Jiuzhaigou Tour Route||Red

                                                                   Jiuzhaigou Tips

    Jiuzhaigou is a deep valley of stunning natural beauty located in north Sichuan that covers about 620 square kilometers and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. The name Jiuzhaigou refers to the 9 Tibetan villages that are situated  here. The valley has a wide variety  of inspiring scenery that includes lakes, waterfalls, snowy mountains and lush green forests. The lakes, of which there are more than 100,vary in size and shape and sparkle with color in the brilliant sunlight.

Pearl falls        

      one of the more attractive sights within Jiuzhaigou. The running water resembles bouncing pearls, hence giving the sight its name. The waters will culminate into a thundering fall at the end of the slope. Instead of taking the bus to the stop, hike down from Panda Sea. You'll avoid the crowded bus that can cause asphixiation and take in more sights along the track. Look out for a mossy field along the way.

Changhai      

      The sights within Jiuzhaigou are located in a fork shaped area. Changhai is located at one northern tip. There's a glorious lake there----deep blue green. The autumn foliage is also breathtaking. Possibly one of the best sights with less people and picture perfect scenes.

Mirror Lake       

        Mirror Lake got its name for the surface without wave almost. You could see everything's shadow arround the lake. Just like a mirror made of water, the blue sky the clouds and the colorful trees. In my opinion, the shadows are more beautiful than the real stuffs. 

Panda Sea Water Falls      

       Total height as 250m. The beautiful falls has been appeared in most of the movie in China and Japan.

Five-color Lake      

     The water is pretty limpid. You can see everything under the surface. The boles fell into the lake, and never disappear or perish. Since the water is full of Calcium. The native people named this kind of boles in the lake as "Shanhushu"----tree coral. The name colourful lake is given when during autumn time, all the trees will start to change colour and will be reflected in the water causing the lake to look very colourful. This extremely colourful pool is one of the highlights of Jiuzhaigou. The picture speaks for itself.

Goddess lake: Jasper's pool

      Jasper's pool is a formation from mineral sediment. And it also sort of similar to Turkey's cotton castle which is form by calcium minerals. This goddess lake is a must see area. It is a place just open up for tourist, therefore it is still very remote  and virgin.

Nourilang Water Fall

     This waterfall is the widest high-mountain waterfall in the country which is 320m wide and 30m high.

Wu Hua Hai (Five Flower Sea)

      The 5-Flower sea is  south of Panda Sea and within walking distance--- all located within Jiuzhaigou. The attractive feature of the "sea" (which is actually more like a lake) is the interesting aquatic life and fallen plant parts in the water which creates an impression of an underwater garden. Another feature is the perfectly reflected image of the mountains and foilage in the lake. 

Below are some information, hope it helps:

      If one prefers not to enter the crowd with the masses, there is a small trail one can take instead. It is across the man-made creek from the hotel to the left (east) of the main entrance. Following a large black pipe (with thin blue stripe) running along the hillside, one will soon arrive at the park's wooden lank path. There are probably similar trails on the west side but one would arrive on the park road instead. Finally, it is said that a section of the Tea-House Trail leads from Wanglang Nature Reserve (southwest of Jiuzhaigou) into the park, but that would be considerably tougher, involving hiking some formidable mountain passes.

      Tourists outside Sichuan Province can take plane or train to come to Chengdu first and then to arrive at the entrance to Jiuzhaigou either by joining in the trip organized by tourism agencies or by taking bus at the Xinnanmen Bus Station. There are two lines from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou: Line One: Chengdu-Dujiangyan-Wenchuan-Maoxian-Songpan-Jiuzhaigou. 435km in total and all being asphalt highway. (We went to Jiuzhaigou via this line. There are too many turnings at the last 150km. So you need an experienced driver and much more patience. Line two: Chengdu-Wenchuan-Lixian-grassland(hongyuan, ruoergai)-Chuanzhu Temple-Jiuzhaigou, 792km in total and most part being asphalt highway, small part being smooth ordinary highway.

     Either fly an hour or so from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou or put up with a crazy 8 hour drive or more over treacherous gorges and hairpin routes. For the best of both worlds, we flew there and took an overnigt drive back to Chengdu. The drive back was worth it for it's magnificent views of natural dams and lakes caused by a major earthquake in the 30s.

Bus from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou directly, taking about 9-10 hours.

     1  In Chengdu Xinnanmen bus station air-conditioned buses go to Jiuzhaigou at 8:00 am every day, cost about RMB 100.

    2   In Chadianzi bus station, everyday has four buses heading for Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu, 7:00   8:00  8:40    14:00   cost RMB 99.

