Appreciating a Glimpse of the Winter Sunset in Chengdu
Chengdu's cuisine is vast and profound. To be honest, the main reason for coming to Chengdu is to taste all kinds of its special local delicacies. Even if I can't try every dish here, I still want to have a chance to visit the must-eat spots in Chengdu. Luckily, I came here. Although I dare not say I truly fulfilled my ambitious goal, I indeed gained a lot.
Taiziling Ski Resort is an excellent place for winter skiing in Southwest China, providing many southerners a great opportunity to experience skiing. It is also the best choice to enjoy a wonderful holiday with family and friends in the ice and snow world. Take advantage of the good snow season and go experience it!
As the saying goes, 'Among the many immortal mountains in Shu, Jiuding is unparalleled.' Jiuding Mountain Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Mao County, Sichuan. It's only a 40-minute drive from the county town, and about 180 kilometers from downtown Chengdu, taking about three and a half hours by car.
The ski resort has a total of 9 ski runs: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, which can accommodate more than 5,000 skiers at the same time. The different runs cater to skiers of various skill levels.
If you want to come early, you can book accommodation in advance. Inside the ski resort, there is a Hemingzhuang Holiday Hotel, which is said to be very good. Its floor-to-ceiling windows directly face the ski runs, offering a superb view. If you drive by yourself, you can drive directly to the hotel entrance. You can buy tickets and rent ski equipment right next to the front desk, without having to queue at the ski resort hall. This is very convenient and thoughtful.
Moreover, you can enjoy the most beautiful time of the ski resort alone in the morning. I recommend ski enthusiasts to stay here. Of course, you can also choose to stay in hotels in Mao County or halfway up the mountain, where room rates are cheap and cost-effective.
As for food, you can bring your own or eat at the hotel inside the ski resort. The dishes taste very good, oily but not greasy, perfectly matching the white snow scenery. There are also chicken, yak meat, hot pot with vegetables, etc., each with its own characteristics. You'll definitely have enough and eat well.
The ski runs include beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The beginner and intermediate runs have more people. The advanced runs are definitely for professionals or highly skilled masters to challenge. To enter the advanced runs, you need to wear a helmet and pass a technical check by the staff before taking the cable car to the top.
The ski resort also has activities suitable for children: snowball fights, building snowmen, and sledding. They are especially fun, and every scene is filled with the innocence of childhood.
The white snow, the flying snowflakes, the story of Frozen is full of childlike innocence and fun, making our hearts melt.
Here, you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and feel the power of nature. Every deep trip is a beautiful connection, and ordinary companionship is the best gift in growth.
As a veteran representative of Chengdu cold pot skewers, this restaurant, Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan, is quite popular.
No need to worry about how many minutes to cook the beef or how many seconds for tripe. Cold pot skewers are cooked by the professional kitchen and then served to the table. The heat control is much better than if you cooked it yourself!
Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan is located at No. 29, Jin Fang Yuan East Road. When you walk into the store, you'll find the decoration has an antique flavor yet is also very stylish. The decor is Chinese retro red, quite distinctive.
The boss speaks Mandarin, which is quite nice. Their oil dip and dry dip both have their own characteristics. The peanuts in the dry dip are super fragrant. As someone who loves peanuts, I can't stop praising their dry dip.
Let's talk about their signature skewers. The broth has a hint of Chinese herbal medicine flavor. It doesn't taste bad; instead, it feels quite special. At least for me, I really like this taste.
All the dishes here are quite fresh.
The braised beef in a single bowl has a generous portion, and it's incredibly tender and refreshing. It's simply a heavenly delicacy. Almost every table of diners orders this dish, so it's really good.
I especially like the braised pig brain. It's very soft and has a delicate texture. The key point is that there is no fishy smell at all. The seasoning mixed with the brain makes it very flavorful and super delicious. So far, the braised pig brain here is the best I've ever had. It tastes a bit like the one I ate in my childhood. Suddenly, I feel nostalgic.
The taste of these skewers is absolutely amazing! After eating once, you'll want a second round.
The vegetable dishes are also very good. Wood ear mushroom and tofu skin are must-order dishes. Many times, it's not that I come to Chengdu to eat, but I come to Chengdu just for this.
Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan has achieved this!
There is such an authentic Yanbang cuisine restaurant, a model of Sichuan home-style cooking, dedicated to making conscientious and delicious dishes for diners, allowing friends away from home to taste the flavor of home in a foreign land.
Located in the beautiful land of abundance, Chengdu, hidden near the city center on Chunxi Road, is a unique Sichuan cuisine restaurant. Its specific address is No. 87-1, Xuedao Street.
When you arrive at this restaurant, you'll find the environment is very distinctive. The storefront is eye-catching. The hall decoration is a combination of traditional Chinese carved beams and eaves pillars with heavy industrial steampunk style, complementing each other.
The service is warm and attentive. They are at your beck and call, and if diners have any needs, they will solve the problem promptly. Very good!
The restaurant's dishes are Zigong Yanbang cuisine. Their signature is these Zigong characteristic dishes, which can be described in seven words: numbing, spicy, fresh, fragrant, and authentic.
I have to mention the Yuan Gong Spiced Chicken Slices. This is a delicious chicken slice in red oil. The local chicken meat is really fresh and flavorful, and the texture is quite chewy. The chicken skin is not greasy. The taste is quite spicy. Friends who like spicy food must not miss it! It is definitely a classic dish of their restaurant.
The Douchi Fragrant Whole Fish – I don't know what kind of fish it is, but the taste is really good. The fish meat is super tender, with no fishy smell. Even the seasoning is stir-fried with pork belly. The restaurant is really generous with ingredients.
Longmen Hanging Meat – the most memorable dish for me. This meat is not simple crispy pork; it's crispy pork with added ingredients, containing meat and vegetables. The waiter will cut it into pieces in front of you, saying some auspicious words during the process, which is quite ceremonial! The texture is like a large crispy pork piece, crispy on the outside. It feels a bit like a meat-filled fried dough stick. This dish is quite interesting!
The Wanghua Old Duck Soup is incredibly delicious. After eating so many dishes, a bowl of old duck soup is refreshing and not greasy. The duck meat is very tender. The key point is that the soup is really fresh. After a bowl, I feel fantastic!
The dishes are served super fast, the service is genuinely good, the taste is great, and the value for money is high. This is Yuan Gong.
339 has long been a gathering place for Chengdu people's nightlife, and has become a new name card for Chengdu's nightlife! Many bars and entertainment venues here are very attractive, but one stood out and drew us in – Bie Yuan Li, a small tavern full of literary and artistic atmosphere!
It is located near the 339 TV Tower, at No. 96, Mengzhuiwan. The environment is quite good. The bar has a large space with two floors, and the ventilation is very good. You won't feel stuffy inside.
The interior design is like a Chinese courtyard, combining a living atmosphere with a fashionable vibe. The wooden tables and leather chairs are comfortable, and the two floors are spacious.
Following the recommendation of the waiter, we chose a kind of wine. This 'hot pot wine' was particularly fragrant and rich, tasting like a mix of various fruit aromas, sweet and smooth. This wine has a low alcohol content, won't make you drunk, and is very suitable for girls.
The snack lemongrass grilled fish is also especially delicious. The fish is grilled until crispy on the outside and tender inside, incredibly tasty. Although it looks covered in chili, it's actually not too spicy. The fragrant fish pairs well with the wine.
Surprisingly, they also have famous Chengdu snacks, like 'Three Cannons' (a traditional snack). The glutinous fried small tangyuan are really chewy and delicious, irresistible.
The freshly fried French fries are really crispy and delicious. I have to say the shop is very thoughtful, providing two dips: salad dressing and ketchup. Personally, I prefer the tomato flavor, after all, the classic can't be surpassed in my heart!
The fruit platter has super fresh fruits, and the sweet taste is really intoxicating. Not only is the taste good, but the presentation is also beautiful. The hidden girly heart accidentally shows up.
The grilled platter, Dai-style skewers, has a generous portion with both meat and vegetables. The taste is good. The meat and offal are grilled very tender, easily coming off the skewer with a gentle bite.
I like this small tavern. Although it's called a tavern, it's more like a typical quiet bar. It's neither too noisy nor too quiet. The decoration is nice, with lighting creating a great atmosphere in the hall. Plus, there are live singers, which is very atmospheric.
Perhaps in life, we need such a trip where we can go wherever we want. So I came to a must-visit place in Chengdu – Wenshu Monastery.
Wenshu Monastery is located in Qingyang District, Chengdu, with a very long history. It is one of the key Buddhist monasteries in China designated by the State Council. It is also a place you must visit when in Chengdu.
Just as I turned the street corner, the red brick and green tile walls came into view. Looking over the antique wall head, I saw towering trees inside. I couldn't help but secretly exclaim: What a tranquil place amidst the hustle and bustle.
Stepping into the courtyard, I was greeted by a tea house and a vegetarian restaurant. In the tea house, I could see many people leisurely drinking tea and chatting happily. The tea drinkers and the visitors seemed to be frozen together at this moment. The beautiful scene made me sigh: What a contented and harmonious scene!
Since we arrived in the afternoon and had just started our visit, it wasn't time for tea, so we passed through. To avoid the crowds, we headed towards less crowded areas. Walking along, we arrived at a small courtyard. The courtyard was bustling with visitors, but in my eyes, it presented a warm and peaceful scene, like a flowing freehand painting, with movement in stillness and stillness in movement.
