Jinli Ancient Street（锦里老街） Travel Guide

Location and History

Jinli Ancient Street is located to the east of the Wuhou Temple in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It has a long history dating back to the Qin Dynasty. As early as that time, it was a famous place for baldachin, a rich and ornate cloth. During the Shu Kingdom (221 - 263), it was one of the busiest commercial areas and is thus known as the "First Street of the Shu Kingdom". It was restored in 2004 and opened to the public, attracting visitors from all over the world to come and experience its charm.

Architectural Features

The architecture of Jinli Ancient Street is based on the style of the Qing Dynasty in western Sichuan Province. The buildings, including tea houses, stores, and hotels, are built in the traditional old town style. The wooden steles and brick walls exude an ancient charm. The street is about 550 meters long, with red lanterns hanging high, adding to the antique atmosphere2.

Cultural Highlights

Three Kingdoms Culture: The street combines the culture of the Three Kingdoms period with local folk customs, allowing visitors to feel the profound influence of the Three Kingdoms culture. You can see many elements related to the Three Kingdoms, such as statues and murals of historical figures like Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei2.
Traditional Arts: There are various traditional art forms on display. Skilled craftsmen perform paper-cutting, making clay figurines, and putting on shadow puppet shows and hand puppet shows. These artworks are delicate and vivid, showing the true life of the local people and preserving the traditional culture.
Sichuan Opera Performances: In the middle of the street, there is a wooden stage which is used for performing classic Sichuan operas from time to time. You can enjoy the beautiful singing, quick costume and make-up changes of the actors, as well as the unique charm of Sichuan Opera.

Food and Snacks

Jinli Ancient Street is a paradise for food lovers. It offers a wide variety of local snacks and street food. Some of the must-try delicacies include spicy rabbit head, traditional sweet rice balls, Chengdu dumplings, Zhang Fei Beef, Mapo Tofu, and Sugar-Coated Crisp Pastry3. You can taste the unique flavors of Sichuan cuisine here and enjoy a wonderful culinary experience.

Shopping

The street is lined with traditional artisan shops selling Shu embroidery, lacquer products, folk handicrafts, curios, and calligraphies and paintings of celebrities. These products are unique and can be great souvenirs for you to bring back home and share with your friends and family.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit

Jinli Ancient Street is open all day long throughout the year. The best time to visit is in the evening when the lanterns are lit up, creating a very romantic and vibrant atmosphere3.

Transportation

By Public Transport: You can take a bus or subway to get to the nearest station, and then walk to Jinli Ancient Street. There are also many taxis and ride-hailing services available in the city, which can take you directly to the destination.
By Self-Driving: If you drive by yourself, you can use a navigation app to find the way. However, be aware of the traffic conditions and parking regulations in the area.

Tips for Visiting

Try to avoid visiting during peak hours to avoid the crowds and have a better experience.
Bargain when shopping in some small shops, but be respectful to the merchants.
Pay attention to personal belongings and safety when visiting, especially in crowded areas.