The Long-Awaited Jiuzhaigou, a Dream Paradise
This trip was hastily decided after a drinking session, to the point where when I woke up the next morning, I wondered if it was just a joke. But anyway, it also felt a bit like 'truth comes out after wine.' I had been stuck in this southern city all along, and though I often thought about getting out, various unfounded excuses kept putting it off. My friend was right: don't make excuses—just do what you want. If you deny your own ideas today, you might never have any ideas tomorrow. So, after five days of insufficient preparation, we flew to Sichuan.
On the first day, as soon as we got off the plane, Chengdu came into view. I had expected to be impressed, but instead, it felt a bit like old Changsha. It was already 10:30 a.m., but the sky was still grayish, suggesting some air pollution. Since it was the weekend, there weren't many cars on the road, and we quickly arrived at the booked hotel.
Although Chengdu doesn't have particularly distinctive modern architecture, its ancient alleys and streets are unique. Our first stop was the entrance of Kuanzhai Alley. As soon as we got out of the car, an old hotpot restaurant appeared right in front of us. We were already starving, and the aroma of hotpot drifting around led us straight into the restaurant.
To be honest, the hotpot wasn't as delicious as I had imagined. Even though we were hungry and ordered a full table, we didn't have that lingering feeling of satisfaction. Maybe we didn't get the most authentic one. Next time, I'll definitely search online for the best one! After eating our fill, we started strolling through the alleys. The alley began with a row of snack stalls, with all kinds of snacks neatly displayed, filling the air with fragrance—red chili peppers, green cilantro, yellow sesame oil… skillfully combined, very pleasing to the eye. On both sides of the street were rows of dazzling small shops, decorated in ethnic styles, with colorful goods.
Kuanzhai Alley consists of Wide Alley and Narrow Alley. Even though it's called Wide Alley, it couldn't handle the massive crowds. We just moved forward slowly with the flow. After walking through the staggered alleys, we took a taxi to Jinli Ancient Street. The two attractions are not far apart, about a 10-minute drive. Compared to Kuanzhai Alley's mix of simple design and ancient architecture, Jinli has more ethnic flavor—all buildings are antique, and the goods sold also emphasize ethnic culture. However, they share one thing in common: everywhere you go is colorful. Maybe because of generations of tradition, Chengdu people seem to be good at color matching. Whether it's food, clothing, or items, there's always a bright hue that is not jarring but beautiful.
We strolled through the two attractions from 12:00 p.m. to about 5:00 p.m. After dinner, we bought some snacks for the rest of the trip and went back to the hotel to rest. The hotel we stayed in that night deserves a special mention.
Location: The hotel is located in Kuanzhai Alley, known as 'Chengdu's Living Room'.
Metro: The entrance of Kuanzhai Alley is right at Metro Line 4.
Geographic location: The location is fantastic! It's right inside the Kuanzhai Alley scenic area, so you can go out and eat and shop conveniently. It's also close to Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, Tianfu Square, etc. You can take the metro or a taxi (about 10 yuan).
Hotel style: I really liked the overall style of this B&B. The room design was Japanese-style, made entirely of wood. The room had a unique fragrance that was very soothing. There were also handmade Shu embroidery and a wren painted by a famous artist.
Bathroom: When I travel, whether staying in a hotel or B&B, my biggest concern is always the bathroom. Its cleanliness can absolutely affect my mood. I give the wren-themed bathroom full marks! The details show understated luxury. Ultra-five-star amenities: Carnation bed linens, King Koil mattress, Kohler bathroom products, TOTO smart toilet. Even turning on the faucet makes you feel the owner's care.
Washbasin area: It's worth mentioning that the washbasin area is dry and wet separated. You can take a shower or lie in the bathtub. The hotel even provided bath salts.
The three-piece toiletries set is from June Jacobs (a high-end spa skincare brand from New York, USA). I had used this brand before at a Sheraton in Guangdong and really liked it. I didn't expect to use it again in Chengdu. According to the butler, June Jacobs custom-made a set of techniques for the hotel, combining local culture, environment, climate, and some traditional Chinese medical therapies, creating the hotel's unique 'Wren's Nest in the Forest' experience.
Bedding: Lying down was so comfortable that I fell asleep in no time. The quilt and mattress were soft and gentle on the skin. I like buckwheat pillows, and the hotel thoughtfully provided one for me.
