Jiuzhaigou Valley
From ChinaTravelGuide
Jiuzhaigou Valley (Valley of the Nine Villages, 九寨沟) | |
| Address: | Aba, Sichuan |
| Phone: | 0837-7739753 |
| Web site: | http://www.jiuzhai.com/ |
| Price Range: | 220 RMB ~ 220 RMB |
| Level: | AAAAA |
| Tourist Rating: |  |
| Short Description: | Jiuzhaigou is a nature preserve located in northern Sichuan province. It comprises 60,000 hectares of primitive forest. The area is covered with the most captivating landscapes on earth. |
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[edit] Description
Jiuzhaigou is within the boundary of Yangtong Tibetan-inhabited area in northern Sichuan (四川) Province, and is part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiangzu Autonomous Prefecture. It is composed of three valleys (Shuzheng, Rize and Zechawa) in the form of a letter Y.
The valley derives its name from the 9 ancient Tibetan villages within the valleys. Its highest point, located at the end of the valley, is 4,700 m above the sea level. Other main sight-seeing spots are between 1,980 meters and 3,000 meters high.
Jiuzhaigou is a beautiful "fairyland valley" running over 40 km through snow-covered mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forest.
[edit] History
Jiuzhaigou was inhabited by Tibetans and Qiangs for centuries but had not been disturbed until the end of the 1960s when large groups of lumber workers arrived there. In 1975, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry sent a team to Jiuzhaigou to investigate the field. The team were extremely impressed by its natural beauty and immediately published their surveys and comments: Jiuzhaigou has rare animals and rich plant resources, and most of all, it is a beautiful "fairyland valley".
In December 1978, the State Council promulgated a document (Code No. 256), officially announcing that four belts of Jiuzhaigou are listed as the National Nature Reserve, and any lumbering activities within the valleys are strictly prohibited. In 1979, the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve Administration was officially established. In 1984, the State Council listed Jiuzhaigou as the National Key Place of Scenic Interest. In 1992, it was included by the UNESCO in the World Natural Heritage list.
[edit] Weather
The scenic area of the park is situated at a height of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres. In summer the winds blow predominantly from the south and in the winter from the north. The following table shows the average monthly temperature and rainfall .
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average Temp (°C) 1.7° 4.4° 9.3° 14° 17.2° 19.7° 22° 21.8° 17.5° 13.2° 7.7° 3° Average Precipitation (mm) 15 24 36 43 87 96 104 82 76 54 26 18
Umbrellas and wet weather clothing are highly recommended as the weather at these altitudes is fickle.
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] Legend
Legend has it that long long ago, a beautiful Goddess received a mirror from her lover. The goddess was so excited that she dropped the mirror, smashing it into 108 small pieces. Over the centuries those pieces gave birth to 108 wonderful lakes.
[edit] Video
| Welcome to Jiuzhaigou of China |
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[edit] Map
Click here to open Jiuzhaigou map.
[edit] Photos
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[edit] What to see
Jiuzhaigou is blessed with some of the most captivating landscapes on earth. The colors of its forested hills, carpets of flowers, lakes and waterfalls are breathtaking and beautiful beyond words.
Here are some scenic spots to visit:
- Arrow Bamboo Lake
- Five Color Lake
There is a fairy tale in ancient China that the princess of heaven has a five-colored lake called Yaochi in her palace. In Jiuzhaigou Valley you can see that lake of legend. Through forest clearings and the briefest of glimpses between needle clad branches you may catch a glimpse of the water which sparkles in a kalaidescope of sky blues, light greens, yellows, greys, pinks and blues.
- Five Flower Lake
Rize Gully Five Flower Sea is even more magnificent. Surrounded by mountains, the sea looks like a huge calabash infusing colorful water continuously into the foot of the mountain. The strange part is that on the belly of the calabash, there is a ten-meter long light blue design which looks like the leg of a deer. Legend has it that it is the residing spirit of a spotted deer which slipped and fell down the cliff.
- Grass Lake
- Long Lake
A large lake located at an altitude of 3000 meters, Changhai, 'the King of the Lakes' is surrounded by snow year round. In spring and autumn, the lake reflects the mountain snow or the maple trees. In winter the lake freezes into a spectacle of icy beauty.
- Mirror Lake
- Nuorilang Falls
- Panda Lake
- Panda Falls
- Pearl Shawl Falls
- Shuzheng Village
- Shuzheng Lakes
- Swan Lake
- Waterfalls
Waterfalls make attractive views. Jiuzhaigou Valley is a paradise surrounded by mountains, with tranquil lakes like pearls. But the quietness is sometimes broken by the waterfalls, which take you to another world. The waterfalls of Jiuzhaigou are like green looms weaving different silks. Varying in shape some are like dragons, some like snow and some like pearls. The sun often casts rainbows across their fronts.
The Nuorilang Waterfall is a perfect case in point. At the top of the great waterfall, which is about one hundred meters in width, are a line of willows which form a monumental green wall. Like the teeth of a comb their trunks seem to be running constantly through the water, untangling it.
Pear Shoal Waterfall is one of Jiuzhaigou's most mysterious waterfall. It takes its name from the water that thunders into the stones below forming pearl-like waterdrops.
- Colorful Forest
Colorful Forest is something you can't miss. With more than 2000 different plants, beautiful flowers, lovely grass and numerous rare species the forest is unique in China and is the stuff fairytales are made of. In deep autumn orange trees, golden yellow birches and red maples flourish in warm autumnal glory. In winter, the forest becomes a twinkling wonderland of grace and elegance.
