Sichuan Cuisine Museum

Sichuan Cuisine Museum

The Sichuan Cuisine Museum (成都川菜博物馆) is located in Gucheng Town (古城镇), Pidu District (郫都区), on the western outskirts of Chengdu (成都市), Sichuan Province (四川省). It is recognized as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction (国家AAA级旅游景区) and a National Second-Class Museum (国家二级博物馆). The museum is a living thematic museum dedicated to the culture of Chinese cuisine, with a focus on Sichuan Cuisine (川菜), Sichuan Liquor (川酒), Sichuan Tea (川茶), Sichuan Opera (川戏), Sichuan Architecture (川派建筑), and Sichuan Gardens (川式园林). Covering an area of approximately 40 acres, the museum houses over 6,000 exhibits, with a design that blends Western Sichuan traditional residential architecture (川西民居建筑) and modern classical garden aesthetics.

Museum Highlights

The museum includes several thematic areas:

Collection Hall (典藏馆)

Interactive Demonstration Hall (互动演示馆)

Tea Tasting and Leisure Hall (品茗休闲馆)

Kitchen God Temple (灶王祠)

Sichuan Cuisine Ingredients Processing Tools Display Area (川菜原料加工工具展示区)

Sichuan Cuisine Ingredients Display Area (川菜原料展示区)

The museum also features a prized Pickle Jar (泡菜坛) valued at 4 million RMB, the largest Kitchen God Temple (灶王祠) in the country, and ancient handmade chili bean paste (清朝古法手工豆瓣).

According to the National Cultural Relics Bureau (国家文物局), the museum holds a collection of 6,721 cultural relics (馆藏文物6721件)，with an annual visitor count of approximately 167,400.

Museum Statistics

Opening Date: May 18, 2007 (2007年5月18日)

Area: 12,000 m²

Total Exhibits: 6,463 pieces (馆藏总数6463件)

Ticket Price: 60 RMB (票价60元)

Opening Hours:

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (November to February)
7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (March to October)

Cultural and Historical Significance

As one of Chengdu’s (成都) premier tourist attractions, the Sichuan Cuisine Museum is a “museum you can eat” — a unique cultural hub celebrating the richness of Sichuan culinary heritage. The museum aims to preserve and promote the traditions of Sichuan cuisine (川菜) and spread its culture worldwide, following the belief that “In front of food, there are no boundaries” (美食面前有食无类). The museum is designed as a platform for cultural exchange and food education.

Special Collections

One of the museum’s most prized collections is a Pickle Jar (泡菜坛) valued at 4 million RMB. The museum also houses the largest Kitchen God Temple (全国最大灶王祠) and the best handmade chili bean paste (手工豆瓣), which contains 26 times the ammonia nitrogen content allowed by national standards.

In the Interactive Demonstration Hall (互动演示馆), visitors can participate in hands-on cooking experiences, guided by expert chefs, and learn to prepare classic Sichuan dishes (川菜). The museum’s chief chef (首席烹饪师), who has been featured on the cover of Sichuan Cuisine Magazine (《川菜》杂志), has taught Sichuan cooking techniques to managers of Fortune 500 companies. Visitors can experience the distinctive knife skills (刀功), cooking techniques (火候), and the entire cooking process, and they will gain a deeper understanding of Sichuan cuisine’s unique characteristics, such as the practice of “stir-frying without oil, not changing the pan, adding sauce at the moment of stir-frying, and cooking everything in one pot” (炒菜不过油、不换锅，芡汁现炒现兑，急火短炒、一锅成菜). Through sensory experiences (鼻闻口尝), visitors can appreciate the color, aroma, taste, and shape (色香味形) of Sichuan dishes, embodying the rich saying of “one dish, one style; one hundred dishes, one hundred tastes” (一菜一格，百菜百味) and “five flavors in harmony, bringing out a hundred aromas” (五味调和，百味生香).

Main Attractions

The Sichuan Cuisine Museum (成都川菜博物馆) is located in a Sichuan-style garden (川式园林) covering an area of 40 acres. The museum showcases the history and culture of Sichuan cuisine (川菜) through its various halls and interactive exhibits.

Collection Hall (典藏馆)

Spanning 12,000 square meters, the Collection Hall displays over 3,000 items of Sichuan culinary utensils dating from the Warring States Period (战国) to modern times. The collection is divided into categories based on their function, such as cooking utensils, serving ware, wine vessels, dining implements, and tea sets. The materials include bronze, ivory, bone, ceramics, iron, wood, and bamboo. The collection also features written works and books related to Sichuan cuisine (川菜).

Sichuan Cuisine Ingredients Display Area (川菜原料展示区)

Visitors can learn about the different varieties of Sichuan ingredients and green, pollution-free products such as vegetables and poultry. The famous Pixian Douban (郫县豆瓣), the soul of Sichuan cuisine, is traditionally crafted using a special method dating back to the Qing Dynasty (清朝). Visitors can experience the 300-year-old technique of producing Pixian Douban on-site.

Kitchen God Temple (灶王祠)

The Kitchen God Temple honors the Kitchen God (灶王) and is an important part of Sichuan folk culture. In folk tradition, the Kitchen God is believed to “report good deeds to Heaven and protect peace on Earth.” The worship of the Kitchen God reminds people to cherish their food and live in harmony with nature and society. Visitors can participate in rituals during significant events like the Chengdu International Food and Tourism Festival (成都国际美食旅游节) and the Lunar New Year’s 23rd Day of the Twelfth Month (农历腊月二十三).

Old Sichuan Restaurant Street (老川菜馆一条街)

This area is often called “Sichuan’s Qingming Riverside Picture” (川菜的清明上河图), where visitors can immerse themselves in the old Sichuan street scene and architecture of Western Sichuan traditional residences (川西民居建筑). Visitors can also experience authentic Sichuan cuisine (川菜) in private rooms and learn about the traditional cooking methods.

Sichuan Cuisine Ingredients Processing Tools Display Area (川菜原料加工工具展示区)

This area showcases the traditional tools used by past generations for processing Sichuan ingredients. Visitors can also try these techniques themselves and gain a better understanding of the ancient culinary practices.

Interactive Demonstration Hall (互动演示馆)

The Interactive Demonstration Hall is the core of Sichuan cuisine’s intangible culture (川菜非物质文化), displaying dynamic, experiential, and artistic cooking techniques. Visitors can witness knife skills, heat control, and the cooking process firsthand. They can also participate in cooking Sichuan dishes, experiencing the culinary art through their senses of taste and smell. The museum showcases Sichuan dining styles, including casual dining, elegant rooms, and banquets. Unlike regular restaurants that hide their kitchens, the Sichuan Cuisine Museum places the kitchen in the center to allow visitors to engage directly with the cooking process.

Tea Tasting and Leisure Hall (品茗休闲馆)

Tea culture (饮茶文化) is an integral part of Sichuan cuisine (川菜), and visitors can experience the leisurely and diverse tea-drinking practices of Sichuanese people. Whether it’s enjoying tea under the sun in spring and autumn, in the shade during summer, or in a teahouse year-round, visitors can learn about the local traditions. The Tea Tasting and Leisure Hall exemplifies the saying “Tea and food accompany each other, and eating and drinking are interdependent” (茶饭相随、饮食相依).

Traffic Information

Chengdu Jinsha Bus Station: Take Bus No. 305 to Pidu District North Gate, then transfer to Bus No. 363 to Gucheng Town (古城镇).

Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station: Transfer to a bus heading to Dujiangyan, then take Bus No. 363 to Gucheng Town.

Chengdu Jiulidi: Take Bus No. 365 directly to Gucheng Town.

Address: 8 Ronghua North Alley, Sandao Yan Town (成都市郫都区三道堰镇荣华北巷8号), Chengdu (成都市), Sichuan (四川省), China.

Activities

Permanent Tourist Activities

Ancient Collection Viewing (典藏馆赏古): Visitors can admire the ancient Sichuan culinary antiques (川菜古董精品) in the Collection Hall.

Interactive Cooking Demonstration (互动演示馆互动): Visitors can watch chefs demonstrate the cooking techniques of Sichuan cuisine, taste authentic dishes, and even try their hand at cooking.

Tea Tasting (品茶): Visitors can experience Sichuan tea culture and relax in the Tea Tasting and Leisure Hall.

Kitchen God Worship (灶王祠祭祀): During the Chengdu International Food and Tourism Festival and Lunar New Year’s 23rd Day, there are worship ceremonies with performances, such as Nuo opera, Lion dance, drum performances, traditional costume rituals, and more.

Traditional Craft Demonstration (传统工艺制作演示): On-site demonstrations of traditional techniques, including making Pixian Douban, pickling vegetables, wrapping rice dumplings, making century eggs, and mooncakes.

Role and Value

The Sichuan Cuisine Museum (成都川菜博物馆) plays a significant role in promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Sichuan cuisine (川菜). Recently, leaders from Chengdu New Oriental Culinary School (成都新东方烹饪学校) visited the museum, where both parties had a fruitful exchange, emphasizing their shared commitment to the inheritance and promotion of Sichuan culinary culture (川菜文化). The museum serves as a platform for spreading the culture of Sichuan cuisine, which is recognized as a treasure of Chinese ethnic culture.

