Fill Your Mind with Beautiful Sights, and Your Belly with Delicious Food
For me, an important purpose of travel is to relax. If you set out with a heavy heart and end up with a light and easy feeling, then that trip will be a meaningful one. Traveling with someone by your side makes it even more fun. Life doesn't have to be a trip that you take on a whim, but you must always be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
Day 1: Jiaoliao Hotel – Kuanzhai Alley
Day 2: Jiuding Mountain Taiziling Ski Resort
Day 3: Huanglongxi Ancient Town – Yuan Gong Restaurant
Day 4: Taikoo Li – Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan (Jinfangyuan East Road Branch) – Bieyuanli Bistro
Most people who come to Chengdu enjoy the local food; the city's reputation as a culinary capital is famous worldwide. Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli, Wuhou Shrine, Du Fu Thatched Cottage—these are all must-visit spots. The most famous is probably Kuanzhai Alley, known as the "living room of Chengdu."
A few crooked long alleys, crisscrossing, outline the essence and spirit of half of old Chengdu.
Street snacks, the steam of stoves, loud peddlers and merchants, bustling passersby and travelers. Walking along, three main alleys and dozens of narrow side alleys are filled with the purest earthly vitality.
Strolling through the ancient and picturesque Kuanzhai Alley, I walked amidst the sea of people. On both sides of the street, a dazzling array of local snacks and delicacies—candied fruit balls, stinky tofu, ice cream, and more—caught my eye. Unfortunately, my stomach couldn't hold all those snacks, so I'll have to come back next time.
Suddenly, a tightly closed door stopped me. I looked up at the plaque above it. The two characters there made me deeply realize the vastness of Chinese culture and how much I still have to learn.
"鹪(jiāo)鹩(liáo)" – indeed, at first glance I didn't know how to read them. A nearby sign introduced it as a hotel. Since I hadn't found a place to stay yet, I decided to take a look inside.
When the door opened, the corridor before me deeply captivated my gaze.
"A winding path leads to a secluded spot, and the meditation room is deep amidst flowers and trees. Mountain light delights the birds, and the pool's reflection calms the heart." Though it's not a meditation room, it's even better. Though there are no high mountains or ponds, it has flowers, trees, water, and birds, creating a very poetic atmosphere.
After stepping inside and experiencing everything about Jiaoliao, I immediately decided to stay. After settling in, I was even more pleasantly surprised. It truly feels like a secluded retreat hidden in the bustling city.
This hotel is small, with only 10 rooms. But each room is nearly 100 square meters, and the entire hotel offers excellent privacy. There is a dedicated butler service that can arrange all kinds of matters, big and small. A special feature of the room is a small window called the "butler service window." When it's inconvenient, small items like takeout or room supplies can be placed inside, ensuring complete privacy. It feels just like home—no need to worry about outside noise, and you can enjoy your own space in peace.
The hardware facilities are also very good. The decoration and layout of the entire room give a very comfortable feeling. The style is traditional Chinese old culture, which is exactly my taste.
Later, the butler told me that the hotel is centered on Zhuangzi's philosophy. Everywhere in the hotel, there is an atmosphere of Zhuangzi's culture, along with many old artifacts and antiques, creating a rich cultural ambiance.
Although I stayed for only one day, I deeply felt the charm of Jiaoliao. The hotel is small yet refined, leisurely yet comfortable. The environment, atmosphere, and service are all impressive. If I come to Chengdu again, I will definitely come back to experience the charm of Jiaoliao.
Since I stayed at Kuanzhai Alley, of course I had to explore it thoroughly, even if it was just for one day. Kuanzhai Alley is an ancient street that inherits Chengdu's historical culture. Nowadays, it has become more commercialized, crowded with tourists from all over.
Compared to other pedestrian streets, Kuanzhai Alley is paved with neat, wide bluestone slabs, giving a leisurely feel. Slowing down, the daily life of old Chengdu unfolds before your eyes. The misty late November weather was chilly and windy, but there were still many tourists. The streets were buzzing with lively conversations in various languages. The ancient walls and gateways, with green branches extending over them, bore unknown flowers that flickered faintly in the night, enticing passersby.
