A Fantastical Journey to Jiuzhaigou: Seeking Paradise on Earth—A Three-Day, Two-Night Jiuzhaigou Guide

Since childhood, I've heard that 'Jiuzhaigou is a wonder of the world,' one of those must-visit places in a lifetime. How else would you know that paradise exists on earth? Not long ago, I went to Jiuzhaigou and embarked on a 3-day, 2-night trip. Aside from a smooth itinerary and stunning scenery that delighted my eyes, there were also experiences that exceeded expectations. Jiuzhaigou—highly recommended to everyone. It's worth it.

Hotel: Jiuzhaigou InterContinental Resort

Detailed address: Langzhai Village, Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan

Day 1: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, explore around the hotel

Day 2: Full-day tour of Jiuzhaigou

Day 3: Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu

(Unguarded photos of Jiuzhaigou—beautiful, beautiful, beautiful)

1) Fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport; the hotel provides free airport transfer service, about 1.5 hours by car to the hotel.

2) Drive from Chengdu to the destination hotel—about 404 km from Chengdu, roughly 7 hours by car.

3) Take a bus from Chengdu to the destination hotel, departing around 8 a.m. and arriving around 5 p.m. For safety reasons, those taking a bus or driving from Chengdu are advised to stay an extra night at the hotel before returning.

Now let's begin the detailed travel guide!

Day 1: Arrive at the hotel, rest and wander leisurely

To avoid peak traffic, we left Chengdu at 9 a.m. and drove to the destination hotel, covering 413 km and arriving at 4 p.m. The scenery along the way was also beautiful. Route: Pi County - Dujiangyan - Wenchuan County - Mao County - Diexi Town - Songpan - Hotel. PS: It's recommended to make a short stop at Mao County, Diexi Town, or Songpan—not only to let the driver rest and avoid fatigue, but also to experience the cultural atmosphere of different areas in Ngawa Prefecture and enjoy the magnificent scenery of western Sichuan.

Zhongcha Valley Luneng Meilihui Town

The hotel is located in Zhongcha Valley Luneng Meilihui Town. 'Zhongcha' (Qiongqia) in Chinese means 'the place where divine eagles land,' a secluded hidden Tibetan valley that gives an illusion of a paradise, haha. We arrived in town at 4 p.m. Although exhausted, we were excited to step into the hotel—after all, we finally reached our destination! Haha. The hotel's decoration is also unique, with a distinctive design completely different from the cookie-cutter feeling of traditional hotels. The warm welcome from the staff felt quite ceremonial.

After checking in and resting briefly, we went to the restaurant for dinner and toured the hotel. The concept of neighborly culture runs throughout the hotel's design. Soft lighting paired with colorful local cultural elements gives a mysterious yet cozy atmosphere.

The hotel skillfully integrates regional culture into its design. Local totems and ornaments are everywhere, and what impressed me most was the theme inspired by the resting place of divine eagles. Every detail reflects a noble temperament, interpreting local traditional aristocratic elegance without losing modern style.

For dinner, we tried the hotel's signature beef hotpot—it was delicious. It uses local yak tail as an ingredient. On the way to Jiuzhaigou, we had actually seen these yaks grazing on natural grass.

After a satisfying meal and drinks, we returned to our room, tidied up, and prepared for a good night's sleep to recharge for the next day's itinerary. I must say, the hotel room gave a warm and cozy feeling. The warm tones, combined with the ubiquitous decorative ornaments, made me feel completely wrapped in the myth of 'the place where divine eagles land.'

Before bed, we received a thoughtfully prepared Delhi-style Masala hot milk tea—so considerate! I ate until I could barely move.

After a peaceful night's sleep, I woke up refreshed the next morning. The hotel's buffet breakfast was very generous, with Western pastries, yak yogurt, pan-fried fish fillets, various fruits, etc., all available according to personal preference. I also specially tried the local homemade butter tea, which had a strong cheese flavor and tasted very pure. Haha.

