In Sichuan Province in southwest China, there is a land known as the fairyland on earth, which attracts travelers from all over the world with its gorgeous autumn colors, magnificent landscapes and unique Tibetan culture. I, as an American who loves nature and adventure, was fortunate enough to set foot on this magical land in late fall, and began an unforgettable journey to Jiuzhai Huanglong.
As a native of Sichuan, I have always longed for Jiuzhaigou, although I have no memory of visiting it with my grandmother as a child. Jiuzhaigou is not far from Chengdu, but in the past it took several hours of traveling, coupled with busy schedules, I have never been able to travel. However, with the opening of the Sichuan-Qingdao Railway, it only takes three and a half hours from Chengdu to arrive by bus, which provides me with an excellent opportunity. So, after the National Day holiday, I decided to take a weekend to unlock this long-awaited beauty.
The itinerary was tight and full, and in the early morning of November 2, just as the sky turned white, we set off for Jiuzhaigou. The train sped through the morning mist, and one and a half hours later, we arrived at Jiuzhai Huanglong Station. Despite the name of the station, it was still a short drive from the real Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou. The railroad has made a special detour to protect this fragile ecosystem. Our plan was to visit Huanglong first, stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou, and then explore Jiuzhaigou to our heart's content the next day before returning to Chengdu.
The first day of our trip to Huanglong was sunny and perfect for taking photos. Huanglong is famous for its spectacular calcium color pools, known as the “Yaochi on earth”. We chose the route of hiking up and cable car down to avoid the peak of the crowd. On both sides of the mountain road, the colorful pools are like mirrors, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds and the surrounding colorful forests, which are breathtakingly beautiful. Along the way, Bonsai Pond, Scramble Colorful Pond, Welcome Pond and other attractions have their own distinctive features. Despite the high altitude, the mountain road paved with preserved wood was not strenuous to walk on, and the plateau reaction was not obvious.
As night fell, we checked into the Thousand Crane Lizheng Hotel outside the ditch. In order to meet the family's small demand for accommodation, I deliberately booked a parent-child suite. The hotel was clean and tidy, with attentive service, allowing us to relax after a day of exhaustion.
The next morning, we stepped into the gate of Jiuzhaigou with great anticipation. Jiuzhaigou is famous for its star-studded plateau lakes. These lakes are like a bright pearl set between the mountains, with clear, colorful water. As the seasons and weather change, the color of the lakes will also show different beauty. In late autumn, Jiuzhaigou is even more colorful, as if a gorgeous picture scroll is spread out in front of us.
We chose to start our tour at Shuzheng Gou and then explore Rize Gou and Zecha Wa Gou respectively. Shuzheng ditch of the Shuzheng group of sea and the surrounding colorful forest into one, beautiful. The Five Flowers Sea in Rizegou is the best part of Jiuzhaigou, with its turquoise water reflecting the snow-capped mountains and forests, as if it could wash away the worries of the world. The Changhai and Wuhuahai in Zechawa Gully are also not to be missed, attracting countless tourists with their serene and deep lakes and the pristine nature around them.
We are impressed by the management and service of Jiuzhaigou. The sightseeing buses in the scenic area run uninterruptedly, and each bus is also equipped with an interpreter, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of this magical land. Although there are many tourists, the scenic area is still well organized, there is no overcrowding.
In the evening, we reluctantly left Jiuzhaigou, ending this unforgettable trip. Although a little tired, but the heart is full of satisfaction and joy. The beauty of Jiuzhaigou Huanglong made us memorable, as if we were in a dreamy world. This trip not only let us appreciate the nature's ingenious workmanship, but also let us deeply feel the harmony between man and nature in the beautiful coexistence.
Now, I have begun to plan the next trip to Jiuzhai Huanglong. I heard that after the opening of Mianjiu Expressway, it only takes four hours to drive from Chengdu to Jiuzhai, which makes me look forward to the future adventure. I believe that in different seasons, Jiuzhai Huanglong will show a more charming style, waiting for us to discover and appreciate.
