Food, Fun, and Travel in Chengdu
Fingertips: The only things in life not to be let down are beautiful scenery and delicious food.
Some say, when mentioning Chengdu, what comes to mind is not the city name but a myriad of delicacies. Because Chengdu is a city filled with food. In every alley and every street of this city, you can encounter a lot of delicious food and interesting snacks anytime, anywhere.
And the passion of Chengdu people for eating has also led to the highly developed catering industry in Chengdu. Whenever tourists from other places come to Chengdu, they are all interested in Chengdu's hot pot, Sichuan cuisine, snacks, and malatang. Not eating delicious food when in Chengdu always gives people the feeling of returning empty-handed from a treasure mountain.
A city has its own history and culture, as well as its own characteristic neighborhoods. To understand the history and culture of a city, you should step into its characteristic neighborhoods, learn about the cultural origins and anecdotes of famous people it carries, and touch its historical warmth up close, feeling the bustling atmosphere and the flavor of indulgence that have persisted through the changes of the times.
With rare leisure time and family accompanying us, we decided to roam around Jinli, walking and enjoying, savoring slowly. If Kuanzhai Alley is classical and literary, like a crescent moon in a mirror of time; then Jinli is bustling and secular, like several bursts of 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 are carefully arranged, appearing faintly in the mist. Their beautiful shapes, fresh colors, and fragrant smells make you salivate uncontrollably.
Beside the shops, there are Sichuan opera xiaosheng performers in makeup greeting guests. They mimic the movements of opera, suddenly shrinking their necks and extending their heads, turning from a white face to a red face, startling you. Before you can be surprised and angry, they pull a funny face to make you burst into laughter. This teasing and amusement instantly lightens your mood.
When we first went, the sky was clear, strolling through Jinli with fewer tourists, giving it a hazy and classical charm. The streets of Jinli are not wide, but the ancient buildings on both sides face each other, with strings of red lanterns hanging high and low, either under the upturned eaves or on the branches, flickering in the hazy rain, exuding a unique charm.
Walking in the ancient street feels like walking in a poetic scene with harmonious rhythm. Carved and lattice windows, ivy-covered ancient walls, winding corridors leading to secluded spots, all serve as the backdrop of the poem, with a contrast between vicissitudes and vitality amidst elegance.
Jinli is an ancient street suitable for nostalgia, and also a place that appeals to both refined and popular tastes. Here you can find memories of Chengdu during the Three Kingdoms period, or enjoy a leisurely life in the fast-paced city.
After visiting Jinli, we got hungry. It seems the temptation of food is still quite strong. I decided to take my family to eat Gua Chuan Chuan at the Jinfangyuan East Road branch. I heard it was quite good. When we arrived, we found that the environment of this Gua Chuan Chuan was really nice.
The overall decoration is of green bricks and green tiles, with red walls full of festive feelings. The space is spacious, with clear functional zoning. The Chinese vintage style adds a unique charm to this shop, making it truly antique.
Although we thought it was still early, we discovered a different world inside. There were really a lot of people. The entire hall was full, and the sound of chatter was overwhelming, but it did not affect the enthusiasm of the foodies waiting in line outside. Indeed, deliciousness is the key, and this is the nature of Chengdu foodies.
Pot base: The soup base is prepared according to authentic Chengdu methods. The cold pot skewers are spicy and satisfying. The super concentrated soup base is freshly boiled every day, covered with red oil over a secret stock pot base. Full of dry ingredients, it is boiled from early morning until noon opening. The taste is fragrant but not numb, spicy but not dry. This flavor is simply inimitable; only the recipe passed down from the older generation can be called the old Chengdu taste.
70+ types of skewers to choose from: 6 large freezers dazzle your eyes. The ingredients are ensured by five-star cold chain logistics. Fresh ingredients are carefully selected daily, marinated with care, and skewered. You can choose from meat and vegetables. After eating, the skewers are weighed by the kilo. Whatever you want to eat, just take it, and start the crazy skewer mode!
Handmade special double dipping sauce: How fragrant is the dry dipping sauce? The combination of crushed peanuts + chili powder easily wins. Roll lightly and it tastes like peanut fragrance. The complicated handmade process determines its uniqueness. The oil dipping sauce, with sesame oil, garlic paste, scallions, is also a little helper to relieve spiciness and add fragrance.
