The beauty of Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou is a relatively new name to Vietnamese people in recent years. However, this nature reserve is gradually becoming more well-known and has quickly become a desirable destination for many.
The name Jiuzhaigou means "nine Tibetan villages." This name originates from the fact that this scenic area is located in the Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northern Sichuan Province, China.
Jiuzhaigou is beautiful in all four seasons. In spring, vibrant peach blossoms adorn the primeval forest, their petals fluttering gently over the clear blue water. In summer, the clear blue sky reflects on the calm, mirror-like surface. In autumn, carpets of red and yellow leaves create a breathtaking natural landscape, and in winter, the white of the snow and the delicate blossoms drift in the tranquil afternoon, the reeds swaying in the cold wind.
People often visit Jiuzhaigou in late autumn, when the carpet of golden and red leaves is ablaze with color across the Sichuan landscape, and the crystal-clear lakes reflect the vast, azure autumn sky.
The Chinese have a saying: "Once you've been to Huangshan, you won't need to see any other mountains; once you've been to Jiuzhaigou, you won't need to see any other lakes." This is a somewhat exaggerated saying, but it also contains an acknowledgment and admiration for the Jiuzhaigou valley.
Jiuzhaigou, known as the "land of lakes and seas," boasts 108 lakes and ponds of varying sizes. The lakes are crystal clear and calm, reflecting like mirrors in a gorge stretching over 5 kilometers. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the turquoise waters create a fairytale-like landscape. The water in Jiuzhaigou is exceptionally clear and deep blue, allowing one to see to the bottom (30 meters below the surface), sparkling in the sunlight and adding to the enchanting and magical atmosphere of the surrounding area.Each lake has its own unique beauty and is naturally arranged into breathtaking landscapes, including Princess Lake.Lake Liu Mao, Lake Huo Hua, Lake Gui Jie, Lake Wu Hua, Lake Panda, Lake Jian Zhu… Panda Lake, 2587 meters long and 14 meters deep, is nestled beneath a lush green bamboo forest. Pandas are considered symbols of good fortune and are deeply cherished by the Tibetan people. The lake is bright and beautiful, like a mirror, clear as a panda cub's eyes, and a vibrant green like the bamboo leaves. In the gentle breeze, sunlight shimmers through the canopy, clouds drift lazily, and the verdant bamboo banks rustle and sing, the leaves whispering softly. Along the lake's edge, countless natural black stalactites and snow-white rocks lie scattered together, resembling playful little pandas.
Shuzheng Waterfall is the most magnificent of the 17 waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou. Passing through dense primeval forests, you'll occasionally hear the roar of breathtaking waterfalls, their white foam splashing, and see crystal-clear streams teeming with colorful fish. Amidst the forests that have turned a brilliant golden hue, you can venture deep into the woods, admiring the stunning natural scenery with its mirror-like lakes, lush green moss swaying in the water, and encountering numerous animals such as squirrels, rabbits, woodpeckers, and pandas frolicking in the forest. Some come to Jiuzhaigou captivated by the pristine and enchanting natural beauty, others by the vast bamboo forests swaying in the wind, and many seek out the beautiful lake that was featured in films like "Hero" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes."
Where love begins
At the end of September, after the busy preparations for their wedding, Thien An and Trung Dung, a young couple from the 80s generation, began their honeymoon. Having learned about Jiuzhaigou through photos shared by friends, the couple were captivated by the scenery and decided to have a romantic honeymoon there. They were accompanied by two other friends, who would both join them on sightseeing trips and act as their wedding photographers.
