Chengdu restaurants innovate dining with cultural experiences, diverse formats

Restaurants in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan Province, are pioneering new consumption scenarios and diversifying business formats to attract more customers and enhance the dining experience.

One such venue is breaking the mold by blending local culture with the dining experience. Rather than relying on a traditional fixed stage and seating layout, it offers a unique, immersive space where guests are fully engaged. This innovative approach integrates various art forms with Sichuan cuisine, allowing diners to enjoy not only the food but also live Sichuan opera in a fully immersive environment.

For around 200–300 yuan (about 28–42 U.S. dollars), consumers can experience traditional makeup, pose for commemorative photos, and dress in Hanfu -- the traditional attire of the Han ethnic group -- before fully immersing themselves in the dining experience.

"It provides an immersive experience, and everything from the makeup to the styling is so beautiful," said a customer.

Yang Zi, founder of the restaurant brand, explains that the performances feature stories from Sichuan, integrating cultural storytelling with a complete dining experience.

"The show features stories from Sichuan, blending cultural storytelling with a full dining experience. This is a niche in the catering industry. Since opening, we've hosted over 200,000 visitors," said Yang.

In Chengdu, diners can not only enjoy a meal while watching live performances, but also board a boat, savor local hotpot, and take in the night view of the Jinjiang River as it flows through the city. During the May Day holiday alone, this unique dining experience attracted 194,800 visitors.

The combination of dining and cultural tourism is creating new consumption scenarios for the catering industry. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, from January to April this year, China’s catering revenue reached nearly 1.82 trillion yuan (about 252.6 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year increase of 4.8 percent.

Moreover, the revised regulations aimed at promoting the healthy development of the country's catering sector are expected to bring new growth points to the catering market.

"In terms of boosting consumption, more measures focus on expanding and diversifying consumption scenarios, methods, and business formats. Additionally, efforts are being made to tap into internal management potential by improving the quality of traditional catering businesses and enhancing scientific and standardized enterprise management to improve overall operational standards," said Xing Ying, president of the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry.

Chengdu restaurants innovate dining with cultural experiences, diverse formats

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests