Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong National Park

One of the highlights of Sichuan province, Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve offers a delicious combination of clear lakes, snow capped peaks and thick forest. It is a sanctuary for some of China’s rarest animals including Golden Monkeys and Giant Pandas. Accessible from either Chengdu or the closer Songpan, the reserve is understandably increasing in popularity. The spectacular alpine scenery of forested hills, cascading waterfalls and dazzling turquoise lakes is ideal walking terrain, and there are a number of Tibetan villages to explore in the area. Visit the Shuzheng and Zezawa Valleys; Pearl Sands and Shuzheng Waterfall; the Tibetan village of Shuzheng, and numerous picturesque lakes including Panda Lake, Long Lake, Rainbow Lake, Tiger Lake and Rhinoceros Lake. A visit to Jiuzhaigou is combined with the Huanglong National Park, around a 1 hour drive away. Here you can explore the valley studded with terraced coloured pools, waterfalls and mountain peaks.