Area CgoodTcampCEuropeIt consists of three main valleys: Rize Gully and Zechawa Gully, running from the south, converging at the central point Shuzheng Gully.Right at the entrance to Jiuzhaigou, vehicles are readily available to pick up and drop off visitors. These convenient vehicles run continuously from 7 am until late at night for tourists visiting the area. The young couple chose the main destinations located in the famous Y-shaped area of Jiuzhaigou. The right branch of the Y-shape stretches out with prominent lakes such as Grass Lake, Swan Lake, Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, and Mirror Lake. On the clear, emerald-green water, couples stroll hand in hand along the dark wooden paths. The scenery on both sides of the lakes soothes even the most stoic soul. Along the lakeshores, ginkgo trees are adorned with vibrant yellow leaves, and red maple branches mingle against the endless blue sky. The sound of trickling water and footsteps rustling on fallen leaves fills the air. Occasionally, schools of fish dart about in the shimmering water. The lake's surface resembles a giant, crystal-clear mirror, reflecting the deep blue sky and the magical colors of autumn. The natural scenery compels passersby to stop and take in the breathtaking hues. Meanwhile, the left branch of the Y-shaped lake and the branch leading to the main gate feature a series of unique lakes. If you're lucky, you might even find yourself amidst a blanket of white snow when you reach Long Lake early in the morning while the mist still lingers.
Thien An and Trung Dung spent two days just wandering to the right side of the Y-shaped hill, where many of the most beautiful scenery in Jiuzhaigou is concentrated. They took stunning photos with the magnificent natural landscape as a backdrop. The pleasant weather with gentle sunshine greatly helped them in their search for wedding photoshoot locations. In Jiuzhaigou, the system of wooden walkways is always placed parallel to or surrounding the lakes. Therefore, instead of following the path most tourists choose (usually the one closest to the bus route), couples should try choosing paths further away, hidden in the forests during the autumn foliage season. What could be more wonderful than capturing fresh and unique images with your life partner? The outfits packed into two backpacks included a simple wedding dress, accessories such as hairpins, veil, bouquet, makeup, plus a few dresses and a traditional Vietnamese dress for the bride. The groom was more casual, wearing a suit and one or two shirts over it. Since the weather was starting to get colder, they brought warm jackets and light snacks, enough for the picnic.
In the evening, there were many performances of Tibetan music and dance. The powerful music, the joyful dances and songs, and the cozy evening together created a private time they shared. They spent the night in Jiuzhaigou, under the bright moonlight amidst the beautiful nature, in the simple and warm homes of the local people. After six days of sightseeing and relaxation in Jiuzhaigou, the young couple had a happy vacation together, and a new love blossomed between them.
Many paths lead to "Paradise on Earth".
In 1990, Jiuzhaigou was ranked by the China National Tourism Administration as the top destination among the 40 best tourist areas in China.In 1992, Jiuzhaigou wasUNESCOIt is a World Natural Heritage site. And in 1997, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area was included in the IUCN's list of the world's top 5 biodiversity conservation areas.
From Hanoi, you can take a bus to Nanning (Guangxi, China), then fly to Chengdu (Sichuan). From Chengdu, there are continuous daily buses carrying tourists to Jiuzhaigou, the "paradise on earth." If you want to shorten your travel time, you can take a 40-minute flight from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport and then take a bus for another 90km to Jiuzhaigou.
Another option is to take connecting flights from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur – Chengdu on flights operated by the budget airline Air Asia.
The entrance fee to Jiuzhaigou is approximately 270 RMB, which includes 80 RMB for the bus fare. International students receive a 50 RMB discount.
From November to March, during the cold winter months with fewer visitors, the ticket price drops to 160 RMB/ticket (including 80 RMB for the bus fare).
Tickets for the evening song and dance show cost around 180 RMB.
You can stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou in simple Tibetan houses at affordable prices.
From Chengdu, you can book tours to Jiuzhaigou at various travel agencies located in the city. Or you can design your own tour with a focus on the main attractions.
The best time of year to visit Jiuzhaigou is September and October, when the weather is not too cold, the sky is clear, the lake water is crystal clear, and the trees change color with the changing leaves.
If they have more time, couples can add other interesting destinations to their itinerary such as Huanglong National Park (about 100km from Jiuzhaigou), Leshan Giant Buddha (the world's largest seated Buddha statue), or Mount Emei (one of the four great sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism).
With a cost of around 8-10 million VND per person per trip, you can consider a honeymoon abroad or a week-long domestic vacation at a similar price.
Contact us for tours to Jiuzhaigou at:
Vietravel travel company
190 Pasteur Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Foreign tourism sector:
Tel: 08. 38228898
Text and photos: Phan Lê – Lam Linh
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