5 June 2009
World Environment Day:
Jiuzhai Valley National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be supporting UNEP World Environment Day on June 5th. The theme of this year’s World Environment Day – “Your planet needs you” – is meant to inspire all of us to do our part.
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1 June 2009
Children’s Day:
June the 1st is International Children’s day and on that day all children under the age of 14 will enjoy free admission to Jiuzhai Valley National Park.
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12 May 2009
The busiest day in the history of Jiuzhai Valley National Park.:
A big thank you to all the friends and guests who came to Jiuzhai Valley on the 12th of May 2009. It was the busiest day in the history of Jiuzhai Valley and provided a much needed boost to the local economy.
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12 May 2009
Earthquake anniversary ceremony:
To cememorate the devestating Sichuan earthquake and those who lost their lives, Jiuzhai Valley will offer free entry to everybody on May 12th 2009.
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Spring 2009 Update
Spring time has arrived in Jiuzhai Valley and so the park’s opening hour’s will be 7am – 6:30pm from May 1st.
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1 April 2009
2nd day ticket from April 1st 2009:
From April 1st until June 30th 2009 your entry ticket is valid for two days (bus ticket is valid for one day).
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Eco-Tourism 2009
Eco-tourism, including hiking and camping is close to being opened in the park for the first time this year.
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1 March 2009
Jiuzhai Valley in the March ‘09 issue of the National Geographic Magazine.
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Park Information

Eco-tourism

Zharu valley is currently being prepared for eco-tourism. Hiking and camping will be available from spring/summer 2009. The main hiking route will be a 2-3 day hike around the 4,528m sacred Zha Yi Zha Ga Mountain.

It will not be possible to hike without a guide and tourists will be assigned a guide on entry to Zharu Valley.

Zharu valley

Zharu Valley is a steep sided limestone and granite valley inside the Jiuzhai Valley National Park. A clear blue stream runs down its centre, with its numerous tributaries winding down through thick pine and fir forests from the surrounding mountains on both sides of the valley. From the peak of the sacred Zha Yi Zha Ga (the name of the Tibetan king of all mountains) Mountain to the valley entrance, the altitude ranges from 2,026m to 4,528m. One of Jiuzhai Valley’s original nine Tibetan villages, Re Xi, is nestled beneath the mountains only a few kilometres into the valley. A majestic Buddhist temple guards the valley entrance like a sentinel.

Although home to spectacular scenery, Zharu’s principle appeal is its rich biodiversity, which until now has been undiscovered by the many tourists who explore the other valleys of the park. Thus the diverse and pristine environment, a rare treasure of China, lays untouched and awaiting exploration.

The plant life of Zharu includes 40% of the total number of the plant species that exist in the whole of China. The rich forests and mountains of Zharu Valley are also home to 63 mammals, including the Sichuan golden monkey, Sichuan takin, giant panda, red panda, leopard cat, black bear, musk deer, blue sheep, wolves and the rare Duke of Bedford’s vole. All of Jiuzhai Valley’s bird species are present in Zharu which creates a paradise for bird-lovers. The activities that will be initially available will appeal to any nature lover and include hiking and camping along interpretive trails.

Although Zharu Valley does not contain lakes and waterfalls of the regularity, size and intensity of colour as the other valleys of the park, there are numerous walking trails through deep forest which offer a completely different perspective of the park.

There are a total of 55km of trails in Zharu Valley which pass a number of sacred Tibetan sites, the old abandoned village of Guo Du and other long-abandoned villages. The main 2-3 day hike around the sacred Zha Yi Zha Ga Mountain (which devout Benbo Tibetan pilgrims who come from far and wide do on the 15th day of the lunar month) offers spectacular views and featurs an array of flora and fauna, is a challenging and at times steep route that will bring you to altitudes of over 4,100m.

The local guides who will accompany you and the local villagers, will help you to share in and, above all, experience traditional Tibetan culture and hospitality.

The biodiversity of Zharu is a rare treasure in China that presents exciting opportunities for enjoyment and exploration.

At the moment Zharu Valley ecotourism is still in its infacny so facilities are limited. Visitors who have an appreciation for exploring such pristine and diverse environments now have the chance to visit and experience these natural wonders during their visit to Jiuzhai Valley National park. For further information please contact us.