Street Alleys, Everyday Life, Rare Tranquility, Ideal Life | CHENGDU~~
Chengdu has always been a city that stirs the heart.
Whether you've been to Chengdu or not; whether you grew up in Chengdu or just passed through; it's hard to deny that this land has its own unique character.
Before starting this travelogue, I suddenly realized I'd been feeling out of touch with Chengdu.
Maybe it's because of the pandemic, which has reduced the days I used to wander the streets and alleys here; or maybe it's because I haven't truly immersed myself in Chengdu for a long time.
Red walls and green tiles—Chengdu's unique charm.
Walking down the streets of Chengdu, it feels as though every face is familiar, and every smile carries goodwill.
Chengdu has countless museums, but many people have probably never heard of this one—where you can explore the history of Sichuan cuisine, sample various snacks, try your hand at cooking, and relax. You could easily spend a whole day here in peace.
Nowadays, bookstores in Chengdu are multiplying. They keep innovating and breaking new ground in design, scale, and themes. I've visited over a dozen distinctive bookstores large and small. If you love browsing bookstores, Chengdu's shops will keep you occupied for days.
A newly discovered neighborhood near Chengdu's East Gate, with a Republic-era architectural style, quieter and less crowded than Kuanzhai Alley.
The bold and expressive street culture: Chengdu's young people have found a skateboarding paradise in the bustling Taikoo Li area.
The long-missed Chengdu cuisine: After the pandemic, the city's dining scene has blossomed like bamboo shoots after rain. There's never a shortage of reasons to visit Chengdu!
Check in at the cave bookstore—the spiral staircase is super photogenic.
A bookstore that became an online sensation shortly after opening, located in Mengzhuiwan, not far from Taikoo Li.
From the outside, it looks very unassuming, but once inside, it's a whole different world.
Just inside, near the left, is the store's most iconic feature: the spiral staircase.
The helical staircase winds upward, and it looks great whether you shoot from above looking down or from below looking up. The industrial cave-inspired design is very photogenic. The bookstore has three floors: the second has a bar for drinks, and the third is for handicrafts (including painting and handcrafts) and a small souvenir section.
Old-fashioned wooden tables and chairs, a faint scent of books wafting through the air. Sitting by a window on the upper floor with a book, an afternoon can slip away quietly.
🌟 Store: Geometry Bookstore 📍 Address: Wangping Binhe Road, Mengzhuiwan (next to Taikoo Li) 🚌 Transport: East Gate Bridge Metro Station, Line 2 🕒 Hours: 10:00–22:00 ❗ Notes: There are many people coming to take photos; try visiting on weekdays or when the store opens/closes.
A museum you can eat at—I guarantee you've never been to one like it.
I've visited many museums big and small in Chengdu, but before deciding to go to this one, I'd barely heard of it. When I first learned there's a Sichuan Cuisine Museum in Chengdu, I was as curious as a child—can you really build a museum around food? Is there lots to eat inside?
The name sounded a bit magical. Even though I've lived in Chengdu for so long, I'd never been. Two months ago, I finally got a chance to visit this mysterious museum with a friend.
"The name of the panda and the taste of Sichuan cuisine are two treasures of Sichuan."
——Soman Somoki (Executive Director of UNWTO) If you want to experience an authentic Chengdu away from the crowds, the Sichuan Cuisine Museum is a great choice.
The museum is divided into several sections: the Collection Hall, Interactive Demonstration Hall, Tea Lounge, Kitchen God Shrine, display area for traditional Sichuan cuisine ingredient processing tools, display area for raw ingredients, and the soul of Sichuan cuisine—the traditional Pixian Douban (fermented bean paste) craft area.
We first went to the Collection Hall, where a guide gave us a free, very detailed tour.
The Collection Hall covers a full 12,000 square meters, showcasing over 3,000 cooking utensils related to Sichuan cuisine, dating from the Warring States period to modern times. These items are classified by function: cooking vessels, serving dishes, wine vessels, eating utensils, and tea sets. The collection also includes texts, books, and drawings related to Sichuan cuisine.
This is a kiln-made pickling jar from the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. The guide said it's the museum's crown jewel.
