Why is Jinli Street special
If you want to experience Chengdu while walking, Jinli Street is a nice choice. Located in downtown Chengdu, to the east of the Wuhou Temple, it is a place where you can enjoy the delicious Sichuan snacks and the remarkable local culture. It is probably a little bit crowded, but you will have a lot of fun there.
Jinli Street Highlights
With a history stretching back to the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), Jinli was one of the busiest commercial areas in ancient China. The street was restored and opened to public in 2004. By combining the culture of the Three Kingdoms Period with the folk customs of Sichuan, the buildings on both sides are modeled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in western Sichuan Province in the Qing (1644-1911) Dynasty. The wooden steles and the brick-walls exhibit an ancient charm.
Most of the Chinese folk handicrafts can be found here, such as clay figurines and paper cuts. You can also find Sichuan brocade at Jinli, a world-renowned silk product unique to the province. In the Museum of Sichuan Brocade, local girls in traditional wax-printed costumes skillfully demonstrate quilts made with the famous brocade to visitors.
Chengdu is also an ideal place to fulfill your appetite for food. You cannot miss the feast at Jinli where you will find all sorts of well-known snacks from all over Sichuan. You may have heard of Kungpao Chicken and Mapo Tofu, but there are more to try.
Apart from traditional entertainment, modern venues to have fun can also be found at Jinli, such as cafes and pubs. What is different about these pubs and cafes in Jinli Street is that they are the perfect blend of modernism and tradition. With a cup of coffee, you can choose to spend an afternoon here, relaxing with a view of the stream of passersby.