Jiuzhaigou in autumn – what makes it considered a "paradise on earth"?

Dang Thuy Duong (Nana) is currently a fashion designer and a popular travel blogger. She recently completed her autumn trip to Sichuan Province. A highlight of her journey, from Chengdu to Mount Emei, was Jiuzhaigou – the most anticipated destination of the entire trip.

Jiuzhaigou is home to nine Tibetan villages, hence its other name, "Valley of Nine Villages". This nature reserve and national park is located in the south of Nanping County, in the Aba Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, northern Sichuan Province, China.

Jiuzhaigou is an ecological tourist complex encompassing various destinations with diverse beauty. Each of the four seasons in Jiuzhaigou has its own unique charm. Spring brings warm sunshine, melting snow and ice, and blooming flowers reflected on the lake's surface. Summer is bathed in golden sunlight, the lake is a vibrant blue, and the weather is pleasant. Autumn brings a blanket of red and yellow leaves covering the mountains and forests. Winter arrives with biting cold, and the entire region is covered in pristine white snow.

But perhaps, when mentioning Jiuzhaigou, one must talk about autumn – the most beautiful time to explore it. "At that time, Jiuzhaigou is adorned with colors ranging from crimson red and deep red to vibrant yellow and amber, interspersed with coniferous trees casting shadows on the emerald green lakes. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it creates a fairytale-like landscape," Nana describes.

"Our group was lucky to arrive at the perfect time, with beautiful sunshine, making the scenery even more magnificent, despite the snow that blanketed the forest two days earlier. The beauty of Jiuzhaigou is like a combination of Swiss and Hallstatt (Austria) styles," she shared with Travellive.

ATTRACTIONS IN JIUZHAIGOU

The first stop on their trip to Jiuzhaigou is Changhai Lake. The lake has a circumference of 7.5 km, a depth of over 90 m, and is located at an altitude of 3,101 m above sea level. Next, Nana and the group moved on to the Five-Colored Lake, one of the most beautiful spots in Jiuzhaigou. The lake's water has a magical color, changing from green, yellow, and turquoise. The water is so clear that visitors can see the bottom of the lake or the reflections of the trees, creating an ethereal and surreal feeling.

"After that, we followed the picturesque wooden path, with large and small waterfalls cascading down on one side, and stopped at Pearl Waterfall. This is where the stream originates, flowing from a height of 2,400 meters down into the rugged valley, creating a magnificent spectacle. The tour guide told us that this place is the setting for the famous Chinese TV series Journey to the West," Nana shared.

The following day in Jiuzhaigou, Nana and the tour group visited Huanglong, "a giant golden dragon sleeping soundly in the ancient forest," surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Water flowing from the Snow Treasure Peak down to Huanglonggou over the years has created a calcification, forming thousands of colorful lakes and a breathtaking landscape.

"The lake viewing area is over 3,000 meters above sea level, so during the journey, people need to conserve energy and avoid heat shock or altitude sickness. There's no need to worry too much, as there are still people in their 70s and 80s going without a care in the world. Just take your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery," Nana noted.

SOME NOTES WHEN TRAVELING TO JIUZHAIGOU

Travel blogger Nana went on an 8-day, 7-night tour exploring Sichuan, following an itinerary that included Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Dujiangyan, Leshan Giant Buddha, and Emei Mountain. She said that because the locations were mostly far apart and she didn't speak Chinese, choosing a tour was the most sensible option. From Ho Chi Minh City, the group flew to Chengdu and then traveled by bus to reach the various destinations.

Besides the beautiful scenery, the cuisine in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, was also a highlight of the trip. Perhaps because it's so famous for its tongue-numbingly spicy and greasy dishes – perfect for those who enjoy hot and spicy food. Nana and her tour group had specifically instructed the travel company to adjust the flavors to suit their culinary preferences. Notable dishes include Tibetan yak hot pot and Sichuan hot pot.

Nana notes that before you go, you should prepare a 4G SIM card purchased in Vietnam to use social media. Also, international bank cards are not accepted here. You can exchange cash and bring it with you, or install WeChat and add your payment card to WeChat Pay for the most convenient option.

It's also worth noting that public hygiene in this area isn't very good. You should also bring extra tissues for convenience. Another issue when traveling in this area is the crowds. Most tourists are Chinese, and pushing and shoving is quite common.

"In short, for Nana, Jiuzhaigou is a beautiful place, worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. I hope my sharing can provide useful information for Travellive readers," Nana shared.

Bi Le