Then we took the hotel's free shuttle bus (must be booked with the concierge one day in advance) to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou, and then took the scenic area's tour bus to start a full day of exploring the sights. My excitement began to rise—wow! We chose the best conventional route for a one-day tour of Jiuzhaigou: Primitive Forest — Grass Sea — Swan Sea — Arrow Bamboo Sea — Panda Sea, Panda Sea Waterfall — Five Flower Lake — Pearl Shoal, Pearl Shoal Waterfall — Mirror Sea — Nuorilang Central Station. Around 12:30 p.m., we arrived at Nuorilang Visitor Center for lunch. After eating, we continued sightseeing—the scenery was truly breathtaking!

Long Sea — Five Color Pond — Nuorilang Waterfall — Rhinoceros Sea — Tiger Sea, Shuzheng Waterfall, Shuzheng Mill, Shuzheng Qunhai, Shuzheng Folk Culture Village — Wolong Sea, Spark Sea — Bonsai Shoal. Around 5:30 p.m., we exited the valley. Thus ended the one-day tour. Jiuzhaigou truly deserves its reputation as a fairyland on earth. Perhaps one must be there in person to appreciate the wonders of nature. The photos I took cannot capture the beauty of Jiuzhaigou—let's take a look at the official photos.

Five Color Pond (photo from Jiuzhaigou Administration Bureau official website)

Long Sea (photo from Jiuzhaigou Administration Bureau official website)

On the bus back to the hotel after leaving the valley, I kept replaying the sights and feelings of the day. The beauty made me reluctant to leave. It wasn't until I returned to the hotel that I felt the fatigue of the trip. Fortunately, the hotel thoughtfully prepared a welcome cleansing tea. Dinner was the hotel's specialty, Motuo stone pot chicken—rich and stomach-warming, sweeping away the exhaustion of the day's sightseeing.

Day 3: Luneng Town tour & UTV outdoor experience

In the morning, I went to the hotel gym for some fasted cardio, welcoming a vibrant new day.

After breakfast, we visited the Jiuzhai Luneng Resort Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. The museum houses many local artifacts and artworks. Among them, the mandala made by hand with diamond sand was extremely impressive. Here, one can learn about the historical process and unique charm of local culture flourishing on this magical land.

At midday, we strolled through Meilihui Town and explored the shops around the hotel. There were many stores selling traditional local products, and friendly Tibetan artisans offered hands-on teaching, making it both fun and full of historical depth.

Local rubbing tools. If you miss city life (I don't think it's possible to miss it), the town also has international dining and retail brands like Watsons, KFC, and Starbucks. The rich supporting commercial facilities make Luneng Meilihui Town feel very vibrant.

Green No. 7 Paradise was the last stop of the trip. The best way to get there is by driving a UTV all-terrain vehicle, which also offers an exciting off-road adventure experience. Once at Green No. 7 Paradise, you can enjoy many more activities, including the Yak Paradise parent-child experience, the Brave the Forest Adventure challenge, and other outdoor explorations.

As the sun set, this wonderful trip to Jiuzhaigou drew to a close. I felt a bit unsatisfied, having not only enjoyed beautiful scenery but also experienced local culture and unforgettable outdoor exploration. The rich experiences made this 'scenic spot' trip truly extraordinary.

Pre-trip preparations:

- Bring motion sickness medicine to alleviate any discomfort.

- If you need the hotel to arrange airport transfer, call the hotel in advance to inform them.

- Jiuzhaigou scenic area ticket prices: Peak season (April 1 to November 15) ticket 169 yuan/person, bus ticket 90 yuan/person; Off-peak (November 16 to March 31 of the following year) ticket 80 yuan/person, bus ticket 80 yuan/person. How to purchase: Search 'Jiuzhaigou' on WeChat to enter the official ticket purchase portal, real-name authentication required; tickets can be booked up to 14 days in advance.

- The temperature difference between morning and evening on the plateau is large; it is recommended to bring warm clothing and hiking shoes suitable for walking.

- During the pandemic, visitors need to provide a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours to enter Ngawa Prefecture. Please keep an eye on local epidemic prevention policies.

Jiuzhaigou, a paradise on earth—it's worth it.