October 2011
Road from Chengdu to Jiuzhai Valley
The new "tunneltastic" road from chengdu (as described by the Lonely Planet China 2011) has not yet been completed and as of November 2011 the journey takes about 8 hours by bus in normal weather and traffic conditions. As work continues on the road and new tunnels and bridges continue to open it is claimed that times will be reduced by a number of hours.
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August 2011
Jiuzhai Valley Blogs in the New York Times:
The below blogs give an insight into some of the ongoing research by the Jiuzhai Valley science department. The blogs were written by Amanda Schmidt, an assistant professor of geology at Oberlin College, who was based in Jiuzhai Valley National Park's Sceince Department for 10 months during 2010.
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August 2010
Weather update:
Jiuzhai Valley National Park has experienced no affects of the bad weather that has devestated other parts of China during the summer. There have been no mudslides or landslides in the national park or the area outside of the park where visitors will stay. Click here for more information.
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5 June 2010
World Environment Day:
On the 5th of June we celebrated World Environment Day 2010. The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity and the theme of this year’s World Environment Day was “Many Species. One Planet. One Future.” It echoes the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet. A world without biodiversity is a very bleak prospect and this is something that we in Jiuzhai Valley National Park are very aware of.
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June 2010
Summer 2010 in Jiuzhai Valley:
Jiuzhai Valley National Park is open from 7am every morning. We advise you to enter the park as early as possible to get the most from your experience. It’s a great time of year to take part in one of our eco-toruism hikes. For more details click here.
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May 2010
Jiuzhai Valley featured on Tides of Time:
For the third consecutive year, UNESCO have partnered with the International Herlad Tribune and Jaeger-LeCoultre to raise awareness and funds for the preservation of endangered ecosystems. View the features on Jiuzhai Valley on UNESCO's website and on Jaeger LeCoultre's.
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17 May 2010
Zharu Eco-tourism on Reuters:
Hiking into the heart of Tibetan “Paradise”. Jack Li, our eco-tourism manager accompanied this journalist and her family into Zharu Valley in April. Read her account here.
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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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Science and Nature

Forest Cover

White bark spruce or Dragon Spruce - Picea asperata

A medium sized evergreen tree, ranging from 25 to 40m in height with a trunk diameter up to 1.5m. Picea asperata are found scattered on 2,600-3,700m belts. Because they are endemic to Sichuan province and are rare in number, they are a Class II state-protected species.

Sargent Spruce - Picea Brachytyla

An evergreen arbor as tall as 41m with a 1 m trunk diameter, tower shape, extended branches, Picea Brachytyla grows on a 2,000-2,800m belt and is one of the main sub-alpine coniferous species. Endemic to China, Picea brachytyla is a Class III state protected species.

Yew - Taxus chinensis or sumatrana

An evergreen shrub or tree, growing 5 to l5m tall, a trunk diameter 0.1 - 0.5m, grows at 1,600-2,400m in evergreen broad-leaved woods and broad-leaved and coniferous mixed woods. Endemic to China and with an oil content of over 60%, it is good for soap and refined lubricant production, it is also edible and used for anti-ascariasis. Because of its beautiful shape, it is an ornamental plant good for gardening.

Katsura Tree - Cercidiphyllum japonicum

A deciduous arbor, as tall as 40m, 3m trunk diameter. Grows on hillsides and valleys up to 1,800-2,000m. Cercidiphyllum japonicum is a Class- Ⅱ state-protected plant, the only species in the katsura family, and a surviving species from ancient times. It is a key species when studying plant zonation. In autumn, the leaves turn golden yellow. The katsura tree grows and regenerates fast, making it an excellent species for reforestation in mountainous regions.

Three-pointed Fir - Cephalotaxus fortunei

An arbor as tall as 20m and 40cm in the trunk diameter, usually grows in coniferous forests at an altitude of 1,000-3,000 meters. A number of plant alkaloids can be extracted from its leaves, twigs and seeds that are used for medicinal purposes.

Spur-leaf Ling Chun - Tetracentron sinense

A deciduous shrub or low arbor, growing to 2-l5 m tall. Usually growing on the banks of streams or at altitudes of 1,800-2,400 meters. A Class- III state-protected plant, it has only two species in the family, and is the sole surviving species of the genus Tetracentron. It is of scientific value in the study of the family Trochodendraceae, its evolution and the continuing debate as to which order Trochodendracea fits within. In early spring, it bursts into beautiful blossoms making it an ornamental plant.

Single leafed grass - Kingdonia uniflora

A perennial herb, without hair. 3-10 cm tall, usually grows below fir woods and azalea groves at an altitude of 2,500-3,500 meters, mixing with musci (true mosses) species. Endemic to China, it is a Class II state-protected species, the only one of the family, and an ancient surviving species. It can be used as an herbal medicine for muscle and bone aches. Its nutritious leaves branch out like a fork (two branches), similar to that of gymnosperms like gingko and other algae. The ground stalk has one leaf trace, different from that of other Ranunculus species. Studies of this plant will lead to discoveries in the evolution of angiosperms.

Chinese Sinofranchetia or Fruit Chain Rattan - Sinofranchetia chinensis

A hairless deciduous rattan, up to 10 meters tall grows in evergreen broad-leaved and deciduous forests at an altitude of 1,600-2,400 meters, and tends to climb and circle around tall arbors. Endemic to China, it has only one species, and is an ancient surviving species often studied due to the unique evolution of the Lardizabalaceae family. It’s branch and rattan fruits contain 6% sugar, its pulp looks white and is edible, the seeds contain 10-15% starch, and can be used in brewing liquor.

Also available are downloadable PDF lists of:

Jiuzhai Valley Fern Species

Jiuzhai Valley Fungi Species

Jiuzhai Valley Cyanobacteria Algae Species