In Chengdu, there is a popular saying: “Visit Wuhou Temple, Wander Jinli Ancient Street”. This ancient street, separated from Wuhou Temple by a wall, has long been a core landmark for tourists to experience Bashu Culture and locals to seek authentic street life. Stretching about 350 meters long, Jinli Ancient Street is built in the architectural style of Western Sichuan dwellings from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, featuring scattered blue tiles, winding stone slabs, and hanging red lanterns. Despite its compact length, it preserves thousands of years of Western Sichuan cultural heritage and the slow-paced lifestyle of old Chengdu, honored as the “Chengdu version of Along the River During the Qingming Festival” and one of the first national-level tourist and leisure blocks. Whether strolling during the day to feel folk customs or taking a night tour to immerse in the ancient atmosphere, it is a must-visit spot in Chengdu.
As a block integrating Three Kingdoms Culture and Western Sichuan folk customs, every scene in Jinli carries profound cultural deposits. The iconic “No.1 Street of Western Sichuan” Archway at the entrance marks the boundary between the first phase of the ancient street and the waterfront area, with couplets showing the vision of inheriting Bashu culture. Walking into the street, the Ancient Opera Stage is a must-see attraction. Built with ancient wood, the stage is carved with patterns of classic Three Kingdoms stories, and regularly hosts free Sichuan Opera performances including face-changing, fire-spitting and shadow puppetry, letting visitors appreciate Sichuan’s intangible cultural heritage up close. The design of the “Chu Jiang” and “Ru Xiang” doors symbolizes good wishes for wealth and promotion, making it a perfect spot for classic ancient-style photos.
Cultural attractions in the street are connected in a line, each with unique historical meaning. Zhuge Well and Adou Well are linked to classic legends of the Three Kingdoms period; Fengyi Pavilion on Huanglong Lake reproduces a famous scene from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, taking visitors back to the era of heroes. The 120-meter-long Song Dynasty Stone Carving Corridor displays more than 100 ancient stone carvings, combining high historical and artistic value. The Folk Memory Wall is particularly meaningful, sealing over 10 representative works of Sichuan intangible cultural heritage, such as Shu brocade, Shu Embroidery, bamboo weaving, Chengdu lacquerware, sugar painting and paper-cutting, planned to be opened after a hundred years to pass on Western Sichuan folk Culture. Besides, Fushou Alley, carved doors and windows, and waterfront attics are full of elegant Western Sichuan residential charm, ideal for Hanfu photography and casual sightseeing.
Jinli is also a paradise for food lovers, gathering all authentic Chengdu snacks in one place. Sandapao (three cannonballs) is a signature snack, made of glutinous rice balls smashed on stone slabs to make three crisp sounds, coated with soybean flour and brown sugar syrup, soft, glutinous and sweet. Zhangfei Beef features rich braised or spicy flavor, with firm and chewy texture, a classic Sichuan delicacy. Other must-try snacks include brown sugar cold rice cake, sugar oil fruits, Bobo chicken, leaf rice cake, Dan Dan noodles, rabbit heads and ice jelly, all affordable and delicious. Visitors are recommended to try a small portion of each snack to fully experience the diverse tastes of Chengdu. There are also distinctive teahouses in the street, where you can order a bowl of covered bowl tea, sit leisurely and enjoy the slow life of Chengdu, watching street performers and passing tourists.
Practical travel tips will make your trip smoother. Jinli Ancient Street is free of charge with no reservation needed, and shops open from 9:00 to 22:00 daily. The best visiting time is from evening to night, when red lanterns light up at 19:00 in summer and 18:00 in winter, creating a stunning night view. It is recommended to spend 2-3 hours exploring the street. For transportation, take Metro Line 3 or 5 to Gaoshengqiao Station Exit A, and walk for 10 minutes; multiple bus routes including No.1, 57 and 82 lead to Wuhouci Street Station; there is an underground Parking lot near Wuhou Temple for self-driving tourists. Avoid peak hours during midday of holidays, and the crowd thins after 9 pm, offering a better sightseeing and photo-taking experience. Intangible cultural heritage shops sell Shu Embroidery, sugar painting and lacquerware as perfect souvenirs. You can also visit Wuhou Temple and Southern Suburb Park together to explore the core of Three Kingdoms culture in one day.
Free from excessive commercialization, Jinli Ancient Street blends the warmth of street life and cultural charm perfectly, preserving the memory of old Chengdu and inheriting the millennia-old culture of Western Sichuan. For first-time visitors to Chengdu or locals revisiting native customs, it is a place to slow down and feel the unique romance of Sichuan, an unmissable treasure spot in your Chengdu tour.
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