[Guangzhou Day 2] The Fragrance of Morning Tea and the Spice of Sichuan: Setting Off from Guangzhou, Flying to Chengdu

From Guangzhou's literary teahouses to Chengdu's spicy hotpot, this day begins with the fragrance of morning tea and ends with a bowl of red oil hotpot broth. The journey officially enters the chapter of the "Land of Abundance." 🗓 Today's Itinerary Guangzhou → Chengdu Morning Tea | Baiyun Airport | Chunxi Road | Da Long Yi Hotpot Guangzhou Morning Tea: A Morning Full of Literary Charm I groggily got out of bed at seven thirty in the morning, and just then received a message that we'd be heading out at eight to have morning tea — one of the true representations of Guangzhou life. I quickly washed up and got ready, heading downstairs right on time. This was my first time enjoying authentic morning tea at a traditional teahouse in Guangzhou, and it was especially interesting. Unlike the tea houses in Hong Kong, the atmosphere here felt more refined, carrying a scholarly, literary aroma. Every table was set with its own tea set, and I was told guests could bring their own tea leaves, though of course the shop also provides them. The first pot is brewed by the staff, and after that you can refill the tea yourself. The dishes, of course, couldn't do without the classic Hong Kong-style dim sum: The crystal shrimp dumplings were translucent and glistening, with thin skin and fresh filling; The chicken feet were soft and richly flavored, with an intense fragrance; The coconut milk pudding was shaped into an adorable rabbit, and the osmanthus jelly tea had a light, elegant fragrance; The "Bobcat King's Lingering Pastry" appeared in the form of a swan, exquisite and delightful. A breakfast like this leaves you completely satisfied. My friend said: "When drinking morning tea in Guangzhou, many people sit from morning all the way to the afternoon." Looking around, most were elderly retirees, chatting leisurely and sipping tea slowly, with a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Departing Again from Baiyun Airport Because our flight was at 1pm, we had to end our leisurely time and head back to the hotel to pack our bags. In this brief stay, we felt the hospitality of the people of Guangzhou. After arriving at Baiyun International Airport, we were surprised by how automated it was, very much like an airport in Europe: Self-service boarding pass printing, baggage tags, and the check-in process all flowed smoothly and efficiently. However, security screening was still quite strict and thorough, checking everything carefully from start to finish. After nearly two hours of flying, we finally arrived at the "Land of Abundance" — Chengdu. Outside the window the sky was overcast, a light drizzle was falling, and there was a cool, moist feeling in the air.

Checking into Chengdu: First Impressions We took a ride-hailing vehicle from the airport to the hotel. This was one of the few accommodations we booked ourselves during the entire trip, meeting four-star standards. However, compared to the Guangzhou hotel from the day before, although the location was convenient, the overall facilities appeared somewhat outdated. Only one of the two elevators was working, which often resulted in the hotel being fully occupied. The room was spacious, but showed signs of age. After settling in our luggage, we headed to Chunxi Road to look for a restaurant for tonight.

Sichuan's First Meal: Da Long Yi Spicy Hotpot Arriving in Chengdu, the first meal simply has to be spicy hotpot. On AI's recommendation, we chose the well-known brand "Da Long Yi." This building was especially lively — it turned out to be packed with three competing hotpot restaurants, all fighting for customers starting right from the first floor. Even in the elevator, someone teased us, "Why didn't you choose our place instead?" It was both funny and awkward.

This pot of red oil bubbles and rolls, its aroma simply irresistible — the moment it hits your mouth, it's numbing but not overpowering, spicy with a fragrant depth. We ordered a variety of meats, meatballs, and vegetables, spending about 100 RMB per person, and both the flavor and portions were very satisfying.

After eating, we discussed the next day's itinerary while taking a walk, and decided to sign up for the local youth travel agency's "Dujiangyan + Mount Qingcheng One-Day Tour" for 200 RMB.

Night Stroll on Chunxi Road and Foot Massage Chunxi Road shines with vibrant colors at night, neon lights flashing brightly. Among all the attractions, the most eye-catching is that 'panda butt' public art installation.

After finishing our walk, we went back near the hotel and found a massage parlor to relax in. The masseuse's technique was solid — 110 RMB per hour, about the same price as in Vietnam. Some people chose to try ear cleaning, but I still had a mission—to go pick up Mom. What's impressive is that she flew alone from Taiwan and took the airport express to meet up with us. Through WeChat location sharing, we successfully picked her up at night. At this point, all four travel companions were finally together.

Summary: Prelude to the Plateau From the tea-scented mornings of Guangzhou to the spicy nights of Chengdu, the shifting flavors of this day reflect the differences between Guangzhou and Chengdu. Bidding farewell to the elegance of Cantonese culture, and welcoming the fiery heat of Sichuan. Tomorrow at 5:40 a.m., we will gather and set off, beginning our one-day exploration journey of Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng.