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:
Plan your Chengdu tour? As the provincial capital and largest city of Sichuan, Chengdu is located on the edge of the fertile plains of the Red Basin in China’s Sichuan Province.
Its long and splendid history has left Chengdu countless historical and cultural sites and some of them are definitely worth visiting.
The location of Chengdu (Google Map)
Also, your trip to Chengdu is not fully complete without a pleasant side trip to the Panda Research Base. And plenty of interesting attractions await your exploration.
We’ve rounded up a list of the top 10 attractions in Chengdu, which can be helpful for your planning your short trip to Chengdu.
No. 01 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is located on the mountain of Futoushan in the northern suburbs of Chengdu. It has been created and imitated the pandas’ natural habitat in order that they might have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding.
No. 01 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Research Base shows many practical specimens of the Giant Panda, including fossils, dissected anatomical remains, diet specimens, etc. Additionally there is a Giant Panda Museum together with research laboratories and a training center.
Entrance Fee: CNY 55 Opening Hours: Opening time: 07:30 – 18: 00 throughout the year Ticket sales and checking time: 07:30 – 17:00 all the year round How to get there: First take a bus to Chengdu Zoo Bus Station, then transfer to Bus 198 / 198A, and get off at Panda Base Bus Station. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Address: 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu Sichuan, China
No. 02: Dujiangyan Irrigation Project
Dujiangyan is an ancient irrigation infra-structure built in 256 BC during the Warring States Period of China by the Kingdom of Qin. It is located in the Min River in Sichuan.
Dujiangyan Irrigation Project is still in use today to irrigate over 5,300 square kilometers of land in the region. The project consists of three important parts, namely Yuzui, Feishayan and Baopingkou scientifically designed to automatically control the water flow of the rivers from the mountains to the plains throughout the year.
Entrance Fee: 80 yuan Opening Time: 08:00-17:30 (December – February next year) 08:00-18:00 (March – November ) How to get there: Take subway line 2 to Xipu, and then take intercity train to Dujiangyan from Xipu. The train costs 10 yuan and takes only 20 minutes to get there. Add: Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
No. 03: Qingcheng Mountain
Qingcheng Mountain means “Green City Mt.” because the whole mountain is covered by green trees, like a city. Qingcheng Mountain is famous for its beauty and quietness. Qingcheng Mountain is 15 kilometers away from Dujiangyan and 68 km east of downtown Chengdu.
This Mountain is also one of the birthplaces of the Taoist religion. With over 20 temples and religious sites for Taoism With over 20 temples and religious sites for Taoism, it exudes a strong flavor of Taoist culture and the buildings demonstrate the Sichuan style of architecture.
The entrance to Shangqing Palace in Qingcheng Mountain
Entrance Fee: CNY80 (the front mountain); CNY 20 (the latter mountain) Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 (weekdays); 08:00-18:00 (weekends) How to get there: From Dujiangyan station ( after visiting Dujiangyan Irrigation System), you can also take the intercity train to Qingcheng Mountain. The ticket price is 5 yuan and the train ride takes 8 minutes. After arriving at Qingcheng Mountain station, there is a bus can direct to the entrance of the scenic area. Qingcheng Mountain Dujiangyan Combo ticket 180 yuan/person. Add: Dujiangyan City, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
No. 04: Jinsha Site Museum
Jinsha Site Museum is one of the highlights of your Chengdu Tour. The Jinsha Relics Museum is just about 5 km west of the downtown Chengdu. It is located at No.02, Jinsha Site Road, Chengdu. It is easily accessible by taxi and buses.
Jinsha site is a relic site in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 B.C) and Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 B.C.), which has unearthed the most dense cluster of ivory and the most abundant gold and jade ware in the world in the same period.
Among them, the most famous is the gold foil “Sun Bird” on show on the fourth hall, which has been identified as the symbol of Chinese cultural heritage and the main pattern of Chengdu city image logo.
How to get there: Take Bus no. 5, 79, 82, 83, 84, 100 and get off at Qingyang Avenue North station or Jinsha site east gate station, and then walk about 200 meters to get there; or take Bu no. 7 and get off at the “Jinsha Site intersection” Bus Stop. Address: 2 Jinsha Yizhi Rd, Jin Sha Shang Quan, Qingyang District, Chengdu
Entrance Fee: 7o yuan Opening time: 09:00-18:00; Ticketing closed at 17:00 Closed on Monday
No. 05: Wenshu Temple
With a history of more than 1,000 years, Wenshu Temple, or Wenshu Temple is the largest and the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. It has been a popular destination for visitors and pilgrims alike for centuries.
