Jiuzhaigou National Park

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Jiuzhaigou National Park (Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area) Jiuzhaigou is a nature reserve and a national park in China. It is an endearing UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the star attractions in China. Located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou Valley is a famous tourist attraction in China. This valley is part of the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Spectacular waterfalls, ethereal lakes, and snow-capped peaks transform Jiuzhaigou into a veritable fairyland that seems to have sprung out straight from the pages of fairy tale. Let us take a peep into this fairyland and be swept away by its hypnotic beauty.

Jiuzhaigou National Park , is approximate 250 miles (400 kilometers) north of Chengdu and is regarded by many as a fairy-world of mountains, great trees, wildlife, waterfalls, and stunning lakes. With the area of just over 23,000 square miles (60,000 square kilometers), the name of the park, Jiuzhaigou (“9 Village Valley,” “Dzitsa Degu” in Tibetan), is derived from the nine villages where Tibetans once lived near the ravine. Rising about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, Jiuzhaigou is covered by the dense virgin forest which is home to 108 lakes.

• Chinese name: 九寨沟国家地质公园 (Jiuzhaigou Guojia Dizhi Gongyuan) / 九寨沟风景名胜区 (Jiuzhaigou Fengjing Mingshengqu)

• Location: in Nanping County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province.

• Ticket: CNY220 (Apr.1 to Nov.15); CNY80 (Nov.16 to Mar.31)

• Opening time: 07:00 to 19:00 (Apr.1 to Nov.15); 08:00 to 18:00 (Nov.16 to Mar.31)

How to get there

Depart from Chengdu: take bus at Xin Nanmeng Coach Station(新南门汽车站)(leave everyday at 8:00 am (8-hour drive))
Depart from Mianyang: take bus at Pingzheng Coach Station (平政汽车站)(leave everyday at 6:40 am)

Best time to visit: all year round

Travel Tips

You can fly into Jiuzhaigou National Park from Xian, Chengdu, Beijing, or Shanghai, or take one of several bus routes.  No trains go through Jiuzhaigou, however.

High-quality hotels can be found just outside the park such as the Sheraton Resort, InterContinental Resort, Hilton Resort, and others which typically meld-traditional Tibetan-style residences with modern facilities.  Thankfully, most hotels make electric blankets available for those colder nights.

Introduction to Jiuzhaigou National Park (Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area)

Inscribed as World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Jiuzhaigou Valley enjoys its great reputation all over the world. It is a part of Nanping County, in the Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, and about 330 km away from the provincial capital of Chengdu City. The name "Jiuzhaigou Valley" comes from mandarin which means "Valley of Nine Villages". Being covered by 52% natural forest, the Valley spans an area of more than 600 square kilometers. Due to the humid climate with an elevation of more than 3000 meters, Jiuzhaigou National Park, which is known as Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, has a large variety of flora and fauna, including 2,976 plant species, 141 bird species, 170 vertebrates species and 17 species of rare animals. Visitors have excellent opportunities for viewing rare and precious wildlife and plants, such as, giant pandas, Chinese golden monkeys and takins. The high-altitude karsts are formed by glacial, tectonic and hydrological activities for thousands of years, and create more than 100 green, sapphire and turquoise-colored lakes. Spectacular mountains, colorful forest, fabulous lakes, stunning waterfalls and unique Tibetan ethnic are made up of a heaven, which becomes one of the most popular international travel destinations and one of China's must see destinations. Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park draw more than 200,000 visitors annually.

This fairyland remotes from the outside world for centuries until some lumberjack broke in by accident in 1970s. The area gains great fame since it was discovered. Named as Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, it was classified as "the first Key Scenic Districts of China" in 1982 and was bestowed as "forty Best Scenic Districts of China" and ranks first in New Nature Scenic Districts of China in1990.It also enjoy the worldwide popularity. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated this area as "World Heritage Site" in 1992 and "World Biosphere Reserve" in 1997. The Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park is the only one scenic spot who wins two international titles in China so far.