Beef skewers are versatile: Give me a slice of beef, and I can roll out a world. Five-spice, spicy, coriander, pickled pepper, scallion. The beef is marinated with secret sauce for two to three hours. Plump pickled peppers with tender beef, a hint of green in the middle of red beef, very eye-catching. When eaten, the heavy flavor bursts on the tongue. In the thick beef chunks, the pickled peppers are ready to burst with juice. The mouth says no, but the body is very honest, sending skewer after skewer to the mouth.
Mini sausages: Mini sausages are a specialty of Chengdu. Plump little sausages with a good balance of fat and lean, cut into bite-sized pieces. The slightly sweet taste is very Cantonese-style. The dual taste of sweet and spicy is fascinating. While relieving spiciness, the satisfaction doubles! You will not regret coming to this shop. It is so delicious that you can't stop.
Two | One · Bar "Boss", Finding Your Own Intoxication
Hearing the name "Wuhou," those who have read the Three Kingdoms must be familiar with it. Yes, it is the alias of the famous Zhuge Liang, "Zhuge Wuhou." If your favorite faction in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is Shu, then Chengdu's famous scenic spot—Wuhou Temple—is a must-visit place. It will surely satisfy all your desires.
Soon it was afternoon. My family and I planned to visit Wuhou Temple to experience the legendary stories of the Three Kingdoms period and fulfill our Three Kingdoms dream.
According to legend, Wuhou Temple was first built in 223 AD. Originally constructed as a mausoleum for Liu Bei, later generations combined Liu Bei's mausoleum with Zhuge Liang's ancestral hall to form the current Wuhou Temple, a joint temple for ruler and minister. It is also the only joint sacrificial temple for a ruler and his minister in China.
The heroes of the Shu Kingdom, with their changing fortunes, have turned to dust here. Their great achievements are also buried and rest here. All the historical stories have settled and fermented here, resulting in the weighty Wuhou Temple, a memorial site for Shu Han heroes.
From Sanyi Temple to Wuhou Temple, from the Peach Garden Oath to Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, we arrived at the main hall dedicated to Zhuge Liang. In the center of the hall hangs a horizontal plaque with the inscription "Name Eternal in the Universe," which is probably the highest praise for Mr. Zhuge. The upper couplet reads: "If you can win hearts, opposition will naturally subside; from ancient times, those who understand war are not fond of fighting." The lower couplet reads: "If you do not assess the situation, leniency or severity will both be wrong; later rulers of Shu must think deeply."
These two lines highly summarize Zhuge Liang's loyalty and ambition to dedicate himself to Shu Kingdom until his death. He used his entire life to repay the kindness of the three visits to the thatched cottage and the favor of knowing him. Wuhou Temple is not large; as a temple in the bustling city, it does not occupy much land. You can finish visiting in about an hour. Yet Wuhou Temple is also very large because it carries not just a scenic spot but also a dynasty's history, a tribute and remembrance of that era.
We walked and stopped, turned into secluded spots, admired bonsai, viewed flowers and plants, and smelled subtle fragrances. We looked at ancient trees with twisted roots, admired the exquisite arched bridges and water reflections, and sighed at the scarred remnants of Han palace pillars. With respect for mourning the Shu Kingdom, we slowly walked out.
In Chengdu, a city known for its leisure, there are many bars of all sizes. But only in Bie Yuan Li, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and enriched with various alcohols and snacks, can you find such a unique place. To provide customers with a better in-store experience, they specially invited a lighting design company to design the lighting effects.
The evening time should not be wasted; we needed to have some fun. I planned to take my family to Bie Yuan Li to enjoy the comfortable night.
After entering the store, as the lights turned on, the entire bar 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, instantly elevating the atmosphere of entertainment and relaxation.
The alcohols in the store are as rich as their lighting: foreign wines, Chinese cocktails, cocktails, and pure imported beer—all available! Basically, whatever you want to drink, you can find it here!
Tuxedo Mask Kiss: The rose wine with enough beauty to make young ladies favor it has a refreshing rose fragrance. Since the alcohol content is not high, it is suitable for small gatherings of friends or leisurely moments. When you first drink it, the rose flavor is not strong, but the further you go, the clearer the taste of the wine becomes, making it fascinating.
Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Zha Wine: The blue and white porcelain bottle is full of martial spirit! Using wheat straws as straws, sipping the wine amidst laughter and joy has a unique taste.
Barbecue Platter: Fine wine and grilled skewers are an inseparable couple. Eating barbecue without wine seems to betray the gathering! Small sausages, prawns, corn kernels, dried tofu, green beans, and other dishes are all spicy, fresh, and delicious, satisfying the cravings of different people.
Lemongrass Grilled Fish: Besides barbecue, this grilled fish is also a must-order dish. Although the fish is not big, the aroma already captivated me. Because the grilled fish is made with lemongrass, the fish's aroma is fresher! After frying, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, refreshing and delicious, with a fantastic taste. Sitting and playing in such a music bar is the best place to enjoy leisure and comfort.
| Two · Taste of Sichuan Cuisine, Unforgettable Yuan Gong
People say that Chengdu's leisurely life is not about the office buildings in the High-tech Zone, nor the crowded Kuanzhai Alley, nor the street photography at Chunxi Road. Come to People's Park, the place where Chengdu people expect life most.
People's Park, with a history of 100 years, serves as a material and spiritual carrier, storing the real old Chengdu life. On weekends, People's Park becomes the most lively.
There are two old tea houses in the park: Yongju and Heming, among which Heming is the most famous. Because it was first built in the 1920s, almost a hundred years old, almost as old as People's Park, it is called Century-old Heming. You must learn to "strike first," because Heming is always full. As soon as someone leaves, quickly grab a seat. After sitting down, an auntie wearing blue and white porcelain style uniforms will come to clear the table and let you order tea.
The playground is the place with the highest decibels. The sounds of children playing and laughing are endless. The small train, carousel, and roller coaster: every child and big child can find their own source of happiness.
But the most popular activity in People's Park is still boating. The mottled small boats bear the childhood of Chengdu people since the last century. On good weather days, there are the most people, and you need to queue for boating. Young parents bring their children here to boat, enjoying the happiness of a harmonious family. Of course, there are also young couples on dates. Anyway, everyone on the boat is as happy as a child.
After visiting the park, we planned to take the family to eat Yuan Gong on Chunxi Road. I heard from friends that this restaurant is an authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine restaurant, quite popular and bustling, so I specially came to taste it today.
By the time we arrived, many people were already dining! The decoration of this restaurant is quite down-to-earth. The antique environment is very attractive, highlighting the characteristics of old Chengdu. The private rooms, hall, and booth seats are all well-designed, decorated with flowers and clusters, revealing a unique charm.
Many of the people dining here are tourists visiting Chengdu. The dishes they order are typical Chengdu specialties. Mao Xue Wang, Tu Ji Pian, and the signature rabbit are the reasons I must visit. It has been a long time since I ate such fresh, fragrant, and spicy dishes. Big thumbs up!
Yuan Gong Tu Ji Pian: The chicken slices are delicate in texture, super delicious, with scallions and white scallion pieces added, refreshing and tasty, drizzled with secret red oil seasoning, the spiciness is just right.
Longmen Diao Rou: It is made like a whole piece of fried crispy pork. The little sister cuts it while saying auspicious words. The ritual is nice. The meat is tender, smooth to eat, and even better with chili powder.
Yuan Gong Signature Rabbit: The tender and smooth rabbit meat is paired with refreshing and juicy clams. The texture level is instantly enhanced, fragrant and spicy, super enjoyable to eat.
Yuan Gong Lu Duck: The duck meat is delicate and tasty, with a strong braised aroma. Especially the skin part is fragrant, smooth, and delicious, with excellent texture.
Huoshui Hua Lian: The silver carp is quite large. The fish back is cut with a knife into several pieces, making it easier to absorb flavor. The fish meat is white and delicate, with celery and green pepper segments being particularly delicious. It is simply my favorite! Such deliciousness must not be missed. Actions speak louder than words.
| Two · Natural Humanities, Exquisite Sentiments 丨 Unique Charm of Jiaoliao
Jiaoliao, a place whose name makes people want to learn more. This name comes from "Zhuangzi · Xiaoyaoyou": "The wren nests in the deep forest, content with a single branch; the mole drinks from the river, content with a full belly." In this world of insatiable desires, we should not be too greedy. We must try to be "unmoved by the whole world's praise, undaunted by the whole world's criticism, distinguish between internal and external, and discern the boundary between honor and disgrace." Perhaps this state is really too difficult, which is why Jiaoliao exists, allowing us to slow down and let go of the pursuit of a place.
