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Jiuzhaigou in Autumn Colors

Jiuzhaigou | Huanglong | Heishui | Bipenggou

2023/10/23 ~ 2023/10/28

In eager pursuit of autumn's vibrant palette, I ventured into northwestern Sichuan in late October 2023. Having previously experienced a solitary journey during my self-drive tour across the Hengduan Mountains (Solo Journey through the Hengduan Mountains), I decided this time to join a small tour group of five or six people. To my surprise, the travel agency ended up merging it into a massive group of dozens, a humbling reminder that booking a tour always requires careful, double-checked confirmation.

This itinerary gathered in Chengdu, covering Bipenggou, the Heishui Colored Forests, Dagu Glacier, Huanglong, and Jiuzhaigou—premier, highly sought-after destinations for chasing autumn colors during this time of year. Below is a brief chronicle of this unforgettable expedition.

Bipenggou

Located in Lixian County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, Bipenggou is celebrated as the 'Little Jiuzhaigou of Sichuan,' boasting magnificent natural scenery and a rich abundance of flora and fauna.

The journey into the scenic area first leads to Haizigou. Here, the lake waters are as azure and flawless as jade, embraced by snow-capped peaks and primeval forests, creating an earthly fairyland. Venturing further brings you to the Primeval Forest, a sanctuary preserving the most pristine ecosystem, where towering, majestic trees pierce the sky and the air is intoxicatingly fresh. Deeper still lies Red Leaf Forest. Autumn is its most breathtaking season, when mountains blanketed in crimson foliage blaze like fire, casting a spell that makes it impossible to leave. Encircled within the golden-red woods lies an alpine meadow, where scattered yaks graze peacefully, weaving a scene of serene harmony that captivates every traveler's soul.

Heishui Colored Forests

Along the route of the Heishui Colored Forests lie Naizigou and Dagu Glacier.

Naizigou is situated along Provincial Highway 302 between Heishui and the Yakaxia Snow Mountain, with its local Tibetan name translating to a land of beauty, prosperity, peace, and happiness. Spanning an astonishing eighty li (about 40 kilometers), Naizigou's vibrant colored forests are a breathtaking spectacle. A magnificent mosaic of coniferous forests, broad-leaved trees, secondary growth, and dense brush blankets slope after slope. Beneath a canvas of pure blue skies, an intoxicating palette of purplish-red, pink, orange-red, golden-red, deep yellow, grass green, yellowish-green, brownish-red, and bronze makes you feel as though you have stepped directly into an oil painting.

Nestled within this wonderland is the Tibetan village of Yangrong Hade, embraced by mountains on three sides and facing water on the other. More than forty exquisite Tibetan-style villas are harmoniously scattered across the very heart of Naizigou, China's most stunning colored forest. Surrounded by these vibrant hues in late autumn, one cannot help but wonder if even the realm of immortals could be this breathtaking! Though Yangrong Hade may not boast abundant material wealth, it feels like a sanctuary of purity hidden within everyone's heart—a gentle reminder to always yearn for a life of pristine harmony with nature.

Dagu Glacier is hailed as the 'Little Switzerland of Western Sichuan' and the 'glacier closest to the metropolis,' lying just 270 kilometers from Chengdu and boasting the world's highest-altitude cable car. Standing atop the summit at 4,860 meters above sea level offers sweeping, crystal-clear vistas, though the rapid ascent via cable car serves as a reminder to take care against the sudden onset of altitude sickness.

Huanglong: A Realm of Immortals

Huanglong Scenic Area, a hidden fairyland nestled deep among the mountains of Aba, Sichuan, is a breathtaking extension of the Jiuzhaigou region.

The day we arrived coincided with a snowfall. As we walked forward along the snow-covered boardwalks, snowflakes fluttered softly all around, resting gently upon the treetops like frosted Christmas trees dusted with a touch of sugar. Sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a luminous glow over the landscape that made the entire earth look like a delicate ink-wash painting.

Huanglong Temple sits right beside the Five-Color Pool, tucked quietly among the low bushes. Steeped in legends of immortals seeking transcendence, it infuses this pristine, snow-white world with an ethereal touch of magic.

The Five-Color Pool is the crown jewel of the Huanglong Scenic Area. Set against the backdrop of swirling snowflakes dancing lightly across the water's surface and interweaving with the mineral-encrusted travertine formations below, it creates a moving winter masterpiece. Standing on the viewing platform and gazing down at these magnificent pools, one is held spellbound, reluctant to ever tear oneself away.

In the snow, Huanglong hushed the clamor of tourists, wrapping the scenery in an extraordinary tranquility. Between heaven and earth, there was only the soft, rustling whisper of falling snow and the sound of one's own gentle breathing. In that quiet moment, one longed for nothing more than to silently savor this fairyland—a world painted on a canvas of black and white, subtly brushed with strokes of jade green and amber.

九寨溝秋色印象

Autumn Impressions of Jiuzhaigou

Visiting Jiuzhaigou in autumn carries a unique and enchanting charm. With autumn leaves blanketing the mountains and valleys dyed in vibrant shades of gold and red, it fully lives up to its reputation as a 'fairyland' or 'heaven on earth'—without a hint of exaggeration.

The famous 'Six Wonders'—azure lakes, cascading waterfalls, colorful autumn forests, snow-capped peaks, unique Tibetan culture, and blue glaciers—are all utterly breathtaking. The crystal-clear waters shift seamlessly from pale blue to vibrant emerald and deep sapphire, creating an unbelievable palette that makes you feel as though you have stepped directly into a colossal watercolor painting. And the waterfalls! Thundering down from great heights and sending up spectacular splashes of mist, the entire scene is so spellbinding that it makes one reluctant to ever leave.

Jiuzhaigou is truly a place where seeing once is worth hearing a hundred times, and its uninterrupted panorama of seven-colored autumn splendor is an unforgettable memory to hold onto forever.

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