In addition, the hall displays a "Sichuan Cuisine Lineage Map," which outlines the historical evolution and stylistic schools of Sichuan cuisine, reconstructing the entire developmental trajectory and cultural heritage of the Sichuan culinary tradition.
Next, we visited the raw ingredients display area. Since the museum is in Pixian County, we couldn't miss Pixian Douban.
We went to the douban sun-drying yard. The guide explained that the longer douban is sun-dried, the better, but it shouldn't exceed four years, and its color deepens over time.
Nearby, there's a small Pixian Douban shop—bring one home for a treat!
Right next to the sun-drying yard, there are many snacks you can eat for free with your admission ticket!
This includes over 20 kinds of snacks, such as Chengdu dan dan noodles, cold noodles, cold jelly, roasted sweet potatoes, and more. You'll definitely eat your fill, and the taste is excellent—even better than the food at some outside restaurants, I think! You can add condiments from the table as you like. Even though the sun was out, it was quite cool sitting here. Chatting with my friend, I said we could bring our families here for a whole day in the future—with mahjong, tea, various snacks, a quiet environment, and cultural exhibits to explore.
This is a little teahouse where you can play cards, drink tea, and chat. It's amazing that a museum would have something like this, isn't it?
The Kitchen God Shrine honors the Kitchen God, a part of Sichuan folk culture. Folk beliefs hold that the Kitchen God reports good deeds to heaven and ensures safety on earth.
There was a live demonstration of Sichuan cuisine knife skills. We watched a chef blindfolded use a heavy cleaver to slice a dough lump into threads thin enough to pass through a needle—amazing!
✨ Highlights: "A museum you can eat at, a tourist card for Chengdu"
① View thousands of artifacts related to Sichuan cuisine—its origins, development, and evolution.
② Stir the Pixian Douban and experience the traditional processes of "turning," "sun-drying," and "airing" from the Qing Dynasty.
③ Free mahjong and tea service.
④ Enjoy over 20 kinds of handmade Chengdu snacks for free.
⑤ From Han Dynasty brick and stone carvings to Qing Dynasty silk embroidery and Shu embroidery, from rosewood-inlaid huanghuali screens to hand-carved wooden doors—Sichuan-style architecture and gardens awaken your deep love for landscapes.
❗ Note: Classic Sichuan snacks are all you can eat! Dan dan noodles, purple potato cake, ice jelly, cold noodles, stone-ground tofu pudding, roasted potatoes, mung bean porridge, boiled peanuts, etc.—all included in the ticket price!
📍 Address: Ronghua North Lane, Gucheng Town, Pidu District, Chengdu 💰 Ticket: 60 yuan 🕒 Hours: 9:00–18:00
"Minor hermits hide in the wilds; major hermits hide in the city." A city's way home.
Minor hermits hide in the wilds; major hermits hide in the city. Separated by just one street from the bustling Taikoo Li is the quiet Chongde Lane in an old courtyard. An inconspicuous alley, with the words "A City's Way Home" on the wall, piqued my curiosity and I went in to explore.
Chongde Lane was designed by Chengdu artist Wang Hai. After spending over 20 years in Hong Kong, Wang Hai returned to Chengdu and transformed the old houses into what is now Chongde Lane.
The former Sichuan-style residential structures have been converted into a space for enjoying slow living. This century-old house sits quietly in a corner of the city, exuding its unique charm.
It's amazing to find such a peaceful place in the noisy urban area. Brew a cup of tea, pick up a book—rare tranquility indeed.
Why is it called "A City's Way Home"? Perhaps because for a hundred years, local residents would pass through this narrow lane on their way home, or perhaps because this small space survives in a rapidly developing city, and people might still remember it as a passage to where they came from. It inherits Chengdu's traditions, gives them new life, and over the long river of time, it only grows more vibrant.
📍 Address: About 50 meters northwest of the intersection of Hongshizhuheng Street and Yixue Lane, Jinjiang District, Chengdu 💰 Ticket: Free
Youth and Chengdu—cool, trendy street culture.
I've passed by here many times, but I always stop and watch for a little while. I don't know why, but it relaxes me.
Many people only know Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li as shopping destinations, unaware that nearby there is another beautiful sight—Chengdu's skateboarding youth.
