JiuZhaiGou, Chengdu

Chengdu appears for now to be the springboard to see Jiuzaigou (JZG) Scenic Reserve. With feedback of the tortuous and potentially narrow roads on steep mountains, it could be a dilemma for one to decide whether or not to fly to JZG or take the bus. We decided to take the road, which we heard, have been recently installed well and the journey is not as tortuous as taking a bus to Dugu Lake. Supposedly the road trip would take 12 hours to complete, but apparently it could be done in less time if we did not stop by at Li Bei memorial and Baoen Monastery, both worthwhile to visit as they hold historically well-preserved heritage....

After about 12 hours of bus ride, we arrived at our resort. We were not very tired because the frest air at the resort seemed to revitalize us. We were ready to rest and wait for dawn to appear for us to see the wonderful paradise of JZG in autumn.

JZG Scenic reserve is about half an hour away from our resort. Along the way, we saw some leaves have turned yellow, some very rare ones red. The sight, with the clouds and mist intermingling with the green, yellow and red was beyond compare except perhaps, with New Zealand's Queenstown....

Upon arriving at the JZG Scenic reserve, we have to change to our chartered bus. For those who have no chartered bus, the reserve provides public buses which could be boarded at certain locations... As we toured the JZG Scenic reserve, travelling up and down the `Y' to savour the scenic locations - Sword carg, Nuor-ilong, Long Lake, Waterfall of Pearl Shoal, etc.... Ah, beautiful names for beautiful sights! But nature is unpredictable and not as timely as we want her to be. It was two days before mid October, yet, the leaves here are not as red, no, not even as yellow as they should be ...However, with the sun's rays brightly lighting up the clear colourful waters, the sights of the scenic spots warmed our hearts, heightened our senses and elicited great joy in us... Indeed, this is JZG paradize...