In Kuan Alley, there is a Chengdu Life Experience Museum where you can feel the local customs. Zhai Alley is a refined lifestyle area centered on Western-style dining, light meals, coffee, art and leisure, health living stores, and themed cultural shops. It caters to all kinds of people. The Starbucks here is also very unique, fully integrated into the alley and my personal favorite Starbucks so far.
How could any fun place be without food? When it comes to food, I don't even know where to start—there's so much. Rabbit head? Rabbit meat? Chicken legs? Stinky tofu? Hot and sour noodles? Turtle jelly? So many things, I had to lean against the wall to walk after eating.
Kuanzhai Alley, as a representative of Chengdu's slow living, also has a relaxed attitude of laughing at the world. When you go to Chengdu, you must visit Kuanzhai Alley. It allows you to escape the city life full of fame and fortune, and spend a leisurely afternoon with family and friends, feeling time stand still.
The fairy tale world after growing up is the rustling sound of snow falling from the treetops and the crunching sound of stepping on snow together. Experience the joy of skiing in the most beautiful season.
I had always wanted to find a place to ski, so I started looking for nearby ski resorts. Xiling Snow Mountain? Emeishan Ski Resort? Zhegu Mountain? Or Jiuding Mountain Taiziling Ski Resort? In the end, I chose Jiuding Mountain Taiziling Ski Resort because of its relatively complete services and skiing facilities.
Address: Taiziling Ski Resort is located next to National Highway 213 from Wenchuan County to Mao County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, at Qinglongping of Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area (turn right at Tongzhong Tunnel and go up the mountain for 25 km). It is 180 km from Chengdu. The ski resort is at an altitude of 2750 meters and has ski trails totaling 3310 meters.
We drove there, which took about 3 hours, arriving directly at the ski resort.
After arriving at Jiuding Mountain, we stayed at the Hemingzhuang Holiday Hotel, located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Taiziling Ski Resort equipment hall. It has 71 rooms of various types, all decorated with wooden sauna panels, equipped with heating. The high floor-to-ceiling windows offer a broad view of the snow scenery in the scenic area. The design is unique, the decoration novel, with a strong Qiang ethnic flavor.
Of course, the food is also carefully selected—pure, natural, pollution-free local green ingredients, such as highland yak meat, lamb, wild vegetables, highland wild mushrooms, etc.
The scenic restaurant provides convenient, hygienic, nutritious, and uniquely flavored Tibetan and Qiang cuisine. Meanwhile, large floor-to-ceiling windows allow diners to enjoy the sunny snow scenery of Jiuding Mountain while eating.
Ski gear: Be sure to bring sunglasses and ski goggles (UV rays are strong at high altitudes), a hat, gloves (otherwise, digging your hands in the snow really hurts), and socks (wearing an extra pair keeps you warm).
From beginner to intermediate slopes, I had a great time skiing, though my butt hurt a bit. I might have annoyed the ski patrol (I slid many times and needed rescue). I fell so much I forgot everything, but laughed until my chest hurt. Due to my obsession with skiing, I'll come back to Taiziling next year.
We came back just in time for the evening, so we also enjoyed the night view of Wenchuan. Soft and touching songs played in the car as I looked out the window at the turbulent river rushing against the new bridge.
Passing through New Wenchuan, the night scenery was stunning—bright lights shining beautifully, quiet and gentle.
I hope the people here have peace, happiness, and a good life.
Here, winter is the perfect time for skiing.
I believe everyone has a fondness for ancient towns and has a favorite one. I remember my last visit to Huanglongxi was a year ago in summer. At that time, my companions were all wearing sandals, so I didn't go into the water with them, which I regretted a bit.
Here's a picture from summer.
Huanglongxi Ancient Town feels like the largest ancient town I've ever been to. However, I think there are fewer people in winter than in summer. The weather was nice today, sunny and bright, so my best friend and I decided to visit Huanglongxi. It is a classic combination of man-made and ancient relics. As you enter the town, you see stone-paved roads and streams flanked by antique-style buildings.
