A Gluttonous Feast: Chengdu's Beauty Captivates the World

Fingertips: The only things in life that cannot be let down are beautiful scenery and delicious food.

Some say that when Chengdu is mentioned, what comes to mind is not the city name but the countless delicacies. 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 eating has also led to the highly developed catering industry in Chengdu. Every out-of-town tourist who comes to Chengdu is full of interest in Chengdu's hot pot, Sichuan cuisine, snacks, and spicy hot pot. To come to Chengdu and not eat its food always feels like entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed.

A city has its own history and culture, as well as its own characteristic districts. To understand a city's history and culture, you should visit its characteristic districts, learn about the cultural origins and stories of famous figures, closely touch the lingering warmth of its history, and feel the bustling commercial atmosphere and the flavor of indulgence that have continued through the changes of the times.

With rare leisure time and accompanied by family, we decided to stroll around the area near Jinli, walking and appreciating, savoring slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and literary, 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 tempting aroma of delicious food hits you. Shops are wide open, mainly selling food and drinks. Fresh fruits and delicacies, carefully decorated, appear faintly in the mist. Seeing their beautiful shapes, discerning their fresh colors, and smelling their fragrant scents, your mouth waters uncontrollably, and you can't resist.

Beside the shops, makeup-clad young Sichuan opera performers greet guests. They mimic the movements of opera, suddenly retracting their necks and extending their heads, turning from a white face to a red face, startling you. Before you can feel surprised or annoyed, they pull you into a funny face, making you burst into laughter. This teasing and amusement instantly lift your mood.

When we first went, the sky was clear, and strolling through Jinli with fewer visitors, it had a unique hazy and classical charm. The streets of Jinli are not wide, but the ancient buildings on both sides face each other. Strings of red lanterns hang high and low, either under the upturned eaves or on the branches, flickering in the hazy rain, full of distinctive charm.

Walking along the ancient street feels like stepping into a poetic scene with harmonious rhyme. The carved lattice windows, ancient walls draped with creeping vines, and winding corridors leading to secluded spots are like the backdrop of a poem, with a contrast of vicissitudes and vitality amidst a strong yet light elegance.

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, and also enjoy a leisurely life in the fast-paced city.

After finishing our tour of Jinli, we felt hungry—it seems the temptation of delicious food is indeed great. We decided to take the family to Gua Chuan Chuan at the Jin Fangyuan East Road branch, which we heard was quite good. When we arrived, we found the environment of this Gua Chuan Chuan branch was really nice.

The overall decoration features gray bricks and green tiles, with red-themed walls full of festive atmosphere. The space is spacious, with clear functional partitions. The Chinese retro style adds unique charm to this restaurant, making it look ancient and elegant.

Although we thought it was still early, once inside we discovered a different world. There were a lot of people, and the entire hall was full, with voices buzzing non-stop. However, this did not affect the enthusiasm of the foodies waiting in line outside. Indeed, delicious food is king—this is the true nature of Chengdu foodies.

Soup Base: Made with authentic Chengdu techniques to prepare the broth, the cold pot skewers are perfectly spicy. The extra-rich broth is freshly boiled every day. A layer of red oil covers the secret broth base, with plenty of ingredients simmering from early morning until noon opening. The flavor is aromatic without being numbing, spicy without being dry. This taste simply cannot be imitated; only the recipe passed down from the older generation can be called the old Chengdu flavor.

70+ Kinds of Skewers to Choose: Six large freezers dazzle you with choices. The ingredients are protected by a five-star cold chain. Fresh ingredients are carefully selected daily, meticulously marinated, and skewered. Meat and vegetables are available for you to choose freely. After eating, the skewers are weighed by the jin. Whatever you want to eat, just take it—immediately start the crazy skewer-eating mode!

Handmade Specialty Dipping Sauces: How fragrant is the dry dipping powder? The combination of crushed peanuts and chili powder easily takes the crown. Roll it lightly, and you get the fragrance of peanuts. The labor-intensive handmade process ensures its uniqueness. The oil dip is made with sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped green onions, also a great helper for reducing spiciness and enhancing flavor.

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 in a secret sauce for two to three hours. Plump pickled peppers with tender beef, a hint of green amidst the red beef, are especially eye-catching. When eaten, the bold flavors burst on the tip of your tongue. In the thick beef pieces, the pickled peppers are ready to explode with juice. Your mouth says no, but your body is honest, sending one skewer after another to your mouth.

Small Sausages: Small sausages are a Chengdu specialty. These round little sausages have a balanced mix 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 mesmerizing, and while relieving the spiciness, the satisfaction doubles! You will never regret coming to this restaurant—it's so delicious you can't stop eating.

Two | First · Bar "Boss", Find Your Intoxication

When you hear the name "Wuhou," anyone who has read the Three Kingdoms will surely be familiar. That's right, it is the alias of the famous Zhuge Liang, "Zhuge Wuhou." If your favorite kingdom in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is Shu, then Chengdu's famous attraction—Wuhou Shrine—is a place you must visit. It will surely satisfy all your desires.

