Jiuzhaigou, China : Valley of nine villages

We made our first trip to Jiuzhaigou during the last Christmas holidays.  Jiuzhaigou is situated in the north of Sichuan near Tibet.  Motor roads to Jiuzhaigou are still being repaired from damages made in last earthquake three years ago.  We took a flight from Chengdu to the Jiuzhai-Huanglong Airport.  The airport was built at a high latitude of about 3,500 meters.  When we first landed in the airport, we could feel the high mountain effect.

Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong are both famous for their natural beauty and karst topography.  Recent years, millions of tourists are attracted to these places.  Local administration authority has now imposed stricter control on the motor traffic and tourist flow in the park areas.  If you want to avoid the crowd, winter will be a better season to visit Jiuzhaigou.

(One of the water sources of Yangtze River is from the Min River head)

Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong are in the southern part of the Min Mountains.  Water from the glaciers flow down the Min River and into the Yangtze River.  Within half an hour bus ride from the airport, you can reach the Min river head.

Jiuzhaigou has different faces for each of the four seasons.  Autumn is colourful and the busiest season.  The beauty of Jiuzhaigou in winter is ice and peace.

(One of the Tibetan village in Jiuzhaigou)

If you like hiking, you can plan for two-days walk along the Y-shaped valley in Jiuzhaigou.  The karst topography forms beautiful landscapes and scenery.  Well maintained walking paths are built along the valleys.  Proper signage along the road can help you to find the way.  Sometimes, tourist crowds can be disturbing.  We prefer to avoid the crowds in order to enjoy the natural scenery in peace.

(Image of mountain range reflected in the calm water surface)

(Frozen lake in the upper range of Jiuzhaigou)

(Ice and snow covered the waterfall)

(Beautiful ice crystals formed along the river stream)

Calcium carbonate deposited in the surface of fallen trees along the lakes.  With light reflection, it formed colourful coatings.  

(Five colour pond in Jiuzhaigou)

 
Another karst topograhy that we have encountered before is in the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia.  In comparison, the areas covered in Jiuzhaigou is bigger in size.

(Photo taken in Pilvice Lakes, Croatia)

Emei Mountain, China : a great destination for hiking

Emei Mountain is about 3,100 meters in height.  It is situated in the north-west of Sichuan basin.  Going further west, you can reach the Tibet plateau.  Emei is one of the four, and the tallest, scared Buddhist mountains of China.  In the past Christmas, my wife and I had great experience climbing up the Emei mountain.

Emei Mountain is rich in vegetation.  There are water streams and rapids along the walking paths.  If you love hiking, you will enjoy the journey walking up to the mountain top.  There are local hostels along the way for those who like to stay over night in the mountain.  Due to time constraint, we took the eco-bus and cable car to about 2,500 meters level.  Then, we walked up to the mountain top.

When we walked out the cable car station, snow had covered all buildings, trees and walking paths.  We had to move slowly and to avoid the slippy ice along the paths.  However, the scenery was just great.  Here are few photos that we took near the mountain top.

(Evergreen trees covered by snow)

(Snow covered walking path to the mountain top - beautiful and peaceful)

(The silver temple in Emei top)

(The main temple)

(The famous Emei gold peak)

(The snow cap indicated the wind direction)

Emei Mountain is a great place to watch sunrise.  With good weather, cloud can be seen floating below the mountain top.  It is a magnificent picture with the Emei gold peak shining under the early sun rays.  We look forward to coming back to Emei again.

Sichuan is home of the world famous pandas.  During our trip, we did not miss the chance of seeing these lovely creatures.  Here are their photos that we took in Chengdu.