How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley in Chengdu

Plan your Chengdu tour? When night falls, It is advisable to have a leisure walk in the old area of the three alleys, namely Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley in the downtown Chengdu. These three alleys combined are often called “Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi” in Chinese.

The meaning of Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi in Chinese literally means “Wide Alleys” (Kuan Alleys) and “Narrow Alleys”(Zhai Alleys). Here they particularly refers to the three famous lanes ( not just two, but three ) in Chengdu – Kuan Alley (wide lane) and Zhai Ally ( narrow Lane) and Jing Alley ( grid pattern lanes and courtyards).

All the three alleys have now gentrified as the ancient alleys going back to Qing Dynasty ( 1644 -1911 ) in Chengdu. Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is one of the three historical relic protection areas in Chengdu.

Panorama of three parallel alleys – Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley

In the early Qing Dynasty, the Qing government built a walled city here in Chengdu as the living place for the Eight Banners soldiers and their families. In the sixtieth year of Kangxi’s Reign in Qing Dynasty, the General Nian Gengyao in Chengdu proposed to the imperial court to send 1600 people and station in Chengdu permanently.

ABC of Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

During the fortieth year of Qianlong’s Reign ( 1776), in order to consolidate the southwest border, the court set up the Jiangjun Yamen in Chengdu, built for the general of the Shao city, where both the soldiers and their families lived.

The walled city was once composed of 42 lanes,and Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi and Jing Xiang Zi are three of the lanes. Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is the hutong culture extended from the Northen China to the Southern China.

Kuan Alley ( Kuan Xiang Zi )

Kuan Alley ( Kuan Xiang Zi ) is home to the most complete old buildings in the whole block, where you can enjoy a bowl of tea, eat authentic Sichuan cuisine and experience the local conditions and customs of old Chengdu.

A Kuanxiangzi Alley ( Kuan Alley ) signboard
So the Kuan Alley is really wide.
A traditional alley-front teahouse
Enjoy local snacks and flovors.
The restaurant offers both Sichuan and Canton food.

Zhai Alley (Zhai Xiang Zi)

Zhai Alley (Zhai Xiang Zi) is a leisure life taste area with western-style food culture, art and leisure as its focus, as well as buildings of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China.

The Zhai Alley with a signboard
So the Zhai Alley is a bit narrower as its name suggests.
A live music bar and restaurant
a starbuck coffee built to accommodate the local culture

Jing Alley (Jing Xiang Zi)

Jing Lane (Jing Xiang Zi) is a typical miniature of Chengdu folk customs. In addition to the fascinating brick cultural wall, there are also chengdu special snacks and folk customs.

Jing Alley (Jing Xiang Zi)

Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley Travel Tips

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: All day
How to get there: Take subway line 2 and get off at People’s Park station, walk 400 meters to get there; take subway line 4 and get off at Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi Station; Take Bus No 62, 70, 93, 126, 127, 163, 340 and get off at Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi stop.
Address: near the Jinhe Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan

Hassle-free Chengdu Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:

Chengdu tour
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver
Create My Chengdu Trip
Jiuzhaigou Tour
Sichuan Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Chengdu Airport
Railway stations in Chengdu
Chengdu Taxi
How to visit Wuhou Shrine
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum
How to Visit Tomb of Wangjian
How to Visit Wangjiang Tower Park
How to Visit Qingyang Taoist Temple
How to Visit Jinli Street
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley
How to visit Qintai Road, Qintai Street Chengdu
How to visit Shaoling Road Bar Street
How to Visit Jiuyanqiao Bar Street
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu

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Most Beautiful Sky Road in China
Night View of Moxi Old Town
Camp No.03 at Hailuogou Glacier
Camp No.04 at Hailuogou Glacier
Night View of Kangding
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang
Drive from Yajiang to Litang
Drive from Litang to Daocheng
Drive from Litang to Batang
Drive from Batang to Mangkang
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng
Drive from Daocheng to Yading
Yading Brings You Inner Peace

Bipenggou is a fairyland in Autumn
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland

Any questions, just drop a line.

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