To avoid booking hotels and scenic spot tickets separately, we pre-booked a three-day-two-night tour group from Chengdu to Huanglong to Jiuzhaigou from the 25th to the 27th. Looking back, this decision was very wise. Having a guide arrange meals, accommodation, and transportation along the way saved us a lot of trouble. Since the bus departed at 5:30 a.m., we got up at 4 a.m. the next day. Half-asleep, we packed up and waited in the hotel lobby for the pick-up. This is one advantage of joining a tour: you don't have to arrange transportation yourself. It takes 8-9 hours by car from Chengdu to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou. To ensure enough time for visiting Huanglong that day, tour groups usually depart very early, so sleep is definitely insufficient. After getting on the bus, listening to the guide's lengthy introduction and instructions, most of the bus soon fell asleep. Until around 7-8 a.m., when the sky was getting light, the guide started chattering again. Having eaten little in the morning, tired from the journey, and with the guide's buzzing voice in my ear, the content about the Wenchuan earthquake and how many people died made my stomach churn. I really wanted to shout 'Shut up!' but didn't have the courage to offend the person who would be arranging my life for the next few days. Motion sickness medicine is really important for long bus rides! Fortunately, we passed a rest stop, got off to get some fresh air, and saved myself from vomiting. The restrooms at the stops along the way were run by local residents, so they charged 1 yuan each, and the conditions were disgusting—I don't want to recall. At noon, we arrived at a hotel for lunch—well, more like a quick refuel. The guide had already warned us about the food. I don't have high expectations for meals, but even I found it bad, it was truly horrible. But we had no choice; we had to make do. Next time, I must bring my own Lao Gan Ma chili sauce—it'll definitely make eating enjoyable! After lunch, we set off again, winding up S-shaped mountain roads. The peaks on both sides became steeper, and the colors of plants on the mountains grew richer, giving the illusion of entering a paradise. However, the constantly swaying bus kept pulling my longing back to reality. We continued like this until about 2 p.m., when we finally reached the nearest medical service station to Huanglong Scenic Area. After the bus stopped, a staff member came on board to explain about the scenic area tour and precautions for altitude sickness. To be honest, we hadn't researched much about altitude sickness before coming. We simply bought a box of Rhodiola capsules. Little did we know that these capsules should be taken a week in advance; taking them on the spot wouldn't help much. With no other choice, and already starting to feel slight chest tightness and shortness of breath, I reluctantly bought a box. I want to emphasize: altitude sickness is no joke. If you plan to travel to high-altitude places, prepare in advance—whether taking medicine beforehand or buying oral solutions on the spot. They are much cheaper outside the scenic area than inside. If you really haven't prepared, don't risk not taking it just to save a few yuan, because good health is the foundation of everything. Shortly after taking the medicine, the bus arrived at the entrance of Huanglong Scenic Area. But the bus didn't stop; it kept driving along the long queue of tourists that seemed endless. The queue stretched back three to four hundred meters, longer than the peak-season queue at Chimelong! My heart sank: how long would we have to wait? The guide was also anxious. Before the bus even reached the end of the queue, she urged us to get off and line up. As soon as I stepped off the bus, a chill hit me. We were now at an altitude of about 3200 meters. Although the sun was shining, it was quite cold, so I wrapped my coat tighter.
The scenic area entrance is built in a valley, with the two mountains not far apart. Looking up, the blue sky and white clouds looked like a narrow, beautiful oil painting covering the mountain peaks. To the right of the queue was a small stream, with clear water flowing gently. At some point, every scene that met my eyes became a beautiful picture—perhaps this is the charm of this place. After queuing for about 40 minutes, we boarded the cable car up the mountain. Probably because they need to handle many tourists daily, the cable car runs relatively fast. I suggest people afraid of heights not open their eyes—it's really thrilling! As the cable car ascended, the view gradually broke free from the valley's confinement, filled with distant towering mountains. Whether because of the rapid ascent or the sight of magnificent peaks far away, my heart beat faster. But this feeling quickly disappeared upon reaching the summit. Honestly, I felt a bit of lingering excitement.
