【Original】“Traveling While Exploring” – May Jiuzhaigou remain peaceful, and paradise still exist

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This post was last edited by Small and on 2017-9-13 at 15:58. Jiujaigou is suffering now, with support coming from all directions; it is gratifying to hear that lives have been saved, but it is also sad to learn that some people have lost their lives. In those picturesque landscapes, what’s most important is the warmth between people. If heaven and earth could understand, may life continue, and the sea of sparks reignite. Three years ago, I witnessed with my own eyes the colorful spectacle of Jiuzhaigou Valley; its mountains seemed like those in a dreamlike realm, and its waters were as enchanting as in a fantasy. I wrote a thousand-word travelogue about it, and now, in these times of crisis, I submit it here as a tribute and a wish. May Jiuzhaigou remain peaceful, and heaven endure; may my country and its people continue to move forward bravely. It’s been a week since I returned from Jiuzhaigou, and I haven’t had the time to take some quiet moment to reflect on those three days and two nights. Millions of words have been written about Jiuzhaigou, and repeated praises have turned its beautiful landscapes into something mundane and tedious. But I still can’t let go of those beauties that astonish me; I must write down these colorful, self-righteous words. It was once believed that the beauty of landscapes lies in their natural state; only by avoiding any artificial embellishments or exaggerations can the marvels of nature be fully revealed. All of the natural wonders in Jiuzhaigou seem to have been carefully crafted by nature itself; those countless vibrant colors possess a stunning impact, filling me with great satisfaction as I find myself in that place where the heavens and earth merge into a perfect tapestry of colors: shades of dried red and lush green, faded purple and deep blue, pure white and rich black, along with a variety of intensities in the colors of the countless lakes and rivers. It is a time when spring is coming to an end and summer is approaching; Qingming has just passed, with rain falling frequently and flowers blooming fragrantly. With their black or white hair, the mountains and rivers are scattered here and there along the banks of the valleys. Through the narrow window, it’s impossible to take in all the beauty that greets one’s eyes or the grandeur of the scenery that passes by; only occasionally can one detect the faint traces of the ancient tea-horse trade route winding its way along the slopes of the mountains alongside us. Travelling upstream along the Min River and gazing into the distance, one sees countless peaks and steep cliffs scattered in groups; it seems as though there are numerous beautiful scenes to be seen. Unfortunately, there are no paths to access them. Only a few clouds drift in the sky, seemingly clinging to the vines as they look up at the peaks – a scene of utter desolation and antiquity. A group of travelers appeared and disappeared along the intricate paths, racing through the lush, secluded areas, passing through tunnels and across steep cliffs along the river valleys, heading westward in their pursuit. Unaware of the passage of time, my buttocks became numb; the joy of indulging in deep meditation gradually gave way to fatigue. Fortunately, I could continue to stay in a state of meditation, driven by hope and longing. From sunrise to sunset, after twelve hours, they finally reached the magical Jiuzhaigou; the sky’s blue hue at dusk turned completely dark in no time. Just as I was about to lament being enveloped by unexpected strangeness and weariness, it started to snow; the world was covered in pure snowflakes, truly romantic and beautiful. As the enchanting cold night fell outside, my fatigue melted away in dreams in an instant, becoming insignificant. The next morning, an even more splendid layer of snow covered everything. To our surprise, there was hardly any wind, and the cold wasn’t harsh at all; instead, it exuded a fairy-tale-like purity. In the distance, where the first light appears, the crystalline peaks reflect a golden hue, while the horizon seems to be draped in a robe of purple silk. Looking up around, there is no trace of melancholy; the snow falls gently in flakes, bringing together the mountains that are like lovers, the sky, and our encounter, all within this painting. As the pale cyan fades from dark to light, the areas that become nearly transparent reveal a flawless blue, with people walking alongside them within the painting. I’m afraid it’s because I was so captivated by the beauty before me; my breathing became irregular, as if I were about to suffocate, only to then return to normal. At this moment, even the word \"unparalleled\" falls short to describe what lies before us; everything is utterly unprecedented, magnificent, and stunningly beautiful. It’s already