【Guangzhou Day 2】The Fragrance of Morning Tea and the Spice of Sichuan Flavors: Departing from Guangzhou, Flying to Chengdu

From the literati tea houses of Guangzhou to the spicy hotpot of Chengdu, this day begins with the fragrance of morning tea and ends with a bubbling red-oil hotpot base. Our journey now 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 We groggily got up at half past seven, and just then a message came in — we'd be heading out at eight to enjoy morning tea, one of the true representations of Guangzhou life. We quickly washed up, got ready, and headed downstairs right on time. This was my first time experiencing authentic morning tea at a traditional teahouse in Guangzhou, and it was such a unique experience. Unlike the tea houses in Hong Kong, the atmosphere here felt more refined, carrying a scholarly, literary charm. Every table comes with its own tea set, and I heard that guests are welcome to bring their own tea leaves, though the teahouse also offers a selection. The first pot is brewed by the staff, and after that you can top up the water and steep it yourself. Of course, the menu wouldn't be complete without the classic Cantonese dim sum: The crystal shrimp dumplings were glistening and translucent, with thin skins and fresh, flavorful filling; The chicken feet were braised tender and richly seasoned, with a deep, fragrant aroma; The coconut milk pudding was shaped into an adorable rabbit, and the osmanthus jelly tea had a delicate, elegant floral fragrance; The "Bobcat King Pastry" made its appearance in the shape of a swan, both exquisite and delightful. A breakfast like this leaves you utterly satisfied. My friend said: "When you drink morning tea in Guangzhou, a lot of people sit down and stay from morning all the way until the afternoon." Looking around, most of the people there were retired elders, chatting leisurely and sipping their tea slowly, the whole atmosphere relaxed and comfortable.

Departing Baiyun Airport Again Because of the one o'clock afternoon flight, we had no choice but to end our leisurely time and head back to the hotel to pack our luggage. During this brief stay, we truly felt the hospitality of the people of Guangzhou. After arriving at Baiyun International Airport, we were amazed at how automated it was — it really felt like an airport in Europe: Self-service boarding pass printing, luggage tag issuing, and the baggage check-in process all flowed together seamlessly, with incredibly high efficiency. However, security screening was still very 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 it was overcast, with a light drizzle falling, and the air carried a damp coolness.

Checking into Chengdu: First Impressions We took a ride-hailing car from the airport to the hotel. This was one of the few accommodations on the whole trip that we booked ourselves, a four-star standard. However, compared to the hotel in Guangzhou the day before, although the location was convenient, the overall facilities felt a bit dated. Only one of the two elevators worked, so it was often crowded. The room was spacious, but you could see signs of age. After putting down our luggage, we headed to Chunxi Road to look for a restaurant for tonight.

四川第一餐：大龍燚麻辣火鍋 來到成都，第一餐當然非麻辣火鍋莫屬。經 AI 推薦，我們選擇了知名品牌「大龍燚」。 這棟大樓特別熱鬧，裡面竟擠了三家火鍋競爭對手，一樓就開始搶客，甚至連搭電梯時都有人調侃：「怎麼不選我們那家？」讓人哭笑不得。

This pot of red oil bubbles and its aroma is irresistible — the first bite delivers a numbing tingle without being overpowering, and the spiciness carries a fragrant depth. We ordered a variety of meats, meatballs, and vegetables, with the per-person cost around 100 RMB. Both the flavor and portion size left us very satisfied.

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

A Night Stroll on Chunxi Road and a Foot Massage At night, Chunxi Road comes alive with dazzling colors and flickering neon lights, and the most eye-catching sight of all is the "Panda Butt" public art installation.

After finishing our walk, we headed back near the hotel and found a massage place to relax at. The masseuse's technique was really solid — one hour for 110 RMB, about the same price as in Vietnam. Some of us chose to try ear cleaning, but I still had a task ahead — picking up Mom. What was really impressive was that she flew all the way from Taiwan by herself and took the airport express to meet up with us.

Summary: Prelude to the Plateau From the tea-scented morning in Guangzhou to the spicy night in Chengdu, this day's shifting flavors reflect the differences between Guangzhou and Chengdu. Bidding farewell to the elegance of Guangfu, we welcome the fiery heat of Chuanshu. Tomorrow at 5:40 in the morning, we will gather and set off, beginning our one-day exploration journey to Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain.