A City of Culinary Charm Everywhere

Chengdu is not a place that dulls your willpower; on the contrary, it makes you feel vibrant. The only reason to succumb is your inability to resist the city's unrestrained imagination. Its beauty lies in its innocence, and the people here—men, women, old, and young—all possess a captivating, deadly sense of relaxation. They never doubt the meaning of life; they are doers—if they want to play mahjong, they play; if they crave little spicy peppers, they eat them. The people of Sichuan have a certain spirit—calm, fearless, living their cherished lives with neither arrogance nor humility. Rather than saying I like Chengdu, it's more accurate to say I love the liveliness of Chengdu.

Chengdu people love food, and Chengdu is a culinary capital! The best feelings in life are surely hidden in the journey. Others' journeys have sweetness, sourness, and the myriad flavors of life, but my journey has only one flavor: the aroma of food. So I came to Chengdu, this city overflowing with delicious food!

The ceiling of Yuangong is covered with red flowers like flames, giving it an especially novel feel, and my mood unconsciously lifted.

This restaurant is located on another street behind Chunxi Road near Qingshiqiao. The location is somewhat secluded. Compared to the glittering nightlife of Chunxi Road, this place seems somewhat detached from worldly affairs, and I love this out-of-the-way spot.

The restaurant's interior is quite spacious, with separate booths for each table, well-spaced, perfect for small gatherings. It doesn't feel cramped at all—I simply love the atmosphere!

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

The dishes here are authentic Zigong-style Sichuan cuisine, with great flavor. The environment actually feels very homey; the red flowers and umbrellas as decorations feel festive and warm. This atmosphere instantly brought a wave of warmth to my heart—perhaps this is the taste of home.

The service was quite good—warm, thoughtful, and always available when called. Although our seats were somewhat out of the way, the servers were always within reach, and there was never a situation where we couldn't get someone's attention. The attitude toward guests was genuinely friendly and kind, with dedicated staff guiding us from entrance to exit—I consider this a very positive point.

As for the dishes, the one that left the deepest impression on me is Yuangong's Signature Clam Rabbit. The green and red chilies set off the delicate and tender rabbit meat, and the clams looked enticing. With one bite, tender, slightly numbing, with a moderate spiciness—suddenly, my taste buds danced. When fine wine meets sweet dew, it surpasses countless worldly pleasures!

Longmen Hanging Meat—this dish had a dedicated young man who cut the meat and placed it on a plate. Crispy texture, the outer batter was perfectly fried, and it didn't feel greasy even after eating a lot. This is one of their signature dishes, quite unique.

The Old Duck Soup left a deep impression. It wasn't heavy on MSG; it was clear, sweet, and refreshing, perfect for cutting the heat. One sip made me feel relaxed from head to toe—so comfortable and delicious.

Another dish, Yuangong 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 fragrant, and when mixed with the chicken slices, it was simply heavenly. My friend and I couldn't stop praising this dish—truly delicious!

The Black Bean Fragrance Whole Fish was a large fish, covered with plenty of black beans and minced meat. Even without the fish, the seasoning alone could accompany several bowls of rice. The fish meat was exceptionally tender, with no fishy smell at all!

With fate, we meet at Yuangong. An authentic Sichuan restaurant that keeps surprising you!

As everyone knows, Chengdu is a culinary capital. Speaking of representative foods, skewers definitely have a place. Big bunches of bamboo sticks, hot red broth, numbing and spicy—it makes your mouth water uncontrollably. This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan main branch on Jinfangyuan East Road could be your choice.

The variety of skewers in the shop is quite rich, with dozens of types. There are many choices for both vegetables and meat—I was almost dazzled by the options.

The ingredients are pre-skewered and placed in refrigerated cabinets for customers to choose freely. Customers just pick their favorite items. Another feature here is that the kitchen staff boil the skewers and serve them directly in a large basin, saving you the trouble of cooking and waiting. For lazy people like me, this is incredibly convenient.

After a short wait, a steaming pot of skewers arrived. The soup looked shiny and spicy, but the spiciness was moderate. It was numbing and fragrant on the palate. The shop also provides dry dip and oil dip for customers. The dry dip is their specialty—very tasty and recommended.

Besides skewers, there are also several hot dishes worth trying, such as numbing-spicy pig brain, smooth and delicate; numbing-spicy duck blood, tender and silky; numbing-spicy duck intestines, crunchy and delicious; and numbing-spicy luncheon meat, instant noodles, etc., all quite memorable.

This Chengdu Gua Chuan Chuan may not be the best skewer place in Chengdu, but it is definitely the most unique.

