Jiuzhaigou Valley"Paradise of China"



Pearl Shoal Waterfall

 Jiuzhaigou Valley in China gets its name is due to the existence of nine stockaded villages of Tibetan origin, and it is always regarded as a holy mountain and watercourse by the Tibetan people. It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 It is filled not just with animals, plants, birds, hills and ravines, but also glittering numbers of fabulous lakes, gorges, trees, flying waterfalls, colorful forest and snow mountains. It is also considered as a fairy land due to its original nature, untouched land, fresh air and the mysterious atmosphere brought by open nature. The Jiuzhaigou Valley in China holds the crown for being the "Wonderland on Earth"; and rightly so. That the beauty of this valley is truly entrancing is a common opinion of every one who has made it to the Jiuzhaigou Valley in China.Most of the landforms are the result of glacial and tectonic activities that took place millions of years ago.

The place is dotted with more than 100 gorgeous lakes, which differ from others by having a high concentration of calcium carbonate, so that the lakebeds and embankments are all covered with crystals. The water is so clear that the bottom is visible despite depths of several dozen meters.

Location: Jiuzhaigou Valley is located in Nanping County, 450 kilometers (about 280 miles) to the north of Chengdu City. It lies northern Sichuan Province in the southern part of the Minshan range Stretching. over 72,000 square kilometers in the northern part of Sichuan Province, the jagged Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area reaches a height of more than 4,800 meters.

When is the best time to go there?

Like the scenery, the climate at Jiuzhaigou is alpine. Autumn begins in early October and is the best time to visit because the scenery is at its most colorful.

Accessible:

By Air: Jiuzhaigou Jiuhuang Airport is about 88 kilometers from the mouth of the valley and about 52 kilometers from Huanglong. It takes 40 minutes to fly from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and a half hours' ride from the airport to the Jiuzhaigou scenic area. There are direct and connecting flights to Jiuzhaigou from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Kunming, Chongqing and Xiamen.  Please use China Flight to search for the latest scheduleandprice.

By Bus: Regular buses from Chengdu Chadianzi and Xinnanmen coach stations depart around 7:00, 8:00 in the morning. It is suggested to buy the bus ticket in advance. It takes about 10-11 hours from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou. The highway along the west route (Chengdu-Dujiangyan-Wenchuan-Jiuzhaigou) has still been constructing and there is occasional traffic jam, the coach will go through the east line to Jiuzhaigou via Mianyang, Jiangyou and Pingwu.

There are approximately two buses every day between Jiuzhaigou and Songpan, 7:00, 13:00 from Songpan and 7:30, 12:50 from Jiuzhaigou Valley. In addition, there are regular buses from Guangyuan, Jiangyou and Mianyang to Jiuzhaigou. The bus schedule is adjusted to changes. Here is the travel time information by bus from some surrounding places to Jiuzhaigou Valley:
Jiangyou – Jiuzhaigou Valley (7 hours); Songpan – Jiuzhaigou Valley (2 hours); Huanglong – Jiuzhaigou Valley (3 hours); Mianyang – Jiuzhaigou Valley(8hours)

Attractions:



Five Flower Lake



This region covers more than 600 square kilometers (about 230 square miles). Shuzheng Valley(Area 14.5 km (9 mi)), Rize Valley(18 km (11 mi) long) and Zechawa Valley( length18 km ) are the three main valleys in Jiuzhaigou, but the sceneries are far more than you expect.

Reed Lake (Luwei Lake)

Reed Lake is elevated about 2,140 meters (7,021 ft). It is actually a semi-marsh lake, where reeds abound and birds fly freely. As the reeds come into bloom, layers of the down-like flowers undulate, seducing lots of wild ducks and egrets to come here. Reed Lake suffuses a thriving and flourishing vitality.

Pearl Shoal

Reputed as the first scenery in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, the Pearl Shoal Waterfall is located above the Mirror Sea and beneath Jinlinghai (Gold Bell Sea) in Rizegou. It is the most beautiful site in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, with an altitude of 2,433 m (7,982 ft) and a height of 21 meters. On the top of the waterfall, it measures 162.5 meters (533 ft) in width. With a fall of 40 meters (131 ft), the waterfall has a shape of the crescent. It surges down from the Pearl Shoal with a thunderous sound, splashing up sprays of waves. The Pearl Shoal Waterfall is one of the distinctive waterfalls in China.

Nuorilang Waterfall

The Nuorilang Waterfall is located at the end of the Shuzhenggou, with an altitude of 2,365 meters (7,759 ft), 270 in (885 ft) width and 24.5 (80 ft) in height. It is the widest waterfall in China, and also one of China's largest calcium ones. The name of Nuorilang means magnificent and splendid in Tibetan language. The grand waterfall turns into gorgeous rainbows in the sunshine.

Magic Mirror Cliff



Jiuzhaigou Valley



It's a gigantic cliff rising 800 meters (2,624 ft) from the level ground. Its surface is as smooth and slippery as a mirror. Capped with pines and China firs, the cliff top resembles a human head with cropped short hair and curly beard, which in local mythology, was left over by Zhayiga, the Ancester of mountains to keep the evil spirit under control.

Shuzheng Waterfall

The Shuzheng Waterfall is located in Shuzhenggou, above Shuzheng Lakes and beneath the Tiger Sea, with an altitude of 2,295 meters (7,529 ft), a height of 25 meters (82 ft) and a width of 72 meters (236 ft) at the top. Blocked by trees in the upper lake, it turns into streams of water dashing against protruding rocks midway and exploding into millions of petal-shaped falls. Viewed from the distance, it looks like a water lily bursting in the blue sky.

Long Lake

It's the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, covering an area of 7.5 km (4.66 miles), long and 0.375 km (23 miles) wide. It is 3103 meters above sea level, with a maximum depth of 103 meters (337 ft).

The melted snow from the South Peak and the waters of surrounding mountain streams and brooks all find their way into the Lade which has no exit. The excess water either vapors or seeps into the earth. The waters never spill over the banks in spite of downpours in summer and autumn.

Source "www.yeschinatour.com” , " www.travelchinaguide.com” www.wikipedia.com