In July 2015, the Chengdu TV (成都电视台) crew visited the museum for filming, featuring Sichuan summer wellness dishes and the museum’s new high-quality experiential tourism project “Play and Cook.” Wang Jie, the museum’s Chief Chef and a nationally renowned Sichuan culinary master (川菜大师), showcased the traditional cooking techniques of Sichuan cuisine. Visitors get an opportunity to witness and experience authentic Sichuan culinary arts firsthand.

Additionally, on July 16, 2015, Sichuan TV (四川电视台) filmed the museum’s interactive culinary experience project. They captured the development of Sichuan cuisine, its origins, and cultural evolution, including the museum’s unique exhibits, such as the largest kitchen god temple (灶王祠) and a **simulated traditional Sichuan West-style kitchen (川西民居厨房).

“Play and Cook!” Interactive Experience Tour

The Sichuan Cuisine Museum (川菜博物馆) promotes the essence of Sichuan food culture (川菜文化) by offering visitors the chance to engage with the tradition through a hands-on experience. The “Play and Cook!” experience offers a unique interactive model, making it the ultimate destination for food lovers. Visitors not only see and hear the museum exhibits but also taste and smell the culinary delights on display.

The Interactive Demonstration Hall (互动演示馆) is the core of Sichuan cuisine’s intangible culture (川菜非物质文化), showcasing the artistic and dynamic aspects of traditional cooking techniques. Visitors can actively participate in the cooking process and experience the unique elements of Sichuan cuisine: knife skills, timing, and the entire cooking process. By interacting with the chefs, guests contribute to the evolving cultural experience.

“Play and Cook!” Experience Journey

9:50 (13:50) – Arrival at Sichuan Cuisine Museum

The experience guide welcomes visitors and introduces them to the museum’s historical significance and the cultural journey through Sichuan cuisine (川菜).

10:00 (14:00) – Bilingual Tour Guide

Visitors are provided with experience cards and promotional materials. They can scan a QR code to follow the official account and receive a free sample of Sichuan street food—Egg Cake (蛋烘糕) with a variety of flavors.

10:10 (14:10) – Visit to the Collection Hall

Visitors will tour the Collection Hall (典藏馆), where they can explore thousands of artifacts related to Sichuan cuisine, such as ancient cooking utensils, books, and documents, and learn about the origins and development of Sichuan culinary culture (川菜文化).

10:40 (14:40) – Sichuan Ingredients Display

Here, visitors can observe the many Sichuan ingredients (川菜原料) and explore environmentally-friendly products such as vegetables and poultry. The museum also features Pixian Douban (郫县豆瓣), a traditional Sichuan paste, made with methods dating back to the Qing Dynasty (清朝). Visitors can experience the 300-year-old method of crafting Pixian Douban and taste local dishes like cold noodles (旋子凉粉).

10:55 (14:55) – Kitchen God Temple

Visitors will experience the Kitchen God Temple (灶王祠), a significant part of Sichuan folk culture (四川民俗文化). The Kitchen God is believed to watch over the kitchen and promote the values of respecting food and appreciating the efforts behind every meal. Guests can participate in traditional worship rituals and make wishes for good fortune.

11:10 (15:10) – Visit to Old Sichuan Restaurant Street

Visitors will stroll through the Old Sichuan Restaurant Street (老川菜馆一条街), experiencing Sichuan West-style architecture (川西民居建筑) and visiting private dining rooms to see authentic Sichuan cooking methods in practice.

11:15 (15:15) – Sichuan Ingredient Processing Tool Display

In the processing tool display area, visitors can try traditional techniques, such as grinding chili powder with an ancient stone mill (石磨) or preparing tofu flowers (豆花) with traditional tools.

11:30 (15:30) – Cooking Experience with the Chief Chef

Visitors will enjoy authentic Sichuan dishes (川菜) prepared in the museum’s professional kitchen using German-made cookware and traditional ingredients. Visitors will be guided by Wang Jie, the museum’s chief chef and a nationally recognized Sichuan culinary master (川菜名师), who will provide hands-on cooking demonstrations and offer tips on preparing authentic dishes.

The Sichuan Cuisine Museum offers a menu with two options:

Menu A: Panda Dumplings, Kung Pao Chicken, and Mapo Tofu

Menu B: Pumpkin Dumplings, Dry-Fried Fish, and Water Boiled Beef

12:40 (16:40) – Enjoy the Meal

Guests will sit down and enjoy the dishes they’ve cooked with their fellow participants. Traditional Chengdu snacks (成都小吃) such as Zhong Shui Dumplings (钟水饺) will be served alongside fruit, wine, beer, and fresh fruit juices.

13:40 (17:40) – Tea Tasting and Leisure

In the Tea Tasting and Leisure Hall (品茗休闲馆), visitors can relax, enjoy tea, play Mahjong, and experience the leisurely pace of Sichuanese tea culture (四川饮茶文化).