Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi in Chinese literally means “Wide and Narrow Alleys”. Here they particularly referred to the two famous lanes in Chengdu – Kuan Alley (wide lane) and Zhai Ally ( narrow Lane). Both Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley (Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi) are the gentrified ancient alleys from Qing Dynasty ( 1644 -1911 ) in Chengdu.
Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is one of the three historical relic protection areas in Chengdu. This area is actually mainly composed of three lanes – Kuan Lane, Zhai Lane and Jing Xiang Zi as well as the old grid pattern streets and courtyards formed by the three parallel alleys.
In the early Qing Dynasty, the Qing government built a walled city here in Chengdu as the living place for the Eigh 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.
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.
Panorama of three parallel alleys – Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley.
Panorama of three parallel alleys – Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley
Kuan Alley: Old Chengdu’ Leisure Life
Kuan Lane represents the most typical Chengdu city life, vernacular buildings, and modern people’s memory of the old Chengdu city.
Kuan Alley ( wide narrow )
Kuan Alley ( Wide Alley)
Kuanxiangzi Alley (Kuan Alley)
Kuanxiangzi Alley (Kuan Alley)
A Private Restaurant
A Private Restaurant
A local flavor restaurant
A local flavor restaurant
The restaurant offers both Sichuan and Canton food.
The restaurant offers both Sichuan and Canton food.
Enjoy the local snack at the open air restaurant
Enjoy the local snack at the open air restaurant
An elegant restaurant – Huajian
An elegant restaurant – Huajian
A lavishly decorated restaurant
A lavishly decorated restaurant
Plentiful pubs and bars lines on the sides
Plentiful pubs and bars lines on the sides
Flagstone paved street
Flagstone paved street
A Teahouse
A Teahouse
Zhai Alley: old Chengdu’ Slow Life
Zhai Lane showcases the slow and carefree life in Chengdu.
Zhai Alley ( narrow lane )
Zhai Alley ( narrow lane )
No.01 of Zhai Alley
No.01 of Zhai Alley
Traditionally decorated bar
Traditionally decorated bar
Wander on the Zhai Alley lined with pubs and bars
Wander on the Zhai Alley lined with pubs and bars
A musical bar
A musical bar
Starbucks Coffee
Starbucks Coffee
Neon lit Zhai Alley
Neon lit Zhai Alley
A beautiful night life
A beautiful night life
