Tianfu Square--People's Park--Gaiwan Tea Experience--Wenshu Monastery--Sichuan Opera Show
4+ stars Hotels
Breakfast & Lunch
Today, we will immerse ourselves in the everyday life of locals in Chengdu. In the morning, we will head to People's Park, which was established in 1911 and originally named "Shaocheng Park." As the oldest park in Sichuan, it is a vivid reflection of Chengdu's laid-back lifestyle. Covering over 112,000 square meters, this park holds the collective memory of the city and attracts visitors with its rich cultural atmosphere and strong local charm. The most famous spot within the park is the century-old Heming Teahouse. With bamboo chairs and rattan tables scattered around and tea masters gracefully wielding long-spouted copper kettles, a simple bowl of gaiwan cha (covered bowl tea) captures the essence of old Chengdu's slow life. Here, you can watch locals casually chatting, playing chess, walking pet birds, or even experience Chengdu's unique ear-cleaning service, a tingling, relaxing tradition.
The full gaiwan tea experience begins with selecting your tea — options include fragrant jasmine, the visually stunning Bitan Piaoxue, and the wild-mountain taste of Qingcheng Xueya, with prices ranging from $5 to $9. Tea masters perform dramatic pouring techniques with names like "Dragon Dives into the Sea" and "Flying Fairy," using long-spouted kettles to brew your tea in a traditional set consisting of a bowl, lid, and saucer. While sipping, you can chat with friends or quietly watch the world pass by. For those curious, the traditional ear-cleaning service is a local specialty not to be missed, performed with expert precision and priced around $5 to $15.
Around the teahouse, you'll find stalls offering classic Chengdu snacks such as Zhong dumplings, Dandan noodles, and egg pancakes. If you enjoy photography, the antique-style teaware and rustic furnishings make for perfect backdrops. You can also visit the park’s famous matchmaking corner to see how local parents publicly post information in hopes of finding a spouse for their children — a fascinating window into Chengdu’s social life.
In the afternoon, we will visit Wenshu Monastery, originally built during the Sui Dynasty and once known as Xinxiang Temple. It is the foremost Zen Buddhist temple along the Yangtze River, combining sacred heritage, classical gardens, ancient architecture, and spiritual practice. The monastery covers 82 acres with over 190 structures and 11,600 square meters of built area. Its gray tiles and red walls, arranged in solemn symmetry, convey a grand and tranquil aura.
Inside the monastery are many precious cultural relics. In the Grand Hall, three solemn Buddha statues preside, while the Sutra Library houses rare treasures such as the Thousand-Buddha Cassock, intricately embroidered with a thousand Buddha images, and a Song Dynasty edition of the Qisha Canon, a gem of Buddhist literature. After the visit, we will enjoy a live performance of Sichuan Opera — a nationally renowned art form that includes spectacular acts like fire-spitting, face-changing, and lamp-balancing, offering a dramatic and unforgettable cultural experience.
Evening Option:
In the evening, immerse yourself in Chengdu's rich cultural heritage by attending a traditional Sichuan Opera performance. These shows are famous for the mesmerizing face-changing (Bian Lian) technique, where performers swap masks in the blink of an eye. Most performances also feature fire-spitting, hand shadow puppetry, and live music played on traditional instruments. A recommended venue is the Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, where you can enjoy the show while sipping on more local tea. Performances usually start around 8:00 PM and last for about an hour.
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