First Encounter with Jiuzhaigou | A Forest Wonderland in a Fairytale
Every day, I navigate through the concrete jungle of the city, amidst the hustle and bustle, day and night, on repeat... Over time, all that remains is a weary and constrained soul! At this moment, I just want to become air, lake water, snow-capped mountains, merge into the green earth and clear sky, to release myself, and embark on a spontaneous soul-cleansing journey to Jiuzhaigou!
Jiuzhaigou, on the global landscape map, is a kingdom ruled by pristine waters, primitive yet magnificent, fantastical yet real. The water here seems to follow divine will, colorful and vibrant, with an infinitely close transparent blue, so beautiful it takes one's breath away.
Magical Jiuzhaigou, a paradise on earth, a place that makes people want to return again and again, possessing the most beautiful postures of all four seasons: spring blossoms romantic, summer green unrestrained, late autumn colorful forests stretching endlessly, winter snow fairy tale. If Huangshan is the ultimate among mountains, then Jiuzhaigou is the ultimate among waters.
DAY1: Chongqing—Jiuzhaigou—Check into Jiuzhaigou Luneng Hilton
DAY2: Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area (full day tour)—Hotel seafood buffet dinner
DAY3: Zhongzhagou—Love Sea—Mai Chinese Restaurant
DAY4: Hotel English afternoon tea party—Return trip
September, entering early autumn, the temperature is just right, the sky is beautifully azure. Encountering this place by chance, everything is so natural and comfortable. Warm sunlight fills the hotel's backyard garden. In this beautiful season, begin an unforgettable memory.
Slow-paced travel is enjoyment. Meeting Hilton was the best choice for this Jiuzhaigou trip. A comfortable accommodation environment makes the entire journey perfect and unforgettable. Direct flight from Chongqing to Jiuzhaigou takes one and a half hours, arriving just after breakfast! Upon landing, the hotel arranges a dedicated car transfer, very convenient. Remember to book one day in advance!
Jiuzhaigou Luneng Hilton Resort Hotel is located in Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, backed by the peaceful Zhongcha Village, serene and secluded, 75 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, only a 15-minute drive to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. The geographical location is very advantageous.
On the grassy slopes of Minshan Mountain, this resort hotel with mountains and waters is very striking, a perfect combination of forest and mountain landscape. The hotel is divided into business area and villa area, and each guest room has a stunning view outside the window, equipped with internationally trendy fitness facilities and a spa center, definitely five-star standard.
Entering the hotel lobby, you will find every corner refined and grand, with a design-rich space that is extremely tall and open. The main color is light warm tones, incorporating local Tibetan village style elements. In the center of the lobby is a thousand-year-old bodhi wood, above which are auspicious clouds and prayer flags, a Tibetan way of blessing. Whenever the scriptures are blown by the wind, it represents being blessed.
Behind the lobby is a sunken design with comfortable sofas. The fully transparent glass design allows a panoramic view of the outside scenery, unique and distinctive, also highlighting the exquisite luxury of a star-rated hotel. When the vehicle arrives at the hotel gate, a bellboy comes to open the door and help take out luggage. After checking in, the service staff thoughtfully help deliver luggage to the room. The whole process makes people feel greatly welcomed.
Scenery on the journey can make one intoxicated, unique cultural customs can fascinate. Even with a cheerful mood, a long journey can also cause physical fatigue, so a good hotel can eliminate all tiredness. I think Jiuzhaigou Luneng Hilton Resort Hotel is just like that.
Entering the guest room, the first thing that catches the eye is the warm and comfortable decoration style, giving a feeling of returning home, also incorporating some Tibetan cultural decorative features: dark red painted wooden cabinets, integrated rest sofas, simple and lovely. The room's facilities are also very complete: in-room safe, TV, refrigerator, private rest area, and simple and generous desk, etc. According to hotel staff, all rooms can enjoy unobstructed views of the forest and mountain scenery.
Every corner of the guest room gives a sense of calm beauty without procrastination. The choice of furniture and household items is very tasteful: soft pillows and bedding, comfortable sofas, and delicate small decorative items. I especially like the design of the bed's backrest, with a very reasonable height, so lying in bed looking at phone or computer won't feel tiring. There is also a chaise lounge by the bed for a short rest. The thoughtful hotel also prepared fresh fruits and desserts in advance to welcome guests.
The washing area and rest area are separated by a sliding wooden door design. The overall space is spacious, bright, and I like it. Bathroom supplies are all high-end five-star products, simple yet grand. The bathroom and toilet are separate and dry-wet separated from the sink, so two people can use them at the same time without interfering. The most noteworthy is the shower switch, which has text prompts. Although it's a small detail, it reveals the hotel's meticulous care.
Every night staying here, enjoy deep sleep on the tranquil bed, relax and rejuvenate in the bathtub. Each room is equipped with a bathtub! Feel free to use it. Five-star hotels are very clean and hygienic.
At leisure, sit in the room listening to music, brew a cup of coffee, eat fresh fruits and desserts, it's also wonderful...
In travel, food and scenery are indispensable. After resting for an afternoon, we chose the hotel's full-day buffet restaurant for dinner. Enjoy a delicious Tibetan cuisine and seafood buffet, experiencing local Tibetan food culture.
The restaurant environment is simple and grand, the space is transparent and bright. Outside the restaurant are colorful prayer flags, inside is a mix of Chinese and Western. The service staff wear local ethnic costumes, very distinctive.
The full-view floor-to-ceiling windows allow appreciation of the night view outside, a perfect integration of food and scenery. The buffet table gathers various local flavors, looking appetizing.
The Tibetan food area's butter tea is worth trying! Butter tea is very common in Tibetan diet. It is made by thoroughly mixing boiled brick tea water and butter in a special butter churn until the tea and oil merge, then adding a little salt. There are also tsampa and yak yogurt. Yak yogurt is quite thick, you can smell a light milk fragrance before eating, smooth and rich in milk flavor.
It's my first time eating seafood on the plateau, and it's so fresh. Besides limited dishes, other foods are diverse: imported seafood like purple sea urchins, crabs, conch, and large lobsters, etc. The taste and texture are superb. There are many types of desserts: caramel pudding and macarons are super delicious; mousse cake and mango cake are very delicate.
In the Chinese food area, there are various barbecues and Sichuan-style malatang and bobo chicken. If you have a spicy palate, come here to find your favorite flavors. Also, Chinese dim sum is very tasty and authentic.
The hotel breakfast is also here. If you want to sleep in, it's okay; breakfast ends at 10:20, plenty of time.
The buffet restaurant also occasionally provides some limited delicacies to guests, such as foie gras and avocado rolls. Looking at the full table of gourmet food, at this moment I just wish I had two stomachs to enjoy these delicacies.
Fairyland Jiuzhaigou, the perfect fusion of water and forest, ever-changing with each step, is a fairy tale forest so beautiful it leaves one speechless, a purity and cleanliness that cannot be felt in a city, a flow of free colors. Driving from Luneng Hilton to Jiuzhaigou attractions takes only 15 minutes. This is my first time coming to Jiuzhaigou after the earthquake, and it still has the most beautiful scenery.
Jiuzhaigou is located in Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, on the northeast side of Gonggang Ridge in the southern section of Minshan Mountain. Jiuzhaigou is named after nine Tibetan villages, because nine tribes of Tibetans have lived here for generations, hence the name 'Jiuzhaigou' (Nine Village Valley).
Nature's extraordinary craftsmanship left this treasure for the world, leaving a fairyland for humans. Jiuzhaigou is known for its high mountain lake groups, waterfalls, colorful forests, snow peaks, blue ice, and Tibetan customs, collectively called the 'Six Wonders of Jiuzhaigou'. It is the king of waterscapes, a place unforgettable after visiting.
The Jiuzhaigou scenic area is very large; you must spend a whole day to visit the highlights. Public transportation within the scenic area stops at each attraction. It is recommended to start from the highest point and go down, so you won't get too tired, and time will be sufficient.
Five-Color Pond is the smallest and most exquisite among Jiuzhaigou's many seas, yet its colors are the most colorful, comparable to Five-Flower Sea. One kilometer down from Long Sea is Five-Color Pond, hidden in a deep valley under the road. The pond is exceptionally clear; through the water, you can see the stone patterns on the bottom and broken branches of plants by the shore. It is the essence of Jiuzhaigou's lakes and the most delicate sea, known as the Eye of Jiuzhaigou.
Nuorilang Waterfall in Rize Gully shocks every visitor's soul. Standing on the viewing platform on the cliff, you can take in the full view of the waterfall. The torrential water comes from Nuorilang Group Lakes, falling from the treetops on the top of the waterfall like the Milky Way pouring down, with great momentum, the sound shaking the entire valley. 'Nuorilang' in Tibetan means male god, as majestic as the waterfall.