like this just as I step out of the hotel; the unknown future is even more exciting. A long journey is a temporary escape from life; it involves setting off toward unknown places, changing one’s surroundings. It’s like a swan taking a bath – with its white feathers, it sheds its worries and falls asleep, in the hope of being able to fly again and return to its flock. This time as well, feeling pity for Lian Si’s plight, I left. Upon arriving at the gully entrance, I hesitantly queued up to enter it. People, like ants, gather in groups, calling on friends to embark on a journey by vehicle. There is a companion by one’s side, to walk with through life’s years; sometimes gazing down in affection, sometimes exchanging glances. By the banks of the Min River, weeping willows are shrouded in mist; the waters are a mixture of clear and turbid shades, creating a picturesque scene. When the snow stops and the fog clears, silver trees adorn the hills like crowns; dense shade creates a serene atmosphere that serves as a kind of fence. A few new clouds appear in the blue sky, as if arriving from afar. Colors of all kinds spread across the hills and valleys – where does such vivid splendor come from? Why did I come only now? Floating along with the current, one is surrounded by endless beauty along the way. Water and trees are like bones and flesh; mountains and snow are like dreams and soul – indescribable and inseparable. Getting off at Arrow Bamboo Sea, I set out on foot on this journey. It is said that this stretch of path is where the spiritual energy of Jiuzhaigou resides, its essence; believing this to be true, I followed the water’s course as I wandered through the greenery. Only by hiking through the Sea of Bambus could one appreciate the colorful hues of the clouds and skies, as well as the vibrant beauty of the plants. On both sides of the boardwalk, the mountains are majestic and the waters are beautiful; giant trees and young plants form a lush canopy that shades the sun, with dark roots and vibrant leaves, and trunks of varying diameters and curves. Pearl Beach flows gently, while the sunset waterfall resembles a rainbow leaping in the air. The green streams are deep and vivid; they stretch across or wind their way through the landscape, taking unpredictable curves as they move from left to right. The glaze on these streams catches the light of the setting sun, creating a splendid visual effect. It’s impossible to fully describe all the beauty of this scene. Leaning on the railing and looking around, one sees countless fallen blossoms in a scene of vibrant splendor; the brows are furrowed, exuding intense beauty amidst the vast, winding landscape. Amidst the frenzy of taking selfies, suddenly the clear sky turned gloomy and heavy rain poured down like a waterfall. In haste, people set up shelters and opened umbrellas, only for the rain to turn into snow with misty flakes drifting in the air. Everyone put on more clothes and hats in a rush, yet still too late; gradually, the sunny weather returned once again. I was both frightened and amazed; within a hundred steps, several seasons seemed to unfold in an instant – truly an extraordinary place. Looking around, everything is bathed in the colors of late spring and early summer; beauty abounds everywhere. The flowing water grows weary, in vain bearing the falling flowers; it is like the sweetness of youth, whose passing brings no regret. It is like the recklessness of youth, whose unrestrained nature eventually leads to sorrow. Witnessing the pillars thrown into the sea, a pride born out of an inappropriate time emerges before one’s eyes; the colorful waters of the lake and the prison-like surroundings – such scenes are like the lingering spirit of life, mourning by the banks of the Miluo River, beautiful on the surface yet submerged in the sea. Jiuzhaigou is a place where waters flow gently among beautiful mountains; it’s a shame that time waits for no one, as moments pass by in the blink of an eye. A single day spent there can turn into an everlasting memory. Yet, aside from these picturesque scenes of mountains and waters, there are few traces of human culture in this place. Those fabricated legends and superficial, commercialized expressions of enthusiasm simply do not deserve such a beautiful landscape. A mountain need not be high to be famous if it harbors immortals; a river need not be deep to be magical if it contains dragons. Alas, Jiuzhaigou… Jiuzhaigou, who wrote the scriptures on those banners? Where are they now? Wandering here and traveling there, one can only catch fleeting glimpses; it is impossible to perceive the brilliance that exists beyond what is superficial. With a bare pen, all that remains is the greenery, and all that can be seen are the prayer flags in the sunlight. Beyond the five colors, who holds the sacred scroll? Reading the scriptures in a gentle breeze. Return, soul. The sky is high and the clouds are thin.