On the Charms of Sichuan Everywhere!

Chengdu is not a place that dampens one's willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason to sink is that you can't resist the city's unbridled imagination. Its beauty lies in its innocence. The people here, young and old, have a fatal, charming sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers. If they want to play mahjong, they play. If they want to eat small chili peppers, they eat. People in Sichuan have a certain spirit—calm, fearless, and unassuming, living their beloved little lives. I don't so much like Chengdu as I like the lively, earthly atmosphere of Chengdu.

Chengdu people love food, and Chengdu is a city of gastronomy! The best feelings in life are surely hidden in the journey. Other people's journeys have sweetness, sourness, and all the flavors of life, but my journey has only one taste: the aroma of food. So, I came to Chengdu, this city full of delicious food everywhere!

Yuan Gong, Yuan Gong, fate brings tribute. The red plaque with golden characters immediately struck me. The moon-white verses on the floor also highlighted the theme of 'fate.' It seems that I really have a connection with this restaurant.

The ceiling of Yuan Gong was covered with red flame-like flowers, giving an extraordinary sense of novelty, and my mood unconsciously brightened.

This restaurant is on the other street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshiqiao; the location is a bit off the beaten path. Compared to the bustling neon lights of Chunxi Road, this place feels somewhat detached from the worldly affairs, and I love this place that feels untouched by the mundane.

The restaurant is quite spacious, with separate booths for each table. The distance is just right for small gatherings. It doesn't feel crowded at all—I absolutely love this environment!

Nowadays, restaurant decor is very stylish, and this one is no exception. The lighting tones, whether in private rooms or the main hall's booth seating, are well-designed!

The dishes here are authentic Zigong Sichuan cuisine, and the taste is excellent. The environment has a very homey feel. The red flowers and umbrellas as decorations create a very festive and warm atmosphere, which instantly filled my heart with a warm current. Perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service staff were excellent—truly warm and attentive, always available when called. Even though we were seated in a somewhat remote area, we could always get a server's attention; there was no issue of being ignored. They were genuinely kind and friendly to the guests, with dedicated staff guiding us from entry to exit. I think that's a very good point.

Now, about the dishes. What impressed me the most was Yuan Gong's signature Clam and Rabbit. The green and red dual peppers made the rabbit meat even more tender and delicious, and the clams looked tantalizing. With one bite, it was tender, slightly numbing, and moderately spicy. Instantly, my taste buds danced—a divine union better than countless worldly joys!

The Dragon Gate Hanging Meat was cut by a dedicated young man and arranged on the plate. The crispy texture and the perfectly fried outer coating were great; eating more didn't make it greasy. This is one of their signature dishes, quite unique.

The Old Duck Soup left a deep impression on me. It didn't have a strong MSG flavor; it was clear, slightly sweet, and refreshing, perfect for quenching dryness. One sip made me feel relaxed and comfortable—so comforting and delicious.

Another dish, Yuan Gong Sliced Local Chicken, was absolutely the best of the show. The taste was excellent, with lotus root slices underneath, and the red oil was incredibly fragrant. Mixed with the chicken, it was simply a heavenly delight. My friend and I were full of praise for this dish—it was truly delicious!

The Black Bean Aroma Whole Fish was a large fish covered with many fermented black beans and minced pork. Even without the fish, the topping alone could go with several bowls of rice. The fish meat was especially tender and not fishy at all!

Fate brings us together from a thousand miles away, meeting at Yuan Gong. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a city of gastronomy. When it comes to representative foods, chuan chuan definitely holds a place. Big handfuls of bamboo skewers, hot red broth, spicy and numbing, making your mouth water. This Chengdu Melon Chuan Chuan main store on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.

The variety of chuan chuan in the store is quite rich, with dozens of options. There are many types of vegetables and meats, making my head spin trying to choose.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerators for diners to pick freely. Diners just need to choose what they like. Another feature here is that the kitchen cooks the skewers and serves them directly in a large pot, saving you the trouble of cooking and waiting. For lazy people like me, it's incredibly convenient.

After a short wait, a pot of steaming chuan chuan arrived. The broth looked oily and spicy, but the spiciness was moderate. It was numbing and delicious. The store also offers dry dip and oil dip for diners to dip. The dry dip is their specialty—very tasty and recommended.

Besides chuan chuan, there are also many hot dishes worth trying, such as spicy pig brain (smooth and delicate), spicy duck blood (tender and smooth), spicy duck intestines (crisp and refreshing), and spicy luncheon meat and instant noodles, all quite memorable.

This Chengdu Melon Chuan Chuan may not be the best chuan chuan in Chengdu, but it is the most special one.

In Chengdu, a city known for leisure, there are many bars of all sizes. But a bar like this, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and filled with various drinks and snacks, is only found at Bie Yuan Li.

The unique Cat Girl at the bar adds a mysterious touch to the night, making people look forward to the arrival of evening.

I heard that to provide a better in-store experience, this bar hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest to create their lighting effects. I can only say quietly, what a grand production! The owner is really generous!

As the lights in the bar turned on, the whole place became a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, various colored lights were like stars in the sky, shining brightly in the bar. Looking at the scene, I couldn't help but marvel. Indeed, the owner's decision was great; the customers' experience is the greatest affirmation.

Since this is a bar, alcohol must be essential. There is a huge variety of alcohol here: foreign spirits, cocktails, pure imported beers, and many more that I couldn't even name. My eyes were dazzled. Basically, if you want to drink something, you can find it here!

Not only that, but even the vessels for food are carefully selected Jingdezhen blue-and-white porcelain, elegant and beautiful, and very appealing.

Although there are many alcoholic drinks, it seems that what I love is not the strong ones. The Long Island Iced Tea is clear and mellow like black tea, but also has the strong, rich aroma of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, the Long Island Iced Tea tastes sweet, similar to lemon black tea, so it's always popular among girls. A friend of mine, who knows a lot about alcohol, told me that this drink is the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' of the cocktail world, with quite high alcohol content—those who can't handle it should be careful not to overindulge.

There is also a drink called the Metropolitan. It's no exaggeration to say that the Metropolitan is one of the world's most popular cocktails. To this day, it has been popular for over thirty years. With its low alcohol content, sweet and sour taste, and strong fruity flavor, it has conquered me and become my favorite.

If you happen to order the bartender's special at Bie Yuan Li bar, congratulations—you will enjoy a spectacular cocktail show. The finished cocktail slowly 'exudes' a misty vapor from the rim, creating a particularly artistic atmosphere. As you savor it, the deeper your tongue contacts the cocktail, the more wonderful the taste becomes.

I highly recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Smashed Wine. This is the first time I've seen rice wine with a wheat straw as a straw. The rice wine is sweet, mellow, and rich, smooth and velvety 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. The taste and portions can rival those of outside Sichuan restaurants. Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Dumplings, and the childhood-tasting fermented glutinous rice with brown sugar can all be found here!

Their signature grilled fish has always been a popular dish in the store. The fish is nicely grilled, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I guarantee that after a few bites, you'll be hooked.

After seeing so much, go and experience it yourself if you're curious!

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiao Liao is just a short two hundred meters, but it can easily take half an hour to walk. Rows of snack shops, various gold and silver utensils—if your mind is a little unsettled, you'll get lost in the sights and sounds somewhere.

My eyes take in the green bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. My ears are filled with the clanging of bronze and silver craftsmen and the calls of shopkeepers outside. The tip of my nose catches the aroma of candied fruits and egg cakes. Escaping from all this requires a lot of willpower.

It's full of worldly hustle and bustle and secular energy. Walking back and forth once is like doing a somersault in the karmic obstacles of the mortal world, satisfying all the senses.

The Jiao Liao right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley is a clear exception in this century-old alley. The two tightly closed doors and the perpetually locked copper lock seem to declare a philosophy of retreating into the courtyard to be self-contained.

I truly understand what it means to be 'a mountain forest within a city'! Step out, and it's bustling; step in, and you quietly guard your heart. Build a pure land amidst prosperity and leisure, hiding luxury within, full of charm.

Indeed, this is the case: once the heavy copper lock is dropped, it blocks the gazes of passing tourists and also isolates the three-hundred-year-old lively world of the alley outside.

The wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. But the clamor outside cannot enter even half. Gaining quiet in the midst of noise—that is Jiao Liao.

The wooden structure made entirely of paulownia wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. Immersing oneself in the faint scent of wood for a long time can help with sleep and tranquility, nourishing the heart and calming the body.

The architectural style of the hotel combines movement and stillness. 'Movement' lies in the detailed decoration throughout the hotel. Birds appear from the entrance corridor and continue into the guest rooms with bird-shaped decorations, echoing the hotel's name—Jiao Liao.

'Stillness' lies in the antique quadrangle courtyard with black bricks and tiles. Every plant and tree is serene, every bamboo and mat is elegant. Each guest room here has its own poetic name, as if coming to life with vitality!

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean, with complete facilities. They feature the King Koil Jingzhu Shiguang co-branded mattress, Kohler bathroom fixtures, TOTO smart toilets... Various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc., are all provided, giving a very warm and comfortable feeling. There is also an open small balcony. Waking up in the morning, you can see Kuanzhai Alley outside, entering the world while leaving it—this is the life I want. And if you want to relax your tired body, they also offer professional spa services.

Breakfast is also very warm. When checking in, the butler will ask about your meal time and taste preferences, very considerate. You can choose between Chinese and Western food, complemented by fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries, all delivered to your room by the butler! Full of love.

Living here is truly leisurely and comfortable, exclusively enjoying this beautiful scenery, fully experiencing the joy of freedom!!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area, Maoxian County, about 180 kilometers from Chengdu. It takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Chengdu to the ski resort. The highest altitude of the ski resort is 2,971 meters, and the lowest is 2,733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people will not experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy with peace of mind. 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 slopes: 3 advanced runs, 3 intermediate runs, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you are a first-time skier or a professional with all the skills, you can find fun here.

Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area boasts a beautiful natural environment, with clear waters and lush mountains, rich in vegetation. It is a multi-functional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, tourism, sports, and leisure. The negative oxygen ion concentration in the area is extremely high, and PM2.5 is consistently below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the time is sunny, making it a city of sunshine and a land of snowscapes.

The slopes inside are naturally winding and undulating, called 'dream slopes' by skiing enthusiasts. Multiple trails are available for you to choose, offering many options and full of surprises, providing a wonderful stage for beginners and skiing experts to play and show off their skills.

Skiing is a very energy-consuming activity, and the ultraviolet rays are very strong. After playing for a while, you'll be sweating profusely and exhausted. Make sure to rehydrate and rest properly. While resting, you can look at the blue sky, take photos, and appreciate others' cool moves—it's a great enjoyment. The weather is nice, and the sunlight reflecting off the snow is dazzling, so it's best to bring sunglasses.

To access the advanced runs, you must take the cable car, and you must wear a helmet on the cable car. So if you plan to go on the advanced runs, remember to rent a helmet.

Taking the cable car, with the white snow beneath your feet and the sun above, and skiers whizzing by below, I was particularly afraid of dropping my equipment or phone—it was quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, we reached the starting point of the advanced run. As soon as I got off, my legs went weak. The first slope was at least 40 degrees.

Indeed, 'it is lonely at the top.' There were fewer people on the advanced run, and very few were on skis. Most were excellent players with their own snowboards, who would quickly slide down and disappear from sight in no time.

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. Bringing some rice and a self-heating hot pot is quite nice. The hot pot at the hotel is also good, no worse than what you'd get outside. A big pot of bright red broth, oily but not greasy, enjoying the spicy thrill while watching the snow—that's real enjoyment.

From the moment you step into Jiuding Mountain, you'll experience a natural realm far from the hustle and bustle, poetic, harmonious between heaven and man, ancient and serene. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can enjoy a wonderful holiday with family and friends, full of joy and closeness. Why not!

Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located on the bank of Huanhua Creek outside the west gate of Chengdu. It is a must-visit for tourists coming to Chengdu.

Du Fu Thatched Cottage, as the name suggests, is the former residence of Du Fu. Although the thatched cottage complex is grand and luxurious, Du Fu's actual residence is only a very small part of it—just a few small, shabby thatched huts. The large-scale constructions were built by later generations to commemorate Du Fu.

After entering the thatched cottage area, there are many forks in the road with signposts guiding tourists. Going further in, an antique alley appears before your eyes: the walls on both sides are vermillion, the tiles above are embedded with round bricks carved with animal faces, and the moss on the tiles shows that this alley has been around for a while. The bluestone slabs underfoot have been stepped on until they turned black and cracked.

Passing through the alley, a winding stream comes into view, with green bamboos on both banks and towering ancient trees—a truly poetic scene.

Unconsciously, we arrived at a place like a thatched hut—yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are small paths on both sides, and a bamboo fence surrounds the small garden.

The roof has not incorporated modern building materials, but it is no longer the one Du Fu lived in back then. Here, I just want to stand in front of the house and feel the timeless verse: 'Could I get a vast mansion covering ten thousand rooms, I would shelter all the world's poor scholars to make them smile!' I saw the soil on the walls loose, revealing large frameworks made of bamboo strips. The wood on the threshold felt like it would crumble with one step.

Walking in the thatched cottage, I was overwhelmed by the sense of history and strong poetic atmosphere, making me indulge and reluctant 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 still the vibrant, earthly atmosphere of Chengdu...