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A City A History Book – Xi’ an

ChinaJoy — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:47:33 +0000

This time we will take you to the city which have loooooog history and so many amazing worldwide level treasure. Xi’an (Chinese: 西安; pinyin: Xī’ān; historically known as Cháng’ān) is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China since it has been the capital of some important daynasties in china history include the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang dynasties. The city has more than 3100 years history. When you visit Xi’ an, you like reading a history book of China. It is a city full of story.

Then first stop is the world most famous Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses. In fact it is just a little part of the mausoleum of the first Emperor of Qin Dynasty around 246 BC. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. They were tagged in the order of their discoveries. No. 1 Pit is the largest and resumed the third excavation in Jun 2009. Of course you will get more surprise when you got there. There are columns of soldiers at the front, followed by war chariots at the back. The terracotta statues, horses and people, are roughly the same size as real horses and people, the proportions are extremely accurate. This reflects the high level of sculptural arts at the time of the Qin dynasty. From the placement, the hair and clothing styles and weaponry of the statues, one can generally understand their rank and position. Some wear tunics, some carry shields, some have their hair tied in a bun, some wear footwear while others do not, some have armor breastplates, some have fishscale armour. Soldiers with relatively long beards are placed towards the rear, and one sees at a glance that they are seasoned older generals. In addition to foot soldiers there are also some cavalry members leading horses or driving chariots. Some of the soldiers are kneeling, ready to shoot their arrows: each has a special posture according to his duties. You could never find a same face in the thousands of the terracotta warriors. I remember my middle school art teach said when you entered and see over 1000 horses and soldiers, your eyes would be brimming with tears. Of course the exciting and amazing need you own experient.

The next stop is the City Wall of Xi’an. Now the time took you to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty enlarge the wall built initially during the od Tang Dynasty, creating the modern Xi’an City Wall. It is well-preserved and surround the city Xi’an till now after the thousands years. the wall now stands 12 meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep moat surrounding it. Every 120 meters, there is a rampart which extends out from the main wall. All together, there are 98 ramparts on the wall, which were built to defend against the enemy climbing up the wall. Each rampart has a sentry building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy. Besides, the distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow shot from either side, so that they could shoot the enemy, who wanted to attack the city, from the side. On the outer side of the city wall, there are 5948 crenellations, namely battlements. The soldiers can outlook and shoot at the enemy. On the inner side, parapets were built to protect the soldiers from falling off. You can rent a bike running around on the wall when the sun set down. You must have enjoyable and interesting time.

If you want to know the whole history of China, then you will not miss the following stop: Shannxi History Museum. It is a comprehensive museum with more than 370,000 exhibits of different times and kinds. It displays the articles during the period from 1.7 million years ago to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)). It is free now and open from 9:00 to 17:30 (Nov.15 to Mar.15), 8:30 to 18:00 (Mar.16 to Nov.14) except Monday. You can take the bus 5, 19, 24, 26, 27, 30, 34, 400, 401, 521, 527, 701, 710, 721, 722, Tourist Bus No.6, and No. 8 (610) and get off at Cuihua Road.

The last but not the least is you will not miss the special food of Xi’an: Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup. You can easily find it in the “Hui Min Jie” (Muslim’s Quarter). In fact there are so much delicious there. Hope you will have an enjoyable holiday in Xi’an.

Shanghai Vacation I — China

NanJing – A City Full of History

ChinaJoy — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:37:57 +0000

Nanjing is the capital of Province of Jiangsu China lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River. It is a city with a prominent place in China history and culture which known as the Capital City of Six or Ten Dynasties in China’s history. It has a brilliant cultural heritage.

First we will introduce “Eat” in Nanjing. The famous Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) is not only a memorial place for the Great Sage in China but has a surrounding area bustling with shops, restaurants and a snack street housed in traditional Chinese architectural buildings which originally constructed in the year of 1034 in the Song Dynasty. And you could find lots of local welcomed snack around this area. You couldn’t miss its night piece. The light as the bright phearl along the Qinhuai River.

Tips: 1. It is better to arrange your visiting around night to enjoy the dinner in Fuzimiao area

2. Nanjing Salted Duck is very famous as well as the Yuhua Tea.

Next stop we go to the XuanWu lake which nearby the Nanjing Train Station.Situated at the foot of Mt. Zhongshan in Nanjing.

Surrounding it are Circumvallation, Mt. Jiuhua and Jiming Temple.

The history of Xuanwu Lake can be traced back to the Pre-Qin period (21century BC-221 BC). The name of the lake has changed several times during the long history. The lake gained the name Xuanwu because a black dragon was said to be in the lake.

There are five isles in the lake.: Huan Isle, Ying Isle, Liang Isle, Cui Isle and Ling Isle. When you are on the Huan Isle, you can see that the leaves of willows wave gently with the wind and feel the mild wind from the lake that blows tenderly on your face. The Ying Isle is famous for its cherry blossoms. When the cherry blossoms bloom in the early spring, the isle seems to be an ocean of flowers. Liang Isle is the one that was developed earlier than the other four. Annually, the grand traditional exhibition of chrysanthemums is held there. On the Cui Isle, there are dark green pines, emerald green cypresses, tender willows, and light green bamboos. To the east of Ling Isle, you can see the beautiful clouds drifting across Zhong Mountain.

Tips: 1. There are several boat rent service for you.

2. Fee:CNY30 (Mar.1-May 31, Sep.1-Nov.30) CNY20 (Jun.1-Aug.31, Dec.1-Feb.28)

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Beijing Vacation — China

ChinaJoy — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:01:28 +0000

Beijing (Chinese 北京 Běijīng) is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People’s Republic of China. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911. As such it is rich in historical sites and important government institutions. As a Chinese it is honor for me to guaid you an exciting Beijing Vacation. Of course every earthman knows that Beijing will be hosting the Summer Olympics on August 8-24, 2008. It is also a worldwide festival, hope you will all enjoy the trip in Beijing.

Beijing is well known for its flatness and regular construction. There is only one hill to be found in the city limits (in Jingshan Park to the north of the famous Forbidden City). Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric “ring roads”, which are actually rectangular, that go around the metropolis.