Spectacular Mountains

The spectacular mountains of Jiuzhaigou National Park are perfect creations to complete the natural beauty by being a connection of ground, water and sky. Three gullies make up of a "Y" and the rugged mountains with sheer slopes and cliffs attract many ambitious explorers. Being alive with an abundance of wildlife and fauna, cliffs and waterfalls, the tall mountains add more fun and challenges for visitors. Silver clouds and fogs are over and cover the mountains and it becomes a sea of mists and clouds on the peak of mountains. The sunset view over these tall mountains are breathtaking. In the morning, rosy glow encircles the high mountains and no one can resist the exuberance of sun. And then, the whole sky is painted into golden. Under the mountains, water in the creeks sparks a brilliantly golden light in the reflection of the setting sun. When dusk comes, pinkish orange is far and wide on the mountains side. The stunning scenic views of sun on the mountains can leave you speechless for days. Everyone will be intoxicated by the blending of magnificent mountains and romantic sun view.

Colorful Forest

The forest is a wonderland for wildlife and lush green fauna. It occupies more than half of area in the Jiuzhaigou National Park (Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area). The vast extent of the forest is dominated by more than 2000 species of plants and a variety of wildlife. 300,000 hectares is covered with primeval forest and its dressing style varies from seasons. Best views can be seen in autumn and winter. In autumn, orange cotinus coggygria, golden birch leaves, purple maples and red wild fruits carpeted each other, forming a natural painted oil painting. While walking, visitors can enjoy the mysterious beauty of nature: thick fog, scattered birds feathers, fallen leaves, fresh drops of water, running creatures, breezy winds and colorful flora. The forest in the winter is a peace and pure silver world. Ice is diamond, sparkling here and there. The snow is scattered throughout the mountains and falls. There are always long views that you can see the snow from many different sides of hills and trees. It is absolutely a feast on eyes.

Fabulous Lakes

The well-known lakes in Jiuzhaigou National Park are called "Haizi" by local people, which means "son of the sea" in Chinese. As a result of glacial, tectonic and hydrological activities for thousands of years, carbonate and calcium carbonate are accumulated and deposited. Meanwhile, lakes are formed gradually by various natural phenomena, such as, earthquake or rock falls. The water in the lakes is pretty clean and clear even at very high depths because of the high concentration of calcium carbonate. These lakes are full of beauty. They maintain their charms with different colors: green, yellow, gray, pink or blue etc. When breeze ruffles softly to the lake, water is glistening like diamonds with colorful lust from various depths, residues, and surroundings. The lakes present us the majestic beauty in this natural region.

Stunning Waterfall

Jiuzhaigou National Park is a wonderful waterfall kingdom. In spring, silky waterfalls drop delicately down from the high gullies. The water is alive everywhere. It pats on rocks shyly and gentle like a sweet young girl. In summer, it is a fearless warrior. The powerful roaring water jumps fiercely from the gorges and against rocks and then fall straight down. Sparkling water, delicate mists, gorgeous rainbows feature a spectacular picture. The best known fall is Nuorilang Waterfall (诺日朗瀑布, Promising Bright Bay Waterfall) which is close to the junction of the valleys. It is regarded as the widest highland waterfall in China with a width of 320 meters and a height of 20 meters. In summer and autumn, visitors can savor a grand and fabulous viewing. Along the wall, the flow drops from 20 meters and the stunning scene impresses thousands of visitors.

Tibetan People

The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area have already been inhabited for thousands of years by the Tibetan people. Tibetan Buddhism is a prominent religion in the area. The unique Tibet culture is deeply rooted in the cuisine, life style and architecture etc. Highland barley, corns and wheat are the staple food for Tibetan people. Light diet and plain food are what Tibetan people like. It is not uncommon that Tebetan buildings are wooden houses with three storeys. The first floor is for domestic animals, the second is for living and the third one is a space for Buddhist chanting. Two marriage forms are popular for natives: freedom to choose one’s spouse or arranged marriage. When the son or daughter does not have a spouse at the marriageable age, parents will arrange the marriage.