Take It Without Thanks: A Super Detailed 6-Day Self-Drive Tour of Chengdu

"If I were a flower, for whom would I bloom; if I were a bird, where would I fly; the sparkle of a star, does not constitute a constellation; the sum of a big tree, gathers a single weight." Lately, I've been looping this song "The Sum of Loneliness." Perhaps we are all the sum of loneliness, which is why we come together!

**Kuanzhai Alley – The Charm of Old Chengdu**

If you come to Chengdu, you must not miss this attraction—Kuanzhai Alley.

Although called Kuanzhai Alley, it actually consists of Jing Alley, Wide Alley, and Narrow Alley. Here, you can experience the city's local life.

Kuanzhai Alley has always been a portrayal of leisurely and comfortable living. Some say Kuanzhai Alley is like Beijing's Nanluoguxiang, but in my view, Nanluoguxiang carries an ancient and traditional charm, while Kuanzhai Alley is leisurely and soothing. However, both share one common feature: they are filled with unique local snacks. The famous local delicacies here will surely satisfy your appetite!

Because Kuanzhai Alley retains so much of old Chengdu culture, as you stroll through it, you'll see a blend of history and modern fashion. Surprisingly, this combination feels harmonious and creates a wonderful sensation. The walls built from bricks of different eras, along with the old-fashioned market scenes depicted in relief-like paintings, make the Chengdu afternoon leisurely and beautiful.

When you come to Kuanzhai Alley, don't just say you're here to enjoy the scenery. If you don't eat something, I'm afraid you'll feel embarrassed to say you've visited. There are many Chengdu snacks here, perfect for indulging. I especially love all kinds of wontons—sweet, salty, spicy, and numbing—they taste fantastic and are very affordable. Ma's Rabbit Head, rabbit dices, street-side skewers, Guokui (stuffed flatbread), Zhong Dumplings, Bobo Chicken are all good. I also recommend a place here for Sweet Water Noodles, which suits my taste perfectly—delicious and inexpensive, truly great.

Wandering through Kuanzhai Alley, soaking in its charm, you'll find that here you can slowly enjoy a peace you can't find in daily life. Sipping tea while eating Chengdu's special snacks—that's perhaps the real enjoyment.

**Jiaoliao Hotel – Jiaoliao's New Nest, Old Memories of Kuanzhai; The Flourishing City, Waiting for You to Pluck**

In ancient times, there was "Jiaoliao nests in the deep forest," and now there is "Jiaoliao nests in Kuanzhai." Speaking of Kuanzhai Alley, this is a bustling area of Chengdu. From ancient times to the present, dignitaries have settled here, and even ordinary folks often linger and wander about.

Today, tourists and pedestrians stream in endlessly. From afar, you can smell the aroma of snacks drifting from various alleys, and hear the vendors' voices, their rhythmic cries promoting their businesses.

Jiaoliao Boutique Hotel stands quietly amidst the hustle and bustle, delicate and unpretentious, nestled at No. 28 Wide Alley within the Kuanzhai Alley scenic area. The hotel is near Metro Line 4. It's about 19 kilometers from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, about a 40-minute drive. Surrounding attractions include Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli, Tianfu Square, and Chunxi Road.

If you want to enjoy a peaceful vacation without missing out on the city's prosperity and excitement, Jiaoliao Boutique Hotel is the perfect choice.

Before coming, we had already inquired about the origin of the hotel's name. It is said that "Jiaoliao" originally refers to a bird, derived from Zhuangzi's writing: "The Jiaoliao bird nests in the deep forest, needing only one branch." This conveys a poetic dwelling that abandons worldly troubles, guards the true heart, returns to nature, and attains freedom and ease, embodying a philosophy of returning to nature and staying away from the noise.

This time, Jiaoliao chose not to nest in the deep forest but in this alley full of worldly烟火, located by the bustling street, creating a retreat amidst the urban woods for travelers from afar.