The Jiaoliao Hotel is a strong branch in this vast forest, seeking only carefree wandering, unwilling to drag its tail in the mud. It draws nourishment from old Chengdu culture, pursuing a "slow life" in the busy city, returning to a natural state of living.
Pushing the door open, you see a corridor. At the end of the corridor hangs a plaque with the inscription "Ride on things to roam the mind." This comes from Zhuangzi's "Renjian Shi." After understanding its meaning, I can't help but admire the great wisdom of the old man Zhuangzi.
After entering the hotel, we took a look at all four floors. The design and decoration of this hotel are really good, giving a comfortable and peaceful feeling. During the visit, we found that each room has its own unique name, such as Yanqian, Youwei, Shiwei, etc. We planned to stay in Yanqian, because when we first saw this name, my friend and I really liked it, as if the two characters contained deep meaning, leaving us endless imagination.
The hotel's security is also very good. The guest rooms inside require a card swipe or the butler to open the door before entering. After confirming the check-in, the butler gave us a wren-shaped room card, which is cute and pleasing. Looking closely, we saw a butler service window outside the door. Opening it, we found it was connected inside and out. After hearing our call, the butler would put what we needed inside, and we could take it directly. This design is very thoughtful, convenient, and does not disturb guests.
Although the exterior of Jiaoliao is simple and elegant, the items in the room are consistent with five-star hotels. For example, the mattress, linens, washroom fixtures, and automatic toilet, the hardware facilities are superb. Various ornaments are complete and neatly arranged. Everything feels so peaceful and comfortable. The various brand-name equipment invisibly highlights the hotel's high-end style. We simply loved it! My friend kept saying that this place is warmer than home.
After entering, we found that on the headboard of each room, there is a affectionate wren, staring deeply, as if in deep thought or listening. In each room, the wren's expression and demeanor are different. My friend and I treated it as our listener and tried to talk to it. The troubles hard to tell others could all be poured out to this little animal that can only be understood but not explained. After speaking out all the unhappiness, I felt much more comfortable.
On the TV wall, there is a large hand-embroidered Sichuan embroidery peony bloom, and the koi jumping on the Shu brocade. When we reached out to touch, we had to admire the skilled craftsmanship and long-standing culture of our ancestors. Overall, the room is full of Sichuan traditional cultural elements. While staying, you can also feel the cultural influence. My friends and I often travel and have stayed in some good hotels, but such considerate and thoughtful hotels are rare. This stay was definitely the right choice.
The room also provides four types of top-grade tea from Mengding Mountain. Usually, we drink too many carbonated drinks, which inevitably burden us. When we calmed down, we brewed a cup of tea, savoring the gifts of nature carefully, and instantly felt refreshed and clear-headed.
My friend and I also found that the most considerate part of this hotel is not only the room's configuration and decoration, but also the superb butler service. They can customize travel routes for guests, make travel plans, and handle any problems encountered in the hotel. Even our breakfast each morning can be customized, delivered to the room according to our taste and time. Lunch is enjoyed at Zifei, the first cultural dining in Kuanzhai Alley with Zhuangzi culture as the theme. It integrates culture, Sichuan cuisine, drinking games, and performances in the form of side dishes, taking you into a dynasty of pavilions, ancient zithers, and opera songs. Waking up in the morning, pushing open the wooden window, breathing in the first breeze and first sunlight of Kuanzhai Alley, it is so refreshing and pleasant. After washing up, we enjoyed the hotel's customized breakfast, with our hearts full of emotion.
After eating, we stood in the small garden, breathing fresh air, admiring the clear night sky, brewing a cup of hot tea, and exploring the stories of time in this ancient alley up close.
Observing carefully, we found a spider weaving a web on the opposite roof, and a fallen leaf landing on the table... Look, all things are striving to grow!
In the busy and noisy city, there is always a place of leisure, comfort, and a great spot to relax your body and mind.
