No trip to Chengdu is complete without a visit to Kuanzhai Alley

Kuanzhai Alley is a landmark of Chengdu. It consists of three old streets, Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, and Jing Alley, and the courtyards within them. There are more than 70 traditional courtyards in the area. The shops and houses along the streets are well-preserved commercial streets from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The architectural styles of the courtyard gates are diverse. Strolling through the alleys, you will see crowds of people and bustling restaurants and teahouses. The overall atmosphere is ancient, tranquil, and elegant. 🕘[Opening hours]: The attraction is open 24 hours a day. It is recommended to visit at night when the lights are on and the alleys are colorful and charming. ⛺[Things to do]: Kuan Alley: Enter Kuan Alley from Exit B of Kuanzhai Alley Subway Station. Stroll along the ancient streets and admire the Qing-style architecture, such as the high gate towers and flower walls. Visit traditional craft shops, such as Shu embroidery shops and paper-cutting shops, and experience the charm of traditional Chengdu handicrafts. Zhai Alley: Enter Zhai Alley from the side of Kuan Alley. The architecture here is a unique blend of Western styles. You can visit specialty shops, such as exquisite handicraft shops, artistic cafes, and stylish Western restaurants. Find a shop you like, sit down, and enjoy a leisurely time. Jing Alley: Walk from Zhai Alley to Jing Alley. Here you will find the only brick museum wall in China, which displays fragments of Chengdu's history and culture. In addition, Jing Alley has many stalls selling Chengdu snacks. You can stroll around and taste the food while experiencing the local life of Chengdu. 🚌[Transportation guide]: Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Kuanzhai Alley Station. Get off at Exit B and enter Kuan Alley directly. This is the most convenient way to get there. You don't have to worry about traffic jams, and the subway runs on a fixed schedule, making it easy to plan your trip. Bus: There are several bus routes to Kuanzhai Alley, such as Routes 5, 13, 25, 64, and 93. You can choose the right bus stop according to your location. However, buses may be affected by road conditions, so you should allow enough time for your trip. Taxi: If the distance is not too far, taking a taxi is also a good option. Just tell the driver to go to Kuanzhai Alley. However, you may encounter traffic jams during peak hours, especially on holidays or during rush hours on weekdays. Driving is not recommended as parking is difficult. 👉[Itinerary]: Morning: You can choose to stay at a hotel near Kuanzhai Alley. After a short rest in the morning, you can enjoy an authentic Chengdu breakfast in the surrounding area, such as Long Chao Shou or Zhong Dumplings, to start a wonderful day. Then, follow the order of the attractions mentioned above and enter Kuan Alley from Exit B of Kuanzhai Alley Subway Station. Start your walking tour and slowly admire the Qing-style architecture. Visit traditional craft shops and experience the unique charm of traditional handicrafts. You can spend one or two hours here. Noon: After entering Zhai Alley from Kuan Alley, find a Sichuan restaurant or snack bar for lunch. Try classic Sichuan dishes, such as twice-cooked pork and mapo tofu, or snacks, such as rabbit head and egg pancakes. After lunch, continue to visit the specialty shops in Zhai Alley and experience the unique charm of the Western-style architecture. You can allow about one to two hours for this. Afternoon: Then, head to Jing Alley to visit the Brick Culture Museum Wall and learn about the history and culture of Chengdu. Stop at the snack stalls to taste various delicacies and enjoy the local life of Chengdu. After spending more than an hour here, you can find a teahouse nearby, order a cup of gaiwan tea, and relax in the sun and chat like a local. Experience the slow-paced life of the city. You can control the time for this break and tea. About one or two hours is fine. Evening: At this time, the lights of Kuanzhai Alley are on, and the scenery is particularly charming. Walk slowly along the alley, enjoy the night view, and experience its unique charm, which is different from the daytime. You can also choose a bar or cafe with a unique style to sit in and immerse yourself in the lively and cozy atmosphere. If you want to stay nearby, Chengdu Rusu Hotel and Chengdu Yinxitang Hotel are good choices. They are close to Kuanzhai Alley, making it easy to get around. The accommodation is also comfortable, so you can quickly return to your room to rest after a day of sightseeing. 🧡[Preparation]: Documents: Be sure to bring your ID card, which is a must-have for travel. If you have a student ID, senior citizen card, military ID, or other documents that entitle you to discounts or special treatment, bring them with you. They may come in handy at some attractions or places of consumption. Clothing: Prepare appropriate clothing according to the weather in Chengdu. If you are going in summer, bring light, breathable, and sun-protective clothing, as well as sun hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection items. In winter, bring warm clothing, such as thick coats, scarves, and gloves, as the winter in Chengdu is quite cold and humid.