On New Year's Day in 2023, four young Americans with a love of nature and adventure, Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack, decided to get away from the bustling city and travel to Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Province, China, to explore the winter wonderland known as the “Fairyland on Earth”. For these four young explorers, it's not just a trip, it's a spiritual baptism and a pilgrimage to nature.
Departure: The Temptation of Chengdu
The first stop on their journey was Chengdu, a city famous for its food and laid-back lifestyle. It was late at night when Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack arrived in Chengdu. Despite the journey, their cravings for Chengdu hot pot are undiminished. They chose Xiaolongkan, a hot pot restaurant that was highly praised on the internet. The red oil rolling hot pot, tender tripe, tasty duck blood, and Q-bouncy handmade rose meatballs …… each dish made them rave. In the company of food, the four young people forgot the fatigue of traveling and enjoyed the night and passion of Chengdu.
Dujiangyan: A Testament to Ancient Wisdom
The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, they drove to Dujiangyan Scenic Area. Dujiangyan, an ancient water conservancy project built in 256 BC, still plays a great role in flood control and irrigation. Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack strolled along the embankment of Dujiangyan, feeling the wisdom and diligence of the ancient laborers. They were amazed by the fish mouth diversion embankment, the Flying Sand Weir spillway, and the Baobingkou inlet …… every place. Under the guide's explanation, they understood the history and function of Dujiangyan more deeply and admired the creativity of the ancient Chinese people more.
Jiuzhaigou: The blooming of a winter fairy tale
After a day's drive, they finally arrived at Jiuzhaigou, the final destination of the trip. Jiuzhaigou was in the middle of winter, and the snow-covered landscape was like a quiet winter painting. Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack couldn't wait to enter this magical land and start their Jiuzhaigou exploration.
They traveled through the valleys of Jiuzhaigou by electric car, enjoying the different scenery. Jiuzhaigou in winter is not gloomy, but presents a different kind of vitality and vigor. Attractions at different elevations show different seasonal characteristics, from frozen waterfalls and freezing fog to colorful seas. Norilang waterfall is still magnificent in winter, but at this time the waterfall has condensed into an ice sculpture, adding a bit of mystery and magnificence.
During their visit to Jiuzhaigou, Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack were captivated by the beauty of the place. They took pictures and marveled at nature's ingenuity. Especially when viewing the “blue ice”, they seemed to be in a dream world, and every shot was fixed into an eternal memory.
Tibetan home visit: the experience of plateau flavor
At night, they stayed in a Tibetan home visit. Here, they tasted the authentic Tibetan clay hot pot and felt the unique flavor of the plateau region. The soup base made from yak bones was delicious, with local yak meat and slices of Tibetan pork, sprinkled with some wild mushrooms and a variety of vegetarian dishes, the flavor was very unique. While tasting the food, they also enjoyed the song and dance performance of Tibetan compatriots and felt the warmth and hospitality of the Tibetan people.
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Winter Journey
As night falls, Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack's trip to Jiuzhaigou is coming to an end. Looking back on these days' journey, they not only enjoyed the winter beauty of Jiuzhaigou, but also experienced the food culture of Chengdu and the ancient wisdom of Dujiangyan. This trip was an unforgettable experience and a spiritual baptism for them. They believe that in the days to come, this wonderful memory will always be with them and become the most valuable treasure in their lives.
For Leah, Tom, Amy and Jack, the trip to Jiuzhaigou was not only a visual feast, but also a touch of the heart and a dialog with nature. They set off back to their home country with full of rewards and touches, looking forward to the next adventure and exploration.