Amidst the noisy crowd, we pushed open this aged but grand gate. The first thing that caught our eyes was the main entrance, with carved hollow patterns on the screen doors on both sides. Among them, the bat pattern symbolizes blessings and happiness. The two symmetrical blessings have water ripples above, meaning blessings as vast as the East Sea. The blessing on the central axis represents blessings descending from heaven. Together with the middle one, they make up the five blessings arriving at the door, wishing all distinguished guests longevity, a peaceful end, wealth, health, and virtue.

Passing through the courtyard into the corridor, we saw a bamboo, a tile, flowing water, and rockery, giving a simple and elegant feeling, as if entering a parallel space to the worldly prosperity, separated only by a wall from the bustling scene outside. My companion, as if on a roll, kept saying how beautiful it was, taking photos incessantly, happy like a child.

Entering the lobby and looking closely, the entire hotel's decoration style is imbued with the characteristics and elegance of Western Sichuan residential architecture. The simple and ancient replica of Qing Dynasty architecture combines motion and stillness, showcasing the essence of landscape in a small space. It seems the owner put a lot of thought into it, decorating so exquisitely—no wonder it's so popular.

As we passed through the corridor, the parrots hanging on both sides, hopping up and down, became unusually active due to our arrival, chirping incessantly, which amused my friend. It seemed the birds were also welcoming our stay!

The hotel's blue bricks and black tiles are interconnected with the birds' chirping, one moving and one still, complementing the hotel's design style, reflecting both motion and stillness.

The "motion" is reflected in the meticulous details of the hotel's interior decoration, with bird-shaped ornaments echoing the hotel's name in various places.

The "stillness" is reflected in the blue-black brick and tile replica of a traditional Siheyuan courtyard, where every plant and tree is secluded, every bamboo and stone exudes elegance, establishing a quiet and leisurely life tone, allowing one to roam freely in spirit.

Passing through the corridor, we arrived at the accommodation area. Entering the guest rooms, we found that the materials used are all natural, solid raw wood. The rooms also feature Shu embroidery, one of the four famous embroideries, and a traditional rice-pounding mortar, fully interpreting the original meaning of returning to simplicity.

Upon careful observation, we realized that the hardware facilities inside the room are also impressive. Whether it's the sanitary ware, fully intelligent sensor toilets, or the mattresses, they are all configured according to the top standards of international five-star hotels. Understated luxury exudes a high-end vibe—such configurations far exceed those of other hotels. How could our group not be tempted?

Inheriting the culture of Laozi and Zhuangzi, creating high-end facilities, neither following the vulgar nor abandoning the worldly. Jiaoliao Hotel allows you to find the perfect balance between bustling excitement and peaceful seclusion, letting you enjoy tranquility beyond the mundane while having the convenience of urban distractions—all for your unique experience.

**Panda Base – Discovering the Joy of Pandas**

When mentioning Sichuan, you absolutely cannot forget the place where giant pandas live—the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Many people love the adorable and clumsy appearance of giant pandas. Previously, we could only see giant pandas online. Browsing pictures of pandas, we found them soft, cute, and lovable. This time, coming to the panda base, thinking about seeing real giant pandas, our mood was exceptionally excited—after all, they are our national treasure. "Selling cuteness for the country"—that's the true power of baby pandas.

At this base, you'll see many giant pandas, which is a completely different feeling from browsing pictures online!

Here, baby pandas enjoy national treasure-level treatment. The environment completely simulates the wild living conditions of giant pandas.

There are lakes, streams, and of course, pandas' favorite food—bamboo!

Most notably, there are "Panda Villas" built for them. These are their daily leisure and entertainment venues. When the weather is cool, baby pandas play here, some strolling leisurely in the yard, others rolling on the ground—such a carefree scene!

Visitors can also watch the adorable pandas through railings. When it's hot, the pandas cleverly hide in their resting rooms, and then visitors can only see them sleeping soundly through the glass.

In short, when you come to Sichuan, you must check in at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The pandas here come in all shapes and postures—everything you want to see is there.

The national treasure giant pandas are truly adorable—silly, cute, free, and happy. Suddenly, I found myself quite envious of these pandas. Perhaps I'm not the only one thinking this!

**Snowy White Innocence – Taiziling Ski Resort**

If we talk about enjoying snow in winter, Chengdu people surely think of Xiling Snow Mountain, etc. Actually, there is a more beautiful place waiting to be visited—the Taiziling Ski Resort on Jiuding Mountain.

