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Hey guys,
This is Patrick again. I met some of you when I came to Chengdu about a year ago to do a story on the fixed-gear scene and the boys over at Natooke. I had an amazing time coming to the city and having the chance to meet some of the people on this forum. Thanks again for all who helped out.
British Airways in-flight, High Life, have asked if I could help them come up with a quick list of new places in Chengdu for one of their magazine sections. Specifically, they’re looking to zero in on an emerging micro-neighborhood in Chengdu. Somewhere that’s growing a lot right now with new hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, etc.
If you have any suggestions for which areas might be good for me to look at, let me know! Even better, if you have some suggestions for new places (bars, restaurants, hotels) that have opened in one of these areas in the last year, I’d love to hear about them.
Unfortunately, this is going to be a short piece and I won’t have the ability to fly out for it. Hopefully, we’ll have a bigger Chengdu story coming up and I’ll be able to come back out.
Looking forward to your suggestions and a sincere thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Cheers,
-PatrickHi Patrick,
The first thing that comes to mind is Chengdu’s High Tech Zone. But I think by definition the fastest growing place won’t be a micro-neighborhood, it’ll be a sprawling, vast development.
I’d like to suggest The Poly Centre. Despite the recent confusion with the future of Here We Go and Tag (Two very popular bars based in this building that have recently closed their units, and allegedly moved to new homes.), this building and the surrounding area still has a lot to offer. Fishbone tattoo studio opened up their second location here last year. The place is filled with small, specialist cafés and restaurants that are a real treat. Helen’s is a Chinese ran bar aimed at foreigners and foreign culture. It’s clad with flags from around the world, as well as offering burgers, pizza, fries, and other home comforts for very reasonable prices. Sinostage dance studio had a very successful opening a few months ago. I’ve also seen signs for archery and robotics clubs based in specialised units here.
Across the road from the building it’s self we have The Beernest, which just celebrated it’s first anniversary. This is a fantastic bar that specialises in quality micro-brewed and imported beers worth importing, and also serves as a nice break from the disappointing Chinese beers that nearly every other establishment stocks exclusively.
So with some research, interviews, and photographs, I feel like this could be a suitable area that falls within the definition of an up-and-coming micro-neighbourhood. It’s also my favourite area to spend a weekend and a lot of money.
Meh, but poly center is a new-ish building in an old area. I think century city will be the new center. They have that giant malls and less than 4 years ago were straight up farms and now it’s full of high rises. The sucky thing is that culture and entertainment havent quite reached there yet, so not that many great restaurants, bars, shops, etc.
Xiaotong Lu near kuanzhai xiangzi. About a dozen cool cafes and bars, plus Loft Hostel. Happening area that evolved naturally….and not artificially touristy.
Xiaotong Lu near kuanzhai xiangzi. About a dozen cool cafes and bars, plus Loft Hostel. Happening area that evolved naturally….and not artificially touristy.
That is a really fantastic area. I seldom go there because of the location, but that has to be one of the coolest streets in the city.
Oh, hey there Patrick.
Downtown near city center is probably worth writing about. Centrally located and a lot is being brought into the area, including the newly opened IFS with the giant geometric panda, shops regularly opening up (and closing) and it’s near(er) to other areas that have attractions like the TV tower, and that street near Hongxi Lu that they’re developing that houses Dragonfly.
Not to mention things that will be opening up, including any iteration of luxury stores, malls, jade jewelry stores, etc. Swire, a 5 star hotel is opening up there too and looks as though it’s going to have an incredible layout and offer some neat services for those that have a little better padded pockets.
Plus both of Chengdu’s metro lines are in the vicinity!
Thanks for all the info everybody. The Poly Center sounds like it’s got some great places, but how new are they?
It sounds like there’s also some support for Xiaotong Lu near kuanzhai xiangzi. Any specific spots you’d recommend in that area?
I love Jacob’s suggestion of the new Metro Lines as well. How are those working out? Do they connect with any of the two areas I mentioned above?
hey Patrick,
why not take a time to Aurora Dental, the amazing dental clinic in Chengdu Tianfu Square, which is one of the most modern dental and providing professional dental services in Chengdu, check out Aurora Dental from Chengdu living, or pm me if you need more info.
Xiaotong Lu has been around for a few years.
I would say the most recent area is U37 Creative. South Third Street, Shuinianhe.
Great coffee shops, bars and some artist studios. I took a few Chengdu friends last week and they were shocked that they didn’t know about this area.
That’s a great idea. Your suggestion especially fits Patrick’s description of “an emerging micro-neighborhood…that’s growing a lot right now with new hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, etc.”
I’ve even heard that Aurora has become a growing hotspot, with its free coffee the epicenter. It now attracts people, not for teeth-cleaning, but rather to it’s relatively new draw as a developing cultural center and it’s involvement in the organization of a countless array of community activities and events.
Or maybe you just clean teeth? I don’t know. I’ve never been.
U37 is a nice spot. Bit tucked away. Decent cafe, UID. A little kitschy though. It has that uber rich connected developer feel more than something natural and self-progressing. Like a smaller, better-located version of East Music Park.
The Poly Center sounds like it’s got some great places, but how new are they?
Here We Go and Tag opened earlier this year, but it looks like they’re not open any more. Helen’s opened maybe Q3 last year. Fishbone’s second studio opened late last year also. Beernest has just turned 1 year old. Most things that I’m aware of have opened since I arrived nearly a year ago.
I’d agree with the beer nest myself. If I’m not mistake Dieter mentioned signing the lease for a second beer nest.
I know it is not specifically a place, but micro breweries and brewing beer is also on the rise (even though mostly undercover still). There are several foreigners and a group of Chinese into brewing and I do believe this industry will rise and shine in the near future. So perhaps an article on breweries and where to buy craft beers?
Lino, thats a great suggestion. A few of us had a late night post-UFC micro brew at Lazy Guys, on Yu Lin Xi Lu (just a few doors down from Cat Cafe!!!) a few days ago and i was pretty impressed….I know in Japan micro breweries are huge and seems to be catching on here too…..
So, contenders are Xiaotong Lu, Poly Center and U37 Creative.
Are Poly Center and U37 Creative both larger buildings that hold several cool places or are they more defined neighborhoods?
Also, which of these places are easily accessible by the new metro line?
Thanks again for the help everybody!
Poly Centre is a large building, but I’ve also included The Beernest which is across the street. It’s also a short walk from the Nijiaqiao Subway Stop on Line 1.
@Ray
I havent been to Lazy Guys yet but i definitely will make a trip down there as soon as I can. On the other hand, theres the Mug bar as well (dont ask me for the location too) who provide locally brewed beer.
Im planning to do a world cup special as well. When Belgium plays midnight games Ill be at the beer nest with some of my own beers, so come over for a taster if youre free
Hi Patrick,
I think poly center is the best spot, its very close to the Nijiaqiao subway station, line 1. I like the place and am opening a wine shop at Kehua north road opposite of Sichuan university west gate, soon in up coming July.
Ok, I think I’m going to focus in on the Poly Center.
So, Here We Go and Helen’s are both closed for sure?
Have people been to the Sinostage Dance Studio?
And anything more about that robotics or archery class?
I’d also be interested if anyone has suggestions on specific new shops or new hotels right in this area?
Thanks guys.
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