First Day in China (2010)
Off to Jinli Street
A bit jet-lagged and culture-shocked, my first morning starts out by being picked up in a cab by my guide and new friend Jing (English name Catherina).
We head to Jinli Ancient Street, one of the restored commercial neighborhoods dating back to the Shu Kingdom (221-263). It’s a bit of a popular tourist attraction, but at the same time, frequented by locals for the dense food and shopping options as well as the nightlife. It’s located in the Wuhou District, southwest of the city center.
On the way there I’m getting my first daytime sights of normal China life. Of course, I’m fascinated by it all. I only took my small compact camera – a terrible performer when I look back at all these photos, but better than nothing, I guess.
I’m intrigued by the restaurants we pass by. Little did I know this is just common. I do love the open air setups that fill the streets with delicious aromas.
On the way there, Jing takes me to her favorite restaurant for pizza and wings.
Hawaiian pizza
Wings served with a bird’s nest theme. Those eggs are too small to be chicken eggs.
Walking around Jinli
These are fortunes people buy, write on, and hang up next to a building near the main courtyard.
Of course I’m always on the lookout for candy. This vendor uses glass-blowing techniques to blow molten sugar into animal shapes. I didn’t try it because eating something with someone’s breath encapsulated in it seems kind of gross.
Molten sugar vat
It’s tough to take it all in. I don’t recall the particulars of seeing this street for the first time, just the overwhelming feeling of people looking at me.
We grab some Tibetan food from Tibet Street nearby. This is boiled yak meet and Tibetan milk tea.
Back on Jinli Street we find another candy vendor who drips molten candy into zodiac shapes.
Chinese lanterns light up the street at night. It’s really a beautiful place to explore at dark.
This small exhibit shows off engravings from the Qing Dynasty.
Jet-lagged and exhausted, I din’t get to see much of the street at night, but what I did see looked pretty cool. I’ll have to come back.
Ice Cream Bonus
Not satisfied with the novelty ice cream we had earlier, we had to Chunxi Street and Häagen-Dazs and had this delightful Sushi-inspired treat. Despite what most people imply, Häagen-Dazs is a native New York business. In China, they are not only sold out of carts and small shops, they have full restaurant-cafes.
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