After getting off the cable car, we walked along the boardwalk, enjoying the primeval forest scenery. The boardwalk had a single direction, a common feature of scenic areas here. This protects the landscape from damage and ensures visitor safety. Huanglong doesn't have many attractions; we mainly wanted to see the Five-Color Pond, which is at the highest point of the scenic area, so we had to follow the boardwalk to the end. At first, we were attracted by some tall or strangely shaped trees, but as time passed and energy waned, such scenery no longer held our attention. Moreover, Guo Feng had started experiencing altitude sickness, making the walk even harder. After walking about one-third of the way, at the first viewing platform, I saw snow mountains at high altitude for the first time. The majestic peaks rose into the clouds, with crystal-clear snow against the blue sky. White clouds lingered on the peaks, unwilling to leave. Sunlight streamed through thick clouds, like Buddha's light, magnificent. I had seen snow mountains in movies, TV shows, and novels, especially the Changbai Mountain in 'The Lost Tomb.' Though I was impressed while reading, I couldn't fully appreciate its grandeur. Now, seeing it with my own eyes, I understood it more deeply and got the idea to visit Changbai Mountain.
After enjoying the view for a few minutes, we continued along the boardwalk toward a scenic spot closer to the snow mountain—Huanglong Five-Color Pond (I emphasize Huanglong because there's also a Five-Color Pond in Jiuzhaigou). This part of the walk was even harder. Guo Feng's altitude sickness worsened. Fortunately, we had bought a bottle of oxygen while queuing, or I was afraid she might pass out. She had to take a puff every few steps, like a high-risk patient. My arm naturally became her solid support. She was wearing high-heeled boots, clicking loudly, attracting stares and exclamations of surprise and admiration. Her face was full of helplessness. I think her inner self was probably in collapse mode =_=". About two-thirds of the way along the boardwalk, it started going uphill. At that point, I was also a bit out of breath, similar to climbing eight floors at home. I suddenly felt grateful for living on the eighth floor, as it allowed me to breathe normally at 3500 meters. These discomforts vanished the moment we saw the Five-Color Pond. Huanglong's Five-Color Pond consists of more than a dozen pools of various sizes, each like a color palette, independent yet complementing each other. The colors are mainly green, blue, and yellow, with other hues interspersed. Looking out, it's like a fine painting displayed between heaven and earth, beautiful enough to intoxicate. At that moment, the snow mountain stood solemnly at the end of the valley, like a serious and loyal guard, protecting this earthly paradise for millennia. How much nature must have favored this land to give it such beauty! If I could lie down by the pond, close my eyes, and feel its peaceful atmosphere, how wonderful that would be. But the pond was surrounded by people, as solid as a city wall—impossible to squeeze in. Alas, that's the common phenomenon of popular scenic spots. I tiptoed to take a few photos and then reluctantly headed downhill.
It's true what they say: going uphill is easier than downhill. The excitement of the uphill gave way to sheer willpower on the descent. Although the downhill boardwalk passed several scenic spots, none were as beautiful as the Five-Color Pond. Plus, time was limited, so we trudged forward in silence. Guo Feng's 'double high' (altitude sickness + high heels) had completely drained her fighting spirit. Supporting her, she limped down. It was already getting dark, past the time the guide had set for gathering. I was getting anxious. I thought if I had the strength, I would carry her on my shoulder and run down. By about 6:40 p.m., we finally exited the scenic area at the edge of collapse. A simple downhill path took us nearly two hours. At that moment, all I wanted was a quick shower and sleep! But we weren't the latest ones down; two groups from our tour were still missing, including a group of six elderly people. These were six old men and women from Shenyang, chatting and laughing all the way, showing no signs of their average age of 60. Sometimes, seeing them, I wondered: when I'm as old as them, will I be able to walk such a tough path? Will I still have friends willing to accompany me to see the great rivers and mountains of our country? Thinking about it made me a little sad. We waited on the bus for about half an hour before they came down. One of the aunties had severe altitude sickness and was vomiting violently. At such an age, climbing Huanglong at a maximum altitude of 3700 meters—I really admire them! But I also worried for them. There was originally a free show ticket for 8 p.m., but because of the time wasted on the mountain and everyone being tired, we unanimously agreed to cancel it. That night, we stayed in Chuanzhusi at an altitude of about 3000 meters. When we got off the bus at the hotel, we felt the deep chill of this place. My teeth chattered, and my feet trembled involuntarily. After a disappointing dinner, we returned to our rooms to rest. Since we had gone directly from Chengdu at 500 meters to over 3000 meters that day, the guide specifically told us not to wash our hair or shower to avoid catching a cold, and to sleep on our sides to prevent altitude sickness during sleep. I thought the day was over, but my companion's altitude sickness didn't disappear after coming down the mountain.