     If you want to stay overnight inside the scenic area, you can try local residences. Shuzheng stockade has room 60 yuan for two persons in one room. 

                                    Rize Valley Tour Route

    With a total length of 18km, the route links Nuorilang and virgin forests- the best part of all Jiuzhaigou tour routes. Noted for its varied scenic spots, it is rated as the climactic component of your Jiuzhaigou tour. Here are all colors of lakes like a kaleidoscope, like  a fairyland tranquil and abstruse, and like a mystic mirror. Here is the waterfalls with the tallest drop, beaches like treasure houses, virgin forests reaching the sky, all in finest arrangements, engendering a strong aesthetic appeal and offering you an exciting experience.

The Nuorilang Lake Cluster   (Altitude 2,375m, total 18 separete lakes)

       The Nuorilang Lake is the starting spot of Rize Valley, noted for its blue water and overlapped, multi-colored waterfalls. In spring and summer, lake dikes are half-submerged in water that seem to have energized everything. Autumn reddens the tree leaves, against the effulgent lake water. Winter sees water turn into ice that wraps and encloses the whole world.

The Jing (Mirror) lake    (Altitude2,390m, average depth 11,deepest 24.3m, area 190,000sq.m.)

      One of the best views of Jiuzhaigou, the inverted reflection on the lake water is as clear as that of a mirror, which creates an exact copy of the ground and aerial images into the water surface. In early morning when rosy dawn reddens the horizen and the water is calm, the blue sky, white clouds and snow mountains are all reflected on the lakebed, into such a wonderful view of "Fish swims among clouds, and birds fly in water." A thick rattan on the lake bank tangles a tall tree, both jointly pushing themselves up into the sky. Under the tree, you will have endless imaginations: greenness that the tree furnishes the rattan, the lingering feeling of the rattan to the tree. Thus, the Jing Lake is affectionately called the lovers' park, where lovers coming from afar may take a photo to express their loyalty to each other.

The Zhenzhu (pearl) Beach     (Altitude 2,433m, width 160m, area 95,000 sq.m., a fan-shaped travertine beach)

       On a gentle slope of the Mountain Loop Road, here grow various shrubs on a shallow beach. You can walk across the beach on a wood bridge with rip torrents running below. On the irregular travertine surface, water splashes like pearls fanning out. Hence the name: Zhenzhu (pearl) Beach. 

The Zhenzhu Beach Waterfalls     (Altitude 2,433m, top width 310m, the highest drop 40m)

      Water rushing from the Zhenzhu Beach drops from the cliff, and forms a crescent waterfall. Walking down from plank path, you will have a full view of the waterfall. Its roaring, splashing, and rushing create the best water sight of Jiuzhaigou, it must be rapid section of torrents here. The plank trail on the left of the rapids is the most ideal place to view the splashes of the waterfall.

The Jinling (Golden Bell) Lake    (Altitude 2,435m)

      A large lake and a small one are twinned together, like a pair of bronze bells. The depth of the small one is 103 meters, the deepest in all other lakes in Jiuzhaigou. Over-looking the Jinling Lake, viewing its water and dense woods on the banks, you will find the "pair of bells" more attractive, and seem to bear their ringing.

The Kongque (Pecock) Riverbed

      This section covers 310 meters and links the north end of the Wuhua (Five-Flower) Lake. The narrow river bed winds its way through forests, on the banks are flow ering trees and singing birds. Running water helps to shift color patterns: dark green, sapphire blue, golden yellow, etc. Waves alter the reflected images, like a peacock spreading its tail to display its fine feathers.

The Wuhua (Five-Flower) Lake    (Altitude 2,472m, depth 5m, area 90,000 sq.m.)

      It is regarded as one of the wonders of Jiuzhaigou, due its lake-bottom travetine, and colorful algae. Unevenly-distributed submerged plants form many colored spots-sapphire blue, verdant, orange, and light red-like countless gem-embedded jewelries. In autumn, images of colorful forests are reflected on the water surface, mixing the colored spots at the bottom into a colorized world. Its color combination outdoes imaginations of any painter. At dust, fiery-red sunglow is reflected on the water surface that like a blanket of splashing sparks. At this moment, its colored ripples are so gorgeous.

The Xiongmao (Panda) Lake       (Altitude 2,587m, average depth 14m, area 90,000sq.m.)

       Its water is transparent with attractive sights of inverted reflections. Beyond the blue sky are erecting peaks overlooking their images in water. It is said that giant pandas of Jiuzhaigou often come over to drink, to play and to look for food. Hence the name Xiongmao (Panda) Lake.

