Who knew there was a place like this in the world
“There’s a place like this in the world”
Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟), just hearing the name gave me a mysterious feeling.
I visited this place, which is still not well known in Korea, on my own.
■ Korea → Chengdu (成都) - Departure
The flight from Korea to Chengdu arrived late at night.
The arrival time was already past 11 o’clock, and the airport was somewhat deserted.
Because it was late, I didn’t rush and went straight to a hotel on Chunxi Road (春熙路), the center of Chengdu.
Chunxi Road is Chengdu’s representative shopping street, and it was bright even at night and crowded with people.
I took a quick walk down the street in the night air and got some rest early for my next morning departure.
Tip:
The most convenient way to get from Chengdu Airport to Chunxi Road was by calling an airport bus or Didi (Chinese Uber). It’s not easy to catch a taxi late at night, so it’s a good idea to install the Didi app in advance.
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■ Chengdu → Huanglongjiuzhai (黄龙九寨) train transfer
At 5 pm, I headed to Chengdu Station (成都火车站).
The train departure time was 5:30.
I was able to sit comfortably on the train and enjoy the scenery of Sichuan through the window.
• Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Destination: Huanglongjiuzhai Station (黄龙九寨站)
When I arrived at Huanglongjiuzhai Station, the wind was blowing hard and it was 6 degrees lower than downtown Chengdu. It was a little cold.
The hotel car I had reserved in advance was waiting in front of the station.
It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from the train station to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.
The road was clean and well-maintained, and the winding scenery unique to mountain roads unfolded.
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■ Hotel right in front of Guchaegu - Accommodation
The hotel was within walking distance from the entrance to the Guchaegu tourist site.
After checking in, I unpacked and went for a walk around the area.
The air was clear in the quiet mountain village atmosphere.
There was nothing around the accommodation, so I ordered something simple from the hotel.
I went to bed early to relieve my fatigue. The next morning, the full-scale entrance to Guchaegu awaited me.
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■ Entry to Guchaegu - The start of the long journey
The next morning, at 8:30 AM.
I entered the entrance to the Guchaegu tourist site right away.
Tip:
I had to reserve the entrance ticket to Guchaegu online in advance, and I absolutely had to bring my passport.
(I entered right away after confirming the passport number I wrote when making the reservation)
My first impression was literally ‘overwhelming.’
The clear and transparent water, the lakes that reflected the sky like a mirror, the wild flowers scattered everywhere, and the waterfalls that fell like pictures… • Main point route:
1. Ohahae (五花海): A lake shining in five colors like the hand of God
2. Jinsa Falls (金丝瀑布): A stream of water like soft golden threads
3. Nosahae (蘆葦海): A shallow lake that makes you feel like you're walking on water
4. Janghae (长海): A harmony of magnificent lake scenery and snow-covered mountains
Jiuzhaigou was a way to travel to major points by shuttle bus and walk along the way.
The path was well-maintained, so the trekking was not difficult, and you could occasionally see wild animals (roe deer, etc.).
Tip:
Jiuzhaigou is over 2,000m in altitude, so it was sometimes hard to breathe. It is important to move slowly and drink water frequently. Running or walking quickly is prohibited.
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■ Return to Chengdu
At 7:30 PM, we moved back to Chengdu. (Almost 2 hours by train)
It was a difficult journey, but the afterglow of Jiuzhaigou did not easily fade.
I took countless pictures in my mind while looking at the mountains and fields and the sunset outside the window.
I arrived in Chengdu late at night and finished the day again.
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■ What I felt during this trip
• Jiuzhaigou was more beautiful than I could imagine.
There was nothing artificial, it was truly ‘nature itself’.
• Even if it is a little difficult, a trip that you plan and move yourself will leave a much deeper memory.
It was quieter because it was the off-season, so there were not many tourists, and I could feel nature completely.
• Next time, I want to travel to Huanglong (黄龙) as well. (It is said that a 2-night, 3-day course that combines Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong is also popular.)
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■ Summary of practical tips
• Make sure to reserve train tickets in advance! (They are often sold out, especially during the Jiuzhaigou season)
• Jiuzhaigou admission tickets must be reserved online in advance. (On-site purchases are almost impossible)
• It is good to find accommodations near the entrance to the tourist site to reduce travel stress.
• Winter clothes + comfortable sneakers are essential. (It is cold in the mornings and evenings even in April and May.)
• A Chinese translation app is essential. (English is almost impossible)
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