Soon it was afternoon, and 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. Initially, it was constructed as a mausoleum for Liu Bei. Later generations combined Liu Bei's mausoleum with Zhuge Liang's shrine to form the current joint temple of ruler 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 the historical stories have settled and fermented here, giving rise to the substantial Wuhou Shrine, a place to commemorate 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 dedicated to Zhuge Liang. Hanging in the center of the hall is a horizontal plaque reading "Name Throughout the Universe," which is probably the highest praise for Mr. Zhuge. The couplet on the right reads: "If you can win hearts, opposition will naturally disappear; since ancient times, those who know warfare are not fond of fighting." The left couplet reads: "If you don't judge the situation, leniency or strictness will both be wrong; later governors of Shu must think deeply."

These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang's loyalty and ambition in dedicating his life to the Shu kingdom. He used his whole life to repay the kindness of the three visits to his thatched cottage. Wuhou Shrine is not large; as a shrine in the bustling city, it occupies modest grounds. It can be visited in about an hour. Yet Wuhou Shrine is also large, because it carries not just a scenic spot, but the history of a dynasty—a tribute and remembrance of that era.

We walked slowly, stopping now and then, exploring secluded paths, admiring bonsai, observing flowers and plants, and inhaling subtle fragrances. We looked at ancient trees with tangled roots, admired the reflections of delicate arched bridges on the water, and sighed at the damaged remnants of Han palace pillars. With reverence for the memory of Shu, we slowly walked out.

In Chengdu, a city known for its leisurely lifestyle, there are many pubs of various sizes. But a pub like Bieyuan Li, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and abundant with various alcohols and snacks—Chengdu has only this one. To give customers a better in-store experience, they specially invited a lighting design company to create the lighting effects.

Evening time should not be wasted; we needed to have a good time. We planned to take the family to Bieyuan Li to enjoy the cozy nighttime atmosphere.

Upon entering the store, as the lights turned on, the entire pub became a colorful neon world. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights resembled stars in the sky, shining brilliantly in the pub, instantly elevating the entertainment and leisure atmosphere.

The selection of alcohols in the pub is as rich as its lighting: foreign liquors, Chinese cocktails, cocktails, and pure imported beers are all available! Basically, whatever you want to drink, you can find it here!

Night Suit Mask Kiss: The rose brew, whose appearance alone is enough to win the favor of young ladies, has a refreshing rose fragrance. Because the alcohol content is low, it's perfect for small gatherings of girlfriends or for relaxing moments! The rose flavor is not intense initially, but the taste of alcohol becomes clearer towards the end, making it enchanting.

Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Wine: The blue-and-white porcelain wine bottle exudes a strong Jianghu vibe! Using a wheat straw as a straw, sipping the wine amidst laughter adds a unique touch.

Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers have always been an inseparable couple; having barbecue without wine feels like betraying the party! Small sausages, prawns, corn kernels, dried tofu, green beans, and many other items, all spicy and flavorful, can satisfy different people's cravings.

Lemongrass Grilled Fish: In addition to barbecue, this grilled fish is a must-order dish. Although the fish is not large, its aroma had already captivated Basimei (a local term for a trendy girl). The addition of lemongrass makes the fish's fragrance more refreshing! After being fried, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smooth and delicious, with an excellent taste. Sitting and playing in a music pub like this is the best way to enjoy leisure and comfort.

| Second · Sichuan Cuisine on the Tip of the Tongue, Unforgettable Yuan Gong

What people call the leisurely life of Chengdu is not the office buildings of High-tech Zone, not the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, nor the street photography of Chunxi Road. Come to People's Park—this is where Chengdu people most look forward to living.

With a history of 100 years, People's Park serves as both a material and spiritual carrier, storing the true 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. It was first built in the 1920s, nearly a hundred years ago, almost as old as People's Park. Hence it is called the Century-old Heming. You must learn to "strike first and gain the upper hand," because Heming is always full. As soon as someone leaves, you immediately grab a seat. Once seated, a waitress dressed in blue-and-white porcelain style attire will come to clear the table and let you order tea.

The playground is the place with the highest decibels. The noise and laughter of children are endless. Small trains, carousels, roller coasters—every child and big child can find their own source of joy.

But the most popular activity in People's Park is still boating. The mottled small boats bear the imprint of Chengdu people's childhood since the last century. It's most crowded on good weather days, and you need to queue for boating. Young parents often bring their children here to row boats, enjoying the happy family time. Of course, there are also many young couples on dates. In short, no matter who is on the boats, everyone is as happy as a child.

After touring the park, we planned to take the family to Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. I had heard from a friend that this restaurant is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine restaurant, quite popular and thriving. So we came specially to taste it.

By the time we arrived, many people were already dining! The decoration of this restaurant is quite down-to-earth, with an ancient and elegant environment that is very attractive. The atmosphere highlights old Chengdu characteristics. The private rooms, main hall, and booth seats are all quite stylishly designed, decorated with flowers and clusters, exuding a unique charm.

