Rongchuang Dianchi Houhai—From Chengdu Famous Snacks to Authentic Huaiyang Cuisine

Last night, Xiao Bao and I came from Lincang to Dianchi Houhai and strolled along the small river here. I have to say, Rongchuang Dianchi Houhai is truly a little paradise on earth, with very pleasant scenery. While wandering around, I saw a sign for the 'Rongchuang Cultural Tourism Club' mini-program by the roadside. I scanned the code and looked at the travel guides and the ticket prices for Snow World. It seemed like a good deal. Xiao Bao said she had never skied in her life, so I immediately booked two tickets, planning to take her the next day—after all, I had never skied indoors either.

When I woke up, it was already ten o'clock. After Xiao Bao finished washing up and putting on makeup, our stomachs were growling. I had already spotted a restaurant near Snow World called 'Xi Yuecheng Tan Douhua,' which I heard serves famous Chengdu snacks.

TIPS: Recommended: Lao Ma Chao Shou (old-style wontons in chili broth): pure meat filling, spicy broth, numbing and fragrant! Dan Dan Noodles: Stir immediately after serving, or they will clump. They are the top choice for those who don't eat spicy food. Rose Syrup Ice Jelly (Hongtang Bingfen): The taste of rose brown sugar is different from any I've had before. The owner said it's handmade brown sugar, sweet and good for cooling the spiciness. Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cake (Hongtang Ciba): Generously coated with soybean flour, with brown sugar at the bottom of the plate. The cake absorbs the brown sugar sauce perfectly, crispy on the outside and soft inside—best eaten hot.

Snow World: Tickets must be booked in advance. 180 RMB for a 2-hour unlimited play ticket. Don't underestimate these two hours; if you're not physically fit, you can't even last the full two hours. We picked up the tickets at 2 p.m., queued to enter, swiped our cards to start the timer, and swiped again to exit. Lockers cost extra. Snow suits, helmets, snowboards, ski poles, and snow boots are provided for free.

The rides and attractions inside are all free, such as the Ice and Snow Carnival, which features ice sculptures rarely seen by Southerners. They are all themed around Ali (the cartoon character), very cute, perfect for kids to take photos. I took many beautiful pictures of her. Unfortunately, neither of us knew how to ski, and she kept falling. So I asked a coach about prices: 269 RMB/hour for one person, 369 RMB/hour for two. The more people, the cheaper, but the price is a bit steep.

Tips: When going to Snow World, keep warm—the temperature inside is very low, and your phone might freeze and shut down. Weekends are very crowded; weekdays should be less busy.

Lakeside Bistro (Linhu Xiaoguan): We came out around 4 p.m. after skiing. Since we had eaten little in the morning and expended a lot of energy, I took Xiao Bao to this Huaiyang cuisine restaurant I had scouted earlier. I heard it's very authentic. A five-star hotel's Chinese restaurant with full facilities, open to tourists, and even if you don't stay there, dining there doesn't incur a service charge.

Recommended: Guo Yan Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish (state banquet dish) — perfect for our Southern taste, sweet and sour and very flavorful. XO Sauce Pan-Fried Morels — sounds upscale and tastes great. Fresh morels stuffed with meat, rich texture, premium ingredients worth trying.

Z Hotel — right across from the restaurant, a charming hotel with few rooms, so the service is exceptionally good and quiet. After check-in, a butler service is provided; they prepare breakfast and wake you up at a set time. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with light luxury decor, suitable for family stays.

Our luxurious two-day trip ended happily. I was very satisfied with the whole itinerary. The only regret is that the time was too short. Even though the schedule was packed, we still didn't get to explore all of Dianchi Houhai. Many fun and beautiful spots were left unvisited—saved for the next trip!