Hi!
Can't get any current info on hiking in Jiuhaigou Nat Park
above Chengdu. Has anyone been there?????? Thanks!
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What would you like to know?
I'd also like to know everything about it, most importantly
what's not in the LP guidebook that you think would be
helpful.
I was in Jiuzhaigou a year ago. The park was full of
tourists but mainly Chines. We spent the first night in a
hotel outside the park which was very reasonable. In the
morning we left most of our stuff in the hotel and entered
the park. The entrance fee was 128RMB, as far as I recall,
which included two nights in a very basic hotel inside the
park. Although there were at least three hotels inside the
park, it was quite difficult to found a place to eat. It
seems that there is a permanent shortage of ingredients
there so bring some supply of your own. We hitch to our
hotel (inside the park) with a local tourist bus. They
offered us a ride and were very happy and enthusiastic to
talk with foreigners. We deposited our stuff at hotel and
then we were free to explore the park. However, the essence
of trekking in China is different form the convention
westerns have regarding to trekking. The major paths are
paved and you'll see buses and taxis along the route.
It is possible to obtain a sketched map of the park. The
path is in a shape of Y. The right branch is more
interesting and the lakes are more frequent there.
Although very touristic, it worth the two days of spending
there, surrounding by multi-colors lakes and steep slopes
with pine trees, as you can always found yourself a quiet
corner to sit down and enjoy the scenery.
The Chines have paved a new road from Chengdu so the ride
was smooth and pleasant. It took us 12 hours to go there
but interestingly just 9 hour to return (with a wrecked
bus).
E-mail me if you have further questions.
Hi!
Thanks for the above information. The idea of paved paths
is amazing. What we want to do is go back from the paths
and go hiking and camping for 3-4 days. Is this possible?
Is the scenery worth it? Are there other areas nearby for
hiking & camping(totally self sufficient) you would
recommend? Thanks so much for your reply!!!!!! We look
forward to hearing froim you!
I am not quite sure that it would be officially illegal to
trek there. However, it seems that once you go off the
official path no one would bother you. So, in case you are
self sufficient I guess it will be possible to hike there.
The scenery is definitely worth the hike. As far as I
recall, there is an interesting big colorfull lake south to
the park a few days hike from there. It worth to inquire
about it in Chengdu, Songpan or maybe in the park itself.
Just remember not to camp where the authorities can notice
you and you'll have no problems.
Cheers.
I haven't actually been there, but to my understanding the
Sichuan Provincial Government has now banned all vehicles
from entering and driving around the park. I imagine this
means there will be only a few official vehicles to ferry
tourists about. Yes, Izhar is right, paved paths and stone
steps up mountains are quite common in China. With regards
to camping, you would have to be very, very discreet about
it because I'm sure camping is 100% illegal in Jiuzhaigou;
authorities are dead-set on maintaining as much of the
natural beauty as possible in the face of the onslaught of
so many tourists. Don't even ask about it because you'll
draw attention to yourself and the answer will be a
resounding "no". The Songpan area, where you can take
guided horse treks and camp, might be an easier way to see
the stars from your sleeping bag.
Thanks for the above info! The challenge of camping in the
park sounds interesting, is it realistic that they won't
notice us. We are environmentally aware and self
sufficient, but we can't be invisible. Any other places
within a 200 mile radius that might be better? Can you
camp/hike without the horses at Songpan? Mahalo for any
more info!
So you are undeterred, even though you have been told it's totally illegal? Why is it illegal? To preserve and protect the park. From everybody except you is that it? "I'm environmentally aware" So you are unique right? Quite frankly, if you do go ahead and camp I hope they catch you and make an example of you, you selfish bastard/bastardess
So.....did that make you feel better? We were trying to get a feel for the park and area. We are used to camping in places which are "technically illegal" but we come and go without a trace. Your experience must be different or in well used camp spots that become trashed. A foreign country is a whole different deal. Lots of questions need to be asked to get a feel for an area. That's what we did. We've decided, of course, not to camp there. We'll find a more appropriate location. Wish I had enough time to sit around writing stupid put down shit to travelers.
Get a Life !!!!
..since you ask. Not because I let off steam but because you have decided not to flout the law.
As you probably know, there is very little regard shown in China generally for the natural environment, its usually given very low priority in the drive for development, both of indusrty and tourism. There seem to be very few restraints on pollution, construction, litter and the so called development of scenic areas. So when I see that laws have been formulated to protect the environment, I think thank God for that. It is reassuring to note that somebody somewhere is thinking about it.
So to hear a group of tourists glibly discussing how best to get round these laws quite frankly disgusts me. THEY APPLY TO YOU TOO, even if you don't drop litter or graffiti the trees. You represent the thin end of the wedge, and I can just see you discussing with your pals when you get home, yeah camping is illegal there, but you can get away with it, or maybe coming back on this site saying the same. So then there are 20 people doing it next year, and 100 the next, trampling through the undergrowth scaring the shit out of the wild animals etc.
Yes maybe I am on a very high horse, but you really got my gander up. And so maybe now you have decided not to do it, but reread the posts above and look at the context in which I wrote mine. I was responding to your "challenge sounds interesting, can we get away with it?" line, but now I'm talking about principles.
I'm saying, there are 1.2 billion people in China, so laws like this are necessary. Why not try and think on that rather than whether you will away with it or not, before you consider breaking them. In any case, when you visit a foreign country you are a guest, so you should bloody well do as you are told. You may not have the same rights and freedoms as you do at home, and you certainly don't have MORE rights and freedoms than the locals.