Recalling the Charm of Chengdu Everywhere You Go
Chengdu is not a place that erodes your willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason to sink is that you cannot resist the city's unbridled imagination. Its beauty lies in innocence. The men, women, old, and young living here all have a captivating, relaxed aura. They never doubt the meaning of life. They are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play; if they love to eat small chili peppers, they eat. The people of Sichuan have a certain spirit—tranquil, fearless, neither humble nor arrogant, living their beloved little lives. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, it's more accurate to say I love the lively, worldly atmosphere of Chengdu.
Chengdu locals are passionate about food, and Chengdu is a capital of gastronomy! The best feelings in life are hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and the taste 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!
Yuán Gòng, Yuán Gòng, meaning 'fate brings tribute,' with a red plaque and gold characters, instantly struck my heart. The moon-white verses on the ground also highlighted the theme of 'fate,' and it seemed that this restaurant and I were truly destined.
The ceiling of Yuán Gòng was covered with flame-like red flowers, giving an extra sense of novelty, and my mood unconsciously brightened.
This restaurant is located on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshi Bridge. The location is a bit out of the way. Compared to the dazzling lights and bustling scenes of Chunxi Road, this place seems detached from the mundane. And I love this place that is indeed free from worldly distractions.
The entire restaurant environment is quite spacious. Each table has separate compartments with adequate distance, perfect for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all—I absolutely love this environment!
Nowadays, restaurant decoration often has a certain style, and this one is no exception. The lighting tones, whether in private rooms or the main hall's booths, are very design-oriented!
The dishes here are authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine, and the flavors are excellent. The environment actually feels like home. The red flowers and umbrellas as decorations give a very festive and warm feeling. This atmosphere instantly brought a warm surge to my heart—maybe this is the taste of home.
The service staff were great, truly warm and attentive, coming promptly whenever called. Since our seat was a bit secluded, the servers were still easily reachable, and we never experienced any situation where no one responded. They were genuinely friendly and approachable to guests, with dedicated guidance from entrance to exit—this is something I consider a good point.
Now about the dishes: the one that left the deepest impression on me is Yuán Gòng's Signature Clams with Rabbit Meat. The green and red peppers made the rabbit meat even more tender and delicious, and the clams looked appetizing. One bite brought tenderness, slight numbness, and moderate spiciness. In an instant, my taste buds danced—when golden wind and jade dew meet, they surpass countless other pleasures!
Lóngmén Hanging Meat: a dedicated young man helped cut the meat and placed it on the plate. The crispy texture, with the perfect fried coating, was not greasy even after eating more. This is also one of their signature dishes, quite distinctive.
Old Duck Soup left a deep impression. The flavor of chicken essence and MSG was not strong; it was clear and sweet, just right to relieve dryness. A sip made my body and mind feel smooth and comfortable—so soothing and delicious.
Another dish, Yuán Gòng Local Chicken Slices, was absolutely the best of the evening. The flavor 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 this dish—it was truly delicious!
Bean-Sauce Whole Fish: the fish was large, covered with plenty of fermented black beans and minced meat. Even without eating the fish, the condiment alone could accompany several bowls of rice. The fish meat was particularly tender and not fishy at all!
Fate brings us together across a thousand miles; we meet at Yuán Gòng. Authentic Sichuan cuisine restaurant that keeps surprising you!
As everyone knows, Chengdu is the capital of food. When it comes to representative delicacies, Chuan Chuan (skewers) definitely has a place. Big handfuls of bamboo sticks, hot red broth, numbing and spicy flavors—it makes your mouth water uncontrollably. This store, Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan Main Store on Jinfangyuan East Road, can be your choice.
The variety of skewers in the store is quite rich, with dozens of types. Both vegetarian and meat options are plentiful—I was almost dazzled by the choices.
All ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerated cabinets for customers to choose freely. You just pick what you like. Another feature here is that after the cooks prepare them, they are served directly in a large pot, saving you the trouble of cooking and waiting. For lazy people like us, it's incredibly convenient.
After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers arrives at the table. The broth looks oily and spicy, but the heat is moderate. It's numbing and fragrant upon entry. The store offers dry dip and oil dip. The dry dip is their specialty, quite good, and worth recommending.
Besides skewers, there are also several hot dishes worth trying, such as numbing and spicy pig brain, which is tender and smooth; numbing and spicy duck blood, fresh and silky; numbing and spicy duck intestines, crispy and tasty; and numbing and spicy luncheon meat, instant noodles, etc., all quite memorable.
Although this Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan may not claim to be the best Chuan Chuan in Chengdu, it is definitely the most unique.
In Chengdu, a city known for its leisurely lifestyle, there are many bars of various sizes. But a bar like this one, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and abundant with various drinks and snacks—only Biéyuàn Lǐ in Chengdu has such a place.
The unique Cat Girl in the bar adds a touch of mystery to the night, making people look forward to the arrival of evening even more.
I heard that to provide a better in-store experience, the owner hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest Stadium to design the lighting effects here. I could only secretly say, what a big production—the boss is really generous!
When the lights inside turn on, the entire bar becomes a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brilliantly in the bar. Looking at this scene, I couldn't help but marvel—indeed, the boss's decision was right; the customers' feelings are the greatest affirmation.
Since this is a bar, drinks are a must. They have a huge selection: foreign liquors, mixed drinks, cocktails, pure imported beers—everything is available. There were also many drinks I couldn't even name, leaving me dazzled. Basically, anything you want to drink can be found here!
Moreover, even the vessels used for serving food are carefully selected Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain by the owner, looking elegant and beautiful, truly captivating.
Although there are many alcoholic beverages, it seems I don't favor those strong spirits. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, yet it has the strong, rich fragrance of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, similar to lemon iced tea, so it has always been popular among girls. My friend, a wine connoisseur, told me that this drink is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' in the cocktail world, with a relatively high alcohol content—those who can't hold their liquor shouldn't indulge.
There's also a drink called '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 over thirty years. With its low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and rich fruit flavor, it conquered me and became my favorite.
If you happen to order the bartender's special at Biéyuàn Lǐ, congratulations—you'll enjoy an incredibly eye-pleasing cocktail show. After mixing, the cocktail slowly 'breathes out' a misty vapor from the rim, creating a poetic atmosphere. Sipping it slowly, the deeper the tongue touches the cocktail, the more wonderful the flavor becomes.
I must recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Gǔ Qiāng Wheat Straw Smashed Liquor. This is the first time I've seen rice wine served with a wheat straw as a straw. The rice wine is sweet and mellow, smooth and gentle on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes the whole body feel warm.
Don't think you can only drink here; this place is actually a hidden Sichuan restaurant, with flavors and portions comparable to any outside. Dandan noodles, Zhong dumplings, and the childhood-tasting fermented glutinous rice with brown sugar are all available here!
Their signature grilled fish has always been a popular dish in the store. The fish is grilled to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender inside—after a few bites, you'll be hooked.
After seeing so much, if you're curious, go and experience it for yourself!
From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiao Liao hotel, it's only about two hundred meters, but it can take a full half hour to walk. Rows of snack shops, all kinds of gold and silver utensils—if your mind wavers, you'll be submerged in the sights and sounds somewhere.
Your eyes see the black bricks and gray tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Your ears are filled with the clinking sounds of bronze and silver craftsmen and the calls of shopkeepers. Your nose catches the aroma of sugar-oil fruits and egg cake. Escaping from all this requires a lot of willpower.
The place is full of the lively, worldly atmosphere. Walking back and forth is like doing a somersault in the dust of the mundane world—your eyes, ears, nose, senses, all fully satisfied.
Right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, Jiao Liao hotel stands out as an exception amid the century-old lane. The tightly closed double doors and the perpetually locked bronze padlock seem to declare the philosophy of 'closing oneself off in the courtyard.'
I truly understood what it means to be 'a city forest'—step out, and it's bustling; step in, and you guard your inner peace. Amid the prosperity and leisure, a pure land is built, containing luxury within, full of charm.
And indeed it is: the eight-tael bronze lock falls, separating the gazes of passing tourists and shutting out the lively world that has soaked into the lane over three hundred years.
Wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. The noise outside can't enter even a bit—this is Jiao Liao, capturing tranquility in the midst of bustle.
The wooden structure made entirely of tung wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet solid. Long-term immersion in the faint scent of wood helps with sleep, calms the mind, and soothes the body.
The hotel's architectural style also combines motion and stillness. 'Motion' lies in the details of the interior decoration: birds catch the eye from the entrance corridor to the bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms, echoing the hotel's name—Jiao Liao. 'Stillness' lies in the black-tiled, gray-bricked quadrangle courtyard, where every plant and tree is serene, every bamboo and mat is elegant. Each guest room has a poetic name, as if alive and vivid!
The rooms are mostly decorated with raw wood, fresh and clean, and well-equipped. They feature King Koil 'Silent Build Time' branded mattresses, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... Various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc., are all available, giving a very warm and comfortable feeling overall. There is also an open-air balcony. In the morning, you can look out at Kuanzhai Alley outside the window, entering the world while staying detached—this is the life I want. And if you want to relax your tired body, professional spa services are available.
Breakfast is especially heartwarming. When you check in, the butler asks about meal time and taste preferences, very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese and Western meals, accompanied by fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries, and delivered to your room! Full of love.
Staying here, it's truly leisurely and comfortable, enjoying this beautiful scenery alone, fully experiencing the joy of carefreeness!
Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Mount Jiuding Scenic Area, Maoxian County, about 180 kilometers from Chengdu. Driving from Chengdu to the ski resort takes about 3.5 hours. The highest altitude of the resort is 2,971 meters, the lowest is 2,733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people have no altitude sickness and can enjoy themselves. The total length of the slopes is 2.5 kilometers, making it the ski resort with the longest slopes in southern China.
Taiziling Ski Resort has relatively professional ski runs: 3 advanced runs, 3 intermediate runs, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you are trying skiing for the first time or you are a skilled expert, you can find fun here.
Mount Jiuding Scenic Area boasts beautiful natural surroundings, with clear mountains and waters, rich vegetation resources. It is a multifunctional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The air is rich in negative oxygen ions, and PM2.5 is consistently below 10. During the snow season, about 70% of the days are sunny, making it a city of sunshine and a country of snowscapes.
The slopes are naturally winding and undulating, called 'dream slopes' by skiing enthusiasts. There are many slopes to choose from, offering plenty of options and surprises, providing a stage for beginners and experts alike to enjoy themselves and showcase their skills.
Skiing is indeed a very physically demanding activity. Combined with strong ultraviolet rays, after a while you'll be sweating profusely and feel exhausted. You need to replenish water and rest appropriately. While resting, you can look at the blue sky, take photos, and admire others' cool postures—it's very enjoyable. The weather was good, the sunlight reflecting off the snow was dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses in your gear.
To go on the advanced runs, you must take the cable car, and you must wear a helmet. So if you plan to hit the advanced runs, remember to rent a helmet.
Riding the cable car, with snow-white earth beneath your feet and the 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 arrived at the starting point of the advanced run. As soon as we got off, my legs went weak—the first slope was at least 40 degrees.
Indeed, 'high places are unbearably cold.' There were fewer people on the advanced run, very few using double skis; most were skilled riders with their own snowboards, swooping down in a few moves and disappearing in an instant.
If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There is a dining area inside the ski resort, but you can also bring your own food—rice and self-heating hot pot are quite good. The hotpot at the hotel is also tasty, no worse than outside. A big pot of red, oily but not greasy, enjoying the snow scenery while stimulating your taste buds with spicy hotpot—that's a real pleasure.
From the moment you step into Mount Jiuding, you will experience a natural realm far from noise, poetic, harmonious, and serene. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can have an even more joyful and close-knit holiday with family and friends—why not?
Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located on the bank of Huanhua Stream, west of Chengdu city. It is a must-visit for tourists coming to Chengdu.
As the name suggests, Du Fu Thatched Cottage was 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—a few small, dilapidated thatched huts. The large-scale buildings were actually built by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.
After entering the thatched cottage, there are many forks in the road with signposts guiding visitors to the scenic spots. Going further, a quaint alley comes into view: the walls on both sides are vermilion, with tiles embedded with round bricks carved with beast faces. The mottled moss on the tiles indicates the alley has been there for some time. The bluestone slabs underfoot have turned black and cracked.
Through the alley, a winding stream comes into sight, with green bamboos on both banks and towering ancient trees—a truly poetic scene.
Unconsciously, we arrived at a place that looks like a thatched hut. Yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, and a bamboo fence encloses the small garden.
The roof does not incorporate modern building materials, but it is no longer the same room Du Fu lived in. Here, I just want to stand in front of the house and feel the eternal verse: 'How can I get a thousand great houses to shelter all the poor people in the world?' The earthen walls are loose and falling off, revealing large frames made of bamboo strips. The wooden threshold feels like it could break under a single step.
Walking in the thatched cottage, the air is filled with the breath of history and strong poetic flavor, making me so immersed that I didn't want 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 lively, worldly atmosphere of Chengdu...
