10/21 Tea House, Temples, and Broad & Narrow Streets

October 21st

Today, we tried breakfast on the street - boiled egg, fagao (white bread), baozi (puffed dough with sausage), jianbing (fried dough), and sticky rice. We then walked to the aunt and uncle's. However, they weren't there so we had to walk back to hotel where they were waiting for us. Miscommunication!

Leon's other aunt also arrived the night before and she joined us. We all boarded a bus to head to a Buddhist temple. First, the uncle surprised us all with a visit to a really elegant tea house. There was someone doing calligraphy and encouraged me to try it. He first made United States (Chinese characters mean beautiful country) and then he did China (central country). I gave a go at China - the first character (you read from right to left) was easy but the character for country was a bit difficult. I then did the character for butterfly.

Which one is mine???

Some of the uncle's painting were located in this tea house. We sat for tea and learned a little bit about the owner and the tea house. There were some beautiful China tea cup sets made from the finest area of China on display. We also saw some unique works of art and very old pottery pieces. Hangzhou fine silk screen works of art where located in one of the room. There were also old Chinese classics that were made with stamps for each character. This is up there with one of our favorite experiences. I took lots of pictures and even some video of the tea service.

Beautiful Silk Screen

Tea Time (above)

Music Act (above)

We walked to lunch where my parents and I had beef noodles (this was a bit spicy). There were also some spring rolls, rice dessert balls, dandan noodles, and wutong soup.

From here, we walked to a Buddhist Temple - the most famous temple in the city of Chengdu. Leon and his family are Buddhists so there was some paying of homage to Buddha. George thought this was his first temple to visit and thought it was very educational. I then reminded him that we visited a temple at Leshan two days ago!

After leaving this temple, we walked down this one street full of police officers. We weren't sure what was going down but it was the biggest group of law enforcement we had seen yet.

We jumped on a bus to go to the Broad and Narrow Streets. This is a cultural zone that has lots of street art, shops, and food options. There is also ear wax cleaning here too. This was one of the more touristy areas.

The Wide and Narrow Lanes (KuanXiangzi and ZhaiXiangzi) were first built during the Qing dynasty for Manchu soldiers. The lanes remained residential until 2003 when the local government turned the area into a mixed-use strip of restaurants, teahouses, bars, avant-garde galleries and residential houses.  Historic architecture has been well preserved in the Wide and Narrow lanes.

We got another bus - this one was packed! We headed back to hotel for a short rest and then had dinner just down the street near the aunt and uncle's apartment. It was hot pot again. This time the hot pot consisted primarily of fish with some vegetables at the end. The older aunt's middle child - a son - came to meet s after dinner. He lived about 5 km away and road his bike to see us. He is married with a teenage son. The older aunt lives about 4 hours away in Leon's parents' hometown.

You put the food in oil before eating.  Here is my fish!