GGuest UserA couple of days ago, I saw a post on WeChat Moments saying, 'Taking photos for check-ins is the first level, called sightseeing; admiring scenery and visiting attractions is the second level, called touring; experiencing culture and history, and hiking mountains and rivers is the third level, called traveling.' I must say, Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou allowed me to achieve all three levels of experience during my stay.
Honestly, after the Chinese New Year, I bought a three-night hotel package at a surprisingly good price, and found the surcharge for the May Day holiday to be very reasonable, so I decided to drive to Jiuzhaigou. After a 20-kilometer high-intensity mountain drive, when I saw the unfinished second phase of the hotel and did a quick search, I realized this hotel has had a tough journey, suffering setbacks from earthquakes and XX. It’s not easy for it to have persevered until today. I’d also like to ask other guests to come and stay with a spirit of 'overcoming difficulties together' to help this hotel and its people :).
The location and scenery are truly beyond words, meeting Banyan Tree's usual high standards. From the balcony, you can overlook snow-capped mountains, eagles, and valleys during the day, and a bright moon, starlight, and dark mountain shadows at night. At an altitude of over 2400 meters, the air is fresh and crisp, allowing you to breathe deeply and dispel any stale air.
The hotel offers many activities, including a panda dance performance and various handicrafts and painting for children. What impressed me most was hiking with hotel staff member Mr. Yang. It was about 1.5 kilometers, circling a small alpine lake near the hotel. While it couldn't compare to the vibrant waters of Jiuzhaigou, its tranquility was its charm. There were many large fish skeletons by the lake, a result of egrets preying, and also many dead trees fallen into the water. Through this scene, I discussed the meaning of the cycle of life and death with my daughter. Later, chatting with Mr. Yang, I learned he is of the Baima ******* ethnicity. Using my amateur ethnological knowledge, I talked to him about 'Baima Tibetans not being truly *******' and strongly suggested that they should preserve their language and culture. I recommended that the hotel could invite a folk expert to host a 'Baima Culture Night Talk' every evening, so guests don't have to seek out the stories of the earliest inhabitants of this land themselves.
Additionally, during the May Day holiday, the hotel had a bonfire party with Guozhuang dancing, which my daughter thoroughly enjoyed. Under the glow of the bonfire, both hotel staff and guests were very happy. I strongly suggest making this a regular activity; even with low occupancy, it's a way for staff to relax. What stood out most were two older women who both sang toasting songs in the restaurant and danced here, with genuine joy in their eyes, whether raising a cup or swaying.
The hotel has many local staff, and their service is genuine, slightly informal, and very warm, which I attribute to their environment. The hotel breakfast was much better than I expected. I highly recommend the yak yogurt; it reminded me of the yak yogurt I had 20 years ago at the Delingha farmers' market – sweet and not greasy. When staying at the hotel, try to eat there, as driving to and from the county seat involves a 40-kilometer mountain drive, and the 3km distance shown on Dianping is a straight-line distance. Mountain driving is not easy, and safety comes first. The hotel's yak soup and stir-fries taste good, though the prices are a bit high, but since you're here, just go with the flow.
I've seen many lakes and fjords both domestically and internationally, but Jiuzhaigou truly captivates the soul. It's worth visiting again. I've already recommended this hotel to my friends, and I plan to visit again in the autumn. The hotel is 60 kilometers from the Jiuzhaigou scenic area, and parking there can be difficult during holidays. However, driving yourself is best, as you can enjoy the fun of mountain driving. See you in October!
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