The Chinese Adventure 2014: Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong
Flying into the heart of China, Jiuzhaigou, was breathtaking! (and cold), leaving the big cities behind and seeing the rocky snow-capped mountains upon arrival I felt like I was in an entirely different place altogether! I had two days here the first day I visited the snow-clad mountains of Huanglong Valley and trekked all the way up to the famous Multi-colored Pond, after coming back down from the mountains I couldn’t find my taxi driver, the nice Malaysian people I was sharing the ride with and my luggage! about an hour later and all was sorted (was starting to get a bit worried for a bit until the drivers mysteriously turned up and Malaysian group started to appear out of the exit) and then it was a gruelling 3/4 hour taxi journey late into the night to the mega busy Jiuzhaigou, and more trouble with my accommodation and nowhere accepting visa cards but that’s another story… next day was spent in what can only be described as one of the most scenic places I’ve ever been to in my life “fullstop”. Needless to say I let the photo’s do the talking from this point…
Huanglong Valley
Taxi ride from Jiuzhaigou airport to Huanglong ValleyAfter haggling a price for a taxi I left straight from Jiuzhaigou airport to Huanglong along the winding mountain roads that became a sort of race track for the driver!Huanglong taxi stop: animal hides for saleHuanglong taxi stop: snowman I spottedHuanglong taxi stop: beads and some more hides for sale, or decoration?Eating some hot sweetcorn brought from a local seller with some friends from Malaysia who I shared a taxi withAfter the a brief stop off to admire the mountains and pay respects to Tibetan prayer flags I arrive at Huanglong National ParkThe cable car building at HuanglongMap of Huanglong. As you can see you catch a cable car up the mountain and make your own way downNice group of Malaysians I met at the airport ~ Trisny & crew!On the cable car heading up the Huanglong mountainsThis map of the area of Huanglong can be seen once you exit the cable car at the top of the mountains. Around 5,580 - 18,300 feet and spanning an area of 2.2 miles.Moss, snow and a wooden cabin roof - one of my favourite settings!The great snow-capped mountains of Huanglong as seen from the decking at the top of the cable car exitLooking out onto the spruce virgin forests of Huanglong, in the right corner you can see the Multi-colored Pond in the distanceA aerial view of Erdao Lake (containing the Multi-colored Pond) and Zhaga calcified waterfallMountain view inside the Huanglong ValleyMountain view inside the Huanglong ValleyLooking through the trees at the Multi-colored PondThe wooden decking walkways of Huanglong National ParkHuanglong Temple as seen from aboveStart of the Zhaga calcified waterfall which stretches for about 3 milesThe scenic views of Huanglong mountainsUmbrella's used for the original reasons!Sign for the Multi-colored Pond in Huanglong National parkThe Jade Colored Pond with the Middle Temple in the distance - you can just make out the dots of people walking along the walkway to the left of the templeThe Middle Temple, halfway along the 2.2 mile hike through the mountains of Huanglong National ParkThe Zhengyan Colored PondMulti-Colored Pond at the top of Huanglong ValleySign for the Wucai Five Colored Pond in Huanglong National ParkThought this was an interesting hat to snap!Multi-Colored Pond scenic view, note the Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags in the background and the Huanglong TempleViewing platform at the Multi-Colored PondThe facade of the Huanglong TempleLooking up the Zhaga Waterfall. The layered calcium carbonated deposit patterns give the appearance of a winding golden dragonThe Chinese crowds coming down from Huanglong's mountainsThe mystical Yingbin Colored Pond in Huanglong-National ParkFollowing the route down the Zhaga Waterfall to the bottom of Huanglong National ParkThis strange terrain is made of 'carbonic acid rock' which formed many years agoThe exit of Huanglong National Park, after hiking the 2.2 mile walk through the mountains I thought I was meeting the taxi drivers I had hired for the day...'Good Luck To You All' stone outside Huanglong Valley...but they weren't at the exit! after spending a few hours in this building at the exit of Huanglong trying to get some help they turned up to my relief! (they had my travel bag in the boot of the car)Himalayan 'Yaks' crossing the street - view from the taxi on the way to JiuzhaigouTibetan Buddhist Centre I saw on the way to Jiuzhaigou from Huanglong - after a long day of flying, hiking & taxi rides, the hectic traffic on this part of the journey was the icing on the cake so to speak!
