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

From the literati teahouses of Guangzhou to the numbing-spicy hotpot of Chengdu, 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 Literati Charm I woke up groggily at half past seven in the morning, and just then received a message that we'd be heading out at eight to have morning tea — this is truly one of the defining representations of life in Guangzhou. I quickly washed up and got ready, and made it downstairs right on time. This was my first time enjoying authentic morning tea at a traditional teahouse in Guangzhou, and it was such a wonderful experience. Unlike the tea houses in Hong Kong, the atmosphere here feels more refined, carrying a scholarly, literary charm. Every table is set with its own tea set, and I heard that guests can bring their own tea leaves, though the teahouse also offers a selection. The first pot is brewed by the staff, and after that guests can refill the tea themselves. Of course, the menu naturally features classic Cantonese dim sum favorites: The crystal shrimp dumplings were translucent and glistening, with thin skins and fresh, juicy filling; The chicken feet were tender and fully infused with flavor, with a rich, fragrant aroma; The coconut milk pudding was shaped into an adorable little rabbit, and the osmanthus tea jelly had a light, delicate floral fragrance. The "Bobcat King's Lingering Pastry" makes its appearance in the shape of a swan, delicate and delightful. A breakfast like this leaves you utterly satisfied. My friend said: "When you drink morning tea in Guangzhou, many people sit from morning all the way until afternoon." Looking around, most of the people there are retired elders, chatting leisurely and sipping their tea slowly, the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable.

Departing from Baiyun Airport again Because of the 1 PM flight, we had to end our leisurely time and go back to the hotel to pack our luggage. During 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, luggage tags, and the check-in process all flowed smoothly in one go, with extremely high efficiency. However, security screening was still quite strict and thorough, checking carefully from start to finish. After nearly two hours of flying, we finally arrived in the "Land of Abundance" — Chengdu. Outside the window it was overcast, with light rain 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 we booked ourselves on this whole trip, and it was rated as a four-star standard. However, compared to the hotel in Guangzhou the day before, although the location was convenient, the overall facilities felt somewhat dated. Of the two elevators, only one was working, so it was often crowded. The room was spacious, but you could see the signs of age. After putting down our luggage, we headed to Chunxi Road to look for a restaurant for tonight.

Our First Meal in Sichuan: Dalongyi Spicy Hot Pot Arriving in Chengdu, the first meal simply had to be spicy hot pot. Following an AI recommendation, we chose the well-known brand "Dalongyi." This building was especially lively—inside, three hot pot competitors were crammed together, all vying for customers starting right from the first floor. Even in the elevator, someone jokingly teased us: "Why didn't you pick our place instead?" It was hard not to laugh.

This pot of bubbling red oil fills the air with an enticing aroma. The first taste numbs your mouth without being harsh—spicy yet fragrant. We ordered various meats, meatballs, and vegetables. With per-person spending around 100 RMB, the flavors and portions were both very satisfying.

After finishing our meal, we took a walk while discussing tomorrow's itinerary and decided to sign up for the local youth travel agency's 'Dujiangyan + Qingcheng Mountain one-day tour' for 200 RMB.

Night Wandering on Chunxi Road and a Foot Massage Chunxi Road bursts with color at night, its neon lights flickering, 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 parlor to relax. The masseuse's technique was solid — 110 RMB an hour, about the same as prices in Vietnam. Some of us chose to try ear cleaning, but I had another task — picking up Mom. What impressed everyone was that she flew alone from Taiwan and took the airport express to meet up with us. Using WeChat location sharing, we successfully picked her up that night. With that, 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, this day's shifting flavors capture the differences between Guangzhou and Chengdu. We bid farewell to the elegance of Cantonese culture and welcome the fiery heat of Sichuan. Tomorrow at 5:40 in the early morning, we will gather and set off, beginning our one-day exploration journey through Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng.