Jiuzhaigou Valley: Exploring the Beauty of China’s Stunning Landscape
When it comes to China’s landscape, Jiuzhaigou Valley stands out. This natural wonderland, located in the Minle County of Sichuan Province, is home to three lakes (the North Lake, the South Lake, and the Five-Color Pond) as well as numerous valleys and waterfalls that together form one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world. This magical place has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can discover the beauty yourself with these tips on exploring Jiuzhaigou Valley . . .
Road Trip to Sichuan, China
Sichuan province is located in southwestern China and is home to Jiuzhaigou Valley, a scenic landscape known for its waterfalls, peaks and colorful lakes. If you’re planning a trip to China, be sure to add Jiuzhaigou Valley to your list of places to see.
Here are some things to do in the area that will help you appreciate its natural beauty. -Take an easy hike up on one of the peaks near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou Valley. The views from there are breathtaking!
-If you have time, head down into the valley and check out one of many scenic viewpoints or explore one of the trails.
-If you’ve got kids with you, be sure to stop by at Yangbailong Lodge so they can pet one of their friendly goats. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch before heading back out on your journey!
What To Do In Jiuzhaigou Valley
There are plenty of things to do in Jiuzhaigou Valley, from exploring the natural beauty of the landscape to visiting some of the area’s most popular attractions. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
- Take a hike through one of Jiuzhaigou Valley’s many scenic hiking trails. There are trails for all levels of hikers, so you can find one that’s perfect for you. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this detailed list of 10 must-do hikes in Jiuzhaigou Valley
- Visit Long-Horn Sheep National Park
- Hike up Tiger Leaping Gorge or take a cable car across it
- Catch some sun on Jiuzhai Lake Beach
- Marvel at the myriad colors and shapes of Wusongkou Caves 6. See what beautiful flora is blooming in the Valley at different times of year by taking part in one of the regular flower walks
- Catch a performance by Yi Minority artists who perform traditional singing and dancing (many performances offer free admission) .
Day 2 – Getting Lost in the Waterfalls
After a day of exploring Jiuzhaigou Valley, I was absolutely mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape. The waterfalls were my favorite part – I must have taken a hundred pictures! I even got lost in them for a little while; it was easy to forget where I was and just enjoy the moment.
If you ever have the chance to visit Jiuzhaigou Valley, don’t miss out on the waterfalls! They’re so fun to explore, whether you go with someone or go alone. Don’t be afraid if you get lost for a bit – that’s what makes this place so amazing! It can feel like a different world, even when it is only one valley away from civilization.
It is definitely worth going off the beaten path and exploring some of the less popular waterfalls if you want an authentic experience – but if you need any help getting back to your hotel, there are plenty of people around who will help show you the way! In general, I felt safe and welcomed here. You’ll see women breastfeeding in public without fear of being judged and everyone is friendly – locals and tourists alike.
Day 3 – The World’s Biggest Panda Center
We started our day with a visit to the world’s biggest panda center. This place was incredible! We got to see so many different types of pandas and learn about their ecology and habitats. We even got to feed them! After the panda center, we explored more of Jiuzhaigou’s stunning landscape.
We hiked through forests, past waterfalls, and across bridges. The scenery was breathtaking and we even saw some Tibetan monks along the way. Our hike ended at an ancient temple where people have been making pilgrimages for centuries. I had no idea what it would be like here, but now I am ready to come back in winter when the valley is covered in snow!
If you want to get off the beaten path, this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Just look up Jiuzhaigou on Google Images and you will understand. My advice? Plan your trip around October-November because that is when all the leaves change colors (I heard they are really red) and the ground becomes snow covered. Don’t forget to pack some warm clothes though!
Day 4 – Mountain Biking Into Yubeng Village
We started our day with a delicious breakfast at our hotel before heading out for a day of mountain biking. Our first stop was Yubeng Village, a small village nestled in the mountains. We took a cable car up to the trailhead and then began biking down into the valley.
The scenery was absolutely breathtaking as we rode through forests and past waterfalls. We even got to see some yaks! After a few hours of biking, we arrived in Yubeng Village where we will be spending the night. Here, we checked into a quaint guesthouse that is set up on the edge of a cliff overlooking the forest below. There are other hotels in the area but this one seemed to have everything you could need including wifi and hot showers.
Dinner is also included so I’m looking forward to it later tonight! We ended the day by relaxing in front of a crackling fire. Tomorrow, we plan to explore more of the valley by taking hikes and doing more biking tours. It seems like this place is going to be incredible!
The Ride Home – Down From Heaven into Hell
When I finally got back on the bus, I was beyond exhausted. It had been a long day of hiking and exploring and my feet were killing me. But despite all that, I couldn’t help but reflect on what an amazing day it had been. Jiuzhaigou Valley is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
From the crystal clear waterfalls to the colorful forests, it was like something out of a fairytale. There are more than thirty different lakes in this valley; they’re like jewels set in green velvet! We hiked up a mountain to get these stunning views of the valley below us, which almost made me want to stay there forever.
After spending time admiring the beauty around us, we headed back down into town for lunch and then hopped on another bus headed towards Chengdu. As we drove away from the mountains, I couldn’t stop myself from looking out at them as we passed by- still amazed by how lucky I am to have had such an incredible experience.
Day 5 – Climbing Huanglong Snow Mountain
Huanglong Snow Mountain is one of the most popular attractions in Jiuzhaigou Valley. The mountain is covered in snow all year round, and its beautiful scenery is a must-see for any traveler to China. I was lucky enough to visit during the summer, when the weather was perfect for hiking.
The hike was challenging but so worth it, as the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend making the trek up Huanglong Snow Mountain if you ever find yourself in Jiuzhaigou Valley! It’s the perfect spot for sunrise photos. There are also some other mountains nearby that have some great viewpoints that you can get a good look at while on your way back down the mountain.
After our trip to Huanglong Snow Mountain, we continued exploring Jiuzhaigou Valley by taking a boat ride through Xitian Lake. There are several stops along the way where you can explore different waterfalls or just enjoy being on board with friends and family members.