Following a small path nearby, we reached the rear hall. There we encountered some men and women from a monastery life experience camp, dressed in white loose casual clothes, sitting in a circle, discussing their feelings and experiences of meditation.
Moving forward, we arrived at Wenshu Pavilion, where the Sutra Library is located. The door was not open, but in the courtyard we saw a few monks sweeping fallen leaves. Later I learned that the Sutra Library is usually not open to visitors, only on certain specific days. It is said that it houses tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures, including the 'Medicine Buddha Sutra' and 'Diamond Sutra' bestowed by Emperor Kangxi, as well as calligraphy and painting works since the Ming and Qing dynasties. The most famous is the ink trace of 'Empty Forest' bestowed by Emperor Kangxi to Wenshu Monastery. Since we couldn't enter, we had to leave with regret. Perhaps a little regret makes life more interesting.
Following a small path, we arrived at the central area of Wenshu Monastery. The halls were magnificent, towering, and ancient, evoking a sense of awe. The pavilions with upturned eaves, hollowed-out patterned windows, and exquisite designs exuded classical beauty.
Wenshu Monastery is a typical traditional Chinese architectural complex. There are many antique buildings for you to appreciate. Due to time constraints, we couldn't finish exploring the entire monastery. But life should have some regrets; it makes things more interesting.
As the saying goes, 'Don't enter Sichuan when young, don't leave Shu when old.' Chengdu is hailed as a city you don't want to leave once you arrive. The rich Sichuan culture is displayed in every street and alley of Chengdu. Whether it's food, scenery, or Sichuan girls, they are all dazzling and overwhelming.
When in Chengdu, eating, drinking, and having fun are essential. After eating, drinking, and having fun, you certainly need accommodation. When it comes to accommodation, you must check in at this B&B hotel – Jiaoliao Boutique Hotel. The moment you step in, it will definitely make your eyes light up – a Chengdu B&B.
Location: The hotel is located in Kuanzhai Alley, known as the 'Chengdu Living Room'.
Metro: The entrance of Kuanzhai Alley is Metro Line 4.
Geographic location: The location is really great! It is right inside the Kuanzhai Alley scenic area. You can go out and shop and eat, very convenient. It's not far from Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, Tianfu Square, etc. You can take the subway or a taxi. If you take a taxi, it's about ten yuan.
Hotel style: The overall style of this B&B is my favorite. The guest rooms are designed in a Japanese style, built entirely of wood. The room has a unique fragrance that is very soothing. There are also handcrafted Sichuan embroideries and jiaoliao birds specially painted by a master painter.
The hotel has many calligraphy, paintings, and antiques, which the owner went to great lengths to collect. Every detail is meticulously attended to, impeccable.
Room: The door uses an electronic lock, ensuring safety. The entire room, including decorations and bed, is made of phoenix tree wood, giving off a faint woody aroma that is very relaxing.
There is a dedicated dining area in the room. Lunch and dinner are both very tasty.
Bathroom: When I go out, whether staying in a hotel or B&B, my biggest concern is always the bathroom. The cleanliness of the bathroom can absolutely affect my mood. I give full marks to the bathroom of Jiaoliao! The details show understated luxury. Super five-star luxury: Carnation linens, King Koil mattress, Kohler bathroom products, TOTO smart toilet. It feels like even turning on a faucet shows the owner's care.
Wash area: It's worth mentioning that the wash area is dry and wet separated. You can take a shower or lie in the bathtub for a soak. The hotel also provides bath salts.
The three-piece toiletries set is from June Jacobs (a high-end spa skincare brand from New York, USA). I had used this brand before at a Sheraton in Guangdong and really liked it. I didn't expect to use it again in Chengdu. Moreover, according to the butler, June Jacobs customized a set of techniques for the hotel, combining local culture, environment, climate, and some traditional Chinese medicine therapy methods to create the hotel's unique 'Jiaoliao Nest in the Forest' treatment.
Bedding: Lying down is super comfortable, I fall asleep in minutes. The quilt and mattress are very soft and skin-friendly. I like sleeping on buckwheat pillows, and the hotel thoughtfully provided me with one.
The biggest highlight is the hotel butler, a group of very enthusiastic people. When I was about to arrive at Kuanzhai Alley, the butler contacted me in advance and even came to the alley entrance to pick me up. Along the way, they introduced us to the culture of Kuanzhai Alley. This alone made me feel good about the hotel. After arriving at the hotel, the butler learned that I can't eat spicy food, so they specially prepared non-spicy wontons for breakfast.
On the journey of life, we not only have the company of delicious food and beautiful scenery, but also need the marks of struggle. On the long road of life, we need to work a little harder.
