This trip took place in late October 2017. Two girls traveled to Sichuan Province, located in central China. Initially, the trip was planned to visit Jiuzhaigou, a popular destination for Thai people. However, due to an earthquake in Jiuzhaigou, my friend gave me the opportunity to change the plan as I wished. A travel plan from Chengdu-Moxi-Hailuogou-Yanzigou-Chengdu-Leshan was created. This trip changed hotels every night, so you will see reviews of many different types of hotels.

In this first episode, you will meet:

"Dr. CJ"

A city nestled between mountains and shrouded in mist all day long

"Hailuogou"

One of the lowest-altitude glaciers in the world

Chinese hot spring experience

Relax and unwind

Embark on a journey to Chengdu with a low-cost airline that recently launched direct flights on this route. The outbound flight was on a different day from my friend's.

On the way

The journey, shared with a multitude of Chinese passengers, has always felt suffocating and unfamiliar, but this time it was particularly severe. Whether it was due to the cramped seating or the passenger next to me stirring awake, I felt a wave of discomfort, a tightness in my chest, as if I couldn't breathe. Gazing out the window, the city below was ablaze with orange lights, resembling a sea of fire as we soared above. The surroundings felt claustrophobic, fueling a fear that I might suffocate and die on the plane. Why could I see the ground already?! It was still ages until landing! ...Or could it be...could it be...that I had already died without realizing it?! And so, I was unable to close my eyes and sleep until we reached our destination.

After clearing Chinese immigration, I spent a long time searching for a place to sleep at the airport, as all the good spots were taken. The only available space was poorly lit and located right by the airport door, which meant I was constantly blasted by cold air whenever it opened. To make matters worse, someone kept moving around at the end of my feet. After a short nap, I decided to find a new spot. This time, I found a quiet corner with a comfortable seat where I could stretch out fully. There were hardly any people around, and I slept soundly until 6 am. It was then time to head into the city to meet my friend who had flown in to wait for me.

Arriving by the Brand-New Electric Train

Based on my research, there were options to travel into the city by bus or carpooling. However, we ended up taking the train, which was not part of our initial plan.

Descending into the gleaming depths of the newly opened Chengdu Metro line, one is struck by the sheer newness of the subterranean environment. Opened in early September, the station's pristine surfaces reflect light at every turn, creating a dazzling visual experience.

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We are then greeted by the city's iconic symbol, the giant panda, with its welcoming smile.

The cost of the Chengdu Metro is only 5 yuan. Take the train to Huaxiba Station and meet a female friend who is waiting at the hotel. Have a free breakfast at the hotel, then pack your things and walk to Xinnanmen Station.

The weather today is quite chilly. Even the orange juice provided is hot, not just warm, but scalding hot. I have to sip it slowly to avoid burning my mouth.

Journey to Dr. C-Jien

Tickets can be purchased for the 9:30 AM departure, priced at 115 yuan per person. These are reserved-seat tickets for a sleeper bus, allowing you to doze off and wake up at the first rest stop.

Enjoying the view, we will soon reach the lunch stop. Here's what's on the menu.

The journey was a winding one, with the car climbing and descending hills, navigating countless curves. At times, we were forced to come to a standstill, stuck behind the vehicle in front, the reason for the delay remaining a mystery.

The scenery along the way, especially towards the end, is both breathtaking and beautiful. The mountains, rivers, trees, and mist seem to be infinitely large. You cannot fully appreciate it by simply looking straight ahead; you must turn your head left and right, and look up and down. It is a pity that these images cannot be fully captured by cameras or mobile phones. Only those who decide to embark on the journey will be rewarded with these sights.

(Original text in Thai)

**I am ready to translate sentences from Thai to English. Please provide the sentences you would like me to translate.**

I once dozed off and woke up to find myself staring down a steep cliff with cars whizzing by far below. It was a terrifying experience, realizing how high I had climbed and how precarious the path was. The sheer number of cars speeding along made me feel like my life was hanging by a thread.