In Chengdu, a city known for its leisurely lifestyle, there are many bars of all sizes. But a bar like this one, surrounded by greenery, lit by neon lights, and abundant with various liquors and snacks, is unique to Bieyuan Li in Chengdu.

The exclusive Cat Lady in the shop adds a mysterious touch to the night, making people look forward to the arrival of evening with anticipation.

I heard that to give customers a better experience, the owner hired the company that designed the lighting for the Bird's Nest to create the bar's lighting effects. I could only silently remark—what a grand production! The boss is truly generous!

When the lights in the bar come on, the whole place becomes a colorful neon world. Under the interplay of light and shadow, colorful lights resemble stars in the sky, shining brightly in the bar. Looking at this scene, I couldn't help but marvel—indeed, the owner's decision was excellent; customer feedback is the greatest affirmation.

Since it's a small bar, alcohol is a must. There is an enormous variety of drinks: foreign spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails, pure imported beer—basically everything you could want. There were many names I couldn't even recognize, making my eyes dizzy. Anyway, whatever you want to drink, you can probably find it here!

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

Although there are many alcoholic drinks, it seems that what I favor is not the strong, fiery kind. Long Island Iced Tea is as clear and mild as black tea, yet it has the intensity and rich aroma of alcohol. With lemon juice and cola added, it tastes sweet, similar to lemon black tea, making it popular among girls. A friend who is a connoisseur of alcohol told me that this drink is the "wolf in sheep's clothing" of the cocktail world—its alcohol content is relatively high, so those who can't hold their liquor should not indulge.

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

If you happen to order the bartender's special mix at Bieyuan Li Bar, congratulations—you'll witness a superbly pleasing cocktail show. The finished cocktail slowly "breathes" a mist from the rim of the glass, creating a particularly artistic atmosphere. Savor it carefully; the deeper the contact between your tongue and the cocktail, the more wonderful the taste becomes.

I highly recommend this Chinese-style cocktail—Ancient Qiang Wheat Straw Smashed Liquor. 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 gentle on the palate. Drinking a small bottle in winter makes the whole body feel warm.

Don't think this place is just for drinking; it's actually a hidden Sichuan restaurant. The taste and portion size can rival any outside Sichuan restaurant. Dan dan noodles, Zhong dumplings, and the childhood-tasting fermented rice with brown sugar can all be found here!

Their specialty grilled fish is always a popular dish. The fish is well marinated, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—guaranteed to win you over after just a few bites.

After seeing all this, if you're curious, go and experience it yourself!

From the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley to the Jiaoliao is only about two hundred meters, but it can take a full half hour to walk. Rows of snack shops, various gold and silver utensils—if your mind wavers, you'll get lost in the sights and sounds.

Eyes see the blue bricks and black tiles, ancient trees and long streets. Ears hear the clanging of bronze and silver craftsmen and the calls of shopkeepers. The nose catches the aroma of sugar-oil fruits and egg waffle cakes. It takes a lot of willpower to break free from all this.

Full of worldly hustle and bustle. Walking back and forth once is like doing a somersault in the sea of mortal desires—eyes, ears, nose, taste, mind—all thoroughly satisfied.

The Jiaoliao, right in the middle of Kuanzhai Alley, is an exception among this century-old alley. The tightly closed double doors and the ever-present brass lock seem to declare a philosophy of shutting oneself inside the courtyard.

Truly experiencing what it means to be "a city within a mountain forest"! Step out, and it's bustling; step in, and you keep your peace of mind. Amid prosperity and comfort, build a pure land, with luxury hidden inside and charm within.

Indeed, once the half-kilo brass lock falls, it blocks the gazes of passing tourists and isolates the three-hundred-year-old lively world of the alley outside.

Wind can pass through the courtyard, birds can perch on the eaves. The commotion outside cannot enter even a bit. It's a quiet spot in the midst of noise—this is Jiaoliao.

The entire wooden structure made of paulownia wood is a meeting of traditional aesthetics and modern techniques, natural yet sturdy. People long immersed in the faint woody aroma can benefit sleep, calm the mind, and relax the body.

The hotel's architectural style also combines movement and stillness. "Movement" is reflected in the details of the interior decoration. Birds come into view from the entrance corridor, and the bird-shaped decorations in the guest rooms echo the hotel's name—Jiaoliao.

"Stillness" lies in the antique brick-and-tile quadrangle courtyard. Every plant and tree is exquisitely arranged; every bamboo and mat has elegance. Each guest room has its own poetic name, as if full of life and vividness!