The Xiongmao Lake Waterfalls   (Altitude 2,592m, height 78m, top width 50m, three levels of waterfall)

      Walking along the north of the Xiongmao Lake- the Watch Stand to its end, you will find steep stone steps and a waterfall pouring down to the valley bottom. The rushing water is cut into several sections by protruding giant rocks. Thus, the overlapped waterfalls form a majestic sight. In winter, the waterfalls become frozen into an ice wall in a crystallized landscape.

The Jianzhu (Arrow Bamboo) Lake    (Altitude 2,618m, depth 6m, area 170,000 sq.m.)

       Noted for its open  space and dark blue water, it is the feeding site of giant pandas, that grows a large amount of arrow bamboo. As it neighbours Xiongmao Lake, hence the name. In 2001, reputed Chinese movie director Zhang Yimou selected this site for his production of the movie: The Hero, because of its charming scenery. 

The Jianzhu Lake Waterfalls   (Altitude 2,618m, height 7m, width 150m)

      Its water runs into the Forests, where collapsed stones form the dikes that separate the water into a number of small Streams. They are running  along the dikes  and form the Arrow-Bamboo Lake Waterfall. It is an arc-shaped waterfall with a large span and small drop. Here, the blue lake and white water, and dancing splashes create blue-white scenery, alternatively dynamic and still.

The Yingzhua (Eagle's Claw) Cave

      On the roadside leading to the Tian'e (Swan) Lake, it is so named because over on the cave wall are 50 prints of the eagle claw. It is said the prints were left by King Sage'er (a legendary tribe hero) when he was fighting against devils. But legend is usual fictional. The prints of 50-called eagle's claws are the result of weathering of rocks.

The Tian'e (Swan) Lake    (Altitude 2,905m, area 55,000sq.m., the widest span 125m)

       Lying in deep valleys, it is noted  for its glittering water, and dense fir woods on the banks. On the shallow beach are flowering plants and grasses in complete quiescence. On its fertile soil, swans are frequent visitors, to in habit and regenerate. As the swan is a migrating bird, and flies far away and comes back as seasons change, few tourists can see them.

The Cao (Grass) Lake   (Altitude 2,910m, area 55,000 sq.m. , the widest span 125m) 

       Tucked under in deep cliffs, it neighbors the Tian'e Lake as its lower end. It shapes likes  a long belt, quiet and graceful. As the deep valley prevents sunlight from coming in until very late of the day, the lake gives off a mysterious bearing. In summer and autumn, in grass groves are yellow, white, red, and purple spots of flowers. Waterfowls sweep in and out of the flowery blankets, giving out calls once in a while, when you feel even bleaker in the deep valley. In autumn, wild grass turns yellow. Looking from a distance, you will feel a bit nostalgic. Especially in rainy days, light blue mists hover on the water, while raindrops drive into water like millions of silver arrows. Green rings splash up and present  a hollow realm.

Jianya Xuanquan (Sword Cliff Hanging Spring)          (Altitude 3,016m)

      Between the Cao Lake and the virgin forests, there is an erecting and isolated peak over 500 meters. The cliff wall is so steep as if being cut out abruptly by a sharp sword. Hence it is called the Sword Cliff, around which are surviving plants: star-leaf grass and single-leaf grass. They provide finest prehistoric specimens for biologists. From the Sword Cliff, on the side facing the Fangcao (Fragrant) Lake, is  a 130m stream falling down half way from the cliff. This is what is called the Hanging Spring. It is claimed to be the tears streaming down when Goddess Semo was looking for God Dage.

Virgin Forests     (Altitude 3,060m, area 540 hectares)

      The virgin forests will end your tour of the Rize Valley, where forests shed off the sunlight, rattans and vines crisscross on your way. Here grow arbors that mainly include first and spruces, and shrubs like honeysuckles, azaleas, arrows bamboo, as well as thick lichens. Here, you will enjoy the feeling of stepping on soft lichen blankets, fragrant humid air, huge pine trees and bird's singing. In mountain winds and verdant forests, you seem to transcend the unearthly thoughts. According to scientists, the spot has a high content of negative oxygenion, with a density of 9,500/cm----- a real natural oxygen bar in woods.

                                        Zechawa Valley Tour Route

    The Zechawa Valley, 18 kilometers long, stretches from Nuorilang to the Chang Lake----- the route of the highest altitude of all your Jiuzhaigou tours, featuring overlapped and erecting peaks. Overlooking from  a distance, you will have a full view of the U-shaped valley, under the sun and covered with glaciers. Looking afar from on Mt. Duo'erna, you will find tranquil snow peaks and meandering mountain ranges, as if you were touring around in the universe.

