Searching for Paradise on Earth: A Magical Journey to Jiuzhaigou

A magical trip to Jiuzhaigou, searching for paradise on earth

- A three-day, two-night Jiuzhaigou travel guide

Jiuzhaigou is a place you must visit at least once; otherwise, how would you know that paradise exists on earth? My recent three-day, two-night trip to Jiuzhaigou was not only smooth and visually breathtaking but also exceeded expectations.

The itinerary is roughly as follows:

Accommodation: Hotel Indigo Jiuzhaigou. Address: Langzhai Village, Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan.

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

2) Self-drive from Chengdu to the hotel, 404 km from Chengdu, about 7 hours by car.

3) Take a bus from Chengdu to the hotel, departing around 8:00 AM and arriving at 5:00 PM.

For safety reasons, those traveling from Chengdu by bus or self-driving are advised to stay an extra night at the hotel before returning.

Day 1: Arrival at the Hotel

At 9:00 AM, we drove from Chengdu to the hotel, avoiding peak traffic. The journey was 413 km, and we arrived at the hotel at 4:00 PM. The route passed through Pi County, Dujiangyan, Wenchuan County, Mao County, Diexi Town, Songpan, and then to the hotel. (It is recommended to make brief stops in Mao County, Diexi Town, or Songpan to experience the cultural atmosphere of different areas in Aba Prefecture and to let the driver rest.)

Zhongchagou Luneng Meilihui Town

The hotel is located in Zhongchagou Luneng Meilihui Town. 'Zhongchagou' in Tibetan is 'Qiongqia,' meaning the place where the divine eagle lands, a secluded hidden valley in a Tibetan settlement. When we arrived at the town at 4:00 PM, we were exhausted, but the moment we stepped into the hotel, we immediately perked up—the unique design was completely different from the cookie-cutter feel of traditional hotels, and the warm welcome from the staff was quite ceremonial.

After checking in and resting briefly, we went to the restaurant for dinner and toured the entire hotel. The design of the hotel is infused with a neighborhood culture, with soft lighting complemented by colorful Tibetan and Qiang cultural elements, creating a warm and cozy feeling.

The hotel skillfully integrates local culture into its design. Tibetan and Qiang totems and ornaments are seen everywhere, and what impressed me most was the theme inspired by the habitat of the divine eagle. Every detail exudes a noble aura, interpreting the traditional aristocratic temperament of the Tibetan and Qiang people while maintaining modern style.

For dinner that night, we enjoyed the hotel's signature beef hotpot, made with local yak tail. On the way to Jiuzhaigou, we had actually seen these yaks grazing on natural pastures.

After a satisfying meal, we returned to our room to freshen up and prepare for a good night's sleep, recharging for the next day's itinerary. It is worth mentioning that the hotel room gave a warm and cozy feeling. The warm tones paired with Tibetan and Qiang decorations everywhere made me feel completely enveloped in the myth of 'the place where the divine eagle lands.'

Before sleeping, we also received a specially designed Delefu Masala hot milk tea from the hotel. It was very thoughtful.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area

After a good night's sleep, we were full of energy the next morning. The hotel's buffet breakfast was very sumptuous, with Western pastries, yak yogurt, pan-fried fish fillets, various fruits, etc. We also specially tasted the local special butter tea, which had a strong cheese flavor and was very pure and delicious.

Then we took the hotel's free shuttle bus (reservation with the concierge one day in advance) to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou, and then took the scenic area tour bus to start a full day of exploring the attractions. We chose the best conventional route for a one-day tour of Jiuzhaigou:

Primeval Forest — Grass Lake — Swan Lake — Arrow Bamboo Lake — Panda Lake, Panda Lake Waterfall — Five Flower Lake — Pearl Shoal, Pearl Shoal Waterfall — Mirror Lake — Nuorilang Central Station

Around 12:30 PM we arrived at Nuorilang Visitor Center for lunch.

Long Lake — Five-Color Pond — Nuorilang Waterfall — Rhinoceros Lake — Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, Shuzheng Mill, Shuzheng Cluster Lakes, Shuzheng Folk Culture Village — Crouching Dragon Lake, Spark Lake — Bonsai Shoal

Exited the valley around 5:30 PM.

Jiuzhaigou truly deserves its reputation as a fairyland on earth; perhaps only when you are there can you appreciate the wonders of nature:

Five-Color Pond (photo from Jiuzhaigou Administration Official Website)

Long Lake (photo from Jiuzhaigou Administration Official Website)

After exiting the valley on the bus back to the hotel, we kept reminiscing about the sights and feelings of the day. The beautiful scenery made us linger and forget to return. It was only when we got back to the hotel that we felt the fatigue from the trip. We were grateful for the hotel's thoughtful arrangements; they had prepared a refreshing tea for us, and dinner was the hotel's specialty Motuo stone pot chicken, rich and warm, completely dispelling the tiredness of the day's tour.

Day 3: Luneng Town Tour and UTV Outdoor Experience at Zhongcha Luneng Shengdi Green No. 7 Park

In the morning, we went to the hotel gym for a fasted cardio session to welcome an energetic day.

After breakfast, we visited the Jiuzhai Luneng Shengdi Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. The museum houses many Tibetan artifacts and artworks, among which the mandala handmade from vajra sand was extremely awe-inspiring. Here, one can learn about the historical process and unique charm of Tibetan and Qiang culture thriving on this magical land.

At noon, we strolled through Meilihui Town and explored shops around the hotel. There are many traditional local specialty stores. Here, you can personally experience the thousand-year-old embroidered Tibetan paper and the famous Kalachakra Tibetan incense making. Friendly Tibetan artisans teach hands-on, making it fun and full of a sense of history.

Tibetan paper rubbing tools

In addition, the town also has international food and retail brands like Watsons, KFC, and Starbucks. The abundant supporting commercial facilities make Luneng Meilihui Town vibrant.

Green No. 7 Park was the last stop of the itinerary. The best way to reach the park is by driving a UTV (utility terrain vehicle), which also provides an exciting off-road driving experience. Upon arriving at Green No. 7 Park, you can fully enjoy more activities, including the Yak Park parent-child experience, brave forest exploration and adventure challenges, etc.

As the sun set, this joyful trip to Jiuzhaigou came to an end. There was a feeling of lingering enjoyment. In addition to admiring the beautiful scenery, we experienced the charm of Tibetan and Qiang culture and unforgettable outdoor exploration. The rich experiences made this 'scenic spot' trip very special.

Notes/Suggestions

Prepare motion sickness medication before the trip to alleviate any discomfort from possible carsickness. If you need the hotel to arrange airport pickup, contact the hotel in advance by phone.

Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area ticket prices: Peak season (April 1 to November 15): admission ticket 169 RMB/person, bus ticket 90 RMB/person; Off-peak season (November 16 to March 31 of the following year): admission ticket 80 RMB/person, bus ticket 80 RMB/person. Purchase method: Search for 'Jiuzhaigou' on WeChat to enter the official ticket purchase portal, real-name authentication required, book up to 14 days in advance.

The temperature difference between morning and evening is large on the plateau. It is recommended to bring warm clothing and suitable hiking shoes. During the pandemic, visitors need to provide a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours to enter Aba Prefecture. Please keep an eye on the local epidemic prevention policies.