Jiuzhaigou Photos
View from just outside the entrance to my hotel in Jiuzhaigou, ChinaView from just outside the entrance to my hotel in Jiuzhaigou, ChinaAs Jiuzhaigou is on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Paradise village had a very Tibetan feel about itThe small town I stayed in at Jiuzhaigou ValleyMy home for a few days, 'Paradise' village, JiuzhaigouOctober is holiday time for the Chinese as you can see from the endless traffic!Police table just outside Jiuzhaigou Natural ReserveAfter a long day of trains, planes & automobiles I finally arrive in the mountainous area of JiuzhaigouEntrance to the Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan PlateauTibetan styled building at the entrance of Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaSouvenir & tickets shop in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaSign outside the local restaurant in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe entrance to Jiuzhaigou ValleyThe 'Reed Lake' in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaLakes so clear that you could almost touch the vegetation under the waterOne of the lakes you visit as you enter Jiuzhaigou Natural ReserveMoss gently swaying of a tree by Reed Lake in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaPeople taking a break and sheltering from the sun, even though it's cold up here you can still catch some rays in the right placesLake & forest signs with heights above ground level in Jiuzhaigou Natural ReserveSome moss hanging of a tree, Autumn colours everywhereA dead tree lies in the coloured waterTree growing up around a stone!One of my fav's this, you'd think your looking a national park in America not China!The Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China. Not such as impressive drop as some of the others in the park but it has it own charm!I’ll let you just imagine the sound of the waterfalls here…The Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall set amongst the mountains in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaWalkways through the mountainsWater will always find a path to flow through...Watch your step'Rize Valley' in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe majority of the walking path in Jiuzhaigou National Park is laid out on wooden slats allowing water to rush underneath you - it's a wonderful experienceLooking out onto the vast expanse of Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaA Jagged mountain jut's out of the backgroundThe beautiful clear blue-green waters of Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaMind out for the falling mountain rocksThe wooden walkway that takes you around the lake of 'Rize Valley', Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaLooking out onto 'Rhinoceros Lake' in Shuzheng Valley, Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaAnother shot of the the wooden walkway that takes you around the lake of 'Rize Valley', Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe mirror like water of 'Rize Valley' in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaLooking out over the lake in 'Rize Valley' in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaTraversing the wooden decking path that covers the walking areas of multi-level Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe stunning multi-level Panda Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaOn the decking of Panda Waterfull - you can just imagine the sounds of those waterfulls!One of the Panda Waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou Valley, like the sun shining through the mist in this oneFuther on down the multi-level Panda Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaWalking along the beautiful wooden decking (notice how the water flows underneath it) that is set out throughout Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe beautiful and tranquil walking path in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaIt's all about the reflection in this photo, beautiful!'Mirror Lake' in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China'Mirror Lake' in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China. A great place for wedding photography!Now that’s a fancy umbrella.Wedding model posing in front of one of the many lakes of JiuzhaigouPreventing wildfires warning sign, Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaInformation sign on the Pearl Shoal waterfull in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe Pearl Shoal Waterfall, view from the topThe Pearl Shoal waterfull in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China. With a width of 533 ft and a drop of 130 ft, it's truly spectacular to seeClose up of the Pearl Shoal waterfull in Jiuzhaigou National Park, ChinaThe magnificent Pearl Shoal Waterfall!One of the many smaller waterfalls in the Rize Valley of JiuzhaigouFurther down the path from the Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall, the water still flows fast!Way up in the beautiful mountains of Jiuzhaigou.Nuorilang Waterfall, Jiuzhaigou Natural ReserveOn the decking of Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China. At 980 ft wide and with a drop of 65 ft it's quite a sight to see. Unfortunately this iconic waterfull has been reduced to mud after the earthquake of 2017One thing about being up in these mountains was the high altitude and cold, I didn't have the warmest clothing and at this point I had finished walking around the whole park - excuse the cheesy selfie here in front of the Nuorilang Waterfall ;)The Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China.Water continously flows through the mountains and the village of Jiuzhaigou, ChinaThe village of Jiuzhaigou at night. I particularly like the street lamp designs they have dotted around the areaOne of the more prestigious hotels they have in the village of Jiuzhaigou - and most probably very expensive indeedSome of the few shops and restaurants they have in the village of JiuzhaigouVillage street bbq in Jiuzhaigou. I'm not too sure what was roasting on the spit here though...On my last night in Jiuzhaigou, from my hotel balcony I noticed a fireworks display - nice way to end this memorable visit to such a beautiful place!