Skateboarding is an important part of Chengdu's street culture. More and more young people are joining the skateboarding crowd, adding color and vitality to Chengdu's streets.
Bold graffiti and energetic youth make up the coolest scene in the city.
Next to Taikoo Li, the Daci Temple Skateboarding Youth Community has a dedicated area for skateboarders. The amazing thing is that such a space exists right in the city center's bustling area—a miracle, you could say.
A vibrant city is made up of vibrant people. Watching their passion and perseverance can melt a tired heart and give you the strength to keep going.
📍 Address: 700 meters on foot from Exit D2 of Dongmen Bridge Metro Station, Line 2 💰 Ticket: Free 🕒 Hours: All day
Old and new blending in the city—its past and present.
As cities develop, more and more old buildings are being demolished. But to preserve the traces of old Chengdu, many former factories have been renovated and kept. Examples include U37 Creative Warehouse, originally a warehouse for Chengdu Pharmaceutical Group; Eastern Suburb Memory, originally the State-owned Hongguang Electron Tube Factory; and 1906 Creative Factory, originally the PLA 7322 Factory. You're probably familiar with those, so this time I'll introduce a particularly niche creative factory called "Wuli Creative Factory."
Wuli Creative Factory is the first creative factory in Chengdu's west side. Dilapidated factory buildings, weathered by time, have been reborn through renovation, becoming a trendy new landmark.
Located at No. 40 Huapaifang Street, Wuli Creative Factory was formerly the State-owned Chengdu Sanjiang Shoe Factory, an old factory with a 70-80 year history, famous for its handmade "Sanjiang" cloth shoes. In 2010, after selling its last pair of cloth shoes, Sanjiang closed down. The factory moved here in the early 1970s and never relocated. Old scissors, hammers, stone workbenches—everywhere you see the marks of time. In 2010, the craftsmen left, and the last shoe factory in downtown Chengdu shut its doors.
Six years later, the abandoned factory got a new coat of paint and appeared before everyone with a youthful look. Gray-black brick buildings accented with orange pipes give it an urban industrial feel mixed with artistry.
Secluded alleys, half-open iron gates—although the factory has been transformed into a creative park, you can still find some memories of the old factory here.
You can also see all kinds of interesting and fun posters—messy but intriguing.
These former factory buildings in Chengdu have become popular spots for taking photos and checking in. After their transformation, these old factories not only preserve the historical memory of a hard-working era but also bring a vitality that blends the old and new to the city. 📍 Address: No. 40 Huapaifang Street, Jinniu District 💰 Ticket: Free
Looking back, for accommodation, young people and travel lovers tend to choose homestays. Theme homestays offer a wide variety of rooms and make you feel at home with facilities to do laundry and cook... But this place is in a bustling area. Even if there were homestays, they wouldn't offer the same peace and quiet. So business hotels are the first choice for business trips, and they show more human warmth in the details, which is heartwarming!
I'll choose Jinjiang Inn at the Consulate District & Sichuan University Hotel. Why this one? High-quality service. Jinjiang Inn is a national chain, so I feel safe and assured. Another plus is that parking is free—a big advantage in this street where few hotels have parking spaces. Travelers driving their own cars should consider it.
Authentic LESHAN Bò Bò Jī (Chicken in Chili Sauce) – I always bring out-of-town friends to eat it.
What to eat when bringing friends to Taikoo Li? This is a common question. Why not try Grandma Ye's Bò Bò Jī Taikoo Li branch? It's cheap, delicious, and authentic, with great value. I always take friends here!
In the expensive Taikoo Li area, affordable shops like this are rare. It's very reasonably priced! It's right next to the Bo She Hotel. Although in Taikoo Li, it's much quieter here, away from the busy main street.
Walking in, it feels completely different from traditional bò bò jī shops—a fresh, clean atmosphere. The tables and chairs are all in natural wood color, giving a very clean and comfortable first impression.
I love the decoration here. In summer, eating bò bò jī and chatting with friends over drinks is so relaxing.
Grandma Ye's dishes are always fresh, never left overnight, and they always use disposable skewers and pot base—that's why I come here often.
After choosing your skewers, you place your table number and flavor card, and the food comes quickly and accurately. Grandma Ye's service and efficiency are excellent.
