Jiuzhaigou Valley is located in Nanping County, 450 kilometers (about 280 miles) to the north of Chengdu City. 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.Jiuzhaigou Valley is a great masterpiece of nature having dreamlike scenery and abundant natural resources. It combines blue lakes, waterfalls, verdant forests, snow-covered mountains, and the folk customs of the Tibetan and Qiang peoples.

This region covers more than 600 square kilometers (about 230 square miles), and includes areas such as

Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley and Zharu Valley, etc. The main beauty spots such as calc-sinter lake groups, waterfalls, and other waterscapes, as well as 12 summits make Jiuzhaigou Valley a wonderful appearance.

Legend has it; that long, long ago the deity of mountain named Dago had a crush on the goddess Semo, and he gave a mirror that was made from wind and cloud to the goddess. However, the devil appeared and made trouble to Semo. Inadvertently, Semo broke the mirror into 108 pieces, which fell down to the earth and then turned to 108 colorful lakes. The lake is also called Haizi by local people.

Jiuzhaigou Infomation

Location: Located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, about 450 km north of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province
Neighboring areas: Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan Provinces, Tibet and Chongqing
Physical Features: High altitude karst land features including calcareous tufa shoals, waterfalls, stepped lakes, high mountains and forests
Population: 50,000
Area: 5290 sq km
Nationalities: Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, Han
History: Established during the Qin Dynasty and renamed to Jiuzhaigou County in 1998. However, the reserve was undisturbed until recently.
Climatic Feature: Cool temperate, damp and cold on the high mountain slopes and cool and dry in the valleys.

Average annual temperature is 7.2 C. vibrant spring temperature ranges from 9 C-18 C; stable summer temperature of 19 C - 22 C fall temperature from 7 C - 18 C; winter temperature under zero.
Average Temperature: Average annual temperature is 7.2 C
Rainfall: Most of annual rainfall of 660mm occurs from May to September
Mountains: Min Shan Range
Rivers: Baishuijiang (White Water River)
Specialties: landscape, landscape and landscape
Local Highlights: Its breathtaking natural beauty and Tibetan and Qiang culture
 

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Shuzheng Valley
Shuzheng Valley is a main tourist route of Jiuzhaigou Valley. It is about 14 kilometers (about nine miles) in length with over 40 lakes, representing 40% of all the lakes in Jiuzhaigou. The major scenic spots in Shuzheng Valley are Double-Dragon Lake, Bonsai Beach, Reed Lake, Spark Lake, Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, Rhinoceros Lake, and Nuorilang Waterfall, etc.

Double-Dragon Lake (Shuanglong Lake)
Double-Dragon Lake lies below Spark Lake Waterfall, and it got its name from the two zonary calc-sinter reefs hidden in the bottom of the lake, which are just like two dragons. It is said that in ancient times, two evil dragons always brought disasters by making hailstones or rainstorms to the Tibetan people in Jiuzhaigou Valley. Afterwards, they were faced down by King Gesar (a figure in a Tibetan hero epic) and were locked with chains in the lake. From then on, the lake was peaceful and tranquil. Now there are many beautiful swans and mandarin ducks inhabiting the lake. Sometimes, you can appreciate the sight of wild duck groups roaming in the lake and swans flying in the sky above, and this really adds more pleasure to your visits.

Reed Lake (Luwei Lake)
Reed Lake is 2,140 meters (about 7,021 feet) above the sea level and is 22 kilometers (about 14 miles) in length. There are reeds grow thickly in the lake. Clear streams wind through the reeds and aquatic birds fly above the lake. In spring and summer, the water is as verdurous as flourishing reeds, overflowing with vigor. In autumn and winter, golden reeds greet the eye everywhere. While during the florescence season, downy reed catkins joggle tenderly in the breeze, just like water waves. Egrets and widgeons sport in groups on the lake, presenting picturesque views.

Spark Lake (Huohua Lake)
Spark Lake is located between Double-Dragon Lake and Lying Dragon Lake. It is nine meters (about 30 feet) deep, and covers an area of 36,352 square meters (about 43,477 square yards). The azure and wide lake is hidden by surrounding luxuriant woods, like a glittering emerald plate or a jade mirror. When the first sunrays of dawn shine on the surface of the lake, the crystalline waters waves ripple, ring upon ring, resembling millions of burning and dancing sparks. In summer, bouquets of wild flowers with dewdrops glisten on the lakesides, making a phantasm with 'sparks' in the lake; and the whole vista is totally ablaze with color.

