I have longed for Sichuan. I remembered that when I was traveling in Yunnan, I met a big brother who told me, “Many people have traveled to Qinghai, Tibet and Xinjiang, but only left out Sichuan. They always think that Sichuan is not far enough and not exciting enough to play. But they are wrong, Sichuan is a must-go place, the beauty of which can only be realized by experiencing it. Not only the natural scenery, but also its humanity is equally worth seeing.” From then on, I was determined to go to Sichuan, and set my sights on Inacheng Yading, known as “the last Shangri-La”, the picturesque Jiuzhaigou, Chengdu with all its delicious food, and the best city to live in.
However, a sudden earthquake focused the world's attention on this badly affected area of Sichuan. I learned that the epicenter of the earthquake was the road to Jiuzhaigou: Wenchuan, Lixian, Dujiangyan …… Those beautiful places that I had dreamed of visiting are now completely different. Many of the towns and villages where backpackers used to stay no longer exist. No one knows when they will be rebuilt. Thus, I was even more determined to travel to Sichuan, hoping to witness the resilience and rebirth of this land.
In August, I took a leave of absence, asked my friends to join me, and finally set foot on this mysterious land. Sichuan, known as the “Land of Heavenly Capital”, what is it really like? Chengdu's favorite teahouse, and what will be the scene?
When I first arrived in Chengdu, I was attracted by the weather. For me, who is used to a hot climate, the coolness of Chengdu was heavenly. The weather in Chengdu can be sunny or rainy, so it is essential to carry an umbrella with you to protect yourself from both rain and sun. I finally understand why open-air teahouses have blossomed in Chengdu. The unique weather conditions have made open-air teahouses a part of Chengdu people's lives. It's not too cold in winter and not too hot in summer, so the environment is just too pleasant.
When it comes to Chengdu, one thing that has to be mentioned is the food here. Sichuan cuisine is well known throughout the country, but the real authentic Sichuan cuisine still has to be savored in Chengdu. On this trip to Sichuan, tasting food was undoubtedly an important purpose. The first meal in Chengdu, my classmates took me to a restaurant called “Chongqing Pig Circle Hot Pot”. When I first heard the name, I was quite surprised and didn't understand why it was such a grounded name. But after I tasted the hot pot, I understood the people's unconventionality and simplicity. The hot pot was really delicious, and the seasoning was simple but just right. My classmates told me that the flavor of this restaurant belongs to the kind that is not too numb, and other stores are afraid that we are not accustomed to eating. Thinking back to a Chongqing hot pot I once ate, the paralysis of my face that lasted for half an hour because of a piece of bok choy is still fresh in my mind.
During our time in Chengdu, my best friend and I followed the recommendations in the self-guided tour booklet and ate almost all the famous snacks. Zhong Shui Dumplings, Lai Tang Yuan, Long Dumplings, Wang Bo Buckwheat Noodles, Ye Er Ba, Liang Cake, Pot Kui, Ice Bean Flower, Fatty Intestine and Rice Noodles, Husband and Wife Lung Slices …… These names are renowned both at home and abroad, and we have tasted almost all of these delicacies. Although the taste is not as amazing as the legend, each one has its own unique flavor.
In addition to food, I was also impressed by Chengdu's teahouse and mahjong culture. Walking through the streets of Chengdu, open-air teahouses can be found everywhere. A bamboo chair and a bowl of tea is a reflection of the life of Chengdu people. Walking into these teahouses, people are reading newspapers, chatting, playing mahjong, or enjoying the cozy time of pulling out their ears. This kind of leisurely lifestyle makes me deeply feel the slow life of Chengdu people. No wonder some people say, “Old age does not come out of Shu, and young age does not come into Sichuan”. It is definitely a pleasure to retire here. But for young people, perhaps it is better to keep some fighting spirit and enterprising spirit.
The earthquake has dealt a huge blow to Sichuan's tourism industry, and many of the classic tourist routes could not be organized. We had planned to go to Leshan Emei Mountain in addition to eating and drinking in Chengdu, but we also changed our plans because of the earthquake. But fortunately, we learned that it is now very affordable to go to Jiuzhaigou, with fewer people and lower prices and better scenery. So we temporarily changed our route and decided to go to Jiuzhaigou.
A three-day double flight from Chengdu costs only RMB 1,400 per person. Compared to the price on May 1 last year, this is a really good deal. Although I had always hoped to visit Jiuzhaigou during its prime season, fall, we chose to go for the bargain in the face of such a great price.
