Chengdu Niche Destination Recommendations: Escape the Crowds and Unlock the City's Hidden Aesthetics

As a city wrapped in Internet-famous labels, Chengdu's treasures go far beyond the hustle and bustle of Chunxi Road and the clamor of Kuanzhai Alley. Let us take you through industrial ruins, ancient-style gardens, the everyday atmosphere of the city, and natural secret realms to experience another side of this city, hidden in the folds of the city and the breath of nature. Escape the crowds and use your lens and footsteps to redefine the city's slow pace and newness. 🚉 Transportation Guide: The subway covers the entire area. Most attractions in the city can be reached by subway, and it is recommended to drive or carpool to the suburbs. ⏳ Season: The ancient-style gardens are best in spring and autumn, and the natural secret places have their own characteristics in winter and summer (snow scenery/summer heat escape). ✅ Everyday Atmosphere and Retro Aesthetics [DoubleHearts] Yuanyang Building (No. 18 Hongwasi Street): Residential buildings from the 1960s and 1970s, with staggered stairs and clothes drying to form a natural photography scene. In the early morning or evening, light and shadow pass through the corridors, and the breath of old Chengdu life comes to your face. It is recommended to wear retro-style clothing and shoot symmetrical compositions of the stairs on the 3rd-4th floors. [DoubleHearts] Tangba Street (Jinjiang District): This street, which was rated as the coolest street in the world by Time Out, has both the Shanghai-style architecture of the Republic of China and Japanese-style izakayas and independent bookstores. It is recommended to taste foie gras sushi at Qiuye Sashimi or find an old book in a stylish bookstore to feel the collision of modern and everyday life. [DoubleHearts] Pengzhen Guanyinge Old Teahouse (Pengzhen, Shuangliu District): The century-old stove emits curling smoke, and old tea drinkers sit on bamboo chairs and chat. Order a cup of jasmine tea for CNY 10, use a telephoto lens to capture the rising heat of the tea bowl, or participate in a movable type printing experience (a 5-minute walk away). ✅ Transboundary Dialogue between Art and Architecture [RedHeart] West Village Courtyard (No. 88 Beixin Lane, Qingyang District): A three-dimensional building designed by Liu Jiakun, with an aerial runway and football field forming an industrial-style aesthetic. Find handmade items in the creative shops in the corridors, or shoot geometric compositions on the giant stadium. This place was selected for the Venice Architecture Biennale. [RedHeart] Blue Roof Art District (Xinxing Town, Tianfu New District): A creative base where artists gather. The Things of the Heart exhibition will be launched in 2025. Seven post-90s artists will explore the inner world through painting. You can visit He Duoling's studio, or admire the collection of works in the Blue Roof Art Museum to feel the diverse expressions of contemporary art. [RedHeart] Zhi Art Museum (Xinjin District): A tile curtain wall building designed by Kengo Kuma, the ripples and light and shadow of the water courtyard on the first floor are very Zen. Art workshops are often held in May. It is recommended to wear metallic clothing and take flowing portraits in front of the curtain wall. ✅ Poetic Residence of Nature and Humanities [Scenic] Qionglai Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea (Pingle Town): Enter from the South Gate and go straight to Xianlv Muyun Bridge. You can take pictures of the unmanned sea of clouds in the early morning. Taste gaiwan tea in the cliffside teahouse, use a drone to take a panoramic view of the bamboo sea Tai Chi array, and experience bamboo rice DIY (CNY 30/portion, free lettering bamboo tube). [Scenic] Yan Painting Pond (Chongzhou City): The only official Tang Dynasty garden in Sichuan. The window view of Lu You Temple and the reflection of red maple leaves are full of Song Dynasty charm. Wear Hanfu to shoot the same style as "A Dream of Splendor". Don't miss Wang Banya (sugar-skinned roasted duck leg, CNY 12/piece) next to the Catholic Church. [Scenic] Wenshu Monastery Tea Garden (Qingyang District): Order a cup of Su Mao Feng in the tea garden next to the ancient temple for thousands of years, and transcribe the Heart Sutra to feel the Zen. During the Guyu Yaji in 2025, you can enjoy the Shu school guqin performance and experience the integration of tradition and modernity. ✅ Secret Map of Food and Nightlife [Pushpin] Yujie Lane (Wuhou District): A food lane privately hidden by locals. Yuzi tonic matsutake chicken soup rice is a winter healing artifact. The spicy Angus marbled beef with