8 August 2008
Jiuzhai Valley and Northern Sichuan Tourism, Official Re-Opening:
Although Jiuzhai Valley or Huanglong National Parks in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of northern Sichuan did not experience any significant damage as a result of the May 12th earthquake, the national government restricted access to organised tourism to most of the northern Sichuan region. During this time Jiuzhai Valley and Huanglong National Parks continued to welcome tourists that travelled independently.
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1 September 2008
New Jiuzhai Valley National Park english language website:
Welcome to the new version of the Jiuzhai Valley National Park website, we are adding new content constently, so please check back again soon. We hope you enjoy it!

Park Information

History, culture and Religion

The total population of Jiuzhai Valley National Park is just over 1,000, comprising of over 110 families.

Although not officially discovered by the government until 1972, the earliest human activities have been recorded as dating back as early as to the Yin-Shang Period (16th - 11th Century B. C.)

The main villages that are readily accessible to tourists are He Ye, Shu Zheng and Ze Cha Wa along the main tourist routes, selling various handi-crafts, souvenirs and snacks. There is also Re Xi in the smaller Za Ru Valley and behind He Ye village are Jian Pan, Pan Ya and Ya Na villages. The Valley's no longer populated villages are Guo Du and Hei Jiao.

The main religion practiced by the locals is the pre-Buddhism Bon or Benbo-Sec religion. It was introduced to the Aba Prefecture in the 2nd century B.C. It was integrated with primitive local wizardry into the Benbo Sec and became dominant in the 6th Century. In the 7th century, Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to the region. Although through numerous conflicts Buddhism did become prevalent, the Benbo Sec religion has survived and developed into a special sec of Tibetan Buddhism due to its unique religious and cultural features. There are over 60 Benbo monasteries in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.

The Benbo and Tibetan Buddhists worship and make sacrifices to natural Gods. Stupas, prayer wheels (hollow cylinders that contain religious scriptures) and chorten can be seen throughout the park, evidence of the local belief that the soul is inherent in all things, including mountains. Prayer wheels are turned by hand as well as some that are turned by the water. One rotation of the prayer wheel equals 100 times of religious chanting.

Longda are pieces of cloth or paper with scriptures written on them. The cloths are usually what are referred to as prayer flags and the small pieces of paper are thrown in the air for the prayers to be set free in the winds.

Religious banners or “Geda” in Tibetan, for different purposes, vary in length from several to dozens of metres. These are blue, white, red, green and yellow each representing the sky, cloud, fire, water and land or wood gold, fire, water and soil according the five element theory. It is said that families of service men in the Tufan Period (Tang dynasty 617-907) hung them as army banners on their gates to honour the family. Later these army banners turned to be of religious implications, and were the integrated product of Mizong religious culture and that of central plains of China. The Jiuzhai Valley religious banner is an entegral combination of the fice-element throry and Mizong incantation, a proud creation of Tibetan Buddhism.

Food and Drink

Traditional food and drink is an important of Tibetan culture. In and around Jiuzhai Valley visitors will have the opportunity to sample many of these culinary delights. The most common drink that visitors to Tibetan houses / homestays will have is yak butter tea.

Yak Butter Tea:

This comes in various forms but is mainly comprised of water, tea, yak butter, barley, and salt or sugar. Depending on the type you may have to eat part of it with the chopsticks provided! Although many westerns are not used to the taste it is the experience that is important. As is the case in many parts of China, finishing the cup means that you are ready for more so if you don’t like it, don’t finish it!

Zanba:

This is a traditional Tibetan staple. It is prepared from barley flour as well as pea and oat powder. Tibetans will take this doughy type cake when going out to farm or hike for long periods. It is a convenient fast food full of energy which is particularly welcome in sparsely populated and food-scarce areas.

Qinke Barley Wine

Very common for big occasions and welcoming guests, Qinke barley wine is made by boiling washed barley, adding yeast and placing it in a ceramic jar.

Yak Meat

All types of yak meat from all parts of the yak are available in Jiuzhai Valley and other Tibetan areas. It can be cooked, dried, preserved, hot or cold. Served on its own or as part of a meal, this is the most popular meat in these parts.

Timeline of Jiuzhai Valley National Park:

1978: Part of the area was protected as a nature reserve after heavy logging which began in 1975. The State Council issued its approval document for the Report on Strengthening the Works of Conservation and Domestication of Giant Pandas, and the report on establishing the Nanping-Jiuzhai Valley Nature Reserve.

1982: The site was proposed as an area of Scenic Beauty and Historic Interest (National Park) by the State Council of the Chinese Government.

1984: Jiuzhai Valley National Park Administration Bureau was established.

1992: UNESCO experts concluded that Jiuzhai Valley “is an incredible place of great natural beauty. It meets the full standards and terms for the Natural Heritage” and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1994: The Chinese government named Jiuzhai Valley a state level Forest and Wildlife Nature Reserve and state level Nature Reserve.

1998: Jiuzhai Valley National Park was issued with the Man and Biosphere credential by UNESCO.

2002: Jiuzhai Valley National Park passed the authentication of the Green Globe 21.

Language:

People of Jiuzhai Valley are largely Tibetan and thus speak the Tibetan language. As the area is increasingly exposed to the outside world, middle-aged and younger people have began to speak mandarin. A few Tibetan words will be lots of fun on your way of tour.