A Trendy Tavern in an Old Zen Temple That Even Foreigners Love

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

In recent years, the trend of revitalizing old houses—transforming historical sites or aged spaces into new landmarks—has become increasingly common. Located in the heart of Chengdu, the Great Ci'en Temple is a large and historic Buddhist temple, and adjacent to it is “Chengdu IFS Tianfu Tianjie,” an open, low-density neighborhood-style shopping center. Among its most distinctive features is this Belgian tavern called The Abbaye.

The Abbaye is a Belgian brasserie and wine bar located within the Majia Lane Zen Temple in the shopping center. The Zen temple was built in the late Qing Dynasty as lodging for lay followers who came to worship at the Great Ci'en Temple. With its traditional courtyard layout and unique structure, the space integrates contemporary Western design into a classic Chinese ancient building, making it one of Chengdu’s most stylish and culturally rich attractions.