crispy pot is delicious at Qinglongzheng Street Restaurant. You can also have a weird flavor + cream and pork floss double combo at Heji Dan Honggao late at night. [Pushpin] U37 Creative Warehouse (No. 37, Section 3, Shuinianhe South Street, Jinjiang District): A creative park transformed from an old factory building. The Hogwarts Magic Academy in the vintage store sells butter beer and retro sweaters, and the coffee shop provides a homemade coffee experience. Have a drink in the rooftop garden in the evening and watch the sunset through the old buildings. [Pushpin] Yuelai Tea Garden (No. 54, Huaxing Street): A theater for Sichuan Opera. The Sichuan Opera performance at 2pm every Saturday only costs CNY 18 (including tea). Sit on a bamboo chair and watch face-changing and fire-breathing performances. After the show, walk to Wangfujing Shopping Mall to experience the space-time travel in the center of the city. ✅ Space-time Folding of Religion and History [ClassicArch] Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church (No. 25, Xihuamen Street, Qingyang District): A wonderful fusion of Chinese-style courtyard and Byzantine dome. The red wall and bamboo shadows of the Bishop's Office are suitable for taking pictures. Participate in Mass or listen to hymns quietly to feel the sacred atmosphere in the downtown area. [TempleOfHeaven] Baoguang Temple (Xindu District): The Arhat Hall of the ancient temple for thousands of years enshrines 500 golden Arhats, and the Relic Pagoda houses the Buddha bone relics. Opening hours are 8:00–17:30. It is recommended to avoid the peak of pilgrims on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. 🍜 Eat all over Chengdu for CNY 50 [Sunrise] Breakfast: [One] Ganji Fatty Intestine Noodles (Ma'an South Road): Red oil soup + crispy pot helmet, CNY 15 per person. [Two] Heji Dan Honggao (Wenmiao West Street): Cream and pork floss + spicy beef double combo, satisfying both sweet and salty parties. [Sunset] Lunch: [One] Maojiao Hot and Spicy (Kuixinglou Street): Small county liver + rabbit kidney, with enamel plate photos full of retro feeling. [Two] Xiyuecheng Tan Douhua (West Street): Iced drunken douhua is a spicy relief artifact, sweet water noodles with cold cake only cost CNY 12. [CityScene] Dinner: [One] Wuliguan Hot Pot (Yulin West Road): The stewed beef melts in 3 minutes, and it is amazing with freshly fried crispy meat. [Two] Shuyuan Fu (Eastern Suburb Memory): An immersive Tang Palace feast of CNY 500 per person. You can enjoy a 20% discount if you wear Hanfu for dinner. The seven courses are interspersed with dance performances. [CityNight] Supper: [One] Jianshe Lane Snack Street: Fuqiang Spare Ribs (honey flavor) + Xuliang Roasted Trotters, you can eat your fill for CNY 20. [Two] Jiuyanqiao Bar Street: Erma Tavern's panda wine fairy shape is cute, and listening to folk songs after being slightly drunk is super healing. 🏨 Recommended High-Quality and Affordable Accommodation [RoundNails] Chunxi Road Business District: ① Sia Suites: 2-minute walk to Taikoo Li, panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city night view, CNY 200 per person. ② Ji Hotel (Taikoo Li Branch): Smart toilet + free laundry service, 5-minute walk to the subway, suitable for family stays. [RoundNails] Around Kuanzhai Alley: ① Anlige Selected Apartment: Loft room type with kitchen, projector + tatami, CNY 150 per person. ② Puyi Landscape Starry Sky Homestay: 270° high-altitude viewing platform, super romantic to watch the stars at night, book 1 week in advance. 📝 Note tips: ❶ Be wary of closed park marketing scams, choose chain stores with clearly marked prices for ear picking, and if there are more than 50 tables waiting in line for Internet-famous hot pot, you can switch to old stores in residential buildings. ❷ Chengdu cuisine is mostly spicy, so tourists who can't eat spicy food should prepare stomach medicine, such as domperidone and berberine. You can order a mandarin duck pot, and adding sesame oil to the dipping sauce can relieve the spiciness, or you can drink some yogurt to relieve the spiciness. Pay attention to a balanced diet and avoid overeating. ❸ Chengdu traffic may be congested, so plan your trip in advance and avoid peak hours. Familiarize yourself with subway lines and stations, and download the Tianfutong APP to conveniently take the subway and bus to avoid being ripped off. ❹ When visiting scenic spots, abide by the regulations and warnings, do not go to dangerous areas alone, and do not scribble on historical sites such as the Wuhou Temple. ❺ During peak tourist seasons, book hotels and scenic spot tickets in advance to avoid premiums or delays in your trip.