Is the Sichuan opera face-changing show included with dinner at Huang Cheng Lao Ma?

Yes, the nightly face-changing performance runs roughly 7 to 9 PM and is included at no extra charge with your meal. The performer also circulates between tables for photos. Because the show only happens during that dinner window, book the 7 to 9 PM slot ahead; the Qintai Road flagship is the original location to see it.

How does Huang Cheng Lao Ma compare to other Chengdu hotpot, and is it worth the price?

It is Chengdu's longest-standing high-end hotpot brand, dating to 1986, and costs about 250 to 400 RMB per person, pricier than chains like Shu Jiu Xiang. You pay for genuinely high-quality cuts, a restored Qing-style courtyard setting, and the included opera show. It is touristy but legitimately good, which is why most foreign tour groups choose it.

Do I need a reservation, and is there an English menu?

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for the 7 to 9 PM dinner slot when the face-changing show runs, as that window fills fast. There is an English menu and English-speaking staff, plus free wifi. Major cards including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are accepted, so you do not need to carry large amounts of cash here.

Huang Cheng Lao Ma Hotpot, Chengdu: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Upscale Chengdu hotpot with a nightly Chuan opera face-changing performance — the foreigner-favorite splurge.

At a glance

What it is: Food
Also known as: 皇城老妈火锅 (Huáng Chéng Lǎo Mā Huǒguō)
Opening hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
Time needed: 2-2.5 hours
Best time to visit: Dinner 7-9 PM for the face-changing show
Getting there: Taxi / DiDi from metro
English: Full English menu
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Amex
Entry: Passport booking recommended
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 20 Qintai Rd, Jinjiang District · 锦江区琴台路 20 号

See Huang Cheng Lao Ma Hotpottickets & tours

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Huang Cheng Lao Ma is Chengdu's longest-standing high-end hotpot brand (1986), known for its in-restaurant Sichuan opera face-changing show that runs nightly 7-9 PM. The food is genuinely high-quality (¥250-400 per person — pricier than Shu Jiu Xiang) and the Qintai Road flagship is the original location. Performance is included — no extra charge. The setting is a renovated Sichuan courtyard restaurant decorated like a Qing dynasty merchant's home. Strongly book ahead for the 7-9 PM dinner slot when the show runs. English menu and staff. This is where most foreign tour groups go — touristy but legitimately good. The face-changing performer comes around tables for photos.

Highlights

Face-Changing Show (变脸)Nightly 7-9 PM; included with dinner
Sichuan Opera Tea MasterLong-spout tea-pouring tableside performance
Premium Beef + Goose LiverWorth the ¥300/person; quality cuts

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Book a table with a clear sightline to the small stage; rear-corner seats miss the quick face-changing reveals.
▸Arrive by 6:45 PM so you are seated and ordered before the 7 PM show; latecomers spend it flagging down staff.
▸Keep your phone ready when the performer circles the tables afterward; that is the moment for a close-up photo.
▸The Qintai Road flagship is the original courtyard branch; choose it over newer outlets for the full atmosphere.
▸Premium beef and goose liver justify the higher bill; order those rather than padding the order with cheap filler.
▸Watch the long-spout tea master pour tableside; it is a separate performance many diners overlook between courses.
▸Cards including Amex work here, so this is a rare Chengdu meal where you need not stock up on cash beforehand.

Photos

Vibrant Chinese opera scene featuring dramatic fire-breathing act on stage.

Dramatic Sichuan Opera stage performance featuring colorful costumes and fire-breathing act.

Colorful Chinese opera performance featuring a fire-breathing act on stage.

What travelers say (3 reviews)

OperaDinner·TripAdvisor·5/5

Sichuan opera face-changing show during hotpot dinner — touristy but spectacular. ¥300+.

2026-04-08

皇城老妈·Ctrip·5/5

皇城老妈火锅 + 川剧变脸表演！¥300+/人。请客或外国朋友体验首选。

2026-03-12

Joe S.·Google Maps·4/5

Hotpot is fine, the show is the draw. Book ahead for show-included slot.

2026-02-15

Watch creators visit Huang Cheng Lao Ma Hotpot

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Frequently asked questions about Huang Cheng Lao Ma Hotpot

Is the Sichuan opera face-changing show included with dinner at Huang Cheng Lao Ma?: Yes, the nightly face-changing performance runs roughly 7 to 9 PM and is included at no extra charge with your meal. The performer also circulates between tables for photos. Because the show only happens during that dinner window, book the 7 to 9 PM slot ahead; the Qintai Road flagship is the original location to see it.
How does Huang Cheng Lao Ma compare to other Chengdu hotpot, and is it worth the price?: It is Chengdu's longest-standing high-end hotpot brand, dating to 1986, and costs about 250 to 400 RMB per person, pricier than chains like Shu Jiu Xiang. You pay for genuinely high-quality cuts, a restored Qing-style courtyard setting, and the included opera show. It is touristy but legitimately good, which is why most foreign tour groups choose it.
Do I need a reservation, and is there an English menu?: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for the 7 to 9 PM dinner slot when the face-changing show runs, as that window fills fast. There is an English menu and English-speaking staff, plus free wifi. Major cards including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are accepted, so you do not need to carry large amounts of cash here.