Chengdu boasts a historic street selected as one of the world's most beautiful by the global list of streets. According to "Traveler" magazine from the United States, "Architectural Digest" identified 71 of the world's most scenic streets, with Chengdu's Jinli Ancient Street ranking 11th. Dating back over 2,000 years to the Western Han Dynasty, Jinli Ancient Street preserves traditional Sichuan-style architecture with its brick and timber structures, upturned eaves, and rich Ba-Shu folk customs.
Walking along Jinli Ancient Street, visitors can immerse themselves in its profound historical ambiance and folk culture. The district features traditional Sichuan teahouses, handicraft shops, and local snack stalls, offering a genuine experience of Chengdu's traditional culture and authentic cuisine. Especially at night, the streets glow with lanterns, exuding a unique charm that attracts countless tourists and photography enthusiasts. Surrounding the old street are numerous historical and cultural sites such as Wenshu Monastery and Du Fu Thatched Cottage, making it a pivotal venue for Chengdu locals and visitors alike to explore and experience the city's historical and cultural heritage.
Highlights In Jinli Ancient Street
Watching the light show
Watching the light show
At Jinli Ancient Street, one of the main attractions is the spectacular light display. Every evening, the street hosts a dazzling light show, offering visitors a visual feast. Starting from dusk, the historic streets, already charming in their ancient style, become even more enchanting under the illumination. Colorful lights cast onto the upturned eaves and corners of the ancient buildings create a dreamlike scene with interplay of light and shadow. During the light show, the illumination changes rhythmically with accompanying music, showcasing various forms of light installations such as light and shadow shows, lantern displays, and light projections. Visitors can leisurely stroll under the lights, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the ancient street.
Walking along the ancient streets
Walking along the ancient streets
Walking along the ancient streets is like flipping through the pages of an ancient history book, recording traces of time and the inheritance of culture. At Jinli Ancient Street, architecture from the late Qing Dynasty blends seamlessly with Three Kingdoms culture and traditional Sichuan folk customs, offering visitors a captivating cultural journey. Strolling on the cobblestone paths of the ancient street feels like stepping back into the late Qing Dynasty. Teahouses and bars exude a strong Sichuan ambiance, providing ideal resting spots for visitors fond of cultural history. Traditional Sichuan opera performances on stage vividly interpret the cultural essence of the ancient street, immersing viewers in the unique charm of Sichuan. In every corner of the ancient street, there are numerous specialty snacks and handicrafts to explore. Whether tasting authentic Sichuan snacks like spicy hot pot and spicy rabbit heads, or selecting a handmade craft as a souvenir, visitors can cherish unique cultural experiences and create wonderful memories.
Blown Candy Figure
Blown Candy Figure
In a corner of Jinli Ancient Street, the traditional art of Blown Candy Figure attracts many tourists. The master skillfully melts malt sugar and deftly wraps it around a stick. Nearby, children excitedly sit next to the master, blowing air as he shapes vivid figures of people from the melted sugar in his hands. Throughout this process, the children collaborate closely with the master, blowing air and observing eagerly as the sugar figures transform, filled with anticipation and curiosity. This unique interactive experience not only allows children to appreciate the charm of traditional craftsmanship but also deepens their understanding and interest in traditional culture. Sugar blowing is not just a skill but a cultural heritage and interactive experience that leaves tourists with sweet memories.
Clay Sculpture
Clay sculpture
Clay sculpture is one of the important forms of traditional folk art in China, primarily using flour as its main ingredient. Through coloring and handcrafting, artisans create various vivid artistic pieces. On the bustling streets of Jinli Ancient Street, clay sculptors captivate numerous tourists with their unique skills. With a long and rich history, clay sculpture is not only a craft but also a means of cultural heritage and expression. Artists mix flour into different colors and, using their skillful techniques, shape diverse forms such as figures, animals, flowers, and birds. Each clay sculpture embodies the artist's unique understanding and expression of life and nature. In front of clay sculpture stalls at Jinli Ancient Street, visitors can observe artisans swiftly and adeptly molding the dough, meticulously carving lifelike details with their tools, from the sparkle in the eyes to the curve of a smile, imbuing each piece with vitality and spirituality.
Shadow Play
shadow play
In a unique corner of Jinli Ancient Street, shadow play attracts the gaze of numerous tourists with its ancient and mysterious charm. This silhouette art, made from animal hides or paperboard, vividly portrays stories behind a white screen through the skillful hands of masters accompanied by musical melodies. Originating in ancient times, shadow puppetry is a precious heritage of Chinese folk opera arts. At Jinli Ancient Street, masters are not just performers but also cultural inheritors. They animate traditional stories with local melodies, accompanied by percussion and string instruments, bringing forth a rich local flavor and historical ambiance for the audience. Illuminated by lights, masters deftly manipulate colorful puppets, each movement brimming with skill and vitality. Audiences sit together, immersed in melodious music and splendid visuals, transported into a magical realm.
Travel Tips
Avoid peak hours for sightseeing: To steer clear of crowds, plan your visits in the early morning or evening.
Try local snacks: Don't miss out on Sichuan's specialty dishes such as spicy hot pot, dan dan noodles, and Sichuan-style cuisine.
Attend cultural performances: Watch traditional Sichuan opera or shadow puppetry to experience authentic local culture.
Explore teahouses and bars: Jinli Street is lined with quaint teahouses and lively bars, perfect for unwinding and soaking in the street's atmosphere.
Purchase handicrafts: Browse stalls selling local handicrafts like Shu embroidery, paper-cutting, and bamboo weaving.
Enjoy the evening ambiance: Jinli Ancient Street comes alive at night with dazzling lights and vibrant nightlife venues, offering a unique experience.
Learn about local history: Visit the nearby Wuhou Shrine to learn about historical figures from the Three Kingdoms period and their legacy in Sichuan.