Walking slowly along Jiuzhaigou's water is a wonderful enjoyment. From the chaotic waterfalls to the quiet lakes, every step is a gorgeous illusion, marveling at nature's masterpiece, which has given all the charm of water. Tiger Sea is deep and serene, hidden among green mountains and trees, lying within deep forests and dense grass, but in silence it contains violence, in tranquility hides defiance.
Jiuzhaigou's water is colorful, hidden in lush greenery. The five-colored seas, the flowing water combs the green branches and water plants, reflected with the shore's reflections and sparks. The gentle wind blows each treetop, as free and leisurely as flowing water. The mountains and trees, water and sky here combine into a huge beautiful painting, captivating me.
Arriving at the highest point, Five-Flower Sea, the most beautiful lake in Jiuzhaigou. The lake surface is calm, peaceful, like a smooth, crystal-clear emerald. Surrounded by various flowers and trees, in early autumn, a light yellow. When autumn wind rises, red leaves and green trees will be reflected in the lake, a beautiful sight.
At the bottom, clusters of brilliant coral and freely playing carp, under sunlight, are colorful and exceptionally charming. Looking at Five-Flower Sea from different angles, you'll find that the same water area has different colors: light yellow, dark green, deep blue, indigo, mottled and blurred. If you jump to the highest point of Five-Flower Sea, Tiger Rock, to look down, it looks like a peacock with full feathers spreading its tail.
Autumn is the most splendid season in Jiuzhaigou. The poetic green mountains, dreamlike waters, at that moment the colorful forest is a riot of colors. Colorful fallen leaves float on the lake and flowing water. The clear sky is deep blue and pure. The colorful attire is the most beautiful scene in nature.
Counting hundreds of pearl-like ponds, flowing clouds near the thatched hut. Walking in the fairy-tale-like quiet and magical Jiuzhaigou makes one intoxicated. In my mind, I can't help but think of the song: 'Magical Jiuzhaigou, paradise on earth, you spread warm spiritual light over the hills, you spread the fairy tale world over the plateau. Look at the people of the world, they yearn for you deeply...' I know I have deeply imprinted it in my mind.
Ancient plank roads, colorful forests, sparkling lakes, swirling clouds, magnificent snow mountains, and unique or distinctive waterfalls... Oh, and the Tibetan villages full of ethnic customs... Any one of these points is a beautiful scenery line.
After touring Jiuzhaigou, it was already past 6 pm. Returning to the hotel was just dinner time. Decided to eat hot and boiling hotpot with friends at the hotel's Chinese restaurant. The hotpot set meal launched by the hotel suited our Chongqing appetite. Also, because the temperature difference between morning and evening in Jiuzhaigou is large, eating hotpot at night can dispel cold!
The Chinese restaurant environment is quite formal and exquisite. The wavy stripe ceiling design makes the whole restaurant lively and dynamic. Of course, local Tibetan elements are also integrated. Every small decoration is very careful. The Chinese restaurant has an open hall and private rooms to meet different needs. Besides hotpot, there are also the most authentic Sichuan dishes!
Hotpot dishes can be ordered individually or as a set. The bottom of the pot can be red soup or yuanyang, according to personal taste. The condiments are self-service. The bottom has large pieces of beef tallow, looking very appetizing. The taste should be comparable to that of a hotpot restaurant.
A full table of dishes made us want to quickly start boiling. Although it's hotel hotpot, the dishes and taste are not inferior. The restaurant's ingredients are very fresh. The meat slices are bright red and translucent, looking appetizing. All the signature dishes of hotpot restaurants can be eaten here!
This is also my first time eating Sichuan hotpot in a plateau area. The key is that the taste is particularly authentic. At the end, it's spicy but not dry, oily but not greasy, numbing but not bitter, and the more you eat, the more fragrant. Sure enough, it's the hotel chef's exclusive recipe.
Jiuzhaigou gives each of us an artist's temperament, making us very close to heaven! And the adjacent Ganhaizi (also known as Love Sea) brings us back to earth, giving us the opportunity to paint a rainbow for our love. Yes, right here, under the snow mountains, beside the meadows.
Ganhaizi is located at Gonggang Ridge between Songpan County and Jiuzhaigou County. It's a 20-minute drive from the hotel. It can be seen on the roadside from Jiuzhaigou back to Chengdu. It was originally a pristine alpine lake. Due to geological changes, local people commonly call it 'Ganhaizi' (Dry Sea).
'Ganhaizi' is not dry. Love Sea is surrounded by high mountains, dense forests. In the sea, streams meander, fragrant grass covers the ground like a velvet carpet. In autumn and summer, wild flowers dot it, cattle, sheep, and horses gather; in winter and spring, it is deep yellow, contrasting with the surrounding snow mountains and red leaves.
Ganhaizi is relatively low-key in Jiuzhaigou. Although low-key, the scenery inside is quite good. The scenic area mainly consists of a lake group formed by Golden Rhino Sea, Fragrant Grass Sea, and Nine-Bend Colorful River. There are also photo spots like Hu Menglong Love Archway, Folk Custom Eternal Tower, Happiness Prayer Wheel, Marriage Fate Prayer Flags, Colorful Plank Road, Lanshanwu, Biyi Qifei, etc., especially suitable for couples!
This natural meadow pasture is fascinating. Although it's not yet late autumn, the early yellow color is gradually emerging. The complementarity of alpine wetlands makes nature wonderfully strange. The blue sky with clouds scattered by the wind changes endlessly the next second.
The magnificent scenery of Jiuzhaigou's mountains and waters is exciting, and the rich ethnic customs are intoxicating. From Love Sea, drive back towards the hotel for about 20 minutes to 'Zhongzhagou Village', a little-known Tibetan village nestled in a quiet and beautiful valley. Climbing to a height, you can see the well-arranged houses accompanied by colorful prayer flags.
'After visiting Huangshan, you don't need to see other mountains; after visiting Jiuzhaigou, you don't need to see other waters.' The beauty of Jiuzhaigou is captivating. However, the existence of Zhongcha Gou is another 'paradise' of Jiuzhaigou. Its beauty lies in the primitive villages, authentic farming, and unpolluted simple folk customs; it is far from the noise, peaceful and rustic, set in the beauty of the countryside, with only the long history of inheritance and mystery...
'Zhongcha' means the place where the divine eagle lands and rests, known as the backyard of Jiuzhaigou. On the wide slopes, green grass is like a carpet, cattle and sheep leisurely, blooming flowers beside the murmuring stream. White pagodas and prayer wheel pavilions seen everywhere in the village are the locals' most intense and sincere faith.
Lying quietly here, watching the prosperity of Jiuzhaigou. Horse manure scattered on the village road, Lungta prayer flags swaying gently in the wind! In the valley on the hillside, endless grasslands spread out, surrounded by alpine shrubs and conifers, presenting emerald green, dark cyan, and azure blue from near to far, contrasting with the distant majestic snow mountains, as if in a Swiss fairy tale village.
After a day of touring, the happiest moment is returning to the hotel, enjoying home-like service while also being able to eat Chinese cuisine made by the hotel's Chinese Chef Season chef. All hotel guests can taste the secret feast from the Chinese Chef Season chef.
Chinese food culture is profound. The hotel selects the freshest seasonal ingredients, so eating is reassuring. The dining environment in the private room is very independent and quiet, with one-on-one service, absolutely making the trip worthwhile and the meal unforgettable.
Leek-flavored original shell abalone: as the name suggests, using original shell abalone as the main ingredient to keep its original flavor. The method of pan-frying makes the abalone soft, tender, and fresh. Adding leeks enhances the flavor. Just looking at it, it's full of color, aroma, and taste. Biting into one, it's rich in aroma and delicious.
Tibetan-style roasted lamb leg: selected local lamb with small potatoes. The roasted lamb leg has thin and crispy skin, tender and chewy meat, bright red and glossy color, large and complete shape. The small potatoes underneath are also fragrant and sticky.
Ancient village three-year-old cured meat: strong hometown Sichuan flavor. Cured meat made by traditional cooking is fatty but not greasy, excellent taste, clear layers, shiny skin, fragrant in the mouth, leaving a long aftertaste.
Barley-grilled yak ribs: this dish was carefully developed by Chinese chef Liu Yang. Selected yak ribs are slowly cooked with spices and barley until soft and sticky, then grilled at high temperature to golden color, fragrant aroma. The essence of yak meat is not only low fat content but also a certain toughness, moderate softness, and lingering fragrance after chewing.
Special stir-fried morel mushrooms: this is a signature dish by Chef Liu Yang, using local morel mushrooms. After unique processing, the color is very bright, and the delicate plating makes it complete in color, aroma, and taste.
With the panda-themed Chinese Chef Season, how could the panda egg yolk bun be missing! The cute panda shape makes it hard to bite into. Inside is egg yolk filling; when bitten, it's soft and sweet, leaving a fragrant aftertaste!