Around 1 a.m., I was awakened by heavy breathing and light. Guo Feng was sitting weakly on the bed, her face pained, saying her chest felt like it was pressed under a pile of rocks. I got up to boil some water and prepared the Rhodiola capsules we had brought. I didn't want to drink the local water because the guide had said it's rich in minerals—though clear, it's not suitable for drinking and could cause kidney stones. But we had no choice; the bottled water we bought earlier was gone. After the water boiled, Guo Feng took a sip and felt it burned her throat. In the end, she took the medicine with cold bottled water. After being up for a while, we couldn't sleep. Guo Feng didn't show signs of improvement and said she still felt terrible. She wanted to call the guide. I hesitated—it was late at night, and calling someone up wasn't good. But seeing that the medicine didn't work, I had no choice but to dial the guide's number. Unexpectedly, the phone that claimed to be on 24/7 was off. I tried two or three times, same result. My heart sank again. Guo Feng suggested looking for the hotel front desk to find out which room the guide was in. Thinking of the cold wind outside, I was scared. But seeing Guo Feng's suffering, I gritted my teeth and walked out. We were on the third floor. Before closing the door, I looked around; there wasn't a soul in sight. It was late and cold, who would be outside? The hotel was laid out in a '口' shape, so I could see the corridors clearly. Because of the enclosed structure, echoes were very noticeable. Every step I took produced one or two footsteps, very eerie. Whether due to the cold or to save electricity, the corridor lights were very dim, yellowish-white. I had to use my phone flashlight, creating multiple light sources and several shadows. Every step I took, I glanced around, my peripheral vision catching my own shadows. I knew it was just me, but my mind wandered. The atmosphere was terrifying! I walked nervously to the first floor, thinking I would soon see the front desk and people, but the front desk was empty. The hotel's main door was open. My scalp tingled. Although the walk was scary, I had assumed the front desk would have someone. If something happened, I could shout for attention. But now, I was certain I was the only one in this empty, silent environment. My heart raced faster. At that moment, horror movie scenes conveniently looped in my mind. I wished I could teleport back to the room! I thought about going outside to buy medicine, but through the glass wall, the outside looked like a pitch-black bottomless pit, wide open waiting for me to walk in. I immediately gave up that idea. I looked for contact numbers at the front desk but found none, then turned back. Strangely, the more scared I was, the more I tried to act calm, thinking it would make others fear me. Looking back, it was just self-soothing. If someone was lurking in the dark, they'd only care about whether you had money or not, not whether you were calm or flustered! After what felt like an eternity of fear, I finally returned to the room. Only after confirming the door was locked did my heart settle. Fortunately, Guo Feng had vomited right after I left and was feeling much better now. It was already 3 a.m. If we had to get up at 5 a.m., there were two hours of rest left. So I quickly got into bed and fell asleep within minutes.
At 5 a.m., the familiar and annoying alarm went off. After struggling for a few minutes, I reluctantly left the warm bed. The 26th was the most important stop of this trip—the fairy-tale world of Jiuzhaigou. We had a whole day to enjoy the scenery. Guo Feng had basically recovered her strength—thank goodness! Otherwise, like yesterday, this trip would have been in vain. The weather that day was gloomy, with dark clouds over the mountain peaks. A heavy rain was inevitable. I missed yesterday's sunny weather at Huanglong! But we had raincoats and umbrellas. Even if it hailed, it wouldn't stop us from enjoying the scenery! While waiting for tickets, I noticed a father and daughter from our tour group. Guo Feng had mentioned that on the bus, when she was carsick and vomiting, the uncle had handed her tissues. He seemed very gentle and refined. Seeing him up close, I couldn't help but pay more attention. The uncle had graying hair but looked very energetic, wearing glasses. He would smile at anyone who made eye contact—a warm person indeed. His daughter looked young, around 20 years old, with a delicate appearance. Her smile was as warm as her father's. It's rare nowadays to see someone of her age traveling alone with her father. I felt a bit touched. But when I discussed it with Guo Feng, she gave a less touching explanation: maybe her mother had passed away. That thought made me a little sad.
Thinking and walking, we saw the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. The entrance was much wider than Huanglong's, and there was no cable car, so queuing to enter was relatively quick. While queuing for the sightseeing bus, it started to drizzle, then grew heavier. We had to put on our raincoats. At that moment, I wanted to slap myself—the raincoat I had bought earlier was in my luggage on the bus, not in my small bag. Now I only had a cheap promotional raincoat, which was a pullover. Seeing myself looking like a steamed bun, I cursed inwardly. I really wanted to tear that raincoat to shreds. But reason prevailed. I took out my umbrella and covered my small bag with the raincoat, then waited in the queue for the bus. Jiuzhaigou has three developed valleys, each of different lengths. The longest takes over half an hour by bus from end to end, the shortest at least 10-20 minutes. Walking is impossible unless you spend three days here. So the tour relies on over 600 sightseeing buses shuttling constantly. The junction of the three valleys is the only service center and the only smoking area in the scenic area. All buses are dispatched from here to decide which valley to go to first. After deciding, the bus drives along the road to the highest point of each valley, then visitors walk back along the boardwalks. Distant attractions have bus stops, so after visiting one, you can take the bus to the next. We first toured the Rize Valley. Following the guide's advice, we didn't go to the Primeval Forest at the highest point but got off at Arrow Bamboo Lake. On the bus, the guide had briefly introduced the origins and legends of each attraction. We quickly appreciated the picturesque scenery from the bus, but when we got off and walked into this fairy-tale world ourselves, we were deeply shocked. These lakes, big and small, are called 'Haizi' here. Each has its own legend and character. The first one we saw was Arrow Bamboo Lake. Since it's the innermost lake in this valley, it was more serene and deep than the outer ones. The water surface wasn't very wide, with many reeds-like plants on the shore. Because it had just rained, there were crystal-clear water droplets on the plants along the boardwalk. When the wind blew, they fell onto the water, creating ripples.
Continuing down the boardwalk, we reached Panda Lake. It gets its name because the lake's surface shows black and green colors, resembling a giant panda. Panda Lake was much wider than Arrow Bamboo Lake, with no aquatic plants, as calm as a mirror. By then, the rain had stopped, and the sky above was full of blue sky and white clouds, reflected on the water, making the lake even more azure.
When one's vision is fully satisfied, taste becomes insignificant. We had breakfast at 6 a.m. and drove to Jiuzhaigou. From 8 a.m. until noon, I only felt hungry at 12. So we had a simple snack at the Panda Lake rest area and then took the bus to one of Jiuzhaigou's highlights—Five Flower Lake.
If Jiuzhaigou's lakes are masterpieces of nature, then Five Flower Lake is a divine creation! Seeing it, you feel all the hardships of these days are worth it—whether the 7-8 hour bus rides or the aches from climbing up and down. Its beauty can heal everything. It's a beauty that intoxicates you beyond redemption; a beauty that words cannot describe; a beauty that makes you willingly endure great hardships to find. People who see it can't bear to look away, afraid of missing even a second of this encounter. They instinctively pull out cameras to capture its beauty, because they can't digest it quickly enough. They temporarily forget all worries, and every corner of their heart is filled with its image. I have always dreamed of beautiful scenery, but I never dreamed of the beauty of Five Flower Lake. Unfortunately, the lake was surrounded by people reluctant to leave. We reluctantly left this wonderland, looking back every step, but our hearts couldn't calm down for a long time.
Below Five Flower Lake is Pearl Shoal Waterfall. Though not as grand as famous waterfalls across the country, this unique white amidst specific scenery is unparalleled. Plus, it was a filming location for the 1986 version of 'Journey to the West,' attracting many onlookers taking photos.
Continuing down, we reached Mirror Lake. But after the gem of Five Flower Lake, other lakes seemed less attractive. Further down, we returned to Nuorilang Visitor Center. After a short rest, we took the bus to the next valley—Zechawa Valley. This is the longest of the three valleys but has fewer attractions, only four. Along the way, we decided to visit only two: Long Lake and Five-Color Pond. After half an hour's drive, we reached the highest point of the valley—Long Lake.