But this doesn't diminish the poetic charm of small bridges and flowing water. The scene is like a painting, beautiful and intoxicating. At the entrance, there is a large tripod with a fountain spraying water on it. With plenty of sunlight, it sparkled in all directions. Following the stream downstream, I came to an arch bridge where I could walk up and have a look.
The main street is paved with stone slabs, flanked by stilted buildings with upturned eaves. Shops sell food, clothing, handicrafts, and various odds and ends. You can just glance around. The upper floors face the inner street as residences and the river side for business. Walk through one street and see another lane. The smooth bluestone paths, shiny black door panels, and antique shop signs are full of ancient charm.
I felt hungry, so I looked for food. Last time, I didn't get to eat "Yi Gen Mian" (one-noodle) because it was too crowded. This time, I came early and there weren't many people, so I went in for a bowl. The noodles cost 20 yuan per bowl—a bit pricey, I thought. It came quickly. The noodles were quite thick, like pulled noodles. After mixing, each strand was flavorful, with some beef tripe and beef added. The broth was made with traditional Sichuan seasonings, numbing and spicy. After finishing the noodles, I had a sip of soup—perfect.
Along the way, I ate many snacks, mostly grilled items, which were quite tasty. The shop assistants didn't drag you in; they said you could just look if you didn't want to buy. Some even offered free samples to tourists. We ate and drank for about an hour.
There were countless shops and ancient buildings along the way. Starting from the dragon head fountain, I walked to the end and turned left. The dragon tail marked the end. The view at the tail was a vast river, with a magnificent bridge in the distance. There were many boats on the river. Summer visits offer even more exciting activities.
In this ancient, charming town with small bridges and flowing water, there is no aggressive selling of goods—only happy people.
A Chinese restaurant on Xuedao Street near Chunxi Road that is very popular must have good food. The shop front is very eye-catching.
The lobby is decorated with a combination of traditional Chinese carved beams and pillars and steampunk industrial style, complementing each other perfectly. The restaurant is large, with separate partitions between tables, giving a high-end feel. The service is warm and attentive. The staff greets you at the door, responds promptly, and serves dishes quickly.
Their signature dish, Douchi Whole Fish, is a must-order. The fish is freshly killed and cooked, making the meat tender and flavorful. It's huge—the first bite amazed me, with the rich fermented bean flavor stimulating my taste buds. The thick sauce over rice is very satisfying.
Longmen Hanging Meat: The name piqued my curiosity. When served, it looked like an enlarged version of crispy pork. The waiter cut it into pieces while saying auspicious words. The outside was fried to a perfect crisp, and the inside was tender with generous filling. Despite the high price of pork, the restaurant didn't skimp.
Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: I didn't expect it to come with clams. The rabbit meat was deboned, so you barely need to pick the bones. The meat was very tender and flavorful. The clams were clean, without any sand, and tasted fresh and delicious. The dish was numbing and spicy, perfect with rice.
I heard that you can see many beautiful girls and handsome boys here—and yes, that's why we came. Taikoo Li, adjacent to Daci Temple, is not only a combination of fast-paced fun and slow living, but also a collision of tradition and fashion. Fast and slow, new and old, stand together in the busiest center of the city, reflecting its inclusive spirit.
Here, there are fashionably dressed beautiful women and handsome men, various internet celebrities and influencers, and also citizens in casual clothes walking their dogs. Everyone goes their own way—some walk, some take photos—as if in two different worlds. Taikoo Li in Chengdu is a popular internet-famous spot and an important commercial center with international luxury brands.
Taikoo Li has an excellent location in the center of Chengdu. The pedestrian street is particularly wide. From a distance, you can see a climbing panda on the roof of one of the shopping malls.
Many brand stores gather in the Taikoo Li commercial area. Most international luxury brands can be found here. Top brands are everywhere, even many world brands that are exclusive in China. It's a point of pride for first-tier brands to open flagship stores in Taikoo Li.
There are many young people here, so it feels more fashionable. In the central square, there are performances and activities. There is also a special food street with very local specialties. If you go to Chengdu, Taikoo Li is a must-visit.