Seasonal Lakes

     There are three seasonal lakes in Zechawa Valley, each being far away from another, with distinctive features. The upper seasonal lake is close to Zechawa Village, with a stretch of birtches, wild strawberries, grass and fungi. In autumn, birch leaves turn from green to yellow, bathing in golden sunrays. Autumn winds sweep by, gently waving fruitful leaves. The mid-seasonal lake sits on the middle of Zechawa Valley, surrounded by dense forests. Here, pines and vines are dancing on soft lichens, playing a pool of sapphire-blue water. The upper-seasonal lake neighbors the Wucai (Five-Colored) Pond, with steep cliffs around. This is said to be the place where fierce dragons hide themselves, which is also called the "Tibetan Dragon Lake". In dry-water season, a Class-1 UN-Protected plant, "Ruswich" grows on the lakebed.

Jiuzi Tongxin Rock

       Tourists will get marveled at trees that grow in water here in Jiuzhaigou, but it is more unusual to see 9 trees grow on this giant rock of several dozen tons----fir, spruce, birch, cypress. As long roots twist around the rock, the sight is called Jiuzi (9 trees) Tongxin (on one center) Rock.

The Wucai (Five-Colored) Pond

       Of all the Jiuzhaigou lakes, it is small but most graceful, noted for its bright and distinct colors. Cobbles on the bottom shape in prisms of clearly visible chromatism between texture and water plants. Under the shining sun, the water forever appears dark blue, glittering and verdant.

       Legeng has it that the pond was where Goddess Semo washed and combed her hair and God Dage came everyday to bring her water. After a considerable period of time, 189 stone steps were formed because they were coming up and going down, and Semo's rouge came off from her pretty face and colorized this pond. People in love believe that, if they walk down the steps to the side of the pond and make a vow to Heaven, and then walk up along the 189 steps back, they will certainly lead a happy married life.

Dubi (Single-Armed ) Laoren (Old Man) Cypress

     On the side of the Chang Lake, there is a peculiar cypress, one side full of leaves, and the other cut out, which looks like a single-armed old man. According to local tales, Jiuzhaigou was once ruled by a demon, under his reign folks led a miserable and hard life. Not long after, there came a brave old hunter who launched a war, single-handed, against the demon who was eventually driven away. But the old man lost one arm. To prevent the demon from coming back, he held his sword, standing on the bank of the Chang Lake and keeping guard of Jiuzhaigou.

The Chang (Long ) Lake      (Altitude 3,060m, 5km long, width 600m, area 93,000 sq.m.)

      Located on the end of Zechawa Valley, it is in a U-shape and over 100 meters deep, of the highest altitude and widest surface of all Jiuzhaigou lakes. Its water appears ink blue, and peaks are snow-clad all the year around. Surrounded by verdant forests, it collects thawed water from high mountains. Hereby, people of Jiuzhaigou call it a "lake that forever takes in water'. Standing on the highway, you will have a good overlook of the lake. Here are ancient trees in complete tranquility. In winter, ice is as thick as 60cm, making the lake a good skiing ground.

                                  Zharu Valley Tour Route

       This is a route of strong cultural traditions. Tourists will not only enjoy Tibetan rurality, but also the unique Benbo religious sect. The erecting Mirror Cliff stands on the ancient Zharu horse trail, watching pilgrims paying their homage at the Zharu Monastery. While touring in this great natural scenery, tourists are being immersed in a mysterious Tibetan atmosphere of religion.

The Baojing (Magic Mirror) Cliff

       Located at the entrance of the Zharu Valley, it is 400 meters high. This giant rock erects on the stream bank, the wall is as flat as being  cut by a sharp sward. Looking from a distance, you will find it resembles a huge magic mirror. Legend has it that, the mirror was built up by Zhayi Zhaga, king of All Mountains. The mirror suppressed down a demon that used to cruelly treat to local folks. Hence, it is also called the Demon-Suppressing Cliff.

The Zharu Bridge

       Over across the Feicui (Emerald ) River, it is built in a typical  Tibetan wood-bridge style. The supporting logs are wrapped in fences, the roadway is paved with unpainted wood plates. The roof is made of tree bark, in their original color, too, presenting an endeared and plain feeling. On the handrails hang colorful kha-btags which are dancing pleasantly in gentle winds, like intangible hands opening up to tourists. Walking on the bridge, you will see the rapid torrents below, peculiar pines in a distance, worn-out canoes, and carving traces on the Baojing Cliff. Now, you begin your endless imaginations.

