Finding peace amid Jiuzhaigou’s lush greenery and rich Tibetan culture
Get immersed in northern Sichuan’s calming soundscape with Nicholas He, hotel manager of Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
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What sounds define Jiuzhaigou? Hear the answer emerge from its lush scenery
Jiuzhaigou, which translates to “valley of nine villages” in Mandarin, is a county in Sichuan province located on the edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is best known for the natural reserve and national park of the same name, which has been designated a Unesco World Heritage site and World Biosphere Reserve for its beautiful natural landscape.
Just a 20-minute drive from this popular tourist destination sits Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a luxury resort with 87 stand-alone villas that offer views of the surrounding mountain ranges, forests and villages.
It is a world away from the modern metropolis of Chengdu, which is located about 400km (249 miles) south of the county. The bustling sights and sounds of the city are replaced by the murmurs of mountain streams, the soft flutters of Tibetan prayer flags in the wind and the chirping of birds. In Jiuzhaigou, visitors can leave the stress behind and reconnect with nature.
“I lived in Chengdu for seven years,” says Nicholas He, hotel manager of Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. “It’s very convenient to live in a big city, but after a while, I couldn’t find a purpose in my life. I wanted to escape somewhere to find my inner peace … I found it [in Jiuzhaigou], and I love everything here.”
Jiuzhaigou has a population of about 67,000 people. In addition to the Han, the Tibetan ethnic group is one of the largest living in the county, and its culture and customs can be found in almost every corner of the area.
Since moving there in 2021, He has made friends with some of the people who live near the resort. One of them is a villager in his 60s called Uncle Jagata, who the hotel manager describes as a “walking history book” of the area. The two often meet for tea at Jagata’s home, where the older man teaches He about Tibetan culture.
“Even though you don’t understand the Tibetan language, you can feel the sincerity,” He says. “The people here believe that mindfulness is a great way to honour nature’s wisdom, and prayer is a bridge to connect them to their mindfulness and awareness.
“[This connection] is deeply rooted in this land. Once you are here [in Jiuzhaigou], you will feel it.”
So if Jiuzhaigou was a sound, what would it be? He describes that sound as a combination of the whispers of the calm rivers, the gentle winds brushing against prayer flags in the villages and the melodic birdsongs, all coming together to form a beautiful tune that can wash away one’s worries and troubles.
“That’s the beauty of nature,” He says. “My suggestion for visitors to Jiuzhaigou is to walk slowly and experience all these elements – and a taste of Tibetan culture.”
Check out the video to explore Jiuzhaigou with Nicholas He. Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is part of the portfolio of hotels under the Luxury Group by Marriott International.