Streets of Chengdu: Wide & Narrow Alley #2 周边地区 & Surrounding Area

Wide and Narrow Alley 宽窄巷子 (Kuanzhai Xiangzi)

Wide and Narrow Alleys, known as Kuanzhai Xiangzi 宽窄巷子, is a captivating historical area in Chengdu, China. Spanning an expansive 66,590 square meters, it comprises wide alleys, narrow alleys, and well alleys arranged in parallel, totaling approximately 73 courtyards and units. The entire complex consists of meticulously crafted courtyard homes with blue-gray bricks and tiles, resembling ancient quadrangles. This area stands as one of Chengdu’s well-preserved historical districts from the Qing Dynasty, alongside landmarks such as the Daci Temple and Wenshu Monastery, collectively recognized as Chengdu’s three major historical and cultural preservation zones.

Within the alleys, visitors can savor the essence of Chengdu’s culture. Enjoy a cup of Mengshan Yellow Bud tea while engaging in casual banter with the local elderly, known as “Bai Longmen Zhen” in Sichuan dialects. Alternatively, summon a skilled ear cleaner called “Shu’er Lang” to experience the pleasurable sensation of ear cleaning. The narrow streets also offer a feast for the taste buds, with numerous street food stalls presenting a variety of delectable treats.

As night falls, Wide and Narrow Alleys transform into a charming spectacle. Bars like Dian Zui, Bai Ye, and Hu Li come to life, radiating Chengdu’s fashionable vibes and showcasing their allure under the cover of darkness. The ambiance becomes magical, making the alleys a perfect destination to immerse oneself in Chengdu’s rich history, culture, and contemporary charm.

Consisting of Wide Alley 宽窄巷子(Kuan Xiangzi), Narrow Alley (Zhai Xiangzi), Well Alley (Jing Xiangzi) three parallel ancient city alleys and 45 courtyards along them, Wide and Narrow Alley is one of Chengdu’s historical and cultural reserves, together with Daci Temple reserve and Wenshu Monastery reserve. It is a microcosm of the city’s history as well as a deep mark in local people’s memory.

The history of Wide and Narrow Alley can be dated back to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). At that time, the area was a city within the Chengdu city called Mancheng City or Shaocheng City, where the court quartered troops. As time passed by, the city decayed and only the Wide Alley and Narrow Alley were left. In 2003, renovation work of the two alleys began, aiming to build a complex cultural and business street with the functions of tourism and recreation. On June 14, 2008, the newly renovated Wide, Narrow and Well Alley were opened to the public, located in nowadays Qingyang District, to the east of Tongren Road and west of Changshun Street. Nowadays, Wide and Narrow Alley is a popular entertainment and nightlife block as well as a famous tourism site, with lots of restaurants, pubs, teahouses, and stores selling featured souvenirs.

Wide Alley 宽巷子
This alley exhibits the leisurely life of natives and represents the most typical forms of Chengdu folk culture. The unique attractive elements include the natives, old lodges, and ancient teahouses, etc, show the modern Chengdu people’s memories about the city’s past. Inside the alley, there is an Experiencing House of Old Chengdu Life, which is also the cover and tourism center of Wide and Narrow Alley. Comprising of a kitchen, study, living room, and bedroom, it mainly exhibits the daily life of a common family during the period of the Republic of China (1912 – 1949 AD). Visitors can also appreciate Sichuan Embroidery, Shadow play, and puppet show, similar attractions here.
 
Narrow Alley 窄巷子
The feature of this alley is the typical slow life of Chengdu natives. It mainly shows the courtyard culture of the city and courtyard dreams of Chinese people. There is a garden in a residence, a house in the garden, a yard in the house, trees in the yard, sky over the trees, moon in the sky. After renovation, the alley was decorated with bamboos, vines and traditional wall lamps. Other facilities and services within this alley include western and fast food restaurants, café, and healthy life experiencing hall, to name but a few.


Well Alley
Applying a theme as the new life of Chengdu people, Well Alley is the modern side of Wide and Narrow Ally, as well as the most open, most diverse, and most dynamic zone in the area. In this most beautiful historical block of Chengdu, one can taste the delicious food; among the most delicate traditional buildings of the city, one can entertain oneself in the colorful night; in the most typical alley of the city, one can enjoy the happiness of free thinking. The facilities here include pubs, nightclubs, dessert shops, wedding site, and retail shops. The most featured building here is a western villa. Originally a private residence and later a church, it is now a site for love and marriage consumption, and representative of sweetness and fashion.