The rooms are mostly decorated with natural wood, fresh and clean. The facilities are complete, with various drinks, snacks, fruits, tea, etc. The overall feeling is very warm and comfortable. There is also a small open-air balcony. Waking up in the morning, you can see Kuanzhai Alley outside—entering the world while being detached—this is the life I want. And if you want to relax your tired body, professional spa services are available.

Breakfast is also especially warm. Upon check-in, the butler asks about your meal time and taste preferences, very thoughtful. You can choose between Chinese or Western breakfast, which also comes with fruits, dried fruits, and various pastries, and it's delivered to the room by the butler! Full of love.

Living here is truly leisurely and comfortable, enjoying this beautiful scenery all to yourself, experiencing the joy of carefree living!!

Taiziling Ski Resort is located in Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area, Maoxian County, about 180 kilometers from Chengdu. It takes about three and a half hours by car from Chengdu to the ski resort. The highest altitude of the ski resort is 2,971 meters, the lowest is 2,733 meters, with a drop of 238 meters. Most people don't experience altitude sickness, so you can enjoy with peace of mind. The total length of the ski trails is 2.5 kilometers, making it the longest ski resort in southern China.

Taiziling Ski Resort has relatively professional ski slopes: 3 advanced runs, 3 intermediate runs, and 3 beginner runs. Whether you're skiing for the first time or a professional with all the skills, you can find fun here.

Jiuding Mountain Scenic Area boasts beautiful natural scenery, with clear waters and lush mountains, rich in vegetation. It is a multi-functional scenic area integrating outdoor camping, sightseeing, sports, and leisure. The concentration of negative oxygen ions is extremely high, and PM2.5 is consistently below 10. During the snow season, 70% of the days are sunny, earning it the title of City of Sunshine and Land of Snowscapes.

The ski trails inside are naturally winding and undulating, called "dream slopes" by ski enthusiasts. There are multiple slopes to choose from—many options, full of surprises—providing a wonderful stage for beginners and experts alike to have fun and show off their skills.

Skiing is really a physically demanding activity. Combined with the strong ultraviolet rays, you'll soon be sweating profusely and feeling exhausted. Remember to rehydrate and rest appropriately. While resting, look at the blue sky, take photos, and admire others' cool poses—it's also enjoyable. The weather was good, sunlight reflecting off the snow was very glaring, so it's best to bring sunglasses as part of your gear.

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

Sitting on the cable car, with the snowy earth beneath your feet and the blazing sun overhead, and skiers whizzing past below, I was especially afraid of dropping my gear or phone—it was quite thrilling.

After about ten minutes on the cable car, you reach the starting point of the advanced slope. As soon as you get off, your legs go weak; the first slope is at least 40 degrees.

Indeed, "it's cold at the top." There were even fewer people on the advanced slope, and very few using skis—most were excellent snowboarders with their own boards. In just a few moves, they slid down and disappeared in an instant.

If you get hungry, you can buy some food. There's a dining area in the ski field, but you can also bring your own food—rice and self-heating hotpot 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 spicy thrill of hotpot while viewing the snow—that's true enjoyment.

From the moment you set foot in Jiuding Mountain, you'll experience a natural realm far from noise, full of poetry, harmony between man and nature, and ancient tranquility. And at Taiziling Ski Resort, you can enjoy a harmonious, intimate holiday with family and friends—why not do it!

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

As the name suggests, Du Fu Thatched Cottage is Du Fu's former residence. Although the thatched cottage scenic area is large and luxurious, Du Fu's actual home is only a very small part—a few shabby little thatched huts. The large-scale constructions were 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 attractions. Going further in, you see a quaint little alley: the walls on both sides are vermilion, the tiles above are embedded with round bricks carved with animal faces, and the mottled moss on the tiles indicates the alley has been around for a while. The bluestone slabs underfoot have turned black and cracked.

Through the alley, you see a winding stream with green bamboo groves on both banks, accompanied by towering ancient trees—a picturesque scene full of poetry.

Before we knew it, we arrived at a place resembling a thatched hut. Yes, this is Du Fu's former residence! There are paths on both sides, with bamboo fences enclosing the small garden.

The roof hasn't incorporated modern building materials, but it's no longer the one Du Fu lived in back then. Here I just wanted to stand in front of the house and feel the immortal verses: "Could I get a mansion covering ten thousand rooms, I would shelter all the world's poor scholars and bring them joyful looks!" Seeing the loose soil on the walls, revealing large sections of bamboo strip frames. The wood on the threshold felt like it could break with one step.

Walking in the thatched cottage, I was greeted by the breath of history and a strong sense of poetry, making me want to linger and never leave...

What I miss is the scenery of Chengdu; what I miss is the food of Chengdu; what I miss is also the liveliness of Chengdu...