| Chengdu is known as China's happiest city, and | | | | around the city. When someone is not present, |
| therefore has its happiest people. It is believed | | | | local people jokingly say that that person is either |
| that part of the reason for this is the leisurely and | | | | playing Mahjong, or on their way to play Mahjong. |
| slow-paced lifestyle that many of them live. It is | | | | It is an ancient game that is easy to learn, but |
| ingrained in the very fiber of Chengdu culture. | | | | takes a lifetime to master. It is extremely |
| Chengdu is famous for many reasons, first, is its | | | | addicting, and most locals will play the game all |
| local cuisine. Chengdu cuisine is one of China's four | | | | night, and sometimes well into the next day. |
| most famous food styles. Known as Chuan style | | | | Chengdu Opera, one of the five most famous |
| food, it is well-known for its delicious spiciness. It is | | | | operas in China is extremely popular with locals. |
| not spicy, just to be spicy, but each dish is unique | | | | Chengdu Opera is unique from most local operas |
| and flavorful. One of Chengdu's resident's favorite | | | | in China because the performance offers more |
| ways to eat dinner, is to do so while taking a | | | | than just singing, and martial arts. It also features |
| walk. A couple or an entire family will walk through | | | | acrobatics, fire-breathing, and the magic of face |
| the streets of Chengdu in the evening. Along | | | | changing. Face changing is an art in which a |
| Chengdu's streets can be found many small | | | | performer comes onto stage wearing a silk mask |
| stands selling local favorites. The majority of | | | | with an opera characters face on it. The actor |
| these small stands sell dishes that can be | | | | struts around stage, and with a flick of his head, |
| conveniently carried, so people walking along the | | | | the mask is instantly changed for another. It is |
| streets will stop at one stand pick out something, | | | | done with such speed, that it is impossible to tell |
| and continue on their walk and then stop at | | | | how it is done, making it seem like a magic show |
| another. It is a wonderful way to spend the | | | | in the middle of the opera. |
| evening. | | | | Chengdu is also home to many festivals that are |
| Another inseparable part of Chengdu people's daily | | | | uniquely its own. Each year Chengdu puts on a |
| life is the teahouse. Chengdu is the last bastion of | | | | ballad festival at Wangcong Temple where people |
| traditional Chinese teahouses. Scattered | | | | from around the country come to sing for |
| throughout the city, the teahouses are much | | | | onlookers. Chengdu's famous flower festival is held |
| more than just a place to drink tea. They are a | | | | every February and is a harbinger of spring. |
| meeting center, a place to conduct business, | | | | People from throughout China and around the |
| meet with old friends, or make new ones. Many | | | | world head to Chengdu each spring to see its |
| people love to go to a teahouse in the morning | | | | famous flower festival. One thing that all Chengdu |
| and spend the day there. Besides tea, most | | | | residents' love is peach blossoms and peach trees |
| teahouses offer food, and snacks to clients. | | | | can be found throughout the city. Every spring |
| Traveling businessmen offer services such as | | | | when the peach blossoms are in bloom, the city |
| massages, ear cleaning, and fingernail cutting. Many | | | | holds a huge peach blossom festival and the |
| teahouses offer some performances such as | | | | entire city explodes with color. |
| storytelling, local opera, or live music. When most | | | | Chengdu has much more to see than just its |
| people decide it is time to leave, they will gather | | | | famous sites. To spend a little time with the locals |
| what snacks they have left, and give them to the | | | | in a teahouse, or at an opera will give visitors a |
| people sitting at the table next to theirs. Chengdu | | | | glimpse into the lifestyle that residents treasure. It |
| locals love playing Mahjong, and after work the | | | | is a unique experience that cannot be found |
| sounds of Mahjong tiles can be heard clicking all | | | | anywhere else in the world. |