May Day Travel Notes: Early Summer in Jiuzhaigou's Zhongcha
During the May Day holiday, I went on a road trip with friends to Zhongcha Valley again; Jiuzhaigou and Zhongcha are separated only by a mountain, and we arrived quickly by car. Revisiting the old place was not just about escaping the heat, but also seeing what differences there were between early summer and spring in Zhongcha Valley. Last time I came in spring, I was so captivated that I couldn't bear to leave. This time, Zhongcha's summer once again gave me a different experience.
On the drive from Jiuzhaigou to Zhongcha Valley, there was green everywhere—the vegetation was lush, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees. The temperature was cool, and both body and mind felt at ease. Along the way, the greenery was so beautiful that I couldn't help but keep taking photos with my phone. Every shot was a stunning landscape picture.
Zhongcha Valley runs parallel to Jiuzhaigou Valley and belongs to the same high mountain gorge terrain, with higher elevations in the south and lower in the north. The lowest point in Zhongcha Valley is Langzhai Village at the mouth of the valley, at an altitude of about 2,100 meters. If spring in Zhongcha is like a young girl just coming of age, then early summer in Zhongcha is like a maiden who has grown up. The wide valley spreads out into an endless prairie, which is greener and more vibrant than in spring. One could almost lie down on the grass right there and listen quietly to the beautiful songs of nature. On all sides, dense fir forests rise up, showing shades of emerald green, dark cyan, and blue from near to far. Horses graze contentedly, letting us savor the peaceful beauty of the moment.
Along the road, scattered in the valley, there are seven unique ancient Tibetan villages, with a single stream winding through them. Mountains surround the area on all sides, with green meadows, scattered cattle, sheep, and horses dotting the hillsides, and bright prayer flags fluttering over the old Tibetan villages. In the backyards of Tibetan homes, colorful flowers are planted everywhere. Tibetan and Qiang culture is visible everywhere, and the Tibetan people remain simple, warm, and hospitable. It is a pastoral idyll, like a fairy-tale town. Zhongcha is different from the bustling Jiuzhaigou; it seems to have seen all the worldly splendor and now lies quietly in the valley, adding a paradise on earth to the world.
My friend and I stayed at the Jiuzhaigou Luneng Hilton Resort, which recently reopened. We booked the rooms three days in advance. I have to say the Hilton environment is really great, blending nature with Tibetan cultural style. During those two days, we would drag our tired bodies back to the hotel, and the beds were soft and comfortable. From the window, we could enjoy views of forests and mountains, and all the facilities were well-equipped, making us feel as comfortable as at home. The boxed lunch they provided had an authentic Jiuzhaigou local flavor, and delicacies like butter tea were very distinctive.
This May Day trip not only let me see early summer in Zhongcha, but also allowed me to spend two comfortable nights at the Jiuzhaigou Hilton Resort. The hotel staff provided very considerate service. Sometimes when you go out to play, you come home with a tired body, but this time I was completely relaxed in both body and mind. I also got to see a different side of Zhongcha—really perfect~
