China Trip - Day 2 Chengdu Kuanzhai Xiangyi Alley

1.

The Kuanzhai Alley or Kuanzhai Xiangyi (成都宽窄巷子) is made up of of three lanes or alleys that run parallel to each other, namely the Kuan (Wide Alley), Zhai (Narrow Alley) and Jing Xiangyi,

2.

Here's a place where old meets new, where traditional Ming and Qing styled courtyards and houses complete with gardens within huge walls and hutongs (narrow lanes) are situated side by side modern hotels, spas, villas, entertainment outlets, bars, pubs, eateries and sidewalk cafes.

3.

Stores selling foodstuff, snacks and lots of panda bear toys. Pandas are the mascot of Chengdu city.

4.

This blooming fruit tree looks like a star fruit (carambola) tree.

5.

The apple and pear trees are also fruiting now that is it in the middle of summer.

The weather was very warm and humid with temperatures exceeding 30 C, humidity more than 50%. I was already sweating after a short walk. The difference in temperatures is quite big with night dropping to about 26 C. Sunrise was at 6:30am and sunset at 7:30pm.

“Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Huanglong 9D7N - Day 2 Chengdu Kuanzhai Xiangyi Alley”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Malaysia Daily Photo blog by Autumn Belle @ http://mymalaysiadailyphoto.blogspot.com on 28 Aug 2013.

6.

During the early Qing Dynasty period (1644-1912), the government built a walled city for the soldiers and their families who were posted to Chengdu permanently. Initially there were 42 lanes in the walled city but now only 3 lanes have been preserved as heritage.

The Chengdu city of today is full of skyscrapers with modern amenities and people live in high-rise apartment buildings.

7.

The Hutong culture is influenced by the northerners who brought along their traditions when they moved south to Chengdu. Hutong refers to the narrow streets and alleys that are unique to Beijing.

8.

A modern food outlet selling sweets and confectionery.

9.

Reminders of an ancient walled city.

10.

I'm thinking how beautiful this maple tree will look in autumn.

11.

This stall sells local delicacies.

12.

An ancient stone statue stand guard beside a modern open-air cafe.

13.

These 2 ladies seemed so relaxed and enjoying themselves while getting their ears waxed and cleaned with some kind of vibrating instruments. Prices for the services range from RMB 30 - RMB 120.

14.

It is common to find stalls like this selling stringed magnolia flowers.
RMB 1 each. Some people buy to hang in their cars.

15.

A western cafe.
The whole area here in Kwanzhai Xiangyi is wifi enabled.

16.

A traditional tea house.

17.

Some lovely summer blooms.

18.

Stall selling the wu-lou gourds (calabash).

19.

Colourful wu-lous.

20.

There are some high-end embroidery, silk and textile stores.

21

A metal door knocker with a lion head.

22

A traditional tea house with bamboo chairs and wooden tables.

23

A food stall selling traditional food.

They say that you can sit in one of the ancient tea houses and enjoy the world go by.
As the sun sets and dusk falls, 

and with the aroma of food that wisp through the air,

it will remind you of days of long ago.

The night scene here is very exciting and vivid.

24

Fried, grilled and braised food.

Everywhere one can't escape the scent of 'ma la'.

25

Steamed dishes.

26

This is the biggest and tallest banana plant I have ever seen!

27

Dragon floss candy.

28

A French restaurant.

29.

Maker of smoke pipes.

30.

Azaleas are blooming everywhere in Chengdu.

31.

Walled gardens.
The theme here is a garden city.
Ancient courtyard houses have  huge walls that surrounds them.
Outsiders can't see what's inside these tall walls.
Inside are the proper house with inner courtyards and gardens within gardens.

33.

34

Flower tea shop

35.

The 2 persons standing there are real, not statues!

36

A monk having tea at Starbucks.

37

At the cashier's counter of Starbucks.

38

Summer blooms.

39.

Stall selling bolsters in various sizes.

40.

Italian ice-cream and desserts.

41

Decor at an arts and craft shop.

42

Decor at an arts and crafts shop.

