Chengdu's Kuanzhai Alley: A trio of parallel lanes showcasing northern hutong culture.

When visiting Sichuan's Chengdu, aside from exploring natural scenic spots and seeing giant pandas, a must-visit destination in the city is Kuanzhai Alley. While old streets can be found everywhere, Chengdu's Kuanzhai Alley stands out for its unique charm. It consists of three parallel alleys: Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley. The architecture mainly features late Qing Dynasty courtyard houses, making it a rare example of northern hutong culture in a southern city. Wide Alley embodies the theme of "leisure," offering boutique inns, relaxing tea houses, and traditional dining experiences. Narrow Alley emphasizes "slowness," allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely pace as they browse handcrafted goods and unique items displayed in various stalls. Well Alley represents "modernity," blending contemporary elements into the traditional setting with trendy nightclubs, coffee shops, and dessert cafes, making it a popular spot for young people to take photos and hang out.