There is a tallest iron pagoda in China near the entrance to the Wenshu Temple, the Peace Pagoda of a Thousand Buddhas. There is a long corridor on the west side of the Wenshu Academy, where many inscriptions are stored. A strong sense of history.
Many inscriptions are stored with a strong sense of history. ( Credit: By the Seaside)
The most outstanding objects in the Wenshu Temple are these over 300 statures of the Buddha, which are made by iron, wood, stone, and clay. The most distinguished one is a jade Buddha brought back from Burma by a Buddhist monk on foot in 1922.
Entrance Fee: free of Charge Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 How to get there: Take Bus No. 42, 75, 126, 127 and get off Da ‘an West Road West Station ; or take bus No. 16, 55, 98 and to get off at Wenshu Yuan Station, walking about 320 meters; Subway: Take Subway Line 1 to Wen Shu Yuan Station (Wenshu Temple)
Address: 66 Wenshuyuan St, Cao Shi Jie, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
No. 06: Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu, a well-known poet of Tang Dynasty, has a strong influence in the field of Chinese poem. Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of him.
The cottage consists of six important parts: the Front Gate, the Lobby, the Hall of poem History, the Water Pavilion, the Gongbu Shrine and the Thatched Cottage. There are exhibits that provide details of Du Fu’s life and work. In addition, statues, stone carvings, paintings, and calligraphies by famous writers of different dynasties are also on display.
Entrance Fee: CNY 50 Opening Hours: 08:00-17:30 ( tickets sale closed at 15:00) How to get there: Take subway Line 4, get off at Caotang North Road and walk there. Take bus no. 1024 and get off at Du Fu Cottage Museum Stop Address: 37 Qinghua Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan
No. 07: Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley
Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley literally refer to “Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi” in Chinese meaning “Wide Alleys and Narrow Alleys”. Here they particularly refer to the two famous lanes in Chengdu – Kuan Alley (wide lane) and Zhai Ally ( narrow Lane). Both Kuan Alley ( wide lane ) and Zhai Alley (narrow lane) 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 (Wide Alleys), Zhai Lane ( Narrow Alleys) and Jing Alley ( the old grid pattern streets and courtyards formed by the three parallel alleys).
Kuan Lane ( 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.
Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi
Zhai Lane (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.
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.
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
No. 08: Wuhou Shrine
Wuhou Shrine Chengdu was first built in memory of Zhuge Liang (181 – 234), the prime minister of Shu ( 221 – 263 ) of the Three Kingdoms ( 220 – 280). Zhuge Liang was a famous statesman, military strategist. He was also given the title of Marquis Wuxiang in his lifetime. “Wuhou” literally means “Wuxiang Marquis”.
Now Wuhou Shrine is more than a shine. Instead, it has become a museum, the largest museum in China displaying the relics and introducing the history about the Three Kingdom.
Wuhou Shrine has incorporated the Liu Bei’s Tomb and Liu Bei Temple into one huge museum. In addition, Wuhou Shrine also includes the Sanyi Temple and 50 statues of the heroes in Shu Kingdom.
Entrance Fee: RM50 Opening Hours: 08:00-17:30 How to get there: Take Bus No. 1, 57, 82, 334, 335 and get off at Wuhouci Station or take Bus No. 8, 21 and get off at Wuhouci East Street Station Address: 231 Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu City, Sichuan
No. 09: Jinli Old Street
Jinli Old Street is located to the east of the Wuhou Memorial Temple of Chengdu. As recode, the street was built originally as early as Shu Kingdom and is called “The First Street of the Shu Kingdom”.
Listed in “the ten commercial pedestrian streets of the Nation” in 2005, Jinli Old Street combines the ambience of ancient and modern China. Strolling down the narrow street, you will find yourself surrounded by a charming old world. The wooden steles and the brick-walls exhibit an ancient charm.
There are also a variety of Sichuan characteristic snacks in the street, a variety of teahouses, cafes, bars, and inns.
At dusk, Jinli Street will be lit up, quite charming, suitable for taking photos and playing.
Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: the whole day How to get there: Take No. 1, 57, 82, 334 and 335 and get off at Wuhouci Station, or take Bus no.8 and no.21 and get off at Wuhouci East Street Station. Address: 231-1 Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu
No.10: Chengdu People’s Park
Chengdu People’s Park is a city center park with a comprehensive garden integrating cultural relics and entertainment. The park is composed of natural landscapes such as Jinshui Creek and bonsai Garden, with various vegetation planted along the banks.
