Jinli Street

Chengdu is a city brimming with a strong leisurely ambience with Jinli Street as the typical representative. The street is located to the east of the Wuhou Temple of Chengdu (the most famous Three Kingdoms period (220 – 280) relic museum in China).

It is recorded that as early as the Qin Dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC), Jinli Street was the most famous place for baldachin – a rich, ornate cloth. And it was one of the busiest commercial areas during the Shu Kingdom (221-263). Hence, it is known as ‘First Street of the Shu Kingdom’. In order to reclaim its prosperity of former days, it was restored with contributions from the Wuhou Temple and was opened to public in October of 2004. Since then, visitors from all over China and abroad gather here to relax, admire the traditional-style buildings, and taste some local snacks.

At one end of Jinli Street stands an archway inscribed with the characters “Jinli Street.” From this archway, the narrow lane paved with green stone slabs winds its way through Chengdu, stretching 350 meters in total. The buildings lining both sides of the street—including teahouses, shops, and inns—blend the cultural essence of the Three Kingdoms period with Sichuan folk traditions, modeled after the architectural style of ancient towns in western Sichuan during the Qing Dynasty. Wooden steles and brick walls exude an air of rustic charm.

Strolling through the narrow streets, you’ll find yourself immersed in quaint shops selling Shu embroidery, lacquerware, folk crafts, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists. Each shop has its own distinct character, yet they share a common thread: no matter how bustling the crowd, a serene and peaceful atmosphere permeates every store. You can browse leisurely or pick out souvenirs for friends. The area offers nearly every local specialty imaginable.

The stalls outside the shops are even livelier and equally captivating. You can watch folk artists perform various entertaining acts, such as shadow puppetry or hand puppetry. Here, you’ll also find traditional handicrafts made by skilled artisans, like paper-cutting and clay sculptures. These pieces are exquisitely detailed and lifelike, making them irresistible to admire. Through these artworks, you can experience the authentic daily life of locals and discover traces of China’s history within the modern cityscape.

At the heart of Jinli Street stands a wooden stage shaped like an ancient pavilion, occasionally hosting performances of classic Sichuan opera. You can enjoy folk music while witnessing the actors’ swift and dazzling costume and makeup changes. Their masterful performances are sure to leave you in awe. Open-air movies are also screened in front of the stage. Jinli Street hosts other performances, such as traditional costume shows, bell-ringing night vigils, palanquin processions, and bamboo chair displays. Another intriguing attraction is the local wedding ceremony performance, where visitors can participate. Couples can also hold uniquely traditional weddings here.

During traditional festivals, Jinli hosts themed events: lantern exhibitions for the Lantern Festival, zongzi-eating contests for the Dragon Boat Festival, moon-viewing gatherings for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and more.

Despite the traditional atmosphere here, you can also sense something fashionable. There are many cafes and barrooms here – including Starbucks. They blend modern elements into the old town harmoniously. It’s enjoyable to sit on a wooden bench with a cup of delicious coffee.

When you reach the end of Jinli Street, you’ll be tempted by the aroma of delicious local snacks. The citizens of Chengdu are born epicures and they are particularly fond of dining. Here there are many restaurants as well as sidewalk booths offering local snacks that will make your mouth water. San Da Pao is a distinctive snack of Sichuan Province and is made from sticky rice, brown sugar, sesame, and beans. And the sweet dried persimmon here is also considered a unique reflection of Chengdu. Some other local snacks include rice glueballs, wontons, and boiled dumplings. Of course, the famous ‘Dishes of Three Kingdoms’ is also delicious and waiting for you to enjoy.For more travel information, contact 365 China Travel guides. >>>apply now