Dr. CJ, the City of Mist

After approximately 8 hours on the road, the bus finally arrived at the Mosi Town bus station, which looked more like a restaurant entrance than a transportation hub.

They put on extra clothes to protect themselves from the rain and stood there for a while, confused, before heading out to find a place to eat. They said that the local specialties were roasted rabbit and roasted chicken, but they were sold whole.

Turning to her friend, she asked, "You're not eating?" Since her friend declined, she opted for skewered grilled food and grilled eggplant to tide her over.

After negotiating with the shop owner for a taxi, both the owner and his wife were incredibly kind and offered to drive us to our hotel. Although the hotel wasn't far, they quoted a price of 50 yuan. My friend jokingly mentioned that Google Maps suggested it was within walking distance. Thankfully, we didn't attempt to walk, as it would have been quite a journey.

Unable to reach a conclusion, I temporarily abandoned the car issue. Leaving my luggage with the innkeeper (forgetting to pay for the meal), I went shopping for food to bring to Haizi Valley (海螺沟) National Park the next day. I also looked for drinks and desserts.

The drinks were prepared quickly, but the dessert took a long time. It seemed as though the batter was mixed fresh after we ordered, which is why it took longer to be ready.

Note:

The taste is acceptable.

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We returned to the first shop where we had left our bags and paid for our meal. We asked the owner to call a taxi for us. The owner was busy but very kind, handing us the phone to dial ourselves. Wow! We should have let the owner make the call. After the owner finished talking, before we could even catch our breath, the driver was already standing at the front of the shop, smiling and waiting to pick us up. Wow! That was fast!

As soon as I got in the car, the driver received a call and seemed to be engaged in an important conversation, refusing to hang up. He then stopped at a location for an extended period... to pick up a friend and take them to another nearby destination, which was within walking distance. Finally, he dropped me off at the hotel. What was the point of all that?

The first night's accommodation is at the Haigou Gonga Shentang Hot Spring Hotel (海螺沟贡嘎神汤温泉酒店). A separate review of the hotel will be provided later.

The distance from the city to our first night's accommodation looked close on the map, but in reality, it was a winding uphill road that took about 20 minutes. It is recommended to use a driver who is familiar with the road. In addition, when we went, it was already dark and the fog was thick, which made us feel that the 50 yuan we had to pay for the car was not expensive at all. It was the cost of the driver's expertise.

After checking in around 8 pm, we discovered that the room we had booked did not include access to the hot springs. The staff at the counter confirmed that it was not included and that we would have to pay extra to use the hot springs. This brought the total cost of the room to 900 yuan (we had chosen a room with a mountain view, not the cheapest room at the hotel).

The most important thing is that the hot spring closes at 11 pm (it opens at 8 am, but we won't be able to use it anyway, as we have to leave for Haikou early tomorrow morning). We rushed to throw our belongings in the changing room and put on our swimsuits so that we could enjoy the hot spring before it closed.

Chinese-style hot spring bath

Despite the frigid temperatures in Mojiejin, numerous swimwear stores line the streets. This is because the renowned hot springs of Haikou are located near the city. The swimsuits are intended for use in the local onsen, or hot spring baths.

Plunge right in! There will be a foot-washing pool at the entrance to clean your feet before you walk in.

This image depicts an onsen-style swimming pool. The photo was taken as I was leaving, as it was initially too crowded for me to feel comfortable entering.

Venturing deeper inside, we encountered a series of small pools with varying temperatures. The pool labeled 38 degrees Celsius was surprisingly cold, and most pools around that temperature were empty. We opted for the 70-degree pool, unsure of its actual temperature. Upon entering, the water felt pleasantly warm, though the pool was crowded. As a light drizzle began, those who couldn't find shelter were forced to soak in the rain.

The photo was taken when the store was about to close, so there were no people in sight.