On the last day in Jiuzhaigou, we decided to enjoy a vacation time at the hotel. Although we had been here for a few days, we went to scenic spots every day! Actually, the hotel scenery is very beautiful: green mountains, clear water, white clouds. Every morning, we could breathe the freshest air, something not available in the noisy city. Warm sunlight accompanies the ancient and peaceful village, green meadows, leisurely and free. Here is a dreamlike ideal country!
The hotel is much larger than I imagined. The villa area in the back is like a high-end residential area, all single-family designs. It also has five multi-function meeting rooms, the largest 910-square-meter banquet hall, one VIP reception room, and one boardroom. It is the best refuge for green meetings, ecological research education teams, high-end incentive teams, high-end sightseeing teams, and private weddings.
Strolling in the hotel's backyard garden, inadvertently looking up, I discovered it's also a small natural orchard. Is this an early autumn surprise? The tree full of fruits seems to harvest the entire autumn atmosphere.
If late autumn comes, I wonder how charming it will be. Looking out from the guest room's outdoor balcony, it's a patch of colorful autumn colors, a colorful forest.
Behind the hotel lobby, there is a small street of Tibetan village style. On one side of the street are restaurants, on the other are local specialty handicraft shops. If you want to bring souvenirs, come here. There are also many nice mailboxes and wooden chair tents along the street, perfect for photo check-ins!
Exquisite English afternoon tea time
In the hotel's family suite, gathering with friends for an unforgettable tea time. After all, daily life is noisy enough, why not take the opportunity to empty oneself?
We booked a special family package this time, very suitable for small family gatherings. The fruits used are seasonal fruits, fresh and delicious. Having an English afternoon tea party in such a fairy tale forest should be the most unforgettable memory of the trip!
The dessert types in the package needless to say, rich and diverse, not repeating, and many are specially made by the hotel! Exquisite tableware paired with delicious desserts and drinks is the right way to enjoy both food and scenery during travel.
While enjoying tea time, there is also an experience of European-style family dinner. The entire arrangement is very refined and grand. Dark red floral tablecloth, beautiful tableware, each guest has a teacup, saucer, teaspoon, dessert plate, napkin, etc., full of ceremony.
Each dish is mouthwatering, especially this pan-seared salmon, nutritious, generous portion, fresh and tender. Previously I only liked sashimi, now I prefer pan-seared.
Western-style roast beef (Roast Beef): beef with alternating fat and lean, the roasted beef is really tempting. Paired with black pepper and sea salt, the taste is fresh and fragrant, beef tender, charred aroma.
Besides the main dishes of pan-seared salmon, roast beef, roast whole chicken, there is also cheesecake, my favorite. Paired with fresh strawberries and blueberries, the taste is sweet but not greasy, with rich cheese flavor, smooth in the mouth, tempting aftertaste.
After enjoying the delicious meal, take a leisurely stroll in the hotel's backyard garden. With the hazy night and cool autumn wind, I suddenly discovered that the hotel's night scenery is also enchanting. The lake and water light and bright lights complement each other, having a unique charm.
Jiuzhaigou trip, perfect ending. Looking forward to the next encounter, I believe I will come again.
1. Due to the large temperature difference between day and night in Jiuzhaigou, be sure to bring warm clothes. It is recommended to bring a jacket and sweater to avoid catching a cold.
2. In addition, some scenic spots have high altitude, strong ultraviolet radiation, dry climate. Be well prepared with sufficient sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, sun hat, and other sun protection items.
3. Women can bring more brightly colored clothes. Blue sky and white clouds make photos look like blockbusters.
4. Before traveling, prepare masks and ID card. Many scenic spots require these.
I. Currently, Jiuzhaigou limits the number of visitors to 17,000; if exceeded, no entry. It is recommended to book tickets in advance. Drones are restricted inside. One day is enough to tour. Also, bringing your own food is most convenient; there are limited dining options inside.
II. Zhongzhagou is separated from Jiuzhaigou by a mountain, very suitable for check-ins, and free. Love Sea requires a ticket, cheap at 20 yuan/person.
Travelogue Directory
1. Pre-trip thoughts 2. About itinerary 3. First encounter | Jiuzhaigou Luneng Hilton 4. Start | Seafood buffet full-day dinner 5. Paradise on earth | Jiuzhaigou 6. Zhongcha | Backyard of Jiuzhaigou 7. Food | At Mai Chinese Restaurant 8. Enjoy | Afternoon tea time 9. Travel tips
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