43

Clean and nice-looking washrooms.

44

A bar.

45

All things Panda.

46

Live tortoises inside these cartoon shaped plastic bottles.

47

Earlier, I saw a group of workers cutting down a big tree.
I guess that's why the Fire Engine was there.

48.

A shady tree to provide some shade from the scorching sun.

China Trip - Day 2 Chengdu Qintai Road

1.

Qintai Road in Chengdu (成都琴台路) was the first landmark in Chengdu that we visited. Actually we were supposed to take an early morning flight to Jiuzhaigou and begin our 2-day visit to Jiuzhaigou. However, the flight was postponed to 5pm, hence our tour itinerary has to be reshuffled.

The above is a picture of the Copper Horse Carriage near the entrance of Qintai Road.

2.

Qintai Street is built in the styles of Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 – 1911). “Qintai” 琴台literally means “the stage for musical instruments”.  "Qin" is an ancient string instrument aka the zitter or guzheng 古(箏)


“Chengdu Juizhaigou Huanglong 9D 7N - Day 2 Chengdu Qintai Raod”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Malaysia Daily Photo blog by Autumn Belle @ http://mymalaysiadailyphoto.blogspot.com on 26 Aug 2013.

3.

Quite a fanciful street with ancient Chinese architectural style.

A pair of Chinese lions guard the main entrances to buildings.

4.

 The arch entrance to Qintai Road

5.

A stone statue of the male Chinese Lion.

6.

A female Chinese Lion.

7.

Almost every building is unique and worth photographing here, including this one!

8.

Qintai Road which span a total of 570 meters long was opened to the public on 30th December 2002.

In Chengdu, it is common to see people riding on motorcycles without wearing helmets. In the picture above, the lady is driving a red motorbike with a pink umbrella fasten to her back seat.

9.

Ancient buildings are lined on the both sides of the road which focused on the theme of the love story between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun.

10.

Buildings with stone, wood and copper carvings showcase the culture during the Western Han Dynasty.

11.

It is common to see Green Volkswagens which are the taxis in Chengdu.

12.

A three-wheeled motorcycle taxi in Chengdu.

13.

The night scene at Qintai Road is fantastic!

14.

They like to grow trees and plants on rooftops.

15.

Even hotels, restaurants and offices are build with the classical theme.

16.

There are many jewelry stores in Qintai Road, Chengdu.

17.

Big trees and giant bonsai trees and lush greenery are found everywhere on both sides of the walkway. Tea drinking and group mahjong sessions on the sidewalks and under the yum-yum trees are common in Chengdu.

18.

The Shu Feng Ya Yun is a theatre for Sichuan Opera.
Here, one can enjoy the local tea, opera, art and culture shows.

19.

This road is named “Qintai” in honour of Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun whose love story dates back more than 2,000 years ago to the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 8 AD).

20.

The love story:

It happened in a small town near Chengdu. Zhuo Wenjun was the pretty daughter of wealthy family who was widowed at a very young age. Sima Xiangru was a poor scholar skilled in music and poetry. During a chance meeting one day, Sima's playing of the "qin" had mesmerized and impressed Zhuo so much that she fell in love with him. Her parents objected to the relationship because Sima was a penniless scholar. So the lovers decided to elope. They came to the the western end of Chengdu which is the present Qintai Road. They made a living by running an inn selling liquor. Sima continued with his studies until he passed the imperial examinations in Chang'an (the present Xian). Chang'an was the capital of the Han Empire at that time. Sima continued to advance his career in Chang'an and moved up the social ladder while his wife stayed on in Chengdu. She waited and waited be he didn't return home. After 5 years, Sima wrote a letter to Zhuo and told her his intention to have a concubine in Chang'an. Zhuo was devastated and she wrote back a reply where she penned a famous poem, reminding him of the love and beautiful memories they once had. After reading this, Sima felt ashamed of himself and he gave up the thought of having a concubine. Instead, he drove a four-horse carriage back to Chengdu to take his wife to Chang'an where they were reunited and lived happily ever after.