Wide and Narrow Alley (Kuanzhai Xiangzi)

Consisting of Wide Alley (Kuan Xiangzi), Narrow Alley (Zhai Xiangzi), Well Alley (Jing Xiangzi) three parallel ancient city alleys and 45 courtyards along them, Wide and Narrow Alley is one of Chengdu’s historical and cultural reserves, together with Daci Temple reserve and Wenshu Monastery reserve. It is a microcosm of the city’s history as well as a deep mark in local people’s memory.

The history of Wide and Narrow Alley can be dated back to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). At that time, the area was a city within the Chengdu city called Mancheng City or Shaocheng City, where the court quartered troops. As time passed by, the city decayed and only the Wide Alley and Narrow Alley were left. In 2003, renovation work of the two alleys began, aiming to build a complex cultural and business street with the functions of tourism and recreation. On June 14, 2008, the newly renovated Wide, Narrow and Well Alley were opened to the public, located in nowadays Qingyang District, to the east of Tongren Road and west of Changshun Street. Nowadays, Wide and Narrow Alley is a popular entertainment and nightlife block as well as a famous tourism site, with lots of restaurants, pubs, teahouses, and stores selling featured souvenirs.

Wide and Narrow Alley, Chengdu
Wide and Narrow Alley
Showgirl in the Alley
Showgirl in the Alley

Wide Alley

This alley exhibits the leisurely life of natives and represents the most typical forms of Chengdu folk culture. The unique attractive elements include the natives, old lodges, and ancient teahouses, etc, show the modern Chengdu people’s memories about the city’s past. Inside the alley, there is an Experiencing House of Old Chengdu Life, which is also the cover and tourism center of Wide and Narrow Alley. Comprising of a kitchen, study, living room, and bedroom, it mainly exhibits the daily life of a common family during the period of the Republic of China (1912 – 1949 AD). Visitors can also appreciate Sichuan Embroidery, Shadow play, and puppet show, similar attractions here.
 

Narrow Alley

The feature of this alley is the typical slow life of Chengdu natives. It mainly shows the courtyard culture of the city and courtyard dreams of Chinese people. There is a garden in a residence, a house in the garden, a yard in the house, trees in the yard, sky over the trees, moon in the sky. After renovation, the alley was decorated with bamboos, vines and traditional wall lamps. Other facilities and services within this alley include western and fast food restaurants, café, and healthy life experiencing hall, to name but a few.
Exhibition in the Wide and Narrow Alley
Exhibition in the Alley
Delicious Food in Kuanzhai Xiangzi
Popular Snack Bars

Well Alley

Applying a theme as the new life of Chengdu people, Well Alley is the modern side of Wide and Narrow Ally, as well as the most open, most diverse, and most dynamic zone in the area. In this most beautiful historical block of Chengdu, one can taste the delicious food; among the most delicate traditional buildings of the city, one can entertain oneself in the colorful night; in the most typical alley of the city, one can enjoy the happiness of free thinking. The facilities here include pubs, nightclubs, dessert shops, wedding site, and retail shops. The most featured building here is a western villa. Originally a private residence and later a church, it is now a site for love and marriage consumption, and representative of sweetness and fashion.
Statues in the Alley Kuanzhai Xiangzi, Chengdu

How to get to Wide and Narrow Alley

 By Bus
Take bus 51, 62, 70, 93, 163 or 340, and get off at Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alley) Station.

 By Metro
Take Metro Line 4, get off at Wide and Narrow Alley Station. Then walk southeast and arrive at the scenic area.
Take Metro Line 2, get off at People's Park Station, get out from Exit D1 and then walk along Changshun Upper Road to get there.
Chengdu Bus/ Metro Search
 

Travel Tip:

Visitors can take Chengdu Sightseeing Bus at Kuanzhai Xiangzi City Terminal to other popular tourist sites, such as Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Mount Qingcheng and Sanxingdui Museum.

 Rocommended Nearby Attractions:
 Wenshu Monastery
 Chunxi Road
 People's Park
 Yongling Museum

 Top 10 Things to Do in Chengdu
 10 Best Places to Visit in Chengdu for First-time Visitors
- Last updated on Sep. 20, 2023 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Wide and Narrow Alley (Kuanzhai Xiangzi)
Asked by debbie clark from UNITED STATES | Jan. 10, 2024 15:26Reply
red chili peppers hanging on the wall
please tell me the name of the red chile peppers hanging on the wall in the narrow wide alleys of chengdu china
Answers (1)
Answered by Mark | Jan. 10, 2024 23:04
00Reply


There is no name of it. It's just one of the symbolic scenes of the Wide and Narrow Alley.
Asked by Stefan Volkwein from GERMANY | Jan. 12, 2020 08:00Reply
I will have an 8 1/2 hour stop in Chengdu in April on the trip from Frankfurt to Bangkok.
And would like to see the city (Wide and Narrow-Street).
When I arrive in CD on immigration, I get some kind of transit visa. If this is enough to go to the city with it, or do I also need a 5-day visa (I am a German citizen). Thank you in advance for the information.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emma from THAILAND | Jan. 13, 2020 18:22
00Reply


Well, you need to apply for the 24-hour visa-free entry permit, which is a stamp or sticker on passport showing the permitted stay length.
Asked by Violet from SINGAPORE | Sep. 30, 2019 09:52Reply
Chengdu Hotel
Where is the old street with popular snack food ? What hostel can walk there ? Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Bryson from USA | Oct. 08, 2019 23:24
00Reply


There are many popular walking streets featuring local food like Jinli, Kuanzhai Valley, Guanghuacun, Hongpailou, Yulin. You can choose one and find the accommodation.
Asked by Adrienne from MALAYSIA | Aug. 01, 2019 20:59Reply
How far is it from Chengdu Lazybones Hostel Boutiqu to Kuanzhai Xiangzi & how much is the taxi fare?
Answers (1)
Answered by Esther from POLAND | Aug. 02, 2019 00:26
00Reply


The distance is around 5km. If by taxi, the cab fare is around CNY 20.
Asked by Lynette E Fedrick from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 25, 2018 01:50Reply
Transport from Chengdu Airport
I was wondering what the approximate cost was of a taxi from Shuangliu airport to the Holiday Inn at 999 Hanzhou Road, Tianfu New Area, might be. We arrive around 9.30pm and not sure whether to take a taxi or organise a private transfer which is usually quite a bit more. Thanks, Lyn Fedrick Australia
Answers (1)
Answered by Hobby from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 25, 2018 19:02
00Reply


The fare is about CNY 90.
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