Jiuzhaigou
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Updated on Aug 31, 2006
   
  Jiuzhaigou
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“From form to form, beauty to beauty, ever changing, never resting, all are speeding on with love's enthusiasm, singing with the stars the eternal song of creation.”

-- John Muir, <My Frist Summer in the Sierra> --
I visited Jiuzhaigou twice. It is one of the most beautiful scenic parks in China, especially for admiring mountain lakes and falls. The amazing colors of Jiuzhaigou's lakes and pools are indeed very unique.

Nature has gathered here her favorite selections from crystal clear, turquoise and deep green to the seasonal colors of the luxuriant surrounding vegetation.

Bouncing, dancing, rejoicing streams, cascades and falls are beating their way with restless energy through meadows, bushes, trees, rocks without any appreciable channel from the upper lakes to the lower lakes. Trees form beautiful fringes to the lakes.
Profile
Jiuzhaigou was inscribed in Natural World Heritage Sites in 1992. See a detailed report from WCMC (World Conservations Monitoring Centre): detailed Information on altitude, physical feature, vegetation, fauna, climate and so on. 		  Problems
I would not recomend Jiuzhaigou for those backpackers who have never visited China before. Comparing with Yangshuo, Langmusi, and Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jiuzhaigou would bring us bitter experience more often than enjoyment. ..more
An enchanting trek.  
A raised plank path, built in 2001, makes it possible to trek from Arrow Bamboo Lake in Rezegou Gully to the park's gate. If you know how to avoid the crowd, this may be the only way left for individual travelers to enjoy the park. Two-third of the path is still quiet and extremely pleasant which makes the expensive entrance ticket worthwhile. ..more

News

June 2006

The entrance ticket is RMB 320 valid for two days including the bus. People over 60 can have a RMB 50 discount. For those over 70, the ticket is free. In this case, it is not necessary to stay overnight in the park.

2004

Updated information for backpackers contributed by Kelly Dombroski from New Zealand (Nov. 2004)

According to a recent report: (June 2004)

  • Independent travelers can still find Tibetan hotels or family lodges at Shuzheng Village in order to stay two or three days in the park. However their qualities are deteriorating. Officially overnight in the park has been banned since 2001. This prohibition is mainly addressed to thousands of group tourists that the park receives every day.
  • Entrance ticket: RMB145. A reduction of RMB30 is given to students, teachers. A further reduction is given to the old people. Inquire detailed information at the ticket office.
  • The ticket is valid only for one day. For those who stay overnight outside the park, the price for the second day remains the same, and the third day is free.
  • Bus in the park: RMB90. Don't buy this ticket if you decide to do the trek in the park.

 
Link: Detailed maps and introduction, nice photos in http://jiuzhaigou.yourwaywith.us/tour.htm
Itinerary: Before Jiuzhaigou: Chengdu, Songpan . After Jiuzhaigou: Huanglong, Songpan, Zoige.
When to visit: Best time to visit is in autumn between late October and early November. The change in colors of tree leaves during this season is truly incrediable.

Favorite destinations of Chinabackpacker.com

Meili, Tibet, Langmusi, Yangshuo, Daocheng, Yading, Tiger Leaping Gorge