The most attracting spot is the Forbidden City (Chinese 故宫 Gù Gōng) lying at the center of Beijing.It is also known as the Palace Museum. The Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here. Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, it houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987, the Palace Museum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions world-wide.

How to get there? By subway, No.1 get off in the station of Tian An Men West or Tian An Men East.

By bus: the bus station in the same name for line 1,4,52 and 728 is also convenient for catch in the Chang An Street. Alternatively, the bus station of “Gugong” for line 101,109 and 810 is sitting in the north gate of Forbidden City. Night Bus: No. 202 and 211.

Tips: 1. You can rent an audio guided tour which explains certain temples and their uses for ¥40 with a ¥100 deposit (Available in several languages including Chinese, Cantonese, English, French, Japanese, German, Korean, Russian, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic and Italian).

2. Chinese, English and Japanese-speaking tour guides are available.

3. Tourist souvenirs, books, food and drink as well as a post office are all available.

4. Bags can be deposited free of charge at the Meridian Gate (Wumen) and Gate of Divine Might (Shenwu Men) from 8:30 to 18:00. If desired, bags can be carried between the two gates after going through a security check.

5. Wheelchairs & Strollers are available from the tour guide service at the Meridian Gate (Wumen) and Gate of Divine Might (Shenwu Men), free of charge.

6. Tourist Service Center located at the Arrow Pavilion (Jianting).

Temple of Heaven(Chinese 天坛 Tiāntán), it is another worthwhile visiting place in Beijing. It is much bigger than the Forbidden City and smaller than the Summer Palace with an area of about 2,700,000 square meters. The Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. As Chinese emperors called themselves ‘The Son of Heaven’ ,they dared not to build their own dwelling,’Forbidden City’ bigger than a dwelling for Heaven. The Temple of Heaven is enclosed with a long wall. The northern part within the wall is semicircular symbolizing the heavens and the southern part is square symbolizing the earth. The northern part is higher than the southern part. This design shows that the heaven is high and the earth is low and the design reflected an ancient Chinese thought of ‘The heaven is round and the earth is square’. The most magnificent buildings are The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan), Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from south to north.

How to get there? By buses 2, 7, 17, 20, 110, 120, 803, 814, 826 to the West Gate (天坛西门 Tiāntán Xīmén); or buses 35 and 106 to the North Gate (天坛北门 Tiāntán Běimén).

Summer Palace (Chinese 颐和园 Yíhé yuán) situated in the western outskirts of Haidian District, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from central Beijing. Having the largest royal park and being well preserved, it was designated, in 1960 by the State Council, as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Site of China. The Summer Palace is the archetypal Chinese garden, and is ranked amongst the most noted and classical gardens of the world. In 1998, it was listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Composed mainly of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Guided by nature, artists designed the gardens exquisitely so that visitors would see marvelous views and be amazed by perfect examples of refined craftwork using the finest materials.

How to get there: Take bus No. 907, 375, 801, 808, 732, 394, 718 could get there.

Lodge: Beijing is a travel city and millions of travellers from all over the world come there whole year. Then book a hotel in advance is a wise choice. Especially during the golden season autumn. Make your reservation by Hotels Combined and click the city Beijing. You could make your hotel choice which is most convenience for you.

Shanghai Vacation I — China

ChinaJoy — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:09:17 +0000

Shanghai, one of the best cities in China. It located on China’s east coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River. It is named as the Pearl of the Orient. As a shanghaiese, I’m qualified to be a guaid for a wonder Shanghai Vacation. Since there are so much much much words to say, I will collect the most famous spots to introduce first and in the next article I will continue to write more about it. Hope it will supply more useful information for your Shanghai Travel.

People’s Square Area

Shanghai Museum (Chinese:上海博物館) is a museum of ancient Chinese art, situated on the People’s Square in the Huangpu District of Shanghai. The new museum building is designed in the shape of an ancient, bronze, tripod cooking vessel called a Ding( Chinese: 鼎 ). It is said that the inspiration for the design was specifically provided by the Da Ke Ding, now on exhibit in the museum. The building has round top and a square base, symbolising the ancient Chinese perception of the world as “round sky, square earth”. It is one of the landmark building in Shanghai. It owns a treasurable collection of 120,000 precious art works, including ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting, calligraphy and so on.

Opposite this Chinese tranditional Building, there is a very modern dazzling building — Shanghai Grand Theatre. It is designed by a French architect who came up with a complete design scheme including materials and lighting. The building seems to be made almost entirely from glass and the reflections of artificial and natural light are simply stunning. People’s Square covers 140,000 square meters Surrounded on all sides by mammoth and overpowering constructions, new buildings attack you from all sides, include Shanghai Concer Hall and Shopping area.

How to get there? There are No.1, No.2 subway could get to the People’s Square. Station name is just the People’s Square.

Yuyuan Garden Shopping and Food Area

Another spot which could show the tranditional Shanghai is Yuyuan Garden. Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. It has more than 400 years history. ( Not far from the People’s Square ). Yuyuan Garden occupies an area of 20,000 square meters (about five acres). However, the small size is not a representative of the attractions of the garden. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics. There are six main scenic areas in the garden: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall and the Inner Garden. Each area features several scenic spots within its borders.

Around the Garden, it’s a shopping area. There are many chinese tranditional feature shops and very very delicious shanghai-style snacks restaurants. The most famous populor snack is Nan xiang xiao long( Chinese: 南翔小笼 ). Although you need be more patient and wait for long time since it’s always long queue there, it deserves. The most famous restaurant is Lubolang ( Chinese: 绿波廊 ). It has hosted heads of state from more than 40 foreign countries, such as President Clinton. You could taste most of the Shainghai – style snacks and top-class tea at there. If you travel in autumn, you will have the chance to taste another shanghai wonderful food the crab ( Chinese 蟹 ) there.

Yuyuan Garden open time: 08:30 to 17:00

How to get there? Bus: 11, 26, 64, 730, 926, 980, 932

Lodge: Since shanghai is a travel city and millions of travellers from all over the world come there whole year. Then book a hotel in advance is a wise choice. Make your reservation by Hotels Combined and click the city Shanghai. Choose the hotel which the most convenience for you.

See you next time. To be Continue….