Many of the customers here are tourists visiting Chengdu. The dishes they order are very characteristic Chengdu dishes: Mao Xue Wang, sliced chicken, and the signature rabbit are the reasons I must come. I haven't had such fresh, spicy, and fragrant dishes for a long time—big thumbs up!

Yuan Gong Sliced Chicken: The chicken slices have delicate texture and taste excellent. Added with green onions and white scallion slices, it's refreshing and tasty. Drizzled with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.

Longmen Hanging Meat: The preparation is like a whole deep-fried crispy pork. The young lady cuts it while saying auspicious words, giving a nice ritualistic feel. The meat is tender, smooth, and tastes great when dipped in chili powder.

Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: The tender and smooth rabbit meat paired with juicy clams instantly elevates the texture. It's both fragrant and spicy, extremely satisfying to eat.

Yuan Gong Braised Duck: The duck meat is delicate and tasty, with a rich braised flavor. Especially the skin part is smooth and refreshing, with excellent taste.

Live Water Silver Carp: The silver carp is quite large. The back is sliced a few times for better flavor absorption. The fish meat is snow-white and delicate, and the celery and green pepper segments are especially delicious—my absolute favorite! Such deliciousness must not be missed; action speaks louder than words.

| Second · Natural Humanity, Refined Sentiments: The Unique Charm of Jiaoliao

Jiaoliao—a place whose name makes people want to know more. These two characters come from Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering": "The jiaoliao bird nests in the deep forest, using only one branch; the mole rat drinks from the river, taking only enough to fill its belly." In this world of insatiable desires, we should not be too greedy. We should try to be "unmoved by the praise of the whole world, undeterred by the criticism of the whole world, clear about the distinction between internal and external, and discerning the realm of honor and disgrace." Perhaps such a state is really too difficult, which is why Jiaoliao exists—to let us slow down our pace and let go of the pursuit for a piece of the world.

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

Pushing the door open, what comes into view is the corridor. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque reading "Use Things to Roam the Mind." It comes from Zhuangzi's "The Human World." After understanding its meaning, one cannot help but admire the great wisdom of the old master Zhuang.

After entering the hotel, we looked through all four floors. The design and decoration of this hotel are really good, giving a comfortable and relaxing feeling. During the tour, we noticed that every room in the hotel has its own unique name, such as Yanqian, Youwei, Shijia, etc. We decided to stay in Yanqian, because the moment we saw the name, my friend and I felt we liked it, as if there was a deep meaning hidden in those two words, leaving us with endless imagination.

The security of this hotel is also very good. The guest rooms require a key card or the housekeeper to open the door. After confirming check-in, the housekeeper gave us a cute little jiaoliao-shaped key card. Looking closely, we saw that there is a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it was connected from inside to outside. When we called, the butler would place what we needed inside, and we could take it directly. This design is very thoughtful, convenient without disturbing guests.

Although Jiaoliao looks simple and elegant from the outside, the items inside the rooms are all up to five-star hotel standards. Such as mattresses, linens, bathroom fixtures, and automatic toilets—the hardware facilities are excellent. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged. Everything feels so comfortable and cozy. The various brand-name equipment subtly reflects the high-end nature of the hotel, making us love it endlessly! My friend kept saying that this place is even warmer than her own home.

After entering, we found that on the bedside of each room, there is a deeply gazing jiaoliao, as if in deep thought, or as if listening. In each room, the jiaoliao's expression and posture are different. My friend and I treated it as our listener, trying to talk to it. All the troubles hard to express could be poured out to this creature that can only be understood but not described. After speaking out all the unhappiness, I felt much more relieved inside.

On the TV wall, there is a large hand-embroidered Shu-style peony in full bloom, and a koi leaping on Shu brocade. As we touched them, we couldn't help but marvel at the mature craftsmanship and long-standing culture of our ancestors. Overall, the room is full of traditional Sichuan cultural elements, allowing us to feel the cultural edification while staying. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but such thoughtful and considerate hotels are rare. This stay was definitely the right choice.

The room also provides four top-grade teas from Mengding Mountain. Usually drinking too many carbonated drinks can be a burden. When we calmed down, we brewed a cup of tea, savoring the gifts of nature, and immediately felt refreshed and relaxed.

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 problems encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast can be customized every morning, delivered to the room according to our tastes and timing; lunch is at Zifei, a cultural dining experience in Kuanzhai Alley themed around Zhuangzi's philosophy. It blends culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances, taking you into a dynasty of pavilions, pavilions, ancient qin music, and opera songs. Waking up in the morning, pushing open the wooden window, breathing the first breeze of Kuanzhai Alley and the first rays of sunlight—so fresh and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the customized breakfast, feeling deeply moved.

After the meal, we stood in the small garden breathing fresh air, admiring the clear night sky, brewing a cup of hot tea, and closely exploring the stories of time in this ancient alley.

Looking closely, we spotted a spider weaving its web on the roof opposite, and a falling leaf drifting onto the table... Look, everything is striving to grow!

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