The Zharu Horse Trail

        About 3km long, it winds among  woods and rocks, towards the foot of Zhayi Zhaga. It is said that, Sage'er, a Tibetan national hero, once rode on his horse through this century-old trail. Here you will see exotic rocks, hanging old rattans, and rapid torrents. On the sides, are fences, orchards, ancient temples, grass slopes, cattle, and in a distance, snow peaks, and floating clouds-everything appears like what you see in a landscape movie. You may drink the spring water at the roadside to refresh your mind, and take a little rest to relax your tired feet, and have fun like those cowboys to resume your childhood memory.

The Zharu Monastery

       Further ahead of the Zharu Horse Trail, you will find an orchard enclosed with stub fences, inside which is the Zharu Monastery. Against green mountains and facing the Baojing Cliff, it sits in stretches  of orange-colored fruit trees and green woods. The religious banners are waving in the winds, praying blessing for local folks. The monastery is both strong Zen coloring and primitive native religion.

Architecture

       Built of wood and clay, it is a typical Tibetan monastery, comprising of six parts: the Main Hall, Scripture Tower, Music platform, Tea House and Gueshall, with lamas living in their apartments. The Main Hall has three golden roofs and four golden bells, and in the front is a gold wheel symbolizes the life-and-death transformation. On the wheel is a pair of divine goats. The Statue of Sakyamuni is placed at the center of the Main Hall, with religious instruments on the altar, and wool blankets on the ground. Every early morning, lamas come for their religious service, and the tiny Barnes from the butter-oil lamps shine up their pious eyes which open and shut alternatively. Cadence of their chanting is lingering in the hall.

The Mazi Temple Fair

     This grant event takes place four times a year, the largest on May 15 of the Chinese lunar calendar. "Mazi" is said to be a god of the Benbo Religious Sect, responsible for driving out monsters. This fair is so established in his honor. It is also a grand religious event in the Zharu Monastery, as well as the biggest occasion of Jiuzhaigou. Three days from the fair, all the monks will have to fast and chant religious scriptures. On the day of the fair, Tibetan folks gather around to exchange kha-bhags, and watch shows. Young people take this day as the time to express affection to their lovers. On the bank of the Feicui (Emerald) River, they take a solemn pledge of love and wish to live a very long life with their sweethearts.

Zharu Waterfalls

     On the slope of dense-woods of Mt. Zhayi Zhaga, it dashes down into perilous cliff and woods through four terraces. Looking upward from the terrace, you will find the water mist covers everything, as if you saw thousands of kha-btags dropping from Heaven. Local folks regard the waterfall as the Divine Water.

The Hong (Red ) Pond

       Located on the lour loop road of Mt. Zhayi Zhaga, it appears red as water runs from red soil. It shapes like an oval, being regarded by locals as an auspicious symbol.

Sacred Mt. Zhayi Zhaga

       Among overlapping ranges, it shapes like a shape sword erecting straight into the sky. Looking upward, you will feel its chill. At clear dusk when the sun sheds its slanting rays down, sunglow spreading, the peaks is bathed in golden sunlight. In rainy days, mists cloud the peak in the boundless sky. Walking around, you will feel you are riding on clouds.

Circling the Mountain

      On the 15th of every month of the Chinese lunar calendar, Tibetans from Jiuzhaigou as well as neaby Nanping and Songpan counties come to pay their homage to the mountain by circling around on foot. May 15th - Mazi Festival is the climax of the annual  mountain circling ceremony. Believers, in group, on horse or foot ,walk to complete a full circle around the mountain in a counterclockwise direction, spreading kha-blags and singing religious songs. Some pious believers of the Benbo Sect would move forward on their knees to kowtow once every three steps. The mountain circling event usually lasts 2 to 3 days. From on the slope runs down the Zharu Waterfall where you will see the divine springs of Qubu and Qumo. People come over to drink water in order to purify their mind and to drive out diseases and disasters. At rest, they sit down and propose toasts for each other's blessing.

The Dalian (Saddlebag )Lake

      One is higher than the other in altitude, the saddlebag-like lake sits surrounded by green grasses, with one stream connecting both ponds. Between summer and autumn, flowers and grass are in full growth, filling the "bag" with fragrance and beauty.

The Hei (Black) Lake

     Sitting opposite to the Saddlebag Lake and surrounded  by full slopes of fragrant grasses, it covers an area of 5 mu (1mu=677 sq.m.). One of its features is that you see different color hues or ambience from different angles and at different time. The spot is often covered with sensitive clouds, above, and when you shout to it, a rapid rain will pour down.

The Zharu Wood Trail

      Immersed in pine needles and fragrance, it sits ahead of the Zharu Bridge. With a length of about 500 meters, it is a fine place for your evening walk, on thick pine needles, and in gentle breezes.