There are two flavors of bò bò jī: red oil and Sichuan pepper. Red oil is spicy, Sichuan pepper is numbing and fresh. Every time I go, I order both to be fully satisfied.
The red oil is mixed with sesame seeds. The spicy aroma fills the air before you even start eating, and it's already appetizing. The cooked chili and the rich sesame will satisfy your taste buds.
The Sichuan pepper flavor is also good. The green peppercorns give a refreshing sensation, with both spicy and numbing tastes. Having both makes the meal even better.
The signature chicken soup rice is a must-order. It's light and helps relieve the spiciness. The chicken soup is fresh with plenty of chicken; it's warm and delicious.
Grandma Ye's is always good and cheap. I love it!
🌟 Store: Grandma Ye's Bò Bò Jī (Taikoo Li) 📍 Address: No. 48 Youlou Street, Annex 1 (opposite Bo She Hotel, Taikoo Li) 💰 Cost: 50 yuan per person 🕒 Hours: 10:30–21:30
30 small things to keep in mind when traveling to Chengdu
If you have enough time, consider taking a trip around Chengdu. Many beautiful places are in the outskirts, such as Yele Lake, Dagu Glacier, Dawa Gengzha, Bipenggou, Jiaoding Mountain, etc.
When you go to Taikoo Li, be sure to check out Fangsuo Bookstore on the basement level; there's also a Cat's Cradle bookstore there.
Take a leisurely walk through the streets of Chengdu—you might unexpectedly discover a gorgeous flower shop or a vintage store.
If you like bars and nightlife, head to the Jiuyanqiao Bar Street; the Anshun Bridge nearby is beautiful at night.
If you're coming to Chengdu to eat a lot, bring some digestive medicine.
Girls who want to take photos at Taikoo Li shouldn't miss Line Friends—it's super photogenic.
Three recommended ancient towns: Anren Ancient Town, Luodai Ancient Town, Huanglongxi Ancient Town.
Chengdu people don't care about the venue as long as the food is good; they'll eat on the street. Of course, they sometimes line up for two or three hours or even longer for good food!
In autumn, Chengdu's ginkgo trees are incredibly beautiful—it's unreal!
Abandoned factories, red brick buildings, disused railways and trains—don't miss the Eastern Suburb Memory if you're a culture enthusiast.
In summer, go to Mount Qingcheng, find a homestay to escape the heat and just relax.
Wenshu Monastery exudes a devout and peaceful atmosphere—worth a visit.
Couple's Lung Slices (Fuqi Feipian) is a famous Sichuan dish and a well-known snack in Chengdu, but it doesn't actually contain lungs.
Shared bikes are everywhere in Chengdu. If you want to see the city at night, take a bike ride.
For accommodation, I recommend near Chunxi Road or Kuanzhai Alley (or any place close to a metro station). Only then will you realize how convenient it is.
Wutong Street near Kuanzhai Alley is lined with plane trees.
Mandarin Duck Building has a strong atmosphere of old Chengdu everyday life—worth checking in for a photo.
Chengdu also has many exhibitions; if you're interested, find out in advance.
At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, go early in the morning—pandas are more active in the morning and not sleeping.
There are many historical sites in and around Chengdu. When visiting, follow the rules—no graffiti.
Jinli Ancient Street is just okay during the day, but its night view is worth seeing.
At IFS International Financial Center, don't forget to take a photo downstairs with the famous climbing panda.
At Kuanzhai Alley: just look, don't buy, don't eat!
Unique Chengdu experiences: getting your ears cleaned, eating Sichuan cuisine, watching Sichuan opera, hugging a panda, enjoying hotpot.
Visit People's Park to truly experience Chengdu's slow-paced life.
If you book tickets in advance on the Chengdu Museum website, you won't have to wait in a long line.
Flights to Chengdu can be a bit expensive. Consider taking a train from neighboring Chongqing instead.
The high-speed rail usually arrives at Chengdu East Station.
Jianshe Road is full of food, including many internet-famous restaurants featured on "Day Day Up."
And Chengdu has so many beautiful women!
Finally, the most important thing: try to pretend you're a local Chengdu person and live a few days of slow life.