Jiuzhaigou Valley feels like a dream. Beautiful scenery greets you wherever you look. Nature is all around, quiet and still yet more alive, more vibrant than the busiest of cities.
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
After the Sichuan earthquake of May 12th 2008 the road via Wenchuan and Maoxian is not recommended. It is possible to drive from Chegndu via Mianyang, Jiangyou, Pingwu and Nanping.
The main departure points for a visit to Jiuzhaigou are Chengdu - the capital city of Sichuan, famous for its Panda Breeding Centre - Chongqing and Xian. Although Jiuzhaigou is only around 350km from Mianyang ,and 460km from Chengdu (as the crow flies) the journey takes between 8 and 11 hours due to the winding mountain roads through some spectacular scenery along the valleys of the Fu or Min rivers. Many tour companies break the journey into two components with overnight stops either at Mianyang or Maoxian.
Flights between Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou Huanglong airport (IATA: JZH) are available on Air China, Sichuan Airlines, South China Airways and China Eastern. Jiuhuang airport is about a 1.5 hour drive from the park entrance. This can be done by taxi or mini-bus.
Private helicopter flights may also be obtained from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou.
Most visitors access Juizhaigou by road.
From Mianyang an early morning start gets you to Jiuzhaigou township in time for dinner and the Tibetan cultural show (120 RMB). The route initially follows the deep valley of the Fu river then over Longmen shan (Dragon gate mountain) to Qingchuan and Wenxian before reaching Jiuzhaigou township nestled in the valley of the Baishui river. The mountain and river views make even the journey a worth while tourist experience.
Public Bus services are available from the Xinnanmen and Chadianzi bus stations in Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou with 2 or 3 departures from each station daily depending on demand. Ticket price is approximately 145 RMB.
There are daily buses to the park from Songpan, and Huanglongsi National Park.
There are plenty of taxis in Jiuzhaigou. There are also mini-buses (they really are minivans) to the most popular tourist destinations in the Jiuzhaigou region. Car Rentals are also available and range from 500 - 900 RMB per day.
Perhaps the easiest way to get around without a tour guide is using one of the "self service travel websites" that are really popular with young Chinese tourists who are not looking to travel with a tour group. Unfortunately for people who cannot search the web using Chinese characters (ping yin does not work very well) these sites are near impossible to find. On these sites you can buy tickets to local cultural events, arrange for pick up service, rent cars, arrange for tour guides, and finding Tibetan local host families for a cultural experience. However, they are extremely hard to find with names that are usually just strings of letters and numbers like cq966.com. The mentioned website is actually ran by locals attached to Chang Qing （长青）hotel - one of the two hotels (other is the Sheraton) with the most credibility among tour guides within Jiuzhaigou proper. You can email these websites in English or contact them through MSN and they will be able to respond. Most local hotels are also good sources for advice on how to get around Jiuzhaigou but only a few speak languages other than Tibetan and Chinese
Public buses run from the centre of the town to Chengdu, Huanglong, Chadianzi, Jiangyou and Songpan. For up-to-date bus schedules and travel options from Jiuzhaigou the best place to check is the Jiuzhaigou official website
From Chengdu the public bus is around 100 RMB and takes around 10 hours.
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] Direction
Jiuzhaigou is about 450 km north of Chengdu, an eight to ten hour dive.
[edit] Fees/Hours
- 220 Yuan per person (3 Yuan insurance fee included).
- 170 Yuan for seniors (60~70 years old), disabled, students and soldiers.
- Free for children no taller than 1.3 m, government workers, and seniors (over 70).
Tickets are valid for two days. Make sure that your picture is taken and printed on your ticket, as otherwise you won't be allowed to reenter the park on the second day.
The bus pass costs 90 RMB.
[edit] Best time to visit
September and early October is the best time to visit.
[edit] Activities
...
[edit] Other Local Attractions
- Huanglong Natural Reserves (distance 1)
- Attraction #2 (distance 2)
- Attraction #3 (distance 3)
[edit] Area Hotels
- Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort
- Hotel #2 (distance 2)
- Hotel #3 (distance 3)
[edit] Restaurants
- Restaurant #1 (distance 1)
- Restaurant #2 (distance 2)
- Restaurant #3 (distance 3)
[edit] Shops
There are lots of Tibetian trinklets that could entice the younger ladies. There is a shop next to the entrance which sells a good collection of postcards and reading materials about the park itself.
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] Businesses
- Business #1 (distance 1)
- Business #2 (distance 2)
- Business #3 (distance 3)
[edit] Transportation
- Transportation #1 (distance 1)
- Transportation #2 (distance 2)
- Transportation #3 (distance 3)
[edit] See also
- Sichuan (四川)
- Aba (阿坝)
- Bazhong (巴中)
- Chengdu (成都)
- Dazhou (达州)
- Deyang (德阳)
- Ganzi (甘孜)
- Guang'an (广安)
- Guangyuan (广元)
- Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟)
- Leshan (乐山)
- Liangshan (凉山)
- Luzhou (泸州)
- Meishan (眉山)
- Mianyang (绵阳)
- Nanchong (南充)
- Neijiang (内江)
- Panzhihua (攀枝花)
- Suining (遂宁)
- Xichang (西昌)
- Ya'an (雅安)
- Yibin (宜宾)
- Zigong (自贡)
- Ziyang (资阳)
- Wikipedia:Jiuzhaigou
