About Chengdu

Recreation in Chengdu

As Chengdu is an important hut in Southwestern China, it’s undoubtedly a busy and bustling city. But if you want to experience the most traditional local lifestyle, you have to go to the teahouse, watch the Sichuan opera and appreciate the various folk songs and dances featuring strong Sichuan style.

Sichuan Opera: Sichuan opera is one of the features of Sichuan and Chengdu is home to various operas. As early as in the Tang Dynasty, there spread the saying “the Sichuan operas top those elsewhere”. During the period of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, based on the local lantern operas, Sichuan opera that is performed in the local dialect with a combination of such various rhythm schemes as high-pitched tune, the sound of Chinese fiddle, the melodies of the Kun opera and martial arts was created.

Shufeng Yayun Opera House: Shufeng Yayun was once the opera house where famous Sichuan opera performers gather together. In recent years, there is a classical opera and folk consummate art performance on show every night. Here, you can watch the most traditional face changing performances, flame throwing (from the mouth), lantern dances, puppet shows, excerpts staging shows and shadow plays. There is a show from 20:00-21:30 p.m. every day. Its price is around 150-220 RMB. The opera house is in Qintai Road 23 (in the Cultural Park of Chengdu).

Teahouse: There is no place better than the teahouse for you to truly experience the local lifestyle. Teahouse functions as a recreational place for the local people. Storytellers and opera performers all look upon teahouses as their performing places. In some teahouses, a number of big fans of the opera gather together and sing together. Thus, teahouses are usually all packed. And that’s how the Chinese word “Daweigu” (means sitting around the table and singing after meals).

Bars:There are a myriad of bars in Chengdu and they are all catered for the young people’s pursuit of fashion. Most of the bars scatter in the busiest streets, especially in such areas around Renmin Road and Yangshi Street. In Southern Renmin Road and Yulin Residential Area, there are not only bars, but also such places for entertainment as coffee shops, dancing halls and bowling fitness center.