Jinli Ancient Street Travel Guide
Highlights, History & Visitor Information
Jinli is one of Chengdu's oldest districts, boasting a history of over 2,300 years. Along with the adjacent Wuhou Temple (a shrine dedicated to Zhuge Liang, a hero from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms), it is a historical and cultural district that retains a strong atmosphere of the Three Kingdoms period. Its history is said to date back to the Qin dynasty, and the current streetscape was recreated based on the architectural style of Xi'an (western Sichuan) during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With cobblestone alleys adorned with swaying red lanterns and rows of black brick and wooden houses, it is also known as Chengdu's most lively nightlife spot, giving you the feeling of traveling back and forth between the past and the present in a single day.
1. Main Highlights
🏮 How to enjoy each area
Jinri is not a single road, but rather a network of intertwining alleys, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the area.
• Main Street and Dining Area:
Three Kingdoms-themed atmosphere: The alleys are lined with shops selling products related to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as well as local specialties such as Zhang Fei beef, creating an atmosphere that evokes the romance of history.
Sichuan snack food court: Jinli is also known as the "Chengdu snack paradise," with a concentration of food stalls and shops where you can sample all the famous Sichuan delicacies, including dragon dumplings, zhong dumplings, dandan noodles, and fufu lung bread.
• Crafts and souvenirs area:
Live traditional craft performances: Many stalls offer up-close glimpses of sugar painting, shadow puppetry, paper cutting, and other artisanal techniques, and you can even purchase the finished products as souvenirs.
Unique Sichuan souvenirs: There are a variety of unique items that can only be purchased here, including Shu embroidery (Sichuan embroidery), lacquerware, panda goods, and Sichuan tea leaves.
• Bar and Teahouse Area:
Old-fashioned bars and quiet teahouses: The corners of the alleys are dotted with stylish bars renovated from old buildings and traditional teahouses where you can relax and enjoy tea during the day and a relaxing drink surrounded by the illuminated lights at night.
2. Historical Stories
📜 History and legends surrounding Geumri
• Origin of "Xishu No. 1 Street": The name Jinli is said to come from the old name of Chengdu during the Shu Han Dynasty, "Jinguancheng." At the time, Chengdu was famous for its brocade production, so the name means "Brocade Village."
• Deep ties to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The neighboring Wuhou Temple enshrines Zhuge Liang (Kongming), and Jinli plays a part in recreating the prosperity of culture and commerce during the Three Kingdoms period. Merchandise and stories related to the heroes of Shu Han are scattered throughout the town, making it a must-see spot for fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
3. Useful Information Before Your Visit
Address：No. 231, Wuhou Ci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
Regular Opening Hours：The entire area is open 24 hours a day, but store opening hours vary (generally 9:00-22:00).
Closed：None (Open daily throughout the year).
Admission Tickets：Free (food, drink and purchases at the store are charged separately)
4. Visiting Etiquette and Important Notes
• Best time to visit: The best time to visit is from early evening to late night. As dusk approaches, hundreds of red lanterns are lit, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere that is different from the daytime.
• Crowd Information: It gets very crowded on weekends, public holidays, and during long weekends. If you don't like crowds, try going on weekday mornings for a more leisurely stroll.
• Food and drink advice: There's a wide variety of snacks , so it's best to try a variety in small portions. Don't worry if you can't handle spicy food? Just ask for "no spicy" (bu yao la) or "mild spicy" (wei la) when ordering.
5. Pandaland Trip's Original Tour Services
Our Pandaland Trip offers unique services that allow you to experience the history of the Three Kingdoms and the food culture of Chengdu in depth, rather than just superficial sightseeing in Jinli.
• Three Kingdoms History Exploration Course: We offer a guided tour of the Wuhou Shrine and Jinli, where you'll learn about Zhuge Liang's wisdom and the heroic tales of the Three Kingdoms era, explained clearly in your native language.
• Jinli Gourmet Food Tour : Your guide will introduce you to the top 5 must-try snacks in Jinli, provide tips on how to order and eat them, and recommend restaurants.
• Guide to craftsmanship experiences and photo spots : We will guide you to the best spots to see demonstrations of traditional crafts such as sugar painting and filming, as well as hidden photo spots where the red lanterns look the most beautiful.
• Time settings that take crowds into consideration : We will propose a plan that allows you to enjoy the fantastic night view while also being comfortable, such as guiding you to a time slightly off the evening rush hour.
• Complete Support in Your Native Language: Whether it's ordering or shopping at local stores or selecting souvenirs, our staff will provide full support in your native language, ensuring a smooth experience.
Experience the old and new Chengdu nightlife illuminated by the red lanterns of Jinli with your Pandaland trip!