Rhinoceros Lake (Xiniu Lake)
Rhinoceros Lake is the largest lake in Shuzheng Valley. The story goes that in olden days, a lama came here on a rhinoceros. He was seriously ill and was on the verge of death. After he drank some water of the lake, he recovered unexpectedly! Then the lama drank the lake water day and night and was reluctant to leave. Therefore, he came into the lake riding on the rhinoceros and dwelled in the lake forever. That is why the lake is called Rhinoceros Lake. It is one of the most changeable lakes in Jiuzhaigou Valley. Every morning the inverted images of clouds and mists are of enchanting beauty and people just cannot distinguish the sky from the lake. To the south of Rhinoceros Lake is a bridge where you can take in the beautiful scenery. To the north of the lake visitors can view Semo Mountain. Rhinoceros Lake is the only site that provides yachts for tourists to enjoy themselves, both for sport, sightseeing and life's simple pleasures.

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Rize Valley

Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake, wrapped by forests, is a narrow and long lake about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) in length. The mountain on the opposite side is like a huge stone screen. On the right is the lower reach of Mirror Lake, abutting the Nuorilang Lake Cluster and on the left is the upper reach that joins the Mirror Lake Valley. In the rosy dawns, the lake is as smooth as a mirror and blue sky, white clouds, the mountains far away and trees nearby can all be seen reflected in the lake. What is more wonderful is that you can see the conjured images that the fish are swimming in the sky and the birds are flying in the lake! Near the lake there is a tree reaching the sky, which is tightly twisted by a long vine, just like two sweet lovers. Therefore, people gave Mirror Lake another romantic name, Love Park.

Peacock River
Peacock River is 310 meters (about 1,017 feet) in length and wends along the deep valley with flowers and trees on its two sides. The water appears in a cacophony of varietous colors: dark green, golden, and sapphire blue. When autumn comes, the forests are covered with hoarfrosts and the fallen leaves are bestrewed all over the lake. When seen from above, the bright and clear water flows in a colorful world and it is like a peacock displaying its fine tail feathers.

Five-Flower Lake (Wuhua Lake)
The pride of Jiuzhaigou Valley, Five-Flower Lake lies at the end of the upper reach of Peacock River, 2,472 meters (about 8,110 feet) above the sea level and five meters (about 16 feet) in depth. Most of the colorful leaves are gathered in the lakefront and interlaced as brocades. The water that contains calcium carbonate as well as hydrophytes with different colors presents a versicolor sight, azure blue, blackish green and light yellow, etc, so it is named Five-Flower Lake. The local people say that it is a holy lake, and where there is the water, there must be flourishing flowers and trees. When looking down from the mountain, you will find that the lake with hills on three sides is just like a huge upended cucurbit pouring colorful water to the lower place.

Peculiarly, there is a pattern of a deer's leg in the abdomen of the cucurbit, 10 meters (about 33 feet) or so. The whole pattern is light green, while the middle part presents dark green due to the quincunx-shaped pits of the terrain of the lake bed. So the pattern is really like a spotted deer. The legend said that the deity of all mountains hurt the holy deer that belonged to the King of Forest by mistake when he was seeking for water source in the mountain.

The King of Forest was so furious that he chased the deity on the holy deer and wanted to kill him. Other deities cut off one leg of the deer in order to help the deity of all mountains. Then the holy deer fell down and became the colorful lake.

Panda Lake (Xiongmao Lake)
Pandas are regarded as lucky and endearing animals. It is said that pandas in Jiuzhaigou Valley like to drink water and play in this lake, so the lake is called Panda Lake. It is 2,587 meters (about 8,488 feet) above sea level and 14 meters (about 46 meters) in depth. The water is clear and transparent. Especially on fine days, the blue sky and white cloud are mirrored in the lake. There are inverted images of cliffs with strange textures in the lakesides and the white stones with black lines in the lake, all of them have made the Panda Lake an interesting and beautiful place.

Virgin Forest
About 52% area of Jiuzhaigou Valley is covered by virgin forest and the forest at the top of Rize Valley is part of it.

Seeing the luxuriantly green trees, walking on thick and soft lichens, smelling the fragrant and moist air, and listening to the sound of wind and bird-song you will find that you are coming into a new isolated world. In the lower part of the south of mountains, Chinese pines, oaks and spruces grow thickly and in the north Chinese hemlocks, maples, birches and fir trees are flourishing. In the upper part of mountains are alpine shrubs and alpine meadows.

