| Chengdu is an ancient city and has many unique | | | | to the teahouses early in the morning and do not leave |
| ancient and modern cultural aspects that can be found | | | | until late at night. Normally when somebody decides to |
| nowhere else as well as a jumping night life. Being a | | | | leave, they give what remaining snacks they have to |
| transportation hub and the gateway to Tibet since the | | | | the table. It is the perfect place to meet new friends. |
| ancient Silk Road, Chengdu's unique culture is a melting | | | | There are also people wandering the teahouses |
| pot of different cultures from throughout China, and | | | | offering to clean out patron's ears, or cut their |
| western Asia. When you taking or planning a Chengdu | | | | fingernails. They wander through the crowds with |
| Tours, don't forget to include these in your itinery | | | | handfuls of metal tools that they use. It may look a little |
| Sichuan Opera: | | | | scary, but it a wonderful experience. |
| Sichuan Opera is famous throughout Sichuan, Yunnan, | | | | Chengdu has one of the few remaining bastions of |
| and Guizhou Provinces. Sichuan Opera is an important | | | | true teahouse culture left in China. It is a wonderful |
| part of Chengdu culture, and one of the contributing | | | | experience for Locals, and visitors. It is something that |
| styles that became Beijing's famous Peking Opera. | | | | should not be missed because the only way to truly |
| Developed over centuries, the present form came | | | | understand it is to experience it. |
| about during The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Besides the | | | | Night Market |
| normal singing, and martial arts, Sichuan Opera has | | | | Chengdu has a night market located near the Jiang |
| many unique features that set it apart, features such | | | | Hotel and the Minshan Hotel. This market has a great |
| as fire breathing, changing faces, and juggling pottery. | | | | atmosphere and is a great place to pick up souvenirs. |
| Sichuan Opera is far less formal in style than Peking | | | | This market offers everything from embroidered silk to |
| Opera and the role of the clown holds a comparatively | | | | statues of Chairman Mao. It is important to bargain. |
| large part of each opera. | | | | Prices are not set in stone and quoted prices will be |
| The changing faces part of Sichuan opera is | | | | much higher than what the stall owner will accept. |
| performed by an actor wearing a silk mask that looks | | | | Jinli Ancient Street |
| similar to a Peking Opera mask. The actor struts and | | | | Opened in 2004 Jinli is a street designed in the style of |
| spins around the stage. When the actor spins around, | | | | The Qing Dynasty. Its many shops, teahouses, bars, |
| or jerks his head, his mask is changed for another. An | | | | and restaurants are designed with traditional |
| experienced actor can have dozens of masks that he | | | | architectural styles. This street proudly displays the |
| can change. Most visitors try to figure out how it is | | | | customs and culture of Chengdu. In the evening is |
| done, but it is done with such speed that its secret | | | | when Jinli really comes to life. The streets are lit with |
| cannot be discerned. It is very similar to watching a | | | | traditional red lanterns and the locals come out to walk |
| magic show in the middle of an opera. Fire breathing is | | | | the street and do some window shopping. It is an |
| another important and spectacular part of Sichuan | | | | excellent place to purchase arts and crafts unique to |
| Opera. An actor in a mask shoots huge balls of fire | | | | Chengdu. |
| out over the audiences head. It is perfectly safe, and | | | | Bars and Clubs: |
| quite exciting. | | | | Chengdu's residents are very proud of their ancient |
| Tea Houses: | | | | culture, and heritage, but also love spending the night in |
| Visitors to Chengdu will find there are a lot of | | | | a more lively and modern fashion. With the influx of |
| teahouses scattered throughout the city. Drinking tea | | | | investment come not only skyscrapers, but a lively bar |
| has become quintessential part of Chengdu people's | | | | scene. Areas such as Renmin South Road and west |
| daily life. Because of this, Chengdu has formed a | | | | of Yangshi Street feature many cafes, discos, and |
| special tea culture all its own which attracts visitors | | | | karaoke bars. Chengdu's local beer named "Blue |
| from across China, and around the globe. For Chengdu | | | | Sword" is perfect to wash down Chengdu's spicy |
| locals, it is very important to have the proper | | | | cuisine. These nightspots are good places to meet |
| atmosphere to enjoy their tea. For most people, the | | | | other travelers and exchange stories, or make friends |
| perfect place would be a teahouse. The most popular | | | | with local residents. The lively night scene in Chengdu |
| location for teahouses in Chengdu is along the south | | | | gets quite lively and stays open until the wee hours of |
| bridge of Dujiang Weir, where the scenery is | | | | the morning. |
| wonderful and the weather is pleasant. One of the | | | | From traditional teahouses, theaters to modern pubs |
| most unique parts of Chengdu's teahouses is the | | | | and clubs, Chengdu people know how to enjoy the |
| community atmosphere. Everyone from infants to the | | | | night. Every corner in Chengdu offers the warmest |
| elderly come to the teahouses to relax, do business, | | | | welcome. |
| chat with friends, or just drink tea. Many elderly come | | | | |