Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi in Chengdu - Chengdu Xin Tian Di?

During my business travel in Chengdu last week, I went to the new hot spot in Chengdu, Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi.

Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is a historical neighbourhood within two small narrow alleys called Kuan Xiang Zi and Zhai Xiang Zi.

Map of ancient City of Chengdu

Xiang Zi means alley in Chengdu dialect like Hu Tong in Beijing and Li Nong in Shanghai. Kuan means wide and Zhai means narrow. So Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi are actually two narrow lanes. One is wider than the other.

Kuan Xiang Zi - Wide Alley in Chengdu

Zhai Xiang Zi - Narrow Alley in Chengdu

It seems with the success of Shanghai Xin Tian Di, every city is now developing their own Xin Tian Di, for example, West Lake Xin Tian Di in Hangzhou.

Chengdu Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

Basically Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi has the same concept with Xin Tian Di. Restored historical local buildings with modern touch, full of nice restaurants, pubs and shops etc.

Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi Chengdu

Compared with Shanghai Xin Tian Di which has become a high end leisure center and expeled the local Shanghainese from their old residence, Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi seems to be more friendly to the public.

Refurbished old house in Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

There are more historical cultural elements rather than pure commercial facelift. It is more about grass-root leisure life rather than high end tourist spot. For example, there is this posh French restaurant (photo below)…