come to People's Park—this is the life Chengdu people most look forward to.
With a history of 100 years, 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, of which Heming is the most famous. Built in the 1920s, it is nearly a century old, almost as old as the park itself. Hence it is called the century-old Heming. You must learn to "strike first," because Heming is always full. Once someone leaves, grab the seat immediately. After sitting down, a waiter dressed in blue-and-white porcelain style attire will come to clear the table and let you order tea.
The playground is the loudest place. The sounds of children playing and laughing are endless. The small train, carousel, and 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 colorfully worn 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 row boats, enjoying the happiness of family togetherness, and of course, couples come for dates. In short, no matter who is on the boat, they are all as happy as children.
After visiting the park, we planned to take our family to Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. I had heard from friends that this restaurant is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan restaurant, very popular and bustling. So we specially came to try it today.
By the time we arrived, many people were already dining! The decoration of this restaurant is quite down-to-earth; the classical environment is very attractive, with an emphasis on old Chengdu characteristics. The private rooms, main hall, and booth seats all have a sense of design, decorated with flowers and clusters, revealing a unique charm.
Many of the customers here are tourists visiting Chengdu. The dishes they ordered are very characteristic of Chengdu—maoxuewang, sliced chicken, and their signature rabbit are why I had to come. I haven't had such fresh, spicy, and numbing dishes for a long time. Big thumbs up!
Yuan Gong Sliced Chicken: The chicken slices are tender and fine in texture, with excellent taste. Added with scallions and scallion whites, refreshing and delicious. Drizzled with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.
Longmen Hanging Meat: The preparation is like whole fried crispy meat. The little sister cut it while saying auspicious words—a nice ritual. The meat is tender and smooth to eat. Dipping in chili powder makes it even better.
Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: Tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with refreshing and juicy clams instantly elevates the texture. Fragrant and spicy, it feels great to eat.
Yuan Gong Braised Duck: The duck meat is delicate and tasty, with a strong braised flavor. Especially the skin part is smooth and delicious, with excellent texture.
Huoshui Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite large; the back is sliced a few times to allow better absorption of flavors. The fish meat is snow-white and tender. Celery and green pepper segments are especially delicious—my absolute favorite. Such delicious food must not be missed. Action speaks louder than heart.
| Two: Natural Humanity, Exquisite Emotions | The Unique Charm of Jiaoliao
Jiaoliao (Wren)—a name that makes one want to delve deeper. These two characters come from "Zhuangzi: Free and Easy Wandering": "The wren nests in the deep forest, but only takes one branch; the mole drinks from the river, only enough to fill its belly." In this insatiable world, we mustn't be too greedy. We should try "not to be encouraged by the world's praise, nor discouraged by the world's blame, to distinguish between inner and outer, and to discern the boundaries of honor and disgrace." Perhaps this state is too difficult, hence Jiaoliao exists, allowing us to slow down and let go of the space we chase.
Jiaoliao hotel is a strong branch in this vast forest. It pursues a free and easy life, unwilling to drag its tail in the mud. It absorbs the nourishment of old Chengdu culture, seeking a "slow life" in the bustling city, returning to a natural state of living.
Pushing open the door, a corridor greets the eye. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque reading "Taking Things to Roam the Mind," from Zhuangzi's "Human World." Understanding its meaning, I couldn't help but admire the great wisdom of Master Zhuang.
After entering the hotel, we looked at all four floors. The design and decoration of this hotel are really good, giving a comfortable and relaxing feeling. During the visit, we found that each room has its own unique name, such as Yanqian (Shallow Words), Youwei (Slight Subtlety), Shikuang (Worldly Disguise), etc. We planned to stay in Yanqian because the first time we saw the name, we liked it very much, as if these two characters contained deep meaning, leaving us endless imagination.
The hotel's security is also excellent. Guest rooms require a card or the butler to open the door. After confirming our stay, the butler gave us a wren-shaped door keycard, charming and lovely! Looking closely, there is a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it was connected inside and out. When we called, the butler would put what we needed inside, and we could take it directly. This design is very thoughtful, convenient without disturbing guests.
Although from the outside Jiaoliao looks simple and elegant, the items inside the rooms are consistent with five-star hotels. For example, mattresses, linens, sanitary ware, and automatic toilets—the hardware is excellent. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged, everything appears comfortable. The brand-name equipment subtly reflects the hotel's high-end quality, making us love it! My friend kept saying it's more warm than her own home.
After entering, we found that each room has a loving wren at the head of the bed, gazing deeply, as if in deep thought or listening. In each room, the wren's expression and posture are different. My friend and I treated it as a listener, trying to converse with it. All the inexpressible troubles could be poured out to this little creature that can only be understood, not explained. After speaking out all the unhappiness, I felt much more comfortable.
On the TV wall, a large hand-embroidered Sichuan embroidery peony blooms, and a carp leaps on the Shu brocade. Touching them, we couldn't help but admire the pure skills and long-standing culture of our ancestors. Overall, the rooms are full of traditional Sichuan cultural elements. Staying here, you can also feel the humanistic influence. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but one as thoughtful and considerate as this is rare. This stay was definitely the right choice.
The rooms also provide four top-grade teas from Mengdingshan. After drinking too many carbonated drinks, it can be a burden. When we calmed down, we brewed a cup of tea, savoring nature's gift, and instantly felt 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 handle any issues encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast each morning can be customized according to our taste and schedule, delivered to the room. Lunch is at Zifei, the first restaurant in Kuanzhai Alley themed on Zhuangzi's culture, offering a cultural dining experience that integrates culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances, taking you into a world of pavilions, ancient qin music, and opera songs. Opening the wooden window in the morning, breathing the first breeze and sunlight of Kuanzhai Alley, so fresh and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the hotel's customized breakfast, feeling deeply moved.
After the meal, we stood in the small garden breathing fresh air, admiring the clear night sky, sipping hot tea, and exploring the stories of time in this ancient alley up close.
Observing carefully, we noticed a spider weaving a 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 and comfortable place where you can relax your body and mind.