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in the Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area in Mao County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, known as "China's Ancient Qiang City." It's 180 kilometers from downtown Chengdu, only about a three-and-a-half-hour drive, making it a professional ski resort at the doorstep of Chengdu residents.

In winter, Jiuding Mountain is covered in silver and snow, welcoming a four-month sunny ski season. Taiziling Ski Resort boasts the longest mid-to-advanced international commercial standard ski runs in western China, strictly divided from beginner to expert levels, with a full set of imported new ski equipment.

The ski resort can accommodate 5,000 people skiing simultaneously and is equipped with professional ski coaches to meet the needs of enthusiasts of different levels. The resort also offers free introductory group ski lessons at different times, allowing visitors to quickly learn basic skiing moves and immediately feel the joy of skiing.

In addition to adult activities, the ski resort has specially prepared areas for children. In the snow play area, children, accompanied by their families, slide down from heights on sleds, with laughter and joy filling the air.

As a top ice and snow resort in Southwest China, Taiziling Ski Resort is also equipped with leisure facilities such as the Hemingzhuang Holiday Hotel and Hemingzhuang Holiday View Restaurant. Combined with the convenience of driving directly to the ski hall in three and a half hours from Chengdu, it provides a new winter outdoor sports destination for Chengdu and surrounding tourists.

The ski runs at Taiziling Ski Resort are divided into three beginner runs, three intermediate runs, and three advanced runs according to slope gradient. Each run has a gentle slope, giving beginners a full sense of security. The three intermediate runs are the domain of daring beginners and most regular players, where they can have a great time.

Parents with children need not worry—there are also snow play runs suitable for kids, with small and stable slopes, perfect for children to play safely and joyfully. Snowball fights, building snowmen, and sledding—everything is available. Here, you can experience the innocence of childhood and lost childlike fun.

If you drive here, you're in luck. When driving home at night, passing through Wenchuan, you can also enjoy the night scenery of Wenchuan.

Neon lights are brilliant and magnificent, giving a sense of peace and comfort. Only by skiing yourself can you know how charming it is—once you go, you'll get addicted!

When you step into that pure white, besides the thrilling activity, you can savor the purity and grandeur of the wilderness. In the high-speed glide, listen to the wind whistling past your ears. The vast snowfields, the world is at your feet.

**Taste the Flavor of Home – Yuan Gong**

A must-visit for Chengdu Sichuan cuisine: Yuan Gong. Yuan Gong was recommended by a friend. It offers authentic Zigong cuisine, with genuine flavors that let those missing hometown dishes taste the taste of home.

Specific location: No. 87, Xue Dao Street, Annex 1. South entrance of Chunxi Road, cross the overpass towards Xinhua Bookstore, about a ten-minute walk. It's also not far from Qingshiqiao Seafood Market, about five minutes away.

Before entering, we saw their sign from afar. The storefront is not particularly large but has an antique charm, with a strong Chinese style. The store gives a mid-to-high-end feel; the interior is quite spacious and not crowded. The environment is definitely excellent.

The service attitude is very good. As we entered, everyone greeted us with welcome phrases. The receptionist at the door led us in, and then an inner hall server took over.

They seem quite attentive.

I must say their serving speed is very fast. Shortly after we ordered, the dishes started coming out one after another.

I highly recommend the old duck soup. It has a very fresh taste, rich and savory broth, and the soup base is truly delicious. After one sip, I felt refreshed all over. The duck meat is stewed very tender, not dry, and very nourishing.

The 'Dragon Gate Hanging Meat' is really special. When the server cuts it, they say: "First cut, great luck; second cut, step by step promotion; third cut, happiness and fulfillment." It tastes like crispy pork, very crunchy.

If I have to pick the most memorable dish, it would definitely be the 'Naked Shrimp.' The naked shrimp is pre-peeled shrimp meat, definitely fresh, and the digestive tract has been removed, so diners can eat with confidence. Most importantly, the naked shrimp also contains taro. The taro is delicious, soft and flavorful—really excellent texture.

