Jinli Ancient Street stretches 350 metres along grey-green stone pavements to the east of the Wuhou Temple, in the south-west of Chengdu. Reopened in 2004 on the site of a millennium-old merchant quarter, it now brings together teahouses, craft shops, stalls serving Sichuan cuisine and an opera stage beneath wooden facades inspired by traditional architecture from western Sichuan.

Why visit Jinli Street

Jinli condenses several facets of Sichuan culture within a few hundred metres: spicy street food, craftsmanship (embroidery, shadow puppetry, calligraphy), folk performances and dark wooden architecture. The street is pedestrian-only, free to enter, and easy to explore as a complement to visiting the neighbouring Wuhou Temple. Its main appeal lies in the concentration of traditional activities within the same area, rather than in the authenticity of the buildings, which are recent.

History

Under the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), the area corresponding to present-day Jinli was renowned for the production of baldachins—high-quality patterned fabrics that gave the street its name (Jinli literally means "brocade street").

During the Shu Han period (221–263), one of the three kingdoms born from the collapse of the Han, Jinli became one of Chengdu's major commercial arteries, so much so that it was nicknamed the "First Street of the Shu Kingdom". The quarter declined over the centuries that followed.

The present-day street is a restoration that reopened to the public in October 2004, adjoining Wuhou Temple. It does not preserve the original buildings but revives the architectural codes of the Three Kingdoms era combined with Sichuan folklore traditions.

What to see and do at Jinli

Architecture and atmosphere

Entry is through a monumental gate engraved with the street's name. Beyond it, the pavement of grey-green stone stretches 350 metres and is lined with wooden buildings featuring curved roofs, red lanterns, exposed brick walls and carved steles. The overall design draws inspiration from a traditional settlement in western Sichuan.

Crafts and shops

• Sichuan embroidery (Shu xiu), one of China's four major embroidery schools
• Shadow puppets and cut leather puppet theatre
• Calligraphy, paintings, ornaments, opera masks
• Traditional teahouses where you can observe Sichuan tea ceremony

Performances

A central wooden stage regularly hosts Sichuan Opera performances, including the famous mask-changing act (bian lian). You'll also find puppet shows, artisan demonstrations and, in the evening, outdoor film screenings. Couples sometimes organise traditional weddings in the street's setting: ceremonies open to passersby, in red costumes and with sedan chairs.

Specialities to taste

The street food alley, behind the main street, is one of Jinli's highlights. Must-try dishes include:

• San da pao: sticky rice balls tossed onto a plate and rolled in soya powder
• Dan dan mian: noodles with spicy sesame sauce and minced pork
• Long chao shou: wontons in spicy soup
• Grandma Chen's tofu (mapo doufu) as a snack version
• Caramelised fruit skewers (tanghulu) and jasmine tea

Practical information

• Admission: free entry—the street is complimentary. Only purchases, tastings and certain performances are paid.
• Duration of visit: allow 1 to 2 hours to browse; longer if you dine on site or catch a performance.
• Opening times: the street is accessible all day; shops and restaurants generally open mid-morning and close late evening.
• Crowding: very high at weekends and during Chinese national holidays (Lunar New Year, National Day on October 1st).

When to go

Jinli is worth visiting year-round. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant temperatures in Chengdu, with less humidity than summer. The street takes on another dimension in the evening, when red lanterns light up and crowds of strollers fill the pavements; this is also when most performances and screenings take place. To avoid the crush, prefer weekday mornings.

How to get there

Jinli adjoins Wuhou Temple, in Wuhou district, approximately 3 km south-west of Tianfu Square (central Chengdu).

• Bus: lines 1, 82, 109 or 334, Wu Hou Ci stop (武侯祠)
• Metro: line 3, Gaoshengqiao station, then 10–15 minutes on foot
• Taxi / ride-hailing: ask for "Jinli Gujie" (锦里古街) or "Wuhou Ci"

Nearby attractions

• Wuhou Temple (Wuhou Ci): sanctuary dedicated to Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei, emblematic figures of the Shu Han kingdom, accessible via the same entrance as Jinli (paid ticket required).
• People's Park (Renmin Gongyuan): 3 km away, famous for its outdoor teahouses and the pool where water calligraphy is practised.
• Kuan-Zhai Xiangzi Street: another restored historic quarter, 4 km to the north, in a more Manchu style.
• Wenshu Monastery: a major active Buddhist temple north of the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

Jinli fits naturally into a stay in Chengdu devoted to Sichuan culture, spicy cuisine and giant pandas. To build a tailor-made itinerary in Chine, visit our Chine travel page.