Jiuzhaigou and Huang Long: An American Traveler's Fantastic Exploration
In the autumn of 2021, Jack, an American traveler with a passion for adventure, decides to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong in southwestern China in search of the wonders of nature. Jack is curious about the unknown and is especially attracted to China's rich natural landscapes and deep cultural heritage. On this trip, he plans to spend five days experiencing the land known as the “Fairyland on Earth”.
Setting off and getting to know Chengdu
Jack's journey began in Chengdu. After a long flight on an international flight, he finally arrived in this charming city. After checking into his hotel, Jack couldn't wait to taste the authentic Chengdu snacks – steaming bowls of rice noodles – which instantly made him fall in love with the city's flavors.
After a short break, Jack headed to the Jinsha Ruins Museum, which holds the treasures of the Shu Han civilization from 4,000 years ago, including artifacts such as the mysterious Sun God Bird. These precious artifacts gave Jack a deeper understanding of ancient Shu culture. Afterwards, he strolled along the Broad and Narrow Alley, feeling the unique flavor of the city's ancient and modern intertwined.
In the evening, Jack went to the very characteristic Pear Garden and watched the Sichuan Opera performance for the first time. He was mesmerized by the face-changing, fire-breathing and other wonderful skills, and he was deeply attracted by this ancient art.
Journey to Jiuzhaigou
Early the next morning, Jack met up with a group of like-minded travelers and set off for Jiuzhaigou. They traveled by bus up the Min River, passing the Dujiangyan, an ancient water engineering marvel. Jack marveled at this project, which made the plains of Ba Shu rich and beautiful.
After a few hours of driving, they arrived in Wenchuan. This county, once devastated by the earthquake, is now a new city, and the reconstruction of the new city is a testament to the resilience and wisdom of mankind. Jack expressed his heartfelt respect for the people here.
In the evening, they finally arrived at Jiuzhaigou. After checking into a local five-star hotel, Jack began to prepare for the next day's adventure. He learned that the altitude of Jiuzhaigou is about 2,800 meters above sea level, so he decided to take his time to get used to the high altitude environment to avoid altitude sickness.
Jiuzhaigou's Fantastic Journey
Early in the morning of the third day, Jack walked through the gates of Jiuzhaigou with great anticipation. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, as if he was in a colorful fairy tale world. He walked along the main road and stopped to admire the Norilang Waterfall. This waterfall had been one of the set locations for the 86 version of Journey to the West, making it an intimate experience for Jack.
He then chose the route to the Arrow Bamboo Sea, Panda Sea and Five Flowers Sea attractions. All of these attractions are transported by the park's electric buses, but some of them require hiking between attractions. Jack enjoyed the scenery while feeling the magic of nature. He especially liked the changing colors of the Sea of Five Flowers, as if nature's palette was splashed here.
During the tour, Jack met many travelers who also loved nature. They shared their stories and insights with each other, making the trip even more interesting and memorable.
In the afternoon, Jack came to the Noorilang Restaurant for lunch. The food here was simple but tasted very authentic. He savored the food while enjoying the beautiful scenery outside the window, feeling this rare peace and beauty.
The Highland Scenery of Huanglong
On the fourth day, Jack decided to head to Huanglong Scenic Area to continue his adventure. Huanglong is famous for its magnificent calcified landscape and crystal clear lakes. He ascended slowly by cable car, overlooking the beauty of the landscape at his feet with a sense of awe.
Upon reaching the summit, Jack walked along the trestle, enjoying the views of the colorful pools and other attractions. The altitude here is as high as about 4,000 meters, making Jack feel the severe challenge of the plateau. Although he was a bit uncomfortable, he still insisted on moving forward, because he knew that only by experiencing the beauty of this place himself could he truly understand its charm.
During the tour, Jack met several lovely golden monkeys and giant pandas. These rare animals surprised him and he hurriedly took out his camera to record these precious moments.
Regrets and Expectations
However, good times are always short-lived. Due to his work, Jack had to interrupt the trip and return to Chengdu earlier. This made him feel a bit regretful because he hadn't fully enjoyed the beauty and charm of this land.
On the way back to Chengdu, Jack thought back to the past few days. He was deeply impressed by the beauty of Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, and was also deeply interested in the people and culture here. He knows that this trip was just a brief encounter between him and the mysterious land of China, and that there are many more opportunities waiting for him to explore and discover in the future.
Jack is looking forward to his next trip, to setting foot on this magical land again and to continuing his fantastic journey of discovery.
