Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley
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- Zfy EdSingapore, Singapore11,008 contributionsCrowded shopping area where the new meets the oldThis is probably one of the "must visit" places in Chengdu and making a trip here can allow you to indulge the local history, food and arts culture, and of course lifestyle of the people here. The old shophouses located on both sides on the small walking paths, have been given a refurnished with a new lease of life, signaling the young and energy vibes of the city. These shophouses (also the makeshift stalls) are now mainly retail businesses, selling local souvenirs, toys, arts and handicrafts, foods and drinks etc. Because of these, the place is very crowded as lots of visitors and also quite touristy. Many shops have staff stationed outside their premise to tout passersby to go into their shops to buy things or watch the "facechanging" performances etc. Well, that's interesting but just smile and walk through them (unless you have intention to buy their products).Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 18, 2024
- MM0980Leipzig, Germany662 contributionsHot Pot Stroll through the alleysWe were here in the evening. Our main goal was dinner - hot pot, of course. We found a nice restaurant. The menu wasn't in English, but we were given good advice using gestures and gestures and made a very tasty selection. We then strolled through the alleys and took a few snapshots of decorated doors and walls. Of course, we also saw the "ear cleaners".Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 21, 2024
- PurwitantoSengata, Indonesia3,076 contributionsIt's a tourist place but pretty fun.From our hotel in front of Zhengdu people park to Khuanzhai alley is not far by taxi only 5-10 minutes drive. This is a tourist spot in Chengdu. A mixture of pop and local culture. There are many souvenirs and food sellers, as well as places to watch popular and abundant mask-changing magic attractions in Chengdu. When we went there it was raining and raining but it didn't diminish our enthusiasm to walk around here and buy souvenirs because this was the last night of our trip to China this time. It's a tourist place, but it's quite fun and fun.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 11, 2024
- AhWahXiamen, China214 contributionsNicely restored place but seems overly commercialized with souvenir shops.Great place for westerners to enjoy the Chinese culture and architecture. There are restaurants with Chinese decor that serves Chongqing food, complete with servers in Hanfu, there are also theaters with live operas and face changing performances. Great place to catch Chengdu culture in one place. Many shops r also selling the same touristic key chains, stuffed pandas and Mala and local preserved food. it’s Chengdu must visit spot, for once u r there, its kinda another tourist spot selling souvenirs, like in any other Chinese city.Visited September 2024Traveled with friendsWritten September 9, 2024
- Cme1234Singapore, Singapore1,154 contributionsExtremely interestingThis is a must visit place in Chengdu. There are many interesting shops for souvenirs and food. There are also seven tea houses with the face changing performance. The performance was great and it costs only RMB28 for each person. Overall, it was a great experience.Visited December 2024Traveled with friendsWritten December 28, 2024
- GolohHong Kong, China263 contributionsAbsolutely GoOn a cold winter night, after a long day of panda-viewing and face-changing, our group wound up here. At last! Some free time! Of course the world has many streets like this, but Kwanzhai Alley had everything we wanted: easy, colourful, much cheaper than most other places, variety, people enjoying themselves, and had we been able, we would have stayed at least two hours longer. Thanks to climate and congestion, Chengdu can sometimes be a bit bleak, but Kwanzhai Alley is an oasis in all that. (And if you still want to buy stuffed pandas, there is no better place.)Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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nancy921
Taipei, Taiwan19,802 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Kuanzhai Alley is a new landmark in Chengdu and a cultural attraction with historical significance!
In the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Shaocheng" and it was a place where residents of the Eight Banners were accommodated.
Since 2007, the restoration project of the historic site has been carried out.
Now there are three alleys left, in order: wide alley, narrow alley, and well alley~
There are various restaurants, teahouses (you can also watch Sichuan opera face-changing or storytelling), coffee shops, handicrafts, books, clothing, etc. in the alley~
Take a slow walk and wander around, time seems to go back to the early Republic of China!!
In the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Shaocheng" and it was a place where residents of the Eight Banners were accommodated.
Since 2007, the restoration project of the historic site has been carried out.
Now there are three alleys left, in order: wide alley, narrow alley, and well alley~
There are various restaurants, teahouses (you can also watch Sichuan opera face-changing or storytelling), coffee shops, handicrafts, books, clothing, etc. in the alley~
Take a slow walk and wander around, time seems to go back to the early Republic of China!!

Written September 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen C
Singapore, Singapore1,150 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This is one of the must visit places for tourists visiting Chengdu. We came on a Friday afternoon and even then, it was bustling with people.
I would recommend getting there by public transport as it is not easy to find parking. The place is packed with eateries and souvenir shops. Chengdu is famous for its street food culture and this will be a good place to give it a try.
There are also many Teahouses serving Chinese tea and finger food. Here, you should also be able to catch the popular Sichuan cultural performances, including the popular opera, the art of Changing Face.
As you walk around the alleys, you will also catch some people offering ear cleaning services for around 60 rmb.
I would recommend getting there by public transport as it is not easy to find parking. The place is packed with eateries and souvenir shops. Chengdu is famous for its street food culture and this will be a good place to give it a try.
There are also many Teahouses serving Chinese tea and finger food. Here, you should also be able to catch the popular Sichuan cultural performances, including the popular opera, the art of Changing Face.
As you walk around the alleys, you will also catch some people offering ear cleaning services for around 60 rmb.
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dyhx
Singapore6,571 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
It's an area of ancient infrastructures on the outside, occupied by modern day shops inside, selling things from craft to souvenirs to food. Another of those 老街 / 步行街 concept, but this area is a main street filled with little smaller side streets, hence the 宽 and 窄.
It's here that I caught some sub-par traditional performances in one of the dessert shops.
Nice photo spots but it's just too crowded for any proper photos to be taken without a bomber.
