Sponsored Links

Saturday, August 9, 2014

The Heaven on Earth, Jiuzhaigou

It's about 3 hours flight from Guangzhou city by plane to Huang Long airport, quite a bumpy ride before landing with amazing snow mountain view.





It takes another 2.5 hour to Jiuzhaigou valley (九寨沟) area by car/taxi from the airport (RMB 300 one way from airport to your destinate hotel at Jiuzhaigou area)
or you can take small bus/van to Jiuzhaigou with around RMB 45/person, the car will departure after it full and stop at one spot at jiuzhaigou, and they asked you to change to a (free) taxi to your hotel (depend your hotel location).



Lying on the highest tableland in the world between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Jiuzhaigou Valley covers altitudes ranging from 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) to about 4,300 meters (14,107 feet).


With large number of lake groups, waterfalls and rich variety of endangered plants and fauna, it was awarded the status of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1997 and was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The reserve has received a string of other titles including that of a National Geological Park, a AAAA Class Scenic Spot in China and a Green Globe 21.







With some of the most beautiful and inspiring scenery on earth and some of the reserves scenic spots considered holy by the local Tibetan and Qiang people, it is no wonder a number of mysterious legends surround the wonderful landscape of Jiuzhaigou. Many people are drawn to the area for these reasons, and with the park open all year round the authorities have ensured that the fragile environment is sufficiently protected with a range of comprehensive facilities.



Travel inside Jiuzhaigou Park : 
You will be shuttle/walk for the trip. There is a tour guide on each shuttle. She/he will tell you what’s the next point. Instructions are very clear. The entire valley is Y shaped. The schedule shuttle route goes all the way to the top (Long Sea) on upper left branch without a stop, makes you walk about 1 mile to a pond (Five-Color Pond), and then you can take shuttle there, which goes directly to the center of the Y point. There you change to the shuttle goes to the top upper right branch. From there, you will be on and off bus to visit each point of interest on the way back to entrance. The Pearl Shoal is the most beautiful part. Five-Flower Pond is also very nice. Mirror Pond will be nice on a sunny day.









Sacred fish at Jiuzhaigou :
Songpan naked carp fish is regarded as the water spirit of Jiuzhaigou and never caught for human consumption.

The fish in Jiuzhaigou are very unique. They're high altitude fish, so they survive on a lower oxygen content, and thus grow very slowly (about a cm a year).

Tibetan culture have burial traditions in which children who pass away are buried in the water. Adults may sometimes be water buried, but generally, they follow other traditions--sky burial or cremation--but water burial is exclusively reserved for children. Because fish feed on the pieces of flesh, it is believed that fish carry the souls of their children, so Tibetans do not eat fish.



Note : One thing you better avoid to go to Jiuzhaigou (or any travel palces in China), don't go during the public holiday!!! you will end up with long que everywhere you go.

it's a convenient thing if you keep one of taxi driver phone number, so you can arrange them to come to your hotel as per your own schedule. (especially go to airport if you have morning flight, it's worth to take another 3 hours sleep in the car )



HORSE RIDING
you can ask a taxi driver to take you for horse riding, it's a good experience to see Tibetans village and their culture. Rates for 1 hour horse riding to the hills & village is around RMB100/person (not include tips)




Yak is a precious animal to the Tibetan. Beside milk, fibres and meat obtained from them, they are also used to carry goods across mountain passes. Their milk is often made into cheese and butter, which goes into butter tea that Tibetans love to drink.




Food 
So you cannot help wondering why when you are actually in Sichuan, you could not find good or authentic Sichuan food in Jiuzhaigou, so food at the hotel is one of the best choice.



Sour and Spicy Chicken

Boiled Yak Beef Meat with Peanut

(Dong chong xia cao) Caterpillar fungus, aweto, cordyceps, "winter worm, summer grass"
Aweto, a world-famous tonic, is found in plateaus around 3,000-5,000 meters above sea level. Though it also grows in Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, those from the Tibet Autonomous Region are believed to be the most effective.
Aweto is a fungus growing from the dead larva of a white ghost moth. It has been used to treat cancer, boost immunity and generally increase energy and
promote healing and recovery from illness. It is "neutral" in energy nourishes the lungs, helps eliminate phlegm and benefit the kidneys

Yak meat & BBQ snacks at small shops around hotel

DICO's at the park entrance, similar to KFC/Mc D's - it's not bad for fast food lovers. 

Sichuan Cold Noodle for RMB10/cup

HUANGLONG VALLEY 
The 'World Wonder' and 'Fairy Land on Earth' are names enjoyed by the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, which is well known for its colorful lakes, snow clad mountains, valleys and virgin forest.


The scenic area is located in Songpan County, in the northwest part of Sichuan Province and encompasses the Huanglong and Muni Valley.
Opening Hours : 08:00 - 17:00


HUANGLONG AIRPORT
The Huang Long airport 九寨沟机场; is consider as the 9th highest altitude airport in the world. (3448 m above sea level) it's the 3rd highest airport in China.

 





No comments:

Post a Comment