Another stop in your Three Kingdoms treasure hunt is the wall inscriptions, which reproduced the documents that Zhuge presented to Emperor Liu before his first and second northern expeditions against the Wei Kingdom in AD 225 and AD 226. The handsome calligraphy was written by general Yue Fei in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
After you finish the treasure hunt, you'd probably be tired, thirsty or even hungry. Well, the next stop is Jinli, the old street that used to be one of the busiest commercial streets in the Shu Kingdom. It is just outside an exit from the Wuhou Temple.
Buildings in Three Kingdoms style line narrow, crowded streets, where shops sell Shu embroidery, folk arts and crafts, calligraphy, paintings and items such as distinctive pillows. The first phase of Jinli Street was opened in 2004.
Artisans give demonstrations and sell souvenirs. Although Jinli was a traditional commercial street, many cafes and bars have opened in nearby lanes. The street is a blend of tradition and modernity and a nice place to stroll land explore.
Food is another magnet at Jinli, and many people visit Chengdu just to eat. Snacks and beverages are sold in small shops and visitors can relax and eat at outside tables and chairs.
Sichuan cuisine is famous for chilies and numbing peppers. It's very spicy (mala) but many people love it for the rush it brings.
Snacks include bobo chicken, skewers of chicken and different vegetables marinated in spicy sauces in big pottery jars and served cold.
But Sichuan food is not just spicy, the flavors are diverse. Another signature snack is san da pao balls made from sticky rice, brown sugar, sesame and soybean flour. Its name reflects the "pow" sound made when the cook throws the balls against a cutting board to shape them. It's served in threes (san).
Jinli isn't just for tourists, but for locals as well. Many people sit in tea houses, sipping a favorite tea and watching Sichuan Opera.
Wuhou Temple and Jinli represent the spirit of the Three Kingdoms culture.
From taking in colorful, temple statues to strolling and enjoying tasty finger food, you're sure to get a flavor of ancient times in this treasure hunt, both for your brain and your taste buds. And you don't have to listen to a boring history class.
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