It's here that I caught some sub-par traditional performances in one of the dessert shops.
Nice photo spots but it's just too crowded for any proper photos to be taken without a bomber.
Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Lizar
Chongqing, China424 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
I got a recommendation to visit this place, one of the points of interest and landmarks in Chengdu. We stop our bike at the main gate and have a walk here. Tbh, overly crowded here and many signature foods and snacks here but some of them are pricey. Don't get lost here! You better come a night 🌟
Written December 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qisiang R
Melbourne, Australia380 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli Street and Wuhou Shrine are next to one another. Kuan Zhai Alley are actually two separate street-one wide, the other narrow but next to each other. As other reviewers had observed, it is very similar to the Hutong in Beijing. On a "low-season" time, these streets were still full of visitors. Some of the buildings here are more than 200 years old. It had every type of goods, souvenirs, foods, that you can think off, and more:-face changing opera, calligraphers writing your Chinese names on fans; stone/wood carving stamp of your Chinese names; all sorts of exotic foods (insects, rabbit, spicy hot pots; whole cuttlefish; various types of meat on skewers; dumplings; deep fried potatoes, various type of Chinese cakes, and yes even Starbuck coffee.) You just cannot list everything you come across. It is definitely an eye opener if you have not been to any of this type of street food district. If you loop in Jinli Street and Wuhou Shrine, plus explore the tea house, you can probably spend a whole day here.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ailton007
Seattle, WA1,225 contributions
Apr 2021
A paradise for photographers and great place to stroll, visit little shops and have a Sichuan tea ceremony. Also great for trying out local food and watch Sichuan opera performances. Fairly inexpensive and takes about 30 min. You have to go inside a lot of the houses to discover the courtyards, gardens, statues etc.
We liked it so much that we came back on another day before headed to the airport. All walkable and easy to get to by Did (taxi)
We liked it so much that we came back on another day before headed to the airport. All walkable and easy to get to by Did (taxi)
Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobok18
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia30 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Lots of street food here. If you want local Chengdu street food, this is the place. There are 3 streets parallel to each other. Kuan alley, zhai alley & jing alley. Each of them have their own unique attractions but food are the main highlight at these alleys. Spent abt 2-3 hrs here. Qintai Road where the sichuan opera shufenyayun is abt 20mins away so plan your time properly so ypu can cover these 2 attractions all in a go.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yipjcs88
Hong Kong, China9,956 contributions
Jan 2020
I have visited the place several times but the place is always interesting for walking around. It offers a variety of Sichuan foods, stage shows, souvenirs, etc. There is a back alley adjacent to the wide (kuan) and narrow (zhai) alleys, but most of the shops are in the latter two. Found some interesting people in the back alley; people dressed in Chinese opera costumes and posing for photos.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,639 contributions
Nov 2019
The area of ancient wide and narrow alley-ways has many well-preserved, renovated, and rebuilt Qing Dynasty buildings is a cultural treasure of Chengdu. There are shops selling local handicrafts, and Sichuan eateries offering local foods, some of which are Sichuan-spicy. A very touristy area.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zarza's Travels
Auckland, New Zealand1,026 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
An interesting place to see, in terms of architecture but it was extremely busy and lots of people wanting to take pictures with foreigners, which of course happens in China but to an uncomfortable level here. Loads of food stalls and little shops, selling everything from embroidery to plastic toys. Some beautiful tea rooms but hard to get close to see them properly. Visited from 5 - 7pm and it was manic whilst leaving. Was much quicker walking away from the area to get a taxi then trying to get one from there. Worth a look, definitely, but a one time only exploration for me!
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I don't know for sure, but I'd guess that People's Park would be a good place to look for them.
Written January 24, 2020
Planning to stay near this place for one night in chengdu. Is this a good place to do street shopping. More interested in lacquerwares, pottery and cutleries.
Thanks in advance.
Written January 3, 2020
While the alleys are a great place to visit as tourists I'm not sure they will have what you want and you may have to search elsewhere in the city for your items.
Written January 8, 2020
What is the closest metro station? Thanks!
Written March 13, 2019
We went there by taxi. But I found a review mentioned about the nearest station is Tong Hui Men. Hope it helps.
Written March 14, 2019
Hi everyone
Did anyone go to a traditional tea ceremony? And your thoughts and price please. 😊
Tee
Written September 27, 2018
Hi everyone
Did anyone go to a traditional tea ceremony? And your thoughts and price please. 😊
Tee
Written September 27, 2018
You will have a great experience and be assured price reasonably affordable any where in Chengdu.
Enjoy ya!!
Written September 28, 2018
I recommend to take subway when you want to leave the area. Taking Didi to go there is ok but booking is Didi when you leave requires you to give exact landmarks to meet your driver as there are many entrances for this area.
Written April 11, 2018
Hi guys, what time is the latest time I am go there on a Thursday night? I won't be arriving till 10pm, will it still be worth it to go there?
Written September 14, 2017
Good question! We were there in the evening, until around 10, and things were still busy. But I'm guessing by midnight things are winding down. If you get there around 10, based on our experience, you'll still find lots of restaurants and pubs open. A lot of the shops will close, though.
Written September 14, 2017
Hi guys, what time is the latest time I am go there on a Thursday night? I won't be arriving till 10pm, will it still be worth it to go there?
Written September 14, 2017
Hi ,
I'm afraid that will be too late !There is a lot going on (a lot of action and a lot of people) from late in the morning till late in the afternoon !
After 9PM it is quite useless to go there ! Only a few restaurants remain open ... and after 10PM literally everybody has gone home !
Written September 15, 2017
Hi May I know the best time to visit here ?
Written March 20, 2017
In the weekend, it is crowded throughout the whole day.
Written March 21, 2017
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