Sichuan: Chengdu, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Dujiangyan, Sanxingdui, Kuanzhai Alley

Preface: In 2021, the pandemic eased, but sporadic cases still appeared in various provinces and cities. Yet the May Day holiday still saw huge crowds at tourist spots, which seemed enviable. After two years of being stuck at home, I began planning a new journey. Chongqing + Sichuan trip. Due to limited annual leave for family members, after much deliberation, I reluctantly gave up Chongqing (Chongqing: Hongya Cave, suburban Wulong Scenic Area, and the man-made attraction Aotaoji Park), and finally chose Sichuan.

Preparation: Focused on the weather forecast. Bad luck: 15 consecutive days of rain. Looking at July, there were very few sunny days. I felt a bit regretful, but the air tickets were already booked, so I had to go. I brought disposable raincoats and an umbrella (which could also be used for sun protection). Altitude sickness? Not a big issue, should be fine. In June, the top of Mount Emei or the Jiuhuang Plateau is still a bit cool, so bring a long-sleeved jacket. Also: ID card, phone, power bank, sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, mask, wet wipes, etc.

Hotels: Mount Emei Golden Summit Xinxin Hotel (newest, also closest to the summit), Chengdu Atour Hotel (Kuanzhai Alley), Jiuzhaigou Jinlong International Hotel, Chengdu Renhe Spring Hotel

Day 1: Red-eye flight, to make full use of daytime hours, save time and money.

Day 2: Arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport around 2 a.m. Left from the airport by high-speed rail around 6 a.m. — Leshan Giant Buddha (World Cultural and Natural Heritage).

Weather: light rain. The entrance of the scenic area is far from the actual site. You can walk (tiring) or pay for an electric cart (a common problem in scenic spots across the country). Go up to the top of the giant Buddha, then down to its feet to look up, then back up to the top, and then down again to return. Tour time: 2 hours. In the afternoon, heading to Mount Emei.

Cultural interest: 5 stars. Scenery: 2 stars.

Afternoon: Mount Emei

It rained all the way. Regret and disappointment followed. At Leidongping, it was still drizzling. Gradually the rain lightened, then stopped. A glimmer of white light brought hope. Taking the last cable car, as we rose higher, I saw white clouds in the distance. Excitement beyond words. It made up for the disappointment of Fuji Mountain (missed the view). After getting off the cable car, we walked to the Golden Summit. Looking at the road, half of Mount Emei was shrouded in mist — nothing visible — while the other half was clear and sunny. Truly amazing. It was an otherworldly wonderland. Totally worth the trip.

Night stay: Mount Emei Golden Summit Xinxin Hotel (pretty good, recommended — after all, it's on the summit).

Day 3: Sunrise? Of course we didn't see it. My family said, 'Don't be too greedy. The scenery yesterday was already amazing. If it had been completely sunny, there wouldn't have been so many clouds, nor the mist. If it had rained, everything would have been covered in fog and we'd see nothing. Be content.'

Cultural interest: 5 stars. Scenery: 5 stars.

To save time and energy, we took the cable car down and the electric cart down, heading straight to Sanxingdui Museum. Arrived at 2 p.m.

China's ancient Egyptian civilization, human civilization, ancient Shu civilization — 4,000 years ago. Metallurgy, gold masks, bronze trees, gold staff, sun wheel.

Cultural interest: 6 stars. Sightseeing enjoyment: 2 stars.

Night stay: Chengdu Atour Hotel (Kuanzhai Alley). Dinner: Kuanzhai Alley.

Day 4: Chose a local 2-day tour (3 days also available, but I didn't have enough time). Departed at 5:30 a.m. Heading to Huanglong Scenic Area.

Unexpected: mild altitude sickness. Weather was fine and sunny; didn't even need the jacket. The weather forecast was useless (it was inaccurate for several days).

Night stay: Jinlong International Hotel.

Note: The journey was extremely far; independent travel would be difficult. It takes 8 hours by car. So I recommend booking a 'space seat' + 5-diamond hotel (actually less than 4-star, but still decent).

Day 5: 7 a.m. Jiuzhaigou. Tour time was tight (a disadvantage of group tours). Couldn't linger too long at stops, but basically saw everything.

Arrived at Chengdu Renhe Spring Hotel at 10:30 p.m. (recommended; good breakfast with Chinese and Western options, a bit lacking in Japanese). Ate shrimp dumplings until full.

Day 6: Dujiangyan (World Cultural Heritage). My phone broke. First fixed it, but couldn't wait, so bought a new phone. Wasted half a day.

Cultural interest: 5 stars. Sightseeing enjoyment: 2 stars. A masterpiece of human wisdom. A water conservancy project from 2,000 years ago. Benefiting the entire Chengdu region and even the whole of Sichuan.

Evening: Shuangliu Airport. Had a 1.5-hour layover.

Day 7: Arrived in Shanghai early morning.