While soaking in the hot spring, I chatted with a Chinese person who was also bathing. I understood some things, but not others. However, they made a genuine effort to converse with me.

I stayed until the service was announced to be closed, so I rushed back to my room through the cold.

We had a wonderful time relaxing in the onsen, and slept soundly until morning. We were so tired that we even missed breakfast at the hotel. Oh, the regret!

Do not dwell on your sorrow, for disaster is imminent.

Please arrive at the counter 5 minutes before the free hotel shuttle departs for Haikou.

1. Forgot the keycard in the room, but the girlfriend forgot the raincoat inside and had to go in to get it.

2. Her friend left her shoes at the onsen yesterday, and now the door is closed. Hehe.

3. The tickets to Ha Long Bay with free shuttle service were sold out. They said I had to come at seven in the morning... After a while, they said they had tickets for me... I was so happy that I would have time to eat.

4. Check out before boarding the bus.

We had to complete everything immediately because the car was waiting. Chinese words flowed from my brain as if it were my native language. We managed to finish everything just in time to get on the car. The staff gave us a spare key card to open the room and climbed to get our shoes. They kept our belongings at the counter exclusively and we didn't check out. Our only task was to run to the car and wait, preventing the driver from leaving before our friend arrived. We prayed that our friend would be able to get the shoes back in time.

When will we arrive at Haikou?

Despite the long journey we had already endured, we naively believed that our destination was just a short car ride away. However, reality proved us wrong. We were subjected to another grueling half-hour drive, our vehicle lurching violently from side to side, before finally reaching the cable car station.

The entrance ticket to the park plus the park shuttle costs 90+70 = 160 yuan.

Unexpectedly, the Chinese person sitting next to me pointed outside the car window, drawing my attention to something.

He said that

"It's snowing. Thailand doesn't have snow, right?" He then smiled.

The text is already in English.

Upon exiting the vehicle, we encountered a new challenge: my friend complained of nausea and immediately rushed to vomit. Thankfully, we had not eaten breakfast, otherwise the mess would have been much larger. I couldn't help but worry about the possibility of altitude sickness, as the elevation at the cable car station was already 2,980 meters.

From the open space where the bus stops, a breathtaking view of the towering mountains unfolds, their peaks seemingly piercing the heavens. The sheer size of the mountains leaves one questioning whether the sight is real or a dream. Sadly, the beauty of nature's spectacle is fleeting, as the approaching mist soon obscures the view.

Before heading up, we grabbed a bite to eat for breakfast and rented additional cold-weather gear. Renting a warm jacket for 50 yuan was definitely worth it, as the cold would have otherwise made the experience unbearable and unenjoyable.

A row of pine trees amidst the gently falling snow (it seems like there might be some rain mixed in as well).

The review suggests that hiking up the nature trail would be more atmospheric, but we found that even moving to pick up something in this weather is difficult. We decided to take the cable car round trip, which costs 150 yuan.

When nature reveals its beauty.

As we ascend by cable car, the natural beauty transforms with altitude. Lush green pine forests give way to golden-hued pines amidst a gentle snowfall.

Reviews I read before coming here were mixed, with some praising its beauty and others finding it underwhelming. This discrepancy may be due to the timing of one's visit. If the weather is overcast and gloomy, the view might be obscured, and the lack of snow and dark ground could detract from the scenery's appeal.

We were fortunate to witness the breathtaking beauty of this place during its peak season. In our opinion, it surpasses the splendor of any other location we have visited in China.

In addition, we must be amazed by the construction of the cable car by the Chinese, which is truly amazing. Look far away, you will see a very small path. It is unbelievable that we can hang so high in the air.

Beyond the green and yellow pine forests, you will see a view of pine forests covered in snow like this.

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Numerous delicate waterfalls cascade down from the towering, cloud-piercing mountain peaks. The water's temperature must be refreshingly cool.