Dreamly Fairyland–HuangShan

ChinaJoy — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:05:03 +0000

The Huangshan (Chinese: 黄山; pinyin: Huángshān; literally Yellow Mountain) is a mountain range in southern Anhui province in eastern China. The area is very famous for its scenic beauty, which lies in the peculiar shapes of the granite peaks, in the weather-shaped Huangshan Pine trees, and in views of the clouds from above. The area also has hot springs and natural pools. The Huang Shan are a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature. Today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s most popular tourist destinations.

Huangshan City is a region with a long history and splendid cultures. Shexian and Yixian Counties were established more than 2,000 years ago. In the Jin Dynasty (265-420) Huangshan City was called Xin’ an Shire. Until the Song Dynasty (960-1279) when the name was changed to Huizhou, the city was famed for Hui businessmen, Hui carvings, Xin’an school of painting, Xin’an medicine, Hui architecture, Hui cuisine, and Hui opera (one of the tonalities of Beijing Opera). Also notable are the scenic spots of Mt.Huangshan – a key point of interest in ancient China, the Tangyue Memorial Archway, the Tunxi Ancient Street and the ancient villages of Yixian County . Historians at home and abroad regard Huangshan City as a natural history and culture museum of China.

The Huangshan mountain range comprises many peaks, 77 of which exceed 1,000 m in altitude. The three tallest peaks are Lotus Peak (Lian Hua Feng, 1,864 m, 30°07′N, 118°10′E), nearby Bright Summit Peak (Guang Ming Ding, 1,840 m) and Celestial Peak (Tian Du Feng, literally Capital of Heaven Peak, 1,829 m). The World Heritage Site covers a core area of 154 square kilometres and a buffer zone of 142 square kilometres.

Each of the four seasons on Mt. Huangshan has their respective beauty but even this can vary from day to day thanks to variations in the weather, light and shade as clouds pass overhead and even around you at the higher reaches. This endless changing adds an emphasis to the wonder of the landscape and to know the mountain thoroughly, you would need to visit Mt. Huangshan in all the different seasons. But for me the most beautiful season is winter, although it will be more difficult to climb the mountain.

Snowy Mt. Huangshan is like a crystal palace. Though winter lasts a long time in Huangshan, it is not as cold as you might expect. A poem has it that Mt. Huangshan is beautiful all year round but with the winter scenery being the best. The Sea of Clouds, one of the four wonders of Mt. Huangshan, appears more often in winter than in any other season. The spectacle of rimed trees sparkling in the sun is the privilege of winter alone for it is then that you may find yourself in a silver world with icy peaks, clusters of frosty corals suffused with a plentiful supply of the freshest of oxygen rich fresh air.

Season Travel tips:

1. July and August are among the peak seasons therefore reservation is a must.

2. It is wise to bring a rainproof jacket with you as the strong wind on the mountain renders an umbrella all but useless and even dangerous.

3. Do not climb the mountain during thunderstorm.

4.Besides the Golden Week of the National Day (Oct 1st to 7th), September and October are also peak seasons of Mt. Huangshan.

5. Bring with you warm clothes so as not to catch a chill as the temperature variation is significant.

6. Winter is the most economical time for visiting Mt. Huangshan as the prices for hotels and the entry fee are lowered by 15% to 40% compared to those of the peak season. However, Spring Festival is an exception, during which the price is the same as normal seasons.

7. The hotels are centrally heated so you don’t have to worry about the cold.

8. Anti-skid shoes are provided as well as heavy coats in most hotels.

Four wonders of Mt. Huangshan*

The strange pines, absurd stones, sea of clouds and hot springs are the four wonders of Mt. Huangshan.

Huangshan pines are seen in every corner of Mt. Huangshan. You will be amazed by their vitality and strength. The seeds fall into the crevices where they take root and grow with great vigor. The uneven terrain prevents the pines from growing upright. Instead they become crooked and even downward. Another feature of Huangshan pines is that many trees grow branches on one side only. The pines grow very slowly due to the poor soil and climatic conditions. A tree less than 3 meters (9.84feet) high may have grown for over one hundred years or even several hundred years. The root of a pine is several times or several dozens times longer than the trunk, therefore Huangshan pines stand firmly with dignity, withstanding wind and rain. Every pine is unique though: Guest-Greeting Pine (in front of the stone lion of the Jade Screen Pavilion in the Jade Screen Scenic Area), Guest-Goodbye Pine (to the right of the Jade Screen Pavilion), Cushion Pine at Lotus Valley, Phoenix Pine at the Sky Sea, Chessboard Pine at Pingtian Stone Bridge, Kylin Pine between Bei Hai Hotel and the Refreshing Terrace, Black Tiger Pine and Sea Exploring Pine are among the most famous ones.

Sea of clouds

Mt. Huangshan is home to clouds and mists. The Sea of Clouds has a fairy tale beauty. Winter is the best season for this spectacle. According to their locations, the seas of clouds are divided into East Sea, South Sea, West Sea, North Sea and Sky Sea. If you climb up the Lotus Peak, the Heaven Capital Peak and the Bright Peak, you will find yourself above the level of the clouds and they appear as a sea beneath you. It is true that a sea of clouds can be seen in many high mountains but that of Mt. Huangshan is unique with its oddly shaped rocks and ancient pines. Peaks, large and small, hide and reappear in the boundless waves of clouds. The Heavenly Capital Peak and the Bright Peak appear as isolated islands within this white sea.

All the colors seem more vivid in the sunshine. The clouds are forever changing, from being like a mirror when all is calm to rolling waves when the wind is strong. At sunrise or sunset, the glistening clouds assume every hue from red to purple. You cannot help marveling at this gift from the Creator! You will be struck by the beauty when all the red leaves are floating on the white clouds in autumn, when the clouds gush between the peaks like a raging river while the red leaves flutter delicately in the breeze.

Go to the Jade Screen Pavilion to view the South Sea, the Refreshing Terrace for the North Sea, the Paiyun Tower for the West Sea, the White Goose Ridge for the East Sea and the Legendary Turtle Peak for the Sky Sea.

Hot springs

To be able to refresh yourself in the hot springs on Mt. Huangshan must be one of the best ways of enjoyment and relaxation. Running out of the Purple Peak of 850 meters (2, 789 feet), the hot spring in Mt. Huangshan is the first stop following the entrance. Legend has it that Huang Di, the ancestor of the Chinese nation, bathed here 49 days before he ascended to heaven and became immortal.

Tips:
1. Hot spring is not suitable for everyone. If you suffer from high blood pressure or heart diseases, it would be wise to consult your doctor first.
2. Do not bathe in the hot spring if you do not feel very well or when you are hungry.
3. Leave the hot spring whenever you feel uncomfortable.

In addition to the spectacles we have mentioned there are three large waterfalls that are well worth a visit. These are Renzi (like the Chinese character for human being) Waterfall, the Baizhang (100 zhang, over 1,093feet) Spring and the Nine-dragon Waterfall.

Absurd Stones

Spectacular rocky peaks will inspire your imagination. Some look like human beings, birds or animals or many other objects. Something that makes the stones even more fascinating is that they assume varied shapes when seen from different angles. Every stone has its own fantastic legend.

The rocks known as the ‘Celestial Basking Shoe’ and the ‘Celestial Basking Boot’ share a most romantic story. Once upon a time, in the Celestial Heaven Taoist Temple on Zuoshu Peak lived an old Taoist priest Dao Xuan and his disciple Tai Qing while in the Purple Cloud Temple on Pine Forest Peak lived a Taoist nun Lian Yu and her disciple Miao Zhen. The West Sea Valley separated the two temples as well as a strict commandment, therefore they had no dealings with each other. However, one winter, there was no kindling in Celestial Heaven Taoist Temple. Seeking help, Dao Xuan asked Tai Qing if he could borrow some from the nun at the Purple Cloud Temple. It so happened that the two young disciples fell in love at first sight. From then on, they spent time together when they fetched water or collected firewood. Unfortunately, they were discovered by both masters and the two disciples were punished severely. They were forbidden to go beyond the boundaries set by their masters and threaten with a beating should they disobey. One day when both the masters went down the mountain, they stealthily dated again and agreed upon a good idea: Tai Qing would place a boot in front of the mountain gate if his master was not at home; likewise Miao Zhen would place a shoe. One day, when they were together, their masters unexpectedly returned. Knowing they would be punished, the lovers pondered over their plight. Eventually, they decided that since they could not live together, they would rather choose to die together. Thus, they jumped into a cloud sea. They even did not have time to take back the boot and the shoe. As the days passed, the boot and the shoe turned into two rocks – ‘Celestial basking shoe’ and ‘Celestial basking boot’.

Tips:

1. You could reach the summit by walking up long stairs by yourself, but also can choose the cable car.

2. If you have large luggage, it is tooooo hard for you to walk up to the summit. You’d better hire a porter to help you to carry your bag. The porter will walk along with you.

3. It is a good idea to book your hotel on the mountain summit. But you’d better make the reservation in advance.

4. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Huangshan Jadeite Valley(Feicui Gu)

If you have more times, when you go down from Huangshan, you will have the interesting to travel around the area. Huangshan Jadeite Valley is a good choice. Have enjoyed the Huangshan’ stone the next let’s enjoy the water.

The Jadeite Valley scenic area is in Yellow Mountains’ eastern part and known as “the sweetheart valley”. The water source in the valley flows from the Liandan peak and the Shixin peak. The scenic area is 6,000 meter long for tourists viewing. There are hundreds of colorful pools in the canyon. 40 colorful pools area surpasses 100 square meters, with the biggest colorful pool area nearly 1,000 square meters. The colorful pools in Jadeite Valley vary in size, shape and clear water. It is multi-colored because of the colorful rocks at the bottom of the pond and the different depth of water. Ponds here include Dragon and Phoenix Pond, Colored Mirror Pond, Green Bead Pond, Jade Ring Pond, White Deer Pond, Thunderstorm Pond, Heaven Pond and Swan Pond. “Crouching tiger, hidden dragon” was filmed here. The Colored Mirror Pond is the place where Li Mubai and Yu Jiaolong fought. You get a cool feeling viewing the bamboo swinging from far.

Lushan National Park–Relaxing your whole body

ChinaJoy — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:47:21 +0000

Mount Lu (simplified Chinese: 庐山; traditional Chinese: 廬山; pinyin: Lúshān; also known as Mount Lushan) situated south of the city of Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, near Lake Poyang. Its highest point is the Dahanyang Peak (1.5 km above sea level). The mountain is a prominent tourist attraction, especially domestically.

Lushan owes its reputation to its wonderful, elegant, steep and spectacular features that embrace ravines, waterfalls, grottoes, rocks and rivulets. There are 12 main scenic areas, together with 37 attractions, over 900 cliff inscriptions, and over 300 steles. The major spots include Wulao Feng, Sandie Spring, Lulin Lake, Flower Path, Ruqin Lake, Jinxiu Valley, Xianren Dong and Donglin Temple, etc.

● The northwest slope is where Hui-yuan founded Pure Land Buddhism in 402, and features the Donglin Temple.

● Lushan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural) whereas Lushan Quaternary Glaciation National Geopark is a member of UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.

● The Lushan Botanical Gardens features tens of thousands of plant species.

● Below the Five Old Men Peak is the White Deer Grotto Academy, named after the poet Li Bo(Chinese: 李渤) (not to be confused with the famous poet Li Bai), who raised white deer there. It is amongst the oldest institutes of higher learning in ancient China. 1,436 meters (about 4,711feet) above sea level, is located in the southeast of Lushan. Its five parallel peaks once formed a single apex and standing on the top you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the distant mountains, trees, lakes, and a seemingly endless sky.

● West is the Flower Path which provided inspiration to Bai Juyi, a famous poet who lived during the Tang Dynasty.

● Between the Yangtze River and Lake Poyang lie the Greater and Lesser Tianchi Lakes, the Jingxiu Valley, and Lulin Lake. On the north bank of the latter is the Lushan Museum, which features pottery and bronzes dating from various periods of ancient China, as well as calligraphic works from the Tang Dynasty and paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

● At the centre (between three peaks), and at an altitude of over 1 kilometer above sea level, is the town of Guling( the name come from word Cooling), which is linked by a mountain highway to neighboring spots in the region. Gu Ling, located in the center of Lushan, is 1,164 meters (about 3,819 feet) above sea level with mountains on three sides and the valley on the other. The original name of Gu Ling was Guniu Ling, as it looks like a bull. Gu Ling Street is 1,167 meters (about 3,829 feet) long and it has a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants, bookshops, bars, coffee houses and dance halls that together form a town high in the sky. The Center Park in Gu Ling was built in 1954. After several reconstructions it now covers 10,000 square meters (about 11,960 square yards). In the park there is a large half moon shaped parterre in which stands a great stone bull that is the symbol of Gu Ling. He is two meters (about seven feet) in height and four meters (about 13 feet) in length. The base of the bull bears character ‘Gu Ling’. Meandering pathways, fragrant flowers, flourishing trees and a pavilion all add to lively atmosphere of this delightful place.