Long Lake is like the mother of all Jiuzhaigou's lakes. Because of its high altitude and location at the foot of a snow mountain, it has a stable water supply year-round and feeds other lakes. Standing on the viewing platform and looking down, a pure blue color came into view. The sky above was blue with white clouds, but the lake didn't reflect them; instead, it absorbed the sky's blue deeply into itself. Through occasional ripples stirred by the breeze, it teased visitors' eyes. The snow-capped mountain stood at the end of Long Lake, selflessly offering its love and protection. If Long Lake is the mother, the distant snow mountain is the father. Beside the viewing platform below Long Lake, there is a magical pine tree with branches growing in one direction, like an old butler silently welcoming guests from afar. The boardwalk from Long Lake to Five-Color Pond is the steepest section in Jiuzhaigou. By then, my calves and right knee began to ache—maybe from too much walking or from catching a chill. This section was also a bit tough. Just as Guo Feng's altitude sickness had subsided, my knee started acting up. Sigh, visual enjoyment still comes at a price.
From Long Lake down, we reached Jiuzhaigou's second highlight—Five-Color Pond. Jiuzhaigou's Five-Color Pond is different from Huanglong's: it's a single pond, smaller, but has another color that other lakes lack. Besides crystal-clear green, there is a special fluorescent green. Whether due to light refraction or unique minerals in the pond, this varying depth and stillness create a breathtaking beauty. Because it's small, the surrounding crowd made it even harder to approach. With difficulty, using a selfie stick, I captured a full view, but the photo was filled with other people's phones. It seems everyone's aesthetic is the same when it comes to great beauty.
After Five-Color Pond, we took a sightseeing bus straight out of the valley. We arrived at Nuorilang Visitor Center at 3:30 p.m. The guide had set the meeting time at 5:30 p.m., so we had only two hours left. We still hadn't visited Shuzheng Valley towards the exit, so we boarded a bus without resting. Fortunately, the essence of Jiuzhaigou was already deeply etched in our minds. We only made brief stops at Rhinoceros Lake, Spark Lake, and Bonsai Shoal before exiting the scenic area. This time we came out early, reaching the bus by 5 p.m. The sky was already starting to darken. This day was exhausting, but it was a happy exhaustion. Interestingly, the young couple sitting next to me seemed to have a quarrel. The woman was visibly angry, and no matter how the man tried to appease her, it didn't work. Whenever he put his hand on her, she mercilessly shook it off. The scene was a bit awkward, but I found it amusing. Before, they had been chattering non-stop on the bus, but now they were completely silent. I didn't pay much attention. Soon after getting on the bus, I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, I found the bus empty. I briefly thought I was dreaming or encountering something supernatural. Though a bit startled, I knew staying calm was the solution. I remained seated without moving. Until Guo Feng came to fetch me, I learned that an hour had passed since I got on the bus. The guide had arranged a visit to a Tibetan home. Everyone else had gotten off, but I, being asleep, hadn't heard the bus stop or the guide's voice. Considering how noisy it was, I was impressed by my own sleep! But I was too tired, so I asked Guo Feng to go alone while I stayed in the bus to rest. I waited for an hour until they returned, and the day's itinerary ended.
On the 27th, we still got up at 5 a.m. and departed at 6:30 a.m. Since it was the last day back to Chengdu, I felt a bit reluctant. Although it was the last day, we still visited three attractions in the morning that were ostensibly about ethnic culture but were actually shopping spots: a silver jewelry store, a specialty supermarket, and a silk product store. Despite the commercial aspect, we did learn about some ethnic customs, which was another gain.
