2025-12-03 Yulin Market and Tibetan Quarter

 A busy day exploring some of Chengdu 

Today Toby arrived from Melbourne, getting to the hotel from the airport in good time so we could all go out together from breakfast - having a faster time getting through immigration than we did!

We experienced Chengdu in peak hour; despite the metro coming and going every minute, there were crowds waitng on every platform during our journey to the Yulin district; at Tianfu Square, where our metro line crossed a number of metro lines and also Chengdu South Railway Station, there was a huge crowd waiting to get on, and the surge into the carriage was amazing - poor Isaac was hidden under larger bodies and all I could see were the tops of peoples heads.  A westerner has some advantages here, as I was in clear air for the most part, being of above average height, though lots of the younger people are taller than than their parents.

We managed to all get off the metro together at our stop, and made our way to the surface to find ourselves in what would be a suburban area with a market, shops and apartment buildings. Google AI says " The Yulin Market area in Chengdu is a vibrant neighborhood known for blending traditional market life with trendy, modern creativity. It features both the bustling Yulin Comprehensive Market, offering local produce, spices, and snacks, and a lively modern district with boutique shops, coffee shops, and restaurants along Yulin Road. It is considered a highlight for visitors looking for authentic local culture alongside contemporary shopping and dining experiences."

After a wander through the markets and sitting down to rest at a park watching the old people playing badminton and table tennis (and having lots of fun from the sounds of laughing and shouting), it was an electric bus ride to the Tibetan area, again Google AI says "There is no specific "Tibetan district" in Chengdu, but there is a vibrant Tibetan Quarter, also known as Little Lhasa, located in the Wuhou District. This area is a hub for the Tibetan diaspora and features shops selling traditional Tibetan goods, restaurants serving Tibetan food, and a large population of Tibetans who have moved to the city. It is situated near the First Ring Road and is a popular spot for tourists due to its proximity to the Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street."

Wandering around the shops was interesting here - we could have bought any number of Tibetan religious items (as well as yak milk and meat), and the street was full of Tibetan monks and nuns, and I guess pilgrims searching for souvenirs.  This is also where I have seen my first beggars, Pippa suggesting that this is a good area for them as pilgrims can earn merit by charity. They have their own QR code to facilitate easy donations.

After a stop at a Tibetan teahouse (yak butter coffee a speciality; I just kept to a regular hot chocolate) we went to the Wuhou Shrine - "Wuhou Shrine is a memorial temple in Chengdu, China, dedicated to Liu Bei and his Chancellor, Zhuge Liang, from the Three Kingdoms period. It is a significant historical and cultural landmark that was merged into a single complex during the Ming Dynasty.  The shrine was originally separate temples for Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang that were combined in 1391. It is a unique ruler-minister memorial complex, serving as a tribute to the Shu Han state leader and his chief advisor."  

Not knowing anything before entering the complex, I was more informed that I could really absorb after seeing the statues, tomb and audio-visual displays in the modern interpretation centre.  In Chinese culture the emperor and chancellor have a mythical/religious status something like Richard the Lionheart or King Arthur and the Round Table in our culture, but more intense.

On the way back home we were stopped in the street by a Tibetan teenager and her mum; the girl wanted her mum to take a photo with her and Isaac ('so cute') and Pippa and Toby; I have to say Chinese people in general are not shy, and will strike up a conversation if they have English - Isaac is a great ice breaker too.


Share bikes at Yulin Metro Station - these are used too


Lots of public art, not vandalised - this is a representation of Yulin District on the entrance to the area

Market Man

Self serve fridges and microwave for heating your drinks - on the honesty system, no locks on the fridges, pay using QR code against the item - this is on the street

Seniors having fun at the park

Yulin Market - one of the many stalls

Mouldy tofu - a delicacy - served sliced and deep fried- we both sampled and found it quite ok 

Chilli flakes in front, peppercorns at the back - Sichuan likes spicy!!

Fresh noodle stall - very fresh, being made right in front of you

Pick your own eggs

Micro brewery

Tibetan Shop for religious artifacts


Street manhole cover

Hot Chocolate

In the Wuhou Shrine

Wuhou Shrine

Incense stick holder, normally filled with sand



Part of the bonsai garden, in the Wuhou Shrine complex



Isaac with fierce warrior face




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