● Sandie Spring lies below Wulao Feng. It drops through three craggy tiers with a fall of 155 meters (about 509 feet). The upper part is like snow falling down to the pond; the middle reach wanders and twists with splashing sprays dancing in the air; while the lower level resembles a jade dragon running in the pond. This is considered to be the best of the Lushan waterfalls. It is said that you are not a true visitor here if you miss Sandie Spring. However, it was not discovered until the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) due to its hidden position in a deep gully.

Tips:

● About the Weather and Temperature: Lushan belongs to subtropical area where the climate is moderate with ample rainfall. The average temperature in July is only 22.6C (about 72.7F). The Lushan Arboretum was built in 1934, and it is an important base for preserving flora of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is a good summer resort. The average temperature is about 22.6℃ at Gu Ling town in July. The best season is the summer, it’s a cooling world.

● Special foods: 石鸡（Shiji） is a kind of frog living between the stone. 石鱼（Shiyu），long about 30-40mm and living in the gorge streaming. 石耳(Shi er), a kind of mushroom grow in the rocks.

● Lodge: Easily to find hotel in Gu ling town or Mount Lu everywhere. Or you will be interesting in the various styles of architecture ranging from Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals to Byzantine structures, Japanese buildings, Islamic mosques and villas of 25 countries, all of which make Lushan a large-scale World Village.

Four Girls Mountains(Mt. Siguniangshan)-The Goddess on the Mountains in Southwestern China

ChinaJoy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:04:45 +0000

The Mt. Siguniangshan Scenic Area is an unspoiled wilderness park located in western Sichuan Province, near the town of Rilong in Aba Autonomous Prefecture. It’s 220 kilometers (about 136 miles) from Chengdu, and will take you about five or six hours to reach by bus. The main attraction of this scenic spot is unspoiled natural beauty. The unusual shapes of the mountain peaks are rarely seen anywhere else in the world. The blue sky, clouds and mist, snow peaks, ancient cypress forests, rushing waterfalls, and alpine meadows make this area a nature lovers dream. The biggest scenic area in Aba Autonomous Prefecture, Mt. Siguniangshan Scenic Area includes one mountain– Mt. Siguniangshan, and three valleys-Two-Bridge (Shuangqiao) Valley, Long-Peace (Changping) Valley, and Alpine-Lake (Haizi) Valley.

Mt. Siguniangshan consists of four adjacent mountain peaks. It got its unusual name from a local Tibetan legend that says the four peaks are the embodiments of four pretty girls. At 6,250 meters (about 20,500 feet), the highest peak of Mt. Siguniangshan, known as "the little girl" is also called the ‘Queen Peak’ of Mt. Shu Shan in the Hengduan range. There is a higher ‘King Peak’ in Sichuan province but it is not in this area.

Mt. Siguniangshan is famed for its steep and imposing ridges. The high meadows are gorgeous throughout the four seasons. Hundreds of wildflowers burst forth in spring, giving way to luxuriant green trees and grass in summer. In the fall, the leaves on the trees blaze in color heralding the coming snows of winter. Because of the clear, blue sky, the thick forest at the foot of the mountains, the verdant grassland, and the murmuring streams, Siguniangshan is sometimes known as the ‘Alps of the Orient’. You may, in fact, think you are in southern Europe.

Two-Bridge (Shuangqiao) Valley

Two-Bridge (Shuangqiao) Valley is the most easily accessible valley with vistas of snowy peaks, pastures, grassland and forests. It is the most beautiful valley of Mt. Siguniangshan. With three sections covering an area of 216.6 square kilometers (about 83.6 square miles), the whole valley is accessible by tour bus. It’s the easiest and quickest way to see the valley because of the amount of distance and the ruggedness of the terrain. People visit this valley primarily for convenient nature sightseeing.

The first section contains some unique sights including Willow (Yangliu) Bridge, Yinyang Valley, the White Poplar Zone, Sun-Moon Mirror Mountain (altitude15, 747 feet) and Five Colors (Wuse) Mountain (altitude14, 673 feet). Yinyang Valley extends 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles), and occupies the area near the entrance to Willow (Yangliu) Bridge. Out of the narrow ravine and steep cliffs a brook flows quietly. Entering the valley, the bright sunshine is suddenly disappears. If you raise your head and look up, you can only see a sliver of sky. Sun-Moon Mirror (Riyue Baojing) Mountain stands next to Five Colors (Wuse) Mountain. A huge rectangular boulder split in two on the snow-capped mountaintop looks like two bright mirrors hanging over the horizon. Five Color (Wuse) Mountain is the most spectacular sight in Two-Bridge (Shuangqiao) Valley. The mountain is made from five colors of rock: red, yellow, green, blue and white.

In the middle section is the Driven fish (Nianyuba) plank road built along a cliff and the Shaji woods (Lin). Shaji is a small golden fruit, which is called the ‘King of vitamin C’.

In the last section are marvelous rock sculptures carved naturally by the wind. You can see wonderful shapes resembling an ape, a hunter, or a hawk beak. More than ten snowcapped mountains above 4,000 meters (about13, 122 feet), make the area a favorite with climbers.

Long-Peace (Changping) Valley

Long-Peace (Changping) Valley is long with gently sloping sides. In this valley, visitors enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Long-Peace (Changping) Valley is the favorite valley for tourists, because you can really get involved with nature. The old cypress path, the Lama Temple, the dry lakes and the waterfalls are peaceful and secluded. Hikers can easily reach Withered-trees (Kushu) Shoal via a plank road built into the cliff. But if you are yearning for the true beauty of Long-Peace (Changping) Valley. You must take a tour on horseback.

