The Seasons of Jiuzhaigou Valley - 1996 to 1998

If a picture paints a thousand words...say no more...need look no further than this bewitching landscapes of the four seasons.

Soaring at almost 4,800 metres above sea level in the Min Shan mountain range, stretching over 72,000 hectares deep into the valley, this fairyland is home to Nine Tibetan Villages, amazing unique wild life, floral and fauna... 

An explosion sea of colours of the numerous calcified pools, ribbon lakes...

Hiking in the valley each day, feasting my eyes on the beauty all around me  -- climbing up and down the slopes, the nooks and crannies; at times, following animal tracks...

Rare fish species in one of the numerous freezing calcified coloured lakes

The stunning vistas...

The Chang Hai (Long Lake) at an altitude of 3100 metres above sea level

The beautiful landscapes...

Pearl Shoal and Waterfall

Nuorilang Waterfall

Seasonal Lakes

Breathtaking landscapes...

Tibetan village

Bitterly cold winter scenery...

Zharu Monastery

The Journey

The unforgiving narrow mountain roads experiences had been most unpredictable. I had dreaded each journey in and out but then, all was quickly forgotten when the ever changing stunning landscapes unfolded.

Hazardous road condition. Landslides and mudflows were common. We had been extremely fortunate that we had not been stranded in any one of our journeys though...

On a couple of occasions, the vehicle skidded. We got off our vehicle, walking barefoot on the edge of narrow muddy road trying to avoid looking down the deep ravine on the other side. If I had missed my footing, it would had been free fall without safety harness.  

Midway Journey

Chengdu city is the only starting point to Juizhaigou Valley. Due to the long journey and hazardous road conditions, all travellers and tourists to Juizhaigou Valley had to make a stop for the night in one of the small towns in Wenchuan, Songpan or Maoxian. 

Accommodation was basic, without facilities. Otherwise, sleep in the car and catch your death of cold! 

Almost all food had had to be transported and delivered to the hotels, guesthouses and inns in Juizhaigou Valley from the farm villages in these towns.

Overnight in Maoxian -- Fort overlooking Diexi Lake



The Jiuzhaigou Valley (九寨沟) ever changing landscapes...

While soaking up the natural beauty of the crystal clear multi-coloured calcified pools and lakes and the surrounding vistas; I had often wondered what this fairyland was like way before it was first discovered? That perhaps, this was a Neverland -- the fairy playground? That perhaps, fairies had had came to bathe and frolic in the numerous beautiful pools, lakes, waterfalls playing with the wild birds and animals...

Over the years, development has made travelling to Jiuzhaigou Valley easily accessible. There are direct flights available and travel by road now takes over eight hours. However, with a dramatic increase in the numbers of visitors and having more luxurious hotels available in Jiuzhaigou Valley, there remain the challenge and concern of the impact on the environment although local authorities are working towards maintaining sustainable tourism.

to be continued...