Long before the deafening roar of turbo-hybrid engines echoed across the Shanghai International Circuit, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton stood in absolute silence. Beside the crystalline waters of Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan province, the seven-time world champion traded carbon fiber and asphalt for ancient submerged trees and pristine mountain air.
Accompanied by his mother, he took a deep breath of the fresh breeze, seeking a rare moment of stillness in his relentless global racing calendar, a sharp pivot from the adrenaline of the paddock.
This pre-race "spiritual pit stop" was not merely an isolated celebrity getaway; it underscored a surging global travel trend.
As a global icon whose influence transcends motor sports to shape trends in fashion and contemporary culture, Hamilton shared his journey with his massive audience of over 42 million Instagram followers. His posts from Jiuzhaigou soon garnered over 2 million likes, instantly amplifying the region's allure to an international audience.
This UNESCO World Heritage site, long celebrated as a "fairyland on earth", is currently experiencing a renaissance among overseas visitors. Official data show that in 2025, Jiuzhaigou welcomed over seven million tourists, including nearly 500,000 inbound travelers.
Nestled deeply within the Minshan mountain range, Jiuzhaigou — which translates to "nine-village valley" — is a natural masterpiece, renowned for its multitiered waterfalls, snowcapped peaks and over a hundred colorful travertine lakes.
"I'm in the Jiuzhaigou National Forest, which is the most beautiful place I've ever seen," Hamilton said.
This ethereal landscape owes its magic to a unique karst geology, forming a series of terraced lakes that glow in vibrant shades of turquoise and sapphire. Framed by dense pine forests and characterized by crisp, unpolluted air, the valley serves as a pristine ecological haven. It stands as a testament to the region's vast natural diversity, rewarding those who venture beyond China's bustling urban centers with unparalleled tranquillity.
Modern travelers are increasingly seeking out these specific types of natural sanctuaries for profound physical and mental "recharging".
Hamilton's immersive tour extended to Chengdu, where he was enchanted by the region's rich biodiversity, sharing charming videos of himself feeding inquisitive red pandas. "So I just want to share with you and share with the world how beautiful China is," he said.
The true allure of Jiuzhaigou, however, extends far beyond its visual symphony of calcified lakes; it is deeply rooted in Eastern cultural philosophy and local heritage.
It is a place where anyone can transition from admiring the iridescent surface of a glacial lake to engaging with intricate thangka paintings, traditional craftsmanship, and authentic mountain lifestyles in a single afternoon.
That restorative energy clearly translated to the track. Met with an overwhelming wave of passion from dedicated Chinese fans in Shanghai, a recharged Hamilton delivered a brilliant performance, securing his first main race podium finish in over a year.
For domestic fans, Hamilton's journey felt refreshingly authentic. Zang Xuan, a Beijing office worker who traveled to Shanghai for the race, closely followed his travels.
Zang said she felt his genuine affection for the country, noting that exploring western Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou and caring for red pandas are immersive experiences usually discovered only by true aficionados of Chinese culture.
Inspired by the stunning visuals Hamilton shared, she added that experiencing Jiuzhaigou's breathtaking scenery is now firmly on her own travel agenda.
Hamilton has left Shanghai, bound for F1's next hectic stop, but the true victor of the weekend was the timeless serenity of the mountains. Long after the engines faded, it was the unique magic of Jiuzhaigou that endured.