The valley floor is well protected by thick forest. Old cypresses, green pines, and firs blot out the sky and the sun. Beyond the forest, a sun-drenched alpine meadow lying at the foot of the mountain catches your eye. When you reach the foot of Mt. Siguniangshan, pitch your tent, and enjoy mutton roasted on an open fire, you will taste the true favor of nature. How delicious! Exploring Long-Peace (Changping) Valley requires a whole day, and there are no restaurants, so you must bring your own food and supplies into the valley with you.

Alpine-Lake (Haizi) Valley

Alpine-Lake (Haizi) Valley is named after the numerous alpine lakes it contains, including Flower Alpine-lake (Haizi), White Alpine-Lake (Haizi), Blue Alpine-Lake (Haizi) and Yellow Alpine-Lake (Haizi). One of the lakes, Flower Alpine-Lake (Haizi), was formed by glacial seepage during the 4th century. Visiting this valley is for people who have experience in mountaineering and exploration. You must take a tour on horseback.The beautiful surrounding mountains are reflected in the lakes where the non-squama Yunguyu (a type of primitive fish), the living fossil of this land, can still be found. It is interesting that the boulders scattered along the lakes, look like swan eggs from a distance. Most of the lakes are 4,200 meters (about 13,650 feet) above sea level, so only a few tourists have visited them. But the few who have say that their beauty is staggering. If you are a true lover of wilderness, Alpine-Lake (Haizi) Valley is definitely worth a visit.

The Mt. Siguniangshan Scenic Area is a mystical and beautiful land. Ancient, simple, unspoiled mountains and water, and the special sights of three valleys in different seasons all attract you here to enjoy nature.

Tips:
a) Bring anti-altitude-reaction medicine.Mt. Siguniang belongs to the high altitude area, the altitude of Rilong is about 3200m, part of the people will have different reaction for the altitude sickness, you are suggested not to do violent exercises, drink more water, eat more vegetable and fruits. Prepare some common medicine such as vitamin E and antihistamine. The elder and weak consult the doctor before traveling to Mt. Siguniang, the people who have got high blood pressure, heart disease and coronary heart disease should be careful to travel in this area.

b) The daily temperature differnce is amazing, please bring enough clothes for the cold morning and night. The sunlight and ultraviolet are strong, sunglasses, a hat, and sunburning cream should be at hand.

c) Be sure to have proper mountaineering water-proof boots as, otherwise, hiking might prove quite difficult. In summer sports wears are usually proved to be unnecessary, for other seasons, proper mountaineering equipment will play an important role during your traveling in the valleys.

d) All the hotels and restaurants are in Rilong, so bring a tent and food with you if you want to spend the night in the valleys.

e) The best months are May,June, September and October

f) Becareful when riding on the horse at the scenic spots,choose the suitable horse and saddle, follow the grooms instuctions.

g) Since all the hotels and restaurants are situated in Rilong town, you’d better bring a tent and some food with you if you have the willingness camping in the valleys.

h) There are many small innes opened by local people in Rilong town. Most have double room or room for more people.Some will supply Tibetan special food. Maybe you will have interesting to try.

Transportation: Coach leaves once a day from the Chengdu West Gate Bus Station (setting out at 6:30) or Chengdu New South Gate Bus Station (setting out at 7: 30) to Rilong Town.
Regular bus leaves from the Chengdu Chadianzi Passenger Transport Center four times a day (leaving at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 12:00) or the Dujiangyan Passenger Transport Center three times a day (leaving at 6:30, 10:00, 12:00) to Rilong Town.

Back ground information on Ice Climbing in Shuangqiaogou Siguniangshan.

Siguniangshan, oriental alps, is the best ice climbing area in China, Siguniangshan is the paradise of ice climbing in China, every year in winter, the state Ice Climbing team will practice ice climbing in Siguniangshan. In Siguniangshan Mountain, Shuangqiaogou Valley is the best valley for climber to climb ice, and Changpinggou Valley is the better one valley for climber to climb ice.

1, You must apply the permit to be there for climbing.
2, Best time to Ice Climb, Dec to Mar, and best place in Shuangqiao Valley, better in Changping Valley.
3, Usually about 10`C in day time in winter.
4, 120 of Ice Walls in Siguniangshan, and 60-70 of them in Shuangqiao Valley, from 60 to 500 meter in height; from 1 to 30meters in width; as well as from WI2 to WI7 M8.
5, Only about 5000meters mountains in Shuanqiao Valley, and 34Km for Shuangqiao Valley in length.
6, In general, the Ice Walls divided into 7 areas.
7, And 6 of Ice Walls for example as follow(name just for reference, not fixed till now)

A, Lower Nianyuba Ice Wall, about 60meters in height,WI4+: 1st scetion 30 meters, WI4+, Ice Pillar route, 2nd section 15meters, WI2, soft slope, 3rd section 15meters, WI3+–WI4. Sun light 09:00-11:00.

B, Renshenguoping Ice Wall, about 180meters in height. 1st section, 40M, WI3, 1-15meters in width, thin wall; 2nd, 60M, WI2, 20-40M in width, soft slope; 3rd, 60M, WI3; 4th, 20M, WI4+.

C, Upper Xueshan Laowu Ice Wall, winds hard, cold, 2 ice pillars from 60 to 70 meters in height. one on the left: 1st section about 20M, WI3; 2nd, 40M, WI4+. Another on the right: 1st, 30M, WI3, good ice; 2nd, 30M, WI4+.

D, Lower Xueshan Laowu Ice Wall, 500M in height, no sun light: 1st, 150M, WI2-WI3-, soft slope; 2nd, 50M, with both WI3+ (30M) and WI5(20M, ice pillar); 3rd, 200M, WI2-Wi3+.

E, Wuseshanzhuang Ice Wall (N31`02`47.0`, E102`47`13.3`, 3365M), 60M in height. 1st, 20M, WI2+; 2nd,40M, WI4-WI4+

F, Upper Nianyuba (N31`09`19.8”;E102`45`38.2”; 3633M),120M+ in height, WI3-WI4.

8, The difficult ice falls located at about Shaji Forest area, about WI6 and above.
9, The difficult ice wall as Bragon Breath with 320 meters in length with WI7 M8.
Above for your reference only.

The landform , animals and plants

The present landform is formed by following events:
a. The mountain movement in Mesozoic period.
b. The activities of volcano and glacier in Cenozoic period.
At present, a big hanging glacier and an ice floor are left. There are a lot of rock peak and lakes and marshes. This area is in the east part on the Trans Himalayas which is called the treasury of the gene, and can observe various plants. In summer, a lot of alpine plants make a beautiful flower bloom. There is a lot of medicinal herb, too. And a lot of animals live in.

Yellow Dragon Valley:Huanglong

ChinaJoy — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:20:34 +0000

Huanglong (simplified Chinese: 黄龙; traditional Chinese: 黃龍; pinyin: Huánglóng) is a scenic and historic interest area in Songpan County in the northwest part of Sichuan, China. It is located in the southern part of the Minshan mountain range, 150 km north-northwest of the capital Chengdu. This area is known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits, especially in Huanglonggou (Yellow Dragon Gully), as well as diverse forest ecosystems, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the Giant Panda and the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey. Huanglong was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area is famed for its outstanding travertine (calcium carbonate) formations. With the virgin forest as its backdrop, the travertine scenery holds colorful ponds, beaches, lakes, springs, waterfalls, caves, etc. The travertine formations scenery is No.1 in China.

Upon entering the scenic area, a group of exquisite, crystal clear ponds will immediately catch your eyes with their unparalleled and esthetic charm. These are the Yingbin (welcoming guests) Colored Ponds. In spring, the luxuriant trees, blooming flowers, butterflies and birdsong enhance their glamour even more. From the ponds, you can see the interwoven reflection of trees, mountains, clouds and sky, which is a veritable feast to the eyes.

Along the valley, you will see many attractions including Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall), Xishen (washing body) Cave, Penjing (miniascape) Ponds, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, Shitazhenhai and Zhuanhua (whirling flower) Pond, etc.

In the Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, there are three sitting Buddha figures whose bodies are encrusted with calc-sinter crystals. In winter, ice forest, bamboo shoots and waterfalls, etc, form a magical icy scene. Shitazhenhai is the most beautiful attraction in Huanglong. The calcium carbonate deposits give a myriad of different hues to the water, which is truly breath-taking. Zhuanhua Pond is crystal clear and the spring water never stops welling up. If you throw flowers or leaves into the pond, they will swirl rhythmically with flow of the water.

Huanglong’s beauty is beyond mere words, you need see it in person to truly appreciate this ‘Fairy Land on Earth’.

Tips: ●The average temperature is around 7C all the year round. It is misty in the morning and evening and rainy from May to August.
●Transportation there is very good and there are many routes for you to choose from, including for example,

Chengdu-Mianyang-Jiangyou-Pingwu-Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong
Chengdu-Dujiangyan-Wenchuan-Maoxian-Songpan-Huanglong
Chengdu-Guangyuan-Zhaohua-Wenxian-Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong
Chengdu-Guangyuan-Zhaohua-Wenxian-Jiuzhaigou-Muni Valley.
●With good telecommunications facilities, mobile phones can be used there. There are also public payphones and internet cafes that bring you even more convenient means for communication.

●Huanglong valley belongs to tableland when you climb the valley please pay attention the high altitude reaction.

Colorful Fairy Tale World:Jiuzhaigou

ChinaJoy — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:07:34 +0000

In the end of Sep. 2005, I went to Sichuan with friends for a 8 days wonderful travel. Now I will first introduce some information about it.

Sichuan, home of the Giant Pandas, is located in southwestern China and is known as the "Land of Abundance". Sichuan’s beautiful landscapes and rich historic relics have made the province a major centre for tourism. The Jiuzhaigou is listed among the "World Legacies of Nature" by the United Nations.

Jiuzhaigou Valley (simplified Chinese: 九寨沟; traditional Chinese: 九寨溝; pinyin: Jiǔzhàigōu; lit. "Valley of Nine Villages"; Tibetan: Sicadêgu) is a nature reserve in northern Sichuan province of China. It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It belongs to the category V (Protected Landscape)in the IUCN system of protected area categorization.

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.

Before introducing the scenery of Jiuzhaigou please first let me tell you a legend about 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 is composed of three valleys arranged in a Y shape. The Rize and Zechawa gullies flow from the south and meet at the centre of the site where the form the Shuzheng gully, flowing north to the mouth of the valley. The mountainous watersheds of these gullies are lined with 55 km of roads for shuttle buses, as well as boardwalks and small pavilions. The boardwalks are typically located on the opposite side of the lakes from the road, shielding them from disturbance by passing buses.

Most visitors will first take the shuttle bus to the end of Rize and/or Shuzheng gully, then make their way back downhill by foot on the boardwalks, taking the bus instead when the next site is too distant. Here is a summary of the sites found in each of the gullies.

Rize Valley

The Primeval Forest (原始森林 Yuánshǐ Sēnlín) is a preserved ancient woodland. It is fronted by spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and cliffs, including the 500 m high blade-shaped Sword Rock (剑岩 Jiàn Yán). 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.

Swan Lake (天鹅海, Tiān’é Hǎi) is a 2250 m long, 125 m wide picturesque lake named for its visiting swans and ducks.

Grass Lake (草海, Cǎo Hǎi) is a shallow lake covered in intricate vegetation patterns.

Arrow Bamboo Lake (箭竹海, Jiànzhú Hǎi), covering an area of 170,000 m², is a shallow lake with a depth of 6 m. It lies at an elevation of 2,618 m, and was a main feature site for the 2002 Chinese film Hero.

Panda Lake (熊猫海, Xióngmāo Hǎi) features curious color patterns of blue and green. It empties into the multi-stream, multi-level Panda Waterfalls, dropping 78m in 3 steps. 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.

Five Flower Lake (五花海, Wǔhuā Hǎi) is a shallow multi-colored lake whose bottom is criss-crossed by ancient fallen tree trunks. 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.

Pearl Shoal (珍珠滩, Zhēnzhū Tān) is a wide, gently sloping area of active calcareous tufa deposition covered in a thin sheet of flowing water. It empties into the famous Pearl Waterfalls, where the shoal drops 28 m in a 310 m wide broad curtain of water. A scene of the television adaptation of Journey to the West was filmed there.

Mirror Lake (镜海, Jìng Hǎi) is another quiet lake casting beautiful reflections of the surroundings when the water is calm. 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.

Zechawa Gully

The Zechawa Gully (则查洼沟, Zécháwā Gōu) is the south-eastern branch of Jiuzhaigou. It is approximately the same length as Rize gully (18 km ) but climbs to a higher altitude (3150 m at the Long Lake). Going downhill from its highest point, it features the following sites:

Long Lake (长海, Cháng Hǎi) is the highest, largest and deepest lake in Jiuzhaigou, measuring 7.5 km in length and up to 103 m in depth. It reportedly has no outgoing waterways, getting its water from snowmelt and losing it from seepage. Local folklore features a monster in its depths. 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.

Five-Color Pond (五彩池, Wǔcǎi Chí) is one of the smallest but most spectacular bodies of water in Jiuzhaigou lakes. Despite its very modest dimensions and depth, it has a richly colored underwater landscape with some of the brightest and clearest waters in the area. 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.

The Seasonal Lakes (季节海, Jìjié Hǎi) are a series of 3 lakes (Lower, Middle and Upper) along the main road, that change from empty to full during each year. 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.

Shuzheng Gully

The Shuzheng Gully (树正沟, Shùzhèng Gōu) is the northern (main) branch of Jiuzhaigou. It ends after 14.5 km at the Y-shaped intersection of the three gullies.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. Going downhill from the intersection to the mouth of the valley, visitors encounter the following:

Nuorilang Falls (诺日朗瀑布, Nuòrìlǎng Pùbù), near the junction of the valleys, are 20 m high and 320 m wide. They are reportedly the widest highland waterfall in China, and one of the symbols of Jiuzhaigou.

Nuorilang Lakes (诺日朗群海, Nuòrìlǎng Qúnhǎi) and Shuzheng Lakes (树正群海 Shùzhèng Qúnhǎi) are stepped series of respectively 18 and 19 ribbon lakes formed by the passage of glaciers, then naturally dammed. Some of them have their own folkloric names, such as the Rhinoceros, Unknown, and Tiger lakes.

Shuzheng Waterfall(树正瀑布，Shùzhèng Pùbù)
Shuzheng Waterfall is the first waterfall you will encounter in the valley. It is 62 meters (about 203 feet) wide and 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. Though it is the smallest of the four main waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou Valley, it will bring heart quakes to first time visitors. The green forests surround nineteen lakes of different sizes and levels. The lake water in the upper reaches flows slowly along the shoal and is divided into countless streams by the groves in the lake. Then the streams join on the top of Shuzheng Waterfall and suddenly drop down to the lower lakes. The sprays fly in the air, creating an elegant screen.

Sleeping Dragon Lake (卧龙海, Wòlóng Hǎi) is one of the lower lakes in the area. With a depth of 20 m, it is notable for the clearly visible calcareous dyke running through it, whose shape has been compared to a dragon lying on the bottom.

Reed Lake (芦苇海, Lúwěi Hǎi) 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.

Double-Dragon Lake (双龙海，Shuanglong Hǎi)
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.

Rhinoceros Lake （犀牛海，Xiniu Hǎi） 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.

Others

The Zaru Gully (扎如沟, Zārú Gōu) is a smaller valley that runs southeast from the main Shuzheng gully; it begins at the Zaru Buddhist monastery and ends with the Red, Black, and Daling lakes.

The Fairy Pool (神仙池, Shénxiān Chí) lies 42 km west of Jiuzhaigou and features travertine pools very similar to those of the nearby Huanglong Natural Reserve.

How to Access to the site

Jiuzhaigou, compared to other high-traffic scenic spots in China, is notoriously difficult to access by land. Most tourists reach the valley by a 10 hour bus ride from Chengdu along the Minjiang River canyon, prone to frequent rockslides and mudslides that can add several hours to the trip. As of 2004, further delays were incurred by the construction of a new highway which, when completed, should greatly facilitate the journey. Since 2003, it has been possible fly from Chengdu or Chongqing to an airport on a 11311 ft. high mountain side near Songpan County, and then take an hour-long bus ride to Jiuzhaigou, or a two-hour bus ride to Huanglong. From 2006, there has been a daily flight to Xi’an. There is also a new helipad near the valley.

By bus
Chengdu Xinanmen and Cha Dianzi Stations have daily buses to Jiuzhaigou departing at around 8:00am [Y100~Y120]. The journey is about 460km and takes 10~12 hours with a few short stops on the way.

For Leaving, Jiutong Bus station has buses to Chengdu via Songpan at around 7:30am daily. Backpackers usually head for Songpan to catch connection traffic. [Y29 / 2 hrs]

If you want to visit Huanglong National Park(not recommended), buy a direct ticket to Huanglong, in case of shortage, travel to Chuanzhusi [a county between Jiuzhaigou and Songpan] , then get transferred to Huanglong.

Tips:
1. Bus schedule changes slightly from time to time. Highly recommend book your tickets in advance in case of shortage.
2. Try to avoid sleeper buses from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, as most passengers are local instead of travelers. As a result, the bus condition is horrible.

By air
Take a 40minutes flight from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport, which is 1.5 hrs away from Jiuzhaigou. Shuttles wait there for arrivals and leave when full. It takes much less time but is a very expensive way, full price for flight is Y980, best discount is 30% off, plus fuel, tax and shuttle, total is around Y1000.

When to go

Best time is in autumn between mid October and early November, when the valley is rich in color. Take about two days enough.

Lodging

No need to book in advance. Just get off the bus in Zhangzha Zhen, 5 minutes ahead of the destination, Jiutong Bus Station.

Legions of colorful Tibetan hostels along the riverside, Y25/bed or Y50/Rm,shared bath room and Chinese toilet. Standard hotel is Y60~Y100/Rm with attached bathroom.

Tips:
1. Don’t follow any one who tries to guide you to a hotel, some of them are middleman who earn commissions.
2. Some Tibetan villagers inside the Park run hostels sneakily, it’s not recommended to stay there, as it limits your choice of fun, unless you want to capture the 6:00am scene of the gully.
3. Avoid the hotels around the park, as they are usually more expensive. It costs only Y4~6 and 5 minutes for a taxi ride from the town to the gate of Jiuzhaigou Park.

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