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Zechawa Valley

Zechawa Valley, 18 kilometers (about 11 miles) in length, is the longest and highest route in Jiuzhaigou.

Magic Mirror Cliff (Baojing Cliff)
Magic Mirror Cliff, 400 meters (about 1,312 feet) in height, lies at the mouth of Zharu Valley and stands facing the lakes. The surface of the cliff is rather even and it looks like a great mirror when seen from distance. It is said that the precious mirror was founded by the master of the mountain to suppress a devil who killed people cruelly. Therefore the cliff is also named Devil Cliff.

Seasonal Lakes
There are Lower Seasonal Lake and Upper Seasonal Lake in Zechawa Valley. Lower Seasonal Lake is near Zechawa Village and has a grove of birches at the lakeside. Strawberries and other wild fruits can be found in the grove. The upper Seasonal Lake is next to Five-Colored Pond surrounded by cliffs. All the lakes have plenty of blue water due to the ample rainfall in autumn and are at a low level of green color water in spring and winter. While in the early summer, the water dries up and turns into grassland as lots of grasses grow in the riverbeds.

Five-Colored Pond (Wucai Pond)
The old Chinese legend said that there was a colorful lake, Jasper Lake, in the palace of the Queen Mother of the West. However, nobody has seen it with his own eyes. In Jiuzhaigou Valley you can truly appreciate the colorful lake, which is the small but exquisite Five-Colored Pond in Zechawa Valley. The lake is 6.6 meters (about 21.7 feet) deep, 2,995 meters (about 9,826 feet) above the sea level and occupies an area of 5,645 square meters (about 6,751 square yards). On sunny days, the lake present various colors when the lake ripples, shining with red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue and purple light, as if you are in a dreamland.

Long Lake (Chang Lake)
The largest lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley, Long Lake, is located at the end of Zechawa Valley, covering an area of 930,000 square meters (about 230 acres). The source of Long Lake is melted snow from the mountains. Cedars all over the mountain encircle the lake. When looked at from afar, the lake is bathed in the sunshine, like the jade palace in the heaven. At the side of the lake there is an old tree, which is said to be the guardian of the lake. In winter, the lake is frozen 60 centimeters (about 24 inches) on the surface and is an ideal place for skating.

Long Lake (elevation 3,100 meters) is the most splendid lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley. It is opposite Erbo Mountain, which is covered with luxuriant forests, and the Biyaogonggai Lake, which is the highest lake in Jiuzhaigou (elevation over 4,000 meters). The melted snow from the South Peak and the waters of surrounding mountain streams and brooks all find their way into the lake, which has no exit. The excess water either vaporizes or seeps into the earth.

In spring and autumn Long Lake is even more fantastic; with the reflection in the water of the flowers clustering around the ice-covered peaks, and the spectacular panorama of yellow leaves and red maples growing round the lake. Another spectacle is that the water neither brims over the bank in the rainy summer and autumn, nor runs dry in the winter and spring, even when there is a long dry spell. Local Tibetan people praise it as 'a precious gourd that will never be poured full or dried up.' At the time of bitter winters, the lake is frozen over with a depth of 60 centimeters.
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Upper Season Lake and Lower season Lake of jiuzhaigou
Upper Season Lake is situated in a lush and luxuriant locality, while Lower Season Lake is adjoining Multi-color Lake. The volume of the two lakes varies greatly, sometimes overflowing, and sometimes dried up. In rainy autumns the water rises and is bright blue, then changes to glossy green in summertime. During winter, the lakes run dry, and many different grasses grow in the lake beds, making an excellent natural pasture, covering an area of about 2 million square meters. It is the largest and highest lake in Jiuzhaigou.
Opposite the lake, there are snow-capped mountains (elevation 4,000-5,000 meters) with typical glacier landscapes of cirques and U-shaped valleys.

Jianyan of jiuzhaigou
South of Swan Lake, there is a lonely precipice standing erect, called Jianyan (Sword Cliff). It is over 500 meters high. Huge rocks are exposed to the air, and the steep slopes have little vegetation. The cliff was named for its sword-like outline.
South from Nuorilang Waterfall, Jiuzhaigou is divided into two parts. Extending toward the south is Zechawa Gully, with a length of about 17.8 kilometres. Walking along Zechawa Gully, you can enjoy scenic spots like Seasonal Lake, Multi-color Lake, and you will end your journey at Long Lake (elevation 3,100 meters.)

