After a long period of anticipation, Jack and Lisa finally embarked on the westbound adventure they had been dreaming of. The trip was to fulfill Lisa's longtime desire to witness the mythical wonders of nature, and one evening in August 2007, they arrived at the Jinan Railway Station on time with their luggage, ready to begin their exciting journey. However, the late arrival of the train added a touch of anxiety to their excitement. The noisy waiting hall was swarming with people and voices, reminding Jack of the unique Chinese culture of “hustle and bustle”.
After a long wait, the train finally began to check tickets. The crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, and Jack and Lisa were caught up in it. They managed to squeeze onto the train and find their own sleeping compartment. They are joined by a family of five Chinese tourists who are planning a trip to Chengdu. On the way, the train traveled through plains, hills, mountains and up to the plateau, with unpredictable scenery. Especially after Ankang, the train practically weaves through caves, one after another, too many to count.
On the morning of August 8, Jack and Lisa arrived in Chengdu. They followed an online recommendation and decided to check into the Wenjunlou Hotel on Qintai Road. Lisa suggested taking public transportation, but considering the large amount of luggage and the rainy sky, Jack decided to take a taxi. After arriving at the hotel, they checked in and the room was in good condition, costing 180 RMB per night.
After a short rest, they decided to try the Chengdu food. Lisa heard about the popularity of Yuanji Skewers in Qingyang Shangjie, so they decided to try it. Upon arrival, they found that the price had risen to RMB 0.12 per skewer, but the quality and flavor of the food was truly impressive, spicy and flavorful. The meal cost over RMB 30 in total, which was both affordable and delicious.
After the meal, they went to visit the Wuhou Temple. However, the Wuhou Ancestral Temple was not as amazing as they expected and was just an ordinary attraction. However, they were pleasantly surprised by the Jinli Street next door. Known as the “First Street of Western Sichuan”, it is bustling with all kinds of specialty snacks and handicrafts. In Jinli, they tasted local specialties such as Long Dumplings and Hot and Sour Noodles, which were slightly more expensive, but the experience was very interesting.
Early in the morning of August 10, Jack and Lisa woke up early and went to Xinnanmen Station to buy tickets to Leshan and booked tickets to Jiuzhaigou for the next day. After arriving in Leshan, they took a bus to the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Spot. As soon as they entered the gate, they saw a sea of people. Led by the tour guide, the tourists lined up in a long line waiting to see the Big Buddha. Jack and Lisa joined the line and waited patiently for more than two hours. Finally, they saw the full view of the Leshan Giant Buddha – the Buddha is a mountain and the mountain is a Buddha, which is breathtaking.
After seeing the Giant Buddha, they returned to Chengdu and enjoyed the Imperial City Mom Hot Pot in the evening. Although the waiting time was a bit long, the delicious hot pot and humanized service made them feel that the wait was worthwhile.
On August 11, they embarked on their journey to Jiuzhaigou. Along the way, they enjoyed the magnificent natural scenery, including rolling green hills, blue skies and a sea of white clouds. After arriving at Jiuzhaigou, they were deeply attracted by the beauty of the place. Jiuzhaigou consists of three ditches in the shape of a “Y”: Shuzheng Ditch, Zechawa Ditch and Rize Ditch. They visited the Bonsai Beach, the Sea of Reeds, the Sea of Sparks and other attractions, each of which was unforgettable. Especially in the Sea of Five Flowers, they were amazed to see the changing colors and clarity of the water.
On August 12, they chose to take the ropeway up to Huanglong to see the Five-Color Pool. The beautiful scenery along the way mesmerized them. Although the plateau reaction brought them some discomfort, they still insisted on walking to the colorful pools. After seeing the magnificent scenery of the colorful pools, they felt that all the efforts were worthwhile.
After visiting Huanglong, they returned to Chuanzhousi and stayed in a hotel. Although the price was much higher than that of Jiuzhaigou, they found it acceptable considering that it was the peak tourist season and a stopover between Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong.
Early the next morning, they checked out of the hotel and headed to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Airport. Upon arrival in Xi'an, they sampled the local specialties such as lamb burgers and visited East Street, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Then they took the train back to Jinan, ending this unforgettable trip to Sichuan and Shaanxi.
This trip was an unforgettable experience for Jack and Lisa. They not only enjoyed the magnificent natural scenery and human landscape, but also tasted various kinds of food and experienced the local culture. This trip will be a precious memory in their hearts.