After leaving the silver jewelry store and getting on the bus, I noticed the young couple next to me had made up. They were back to their usual chatter. The woman had a silver bracelet on her wrist. Indeed, shopping is the best way to appease a woman! At 2 p.m., we departed from the silk culture center in Chuanzhusi, starting the 8-hour return journey. The bus first had to cross a snow mountain with an altitude of about 4200 meters before driving out of the mountains. Since it was daytime, we could enjoy the snow mountain scenery up close. Although I wanted to sleep, I couldn't bear to close my eyes. Despite my reluctance, the blue sky, white clouds, and towering mountains gradually receded from my view. The bus kept winding upward. Chuanzhusi at the foot of the mountain became smaller and farther away. When we reached the highest point, looking out the window, the continuous snow mountains appeared directly in front of us. Unlike previous views of snow mountains that seemed lofty and untouchable, these now seemed within arm's reach. The shock from eye-level viewing was incomparable to looking up. I had an illusion that the bus would break through the guardrail and drive straight into the snow mountains. I wondered if there were bronze doors and Zhang Qiling inside those mountains? The majestic snow mountains were incredibly beautiful and magnificent! I never expected to enjoy such beauty on the last day. One word: worth it! Unfortunately, I didn't manage to take photos since I was on the bus. After descending the snow mountain, the scenery became ordinary, like descending from heaven to earth. I finally allowed myself to sleep. The journey out of the mountains felt exceptionally long without any anticipation. Every time I dozed off, I woke up to find only a few minutes had passed. Time crawled. The only consolation was that I didn't feel carsick at all. Maybe I had gotten used to the swaying motion over these days. I won't go into the painful details of this journey. After six hours of bumpy ride, urban sights gradually appeared outside. Oh my god! We had finally driven out of the mountains! The bus stopped at Jinba Road on the Third Ring Road of Chengdu, marking the end of our tour. Although our guide had many shortcomings, especially during that night of Guo Feng's altitude sickness, she was still responsible throughout the process, so I am grateful. After getting off the bus, we planned to take a taxi to the booked hotel. However, the road to the hotel was blocked, so we had to book another hotel near the drop-off point. By the time we checked in, it was already past 11 p.m. We were so hungry that we went to a nearby McDonald's for a burger. We didn't sleep until after 12:30 a.m.
That sleep was very comfortable. When the alarm went off at 7 a.m. the next morning, I thought I was dreaming. Since the last day's itinerary was to go to Chongqing and we had bought train tickets for 10:50 a.m., I didn't dare sleep in. After washing up, I hurried out. At 10 a.m., we arrived at Chengdu East Station, collected the tickets, and looked back at the city of Chengdu before heading into the waiting room. On the train, I kept recalling the bits and pieces of this trip, not even appreciating the scenery along the way. Before I knew it, we arrived at the mountain city—Chongqing. The name 'mountain city' is well-deserved. Looking out the taxi window, hillside skyscrapers were everywhere. The roads were rugged and narrow. The car had to climb a slope every few steps, and the slopes were steep. Even in the city center, you could see low hills. The city has a high degree of greenery. Mountain city: mountain first, city second. It's not that the mountain adapts to urban development, but that the city accommodates the mountain's steadfastness. The taxi driver recommended a decent Wan Za Noodle (pea and pork sauce noodles) near Jiefangbei in Chongqing, said to have been featured on many TV shows. Since it was close to Hongya Cave, we went to try it. To be honest, it was just okay. Somehow, as soon as I got off the train, I felt an inexplicable dislike for this city—not even half the fondness I had for Chengdu. Maybe I felt that Chongqing people were more indifferent. After eating, we didn't know where to go with our luggage. Dragging suitcases around scenic spots is not a wise choice; it was awkward in the crowd. So when we reached Hongya Cave's entrance, I decided to stay and watch the luggage instead of entering. Guo Feng didn't find it fun alone, and she was a bit unwell, so she came out quickly.
Since the taxi driver had mentioned that Chongqing has narrow roads and many one-way streets, traffic jams during rush hour are severe. To avoid traffic, we took a taxi to Beichuan Airport at 4 p.m., arriving at 5 p.m. Our flight was at 8:30 p.m., so we spent the last three hours of the trip at a buffet restaurant. At 10:30 p.m., the plane landed at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Our trip was truly over.
This journey had both hardships and surprises, but overall, it was very worthwhile. This spontaneous trip started in Chengdu and ended in Chongqing, allowing me to appreciate nature's masterpieces and experience the distinct personalities of different cities. If there were any regret, it was not spending more time at Five Flower Lake. But regret is the motivation for the next time. Jiuzhaigou's beauty is not enough even if seen a thousand times. But next time, I will definitely choose a direct flight to Jiuhuang Airport and never suffer those 8 hours of 'bumpy ride' again.