Multi-color Lake of jiuzhaigou
 Multi-color Lake (elevation 2,995 meters) covers an area of 5,645 square meters, with a depth of 6.6 meters. It is situated below Long Lake and deeply hidden among the highly elevated forests.
Multi-colour Lake, the quintessence of the whole Jiuzhaigou, is full of aquatic biological species, such as sponges, algae, and ferns. In addition, there are many herb-like reeds and plants growing in the pond. Because different plants in the pond contain different levels of chlorophyll, they present different colours in the water, with a high consistency of calcium carbonate. The pond is an exquisite patchwork of different colours; light green, milky white, bright yellow and pale blue. Visitors can experience a splendid view of this amazing scenic phenomenon.

Grass Lake of jiuzhaigou
Grass Lake (elevation 2,910 meters) is thick with native grasses, and many leisurely swimming water birds. The lake's seasonal scenery is very appealing; glossy green grasses in spring, blooming and flourishing flowers in summer, golden yellow in deep autumn, and in winter, spotless and pure white with snow.
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Jiuzhaigou Travel Tips

Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley and Zechawa Valley are three main valleys in Jiuzhaigou, but the sceneries are far more than mentioned above. There are Panda Lake Waterfall that has the longest drop in Jiuzhaigou Valley and freezes to a crystal world in winter, the giant calc-sinter beach Pearl Beach, the Arrow Bamboo Lake that has a large area of bamboo, the favorite food of pandas, and Swan Lake where swans inhabit ... to name just a few. Only if you are personally present can you truly appreciate just how splendid the sights of Jiuzhaigou Valley are.

In addition to the dreamlike sceneries, there are numerous flora and fauna in Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area. The natural forest covers an area of nearly 30,000 hectares (about 74,132 acres), including 2,576 higher plant species (24 species of national protected plants) and over 400 lower plant species (212 species of algae). The diversity of flora has provided a good environment for wild animals. There are 170 species of vertebrates, 141 species of birds and 17 species of rare animals. Among them the first rank has giant pandas, takins and golden monkeys and the second rank has lesser pandas, marmots, and blue sheep.

Panda-tour.net notebook:

Transport:
By air: Direct flights are available from Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou to Jiuzhaigou. Jiuzhai-Huanglong Airport is 88km, or one and a half hours' ride from Jiuzhaigou scenic area. Check www.jzairport.com for details.
By bus: Besides tourist buses operated by travel agents, Chengdu Xinnanmen Coach Station, Chadianzi Coach Station and coach stations in Mianyang and Guangyuan have buses to Jiuzhaigou everyday.

Self-drive-tour routes:
1. Chengdu => Dujiangyan => Wenchuan => Maoxian => Songpan => Jiuzhaigou (upgraded smooth road) (total length: 315km)
2. Chengdu => Mianyang=>Jiangyou => Pingwu => Jiuzhaigou (upgraded smooth road) (total length:475km)
3. Chengdu => Ya'an => Luding => Danba => Siguniangshan =. Ma'erkang => Hongyuan = Chuanzhusi => Jiuzhaigou (upgraded smooth road) (total length: 792km)
4. Guangyuan => Zhaohua => Bikou => Wenxian => Jiuzhaigou (smooth road without firn in winter) (total length: 315km)
5. Lanzhou => Linxia => Hezuo => Luqu => Ruo'ergai => Jiuzhaigou (smooth road) (total length: 804km)
6. Lanzhou => Baoji => Fengxian => Luoyang => Wudu => Wenxian => Jiuzhaigou (smooth road) (total length: 699km)
7. Xi'an => Baoji => Fengxian => Luoyang => Wudu => Wuxian => Jiuzhaigou (smooth road) (total length: 816km)
8. Xi'an => Hanzhong => Ningqiang => Qingmuchuan => Qingmuyaodu => Bikou => Wenxian => Jiuzhaigou (smooth road) (total length: 697km)

Getting Around:
Green environmental-friendly tourist buses serve the whole scenic area.
Operation Hours: Summer: 07:00 to 19:00; Winter: 08:00 to 18:00 Inquiry: 0837-7739753
Entrance ticket information of Jiuzhaigou
Peak season:April 1-November 15:      Admission Fee:CNY 220,Bus fare:CNY 90 
Low season:  November 16- March 31 Admission Fee:CNY 80,  Bus fare:CNY 80