Driking tea and leisure acitivities in Chengdu People’s Park
People’s Park is the most popular park in Chengdu. Local people hang out in the park for driking tea and leisure acitivities. People’s Park provides tourists an opportunity to have a glimpse of the leisure city of Chengdu. It is a great public outlet for joggers, tai qi enthusiasts, gamers, musicians, tea drinkers and grandparents with their grandchildren in tow.
Entrance Fee: Free Note: 12 RMB during the flower show; RMB 8 during major events How to get there: Take subway Line 2 and get off at People’s Park Station or take bus No. 4, 5, 13, 14, 29, 30, 43, 47, 53, 57, 64, 78, 81, 93, 94, 98, 340, etc. Address: 8 Xiaonan Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu
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:
Often regarded as where Tibet really begins, Kangding (康定) is the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, China.
Location of Kangding
Kangding ( also known in Tibet as Dartsendo or Dardo ) is set in a deep valley at the confluence of the raging Zheduo River ( 折多河 ) and Yala River (雅拉河).
It is located about 133 km to the northwest of Moxi Town, 49km west of Luding County and 360 km west of Chengdu. Kangding was once the hub for horse and tea trading along the Tea and Horse Route between Sichuan and Lhasa.
ABC of Kangding
For centuries, Kangding has been the exchange center of Han and Tibetan cultures. It is also a gateway to Tibet in the west from Chengdu.
Kangding is upgraded from a county level to a prefecture city, which encompasses 6 towns and 15 townships and over 200 villages. Lucheng Town (炉城镇) is the city proper ( the downtown area ) of Kangding. Lucheng Town is the seat of both Kangding City and Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture .
For many Chinese, Kangding’ popularity comes from the themed love song “Kangding Love Song”. Travelers would be attracted by its alluring vicinity covering snow mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, sweeping grasslands and monasteries. Of course, the biggest draw is its unique Khampa cultures such as Guozhuang (康巴锅庄文化).
Moxi Town – Luding – Kangding Road Trip
Well, back to our self-drive trip, on October 08, we leave Moxi Townat 3:30 pm for Kangding where we are going to stay overnight. At 5:00pm, we pass by the downtown of Luding County. We stop for about 10 minutes for a glimpse of the legendary Luding Iron-Chain Bridge (泸定桥) that spans the Dadu River in Luding County.
Moxi Town – Luding – Kangding Road Trip
The bridge dates back to Qing Dynasty, originally built 1705 and completed in 1706. In 1935, the soldiers of the Fourth Regiment of Red Army seized the bridge as a river crossing vital to the Red Army’s retreat during the Long March. The bridge is 103.67 meters long, and 3 meters wide. 13 heavy iron chains are stretched across the river and lashed with thick boards.
The legendary Luding Iron-Chain Bridge
Downtown Kangding
Further driving from Luding along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway known as G318, we get to the downtown of Kangding at about 7:00pm. The bright lit streets and modern buildings really gives us a shock!
The bright lit streets and modern buildings in Kangding
Is this Kangding? It looks so developed and prosperous! A world difference from the Kangding in our minds! Below is the picture I snap of the street using my iphone sitting in our vehicle while looking for a hotel for tonight.
The torrential Zheduo River River ( 折多河 ) runs through the downtown of Kangding from the southwest to the northeast and enters Dadu River eventually.
The torrential Zheduo River River runs through the downtown of Kangding
It is not a tourist high season. We soon find a very nice hotel on the busy street in Kangding with quite reasonable roomrates. After dinner, I urge Mr.Chen to take our cameras and shoot the night views of Kangding City. It is drizzling outside and this doesn’t deter us from going onto the streets for enjoying the beautiful night of Kangding.
Zheduo River is sandwiched by high and modern buildings – banks, office buildings, department stores…
Zheduo River is sandwiched by high and modern buildings
A collection of modern concrete buildings in Tibetan style by the raging river.
A collection of modern concrete buildings in Tibetan style by the raging river.
A huge commercial building (like SOHO) packed with numerous offices, stores, restaurants and more.
A huge commercial building (like SOHO)
Tonight’s rain prettifies the city with the reflection and refraction of the street lights.
Tonight’s rain prettifies the city
The wide street roads flank the raging Zheduo River with the charming reflection and refraction of the street lights. A bridge spans over the Zheduo River cutting through the street.
A bridge spans over the Zheduo River cutting through the street.
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:
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