Yuan Gong's Clams and Frog is visually stunning, giving a feeling of a nebula chain. The taste is great. This combination of frog and clams is my first time trying it; I have to say it's very innovative and tastes good too.

The Young Ginger Jumping Frog has tender and delicate meat with a pure taste. This dish looks very spicy, but it's actually okay. The frog meat is very tender, and it feels like taste buds are jumping in the mouth. Not bad, not bad!

The dishes are really delicious and the portions are definitely generous. It's also a great place for gatherings and treating guests. Five-star recommendation!

**Enjoy Skewers in a Lively Atmosphere – Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan**

Location: Right outside Metro Station Huazhaobi Exit A, a few minutes' walk to Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan. The signboard is very eye-catching. When I walked in, I felt the style was unique, very Chinese, quite interesting.

I must say their storefront decoration is very grand. Inside, the tables are square and neatly arranged, with enough space between tables, so it doesn't feel crowded. Sitting inside is very comfortable.

The serving speed is also fast. I have to mention that their skewers are cold-pot skewers. That means you choose your ingredients, the shop cooks them, and then brings them directly to you. No need to worry if they are cooked—just eat them as soon as they arrive. Very convenient!

The dry dipping powder is their specialty. It tastes great, with lots of crushed peanuts on top—feels very good. My friend loves it so much he wanted to ask the shop for the exact seasoning, but that's impossible; the shop won't reveal it. The dry dipping powder is good, but for someone like me who doesn't eat much spicy food, it's not quite suitable. For those who love spicy food, this is your dipping weapon!

Of course, they don't just have skewers; small bowl dishes are also their specialty. Many small bowl dishes taste quite good. Recommended must-order: Mao Huoguo Fen (spicy vermicelli). The vermicelli is really tasty and very flavorful. Each strand is coated with the broth. The taste is simply indescribable—absolutely great!

Mao Potato Balls (spicy mashed potato balls) are my favorite. Not overly spicy, and each potato ball paired with the condiments is incredibly delicious. The potatoes are neither hard nor mushy, just the right texture. After one bowl, I wanted another.

My first time eating rabbit kidneys was at Chengdu Gua Chuanchuan. Unexpectedly, the rabbit kidneys tasted great, even better than I imagined—tender, one at a time, really satisfying.

After finishing the skewers, enjoy some Ice Jelly to cleanse the palate. Life is so good!

**In Bie Yuan, Savoring Time**

This tavern, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and surrounded by various drinks and snacks, instantly became a favorite among Chengdu's drink lovers.

In life, you may encounter various unpleasant things, but on such a night, having a nocturnal revelry with friends is also a good choice. It might let you temporarily forget some unhappy things, allowing you to fully enjoy the cozy time. Taste it, savor it!

This small tavern is actually near 339, right on the bar street. As soon as I entered, I found the decoration quite attractive. The atmosphere of lights and wine made me feel like I was at a midnight cocktail party, with a mysterious vibe.

The entire place has two floors. The staircase design to the second floor is quite interesting, with flashing lights. It's also a popular photo spot for influencers here—indeed worth seeing. Inside, there are several rows of moving colorful lights, changing colors and moving up and down, making the whole tavern more atmospheric.

This place is like a museum of alcohol.

In addition to 75 types of alcohol + over 20 specialty cocktails, they recently introduced 'Hot Pot Wine.' This wine looks perfect. You've had hot pot, you've drunk alcohol, but have you tried such a beautiful Hot Pot Wine? Hmm, it looks a bit like a traditional Beijing copper pot. Inside, there is mild unfiltered sake and strong vodka. The pot comes with base ingredients: besides dried tangerine peel, cloves, dragon fruit, and small kumquats, it also includes rose petals—romantic to the fullest.

The alcohol content is not high, with a sweet and sour taste and a floral fruity aroma, suitable for both men and women. And the portion is large—two or three people can share one pot. Sitting at the bar, watching the bartender's smooth skills is an exquisite enjoyment in itself.

Perhaps in such moments, we can find the indulgent self!

**Give Yourself a Reason**

I finally understood one truth: A person's life should have at least two impulses—one for a love that ignores all consequences, and one for a trip that leaves on a whim...