Taken from the air vent above the cable car

After the cable car's terminus, the altitude reaches 3,400 meters. Various trails offer scenic views, but it's crucial to avoid overexertion during exploration to prevent altitude sickness.

The initial impression was that the walking trail only led to the No. 1 Glacier viewpoint. However, it was later discovered that there are multiple walking trails in the area. Therefore, it is recommended to allocate a full day for exploring this attraction.

The Hailuogou Glacier Park, a AAAA-rated scenic area, is located on the eastern side of Mount Gongga, the highest peak in Sichuan Province, with an elevation of 7,556 meters above sea level. The glaciers here are typical modern marine glaciers, which are rare at low latitudes and low altitudes. The lowest point is only 2,850 meters above sea level.

Mount Gonggar, the "King of Sichuan Mountains" or the "Highest Peak of Shangri-La," is perpetually snow-capped. Its majestic peak is visible from various locations, both within the city and the park. However, today's heavy snowfall and dense fog only allowed for fleeting glimpses of its summit.

Gonggar serves as the mother of Hailuogou and other glaciers in the region, with No. 1 Glacier being the eldest brother, stretching 14.2 kilometers and extending 6 kilometers into pristine pine forests rarely found elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, the vast glaciers are shrinking due to global warming.

A popular activity for tourists at dawn is to watch the sunrise over Gonggar Mountain, where the mountain peaks turn golden in the first light of day.

The surrounding area also features several peaks of similar height.

We waited in hopes that the snow and fog would clear enough to reveal the mountain peak, but there was no improvement. We continued our hike and discovered several more promising trails to explore. Time to pick up the pace!

Incredibly, despite the cold weather, the red leaves are still here.

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Hurriedly rushing, fearing that I would not be on time, I turned back to see my friend enjoying the beauty of nature here. I was so engrossed in recording images that I developed numb fingers with no feeling. So I had to ask for help from a shop to boil hot water to wash my hands. Oops, I mean, to hold my hands over the heat so that the blood would circulate and I could move my fingers normally again.

While this staircase may appear easy to navigate on flat ground, traversing it in thin air, biting cold, and amidst snowfall presents a significant challenge.

This angle looks like Ah Mei's house in Sun Shan.

A short walk will lead you to the Chakrasamvara Pagoda, a magnificent example of Tibetan architecture.

Our final destination on this hike was Red Rock Beach. We were curious to see if it was as red as it appeared in pictures, as we planned to visit Yanzigou the next day.

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The faint red hue of the rocks is visible.

The snow is so thin that the white color is more prominent. Oh no, will it be like this tomorrow?

Looking down, the view was so breathtaking that I didn't want to blink.

After taking photos for a while, we had to hurry down to catch the 4 pm bus. We had planned to eat lunch before going down, but we didn't expect to enjoy the walk so much.

Before boarding the cable car, we stopped for a pre-heated, no-microwave lunchbox and bubble tea. The rice was so hard that we thought it was made of plastic pellets. The food was barely edible... We recommend eating instant noodles instead, which are much more delicious.

On the way back, I got off at the wrong stop and fell asleep on the train, ending up in the city center. Now I have to find a way back to my hotel.

Upon arriving in the city, we encountered an issue with our hotel reservation made through Agoda. The hotel was unfamiliar with Agoda, causing confusion. Fortunately, the payment system allowed us to pay at the hotel, avoiding any upfront charges. We opted to search for an alternative accommodation and found The Glaciers Impression Hotel, which offered a rate of 200 yuan per night.

After packing, we went out to find a restaurant to enjoy some delicious food.

Bring me a bucket of rice.

Word on the street is that the must-try dish in this city is bacon and potato stir-fry. Oh my, it's truly fragrant and flavorful.

I ordered a dish with a vegetable soup, the name of which I have forgotten. I pointed at the dish in the display case and asked the owner for a recommendation.

The next day, they went shopping for food to eat at another park they were going to visit.

See you in the next episode at Check in with friends at Daoyuanzigou.

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