How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley in Chengdu

Plan your Chengdu tour? When night falls, It is advisable to have a leisure walk in the old area of the three alleys, namely Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley in the downtown Chengdu. These three alleys combined are often called "Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi" in Chinese.

The meaning of Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi in Chinese literally means “Wide Alleys" (Kuan Alleys) and "Narrow Alleys”(Zhai Alleys). Here they particularly refers to the three famous lanes ( not just two, but three ) in Chengdu – Kuan Alley (wide lane) and Zhai Ally ( narrow Lane) and Jing Alley ( grid pattern lanes and courtyards).

All the three alleys have now gentrified as the ancient alleys going back to Qing Dynasty ( 1644 -1911 ) in Chengdu. Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is one of the three historical relic protection areas in Chengdu.

In the early Qing Dynasty, the Qing government built a walled city here in Chengdu as the living place for the Eight Banners soldiers and their families. In the sixtieth year of Kangxi’s Reign in Qing Dynasty, the General Nian Gengyao in Chengdu proposed to the imperial court to send 1600 people and station in Chengdu permanently.

ABC of Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

During the fortieth year of Qianlong’s Reign ( 1776), in order to consolidate the southwest border, the court set up the Jiangjun Yamen in Chengdu, built for the general of the Shao city, where both the soldiers and their families lived.

The walled city was once composed of 42 lanes,and Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi and Jing Xiang Zi are three of the lanes. Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is the hutong culture extended from the Northen China to the Southern China.

Kuan Alley ( Kuan Xiang Zi )

Kuan Alley ( Kuan Xiang Zi ) is home to the most complete old buildings in the whole block, where you can enjoy a bowl of tea, eat authentic Sichuan cuisine and experience the local conditions and customs of old Chengdu.

Zhai Alley (Zhai Xiang Zi)

Zhai Alley (Zhai Xiang Zi) is a leisure life taste area with western-style food culture, art and leisure as its focus, as well as buildings of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China.

Jing Alley (Jing Xiang Zi)

Jing Lane (Jing Xiang Zi) is a typical miniature of Chengdu folk customs. In addition to the fascinating brick cultural wall, there are also chengdu special snacks and folk customs.

Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley Travel Tips

Hassle-free Chengdu Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:

Further Readings

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