Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty; truly world class, as reflected in its UNESCO listing as a World Heritage Site.
The main attractions are the crystal clear lakes which, because of a high mineral content, appear blue and green, and the waterfalls which separate the series of lakes down through the valley.
Actually, it would be more correct to say two valleys as the main area of the park is y-shaped. A shuttle bus service operates within the park for those who buy the relevant ticket; otherwise, there is a lot of walking.
A third valley, the Zharu Valley, is not open to the general public but it is possible to viist if booked on one of the eco-tourism options with the park authorities. A write-up of my 3-day trek is linked below. This also includes other eco-options that we were shown during the trip.
A related site, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) is nearby and easily combined in a short break from Chengdu.

www.jiuzhai.com/language/english/index.html
Google map: bit.ly/tjjG6X

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Longsheng translates as Dragon's Backbone and is an apt title for a ridge that has been carved over generations so that rice terraces cascade down its side for thousands of feet.
One of the best spots to see the terraces is at Ping'an. Many of the villagers have converted their homes into comfortable guesthouses and so it is easy to stay over for a night or two.
Those who wish to stay longer will find many options for hikes. A guide can add to the experience but is not essential.
Some maintain the best time to visit is during the spring just as the rice is about to be planted. The terraces are filled with water to aid the planting and this creates a series of mirror surfaces; a stunning sight often captured by professional photographers. It is just a pity that the weather in spring is less predictable and often overcast when the scene should be most dramatic.
I prefer colours to abstract effects and reckon that the best time to visit is during the Autumn. The rice harvest can start anytime from late September. The first week of October is a Public Holiday throughout China and most of the villagers are too busy with tourists to think about crops so little cutting takes place that week even if the rice is ready.
Rice turns a gorgeous yellow when ready, though this happens at different times across the slopes depending upon the light received. The greens and yellows of the rice are enhanced by typically blue skies, perhaps with the odd puff of white cloud. Other colours are to be found with the locals, Zhuang in Ping'an itself and Yao nearby.
To get there:
Longsheng is also the name of a town (not to be confused with the ridge) which is connected to Guilin by bus. Ping'an is located on a side spur with no direct public bus from Guilin so it is necessary to change at Heping. It is necessary to change again at the ticket office in the valley (entrance fee, 50 RMB per person) and pay for the shuttle service up the hill (another 10-20 RMB); ostensibly for safety ... but someone must be getting rich.

There is also a direct daily shuttle service from Yangshuo. This can be booked with any local travel service. For a premium you can choose to stay overnight and return the following evening.

Travel services in Guilin and Yangshuo can also arrange private transport which is not prohibitive if sharing. Certainly the extra flexibility with timings, and possibility to be dropped off at or picked up from the airport makes this an option worth considering.

www.liqinghotel.com/
china-journeys.com/Beyond_Guilin_Longsheng_Rice_Terraces.php

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The ruins at Jinsha were only discovered in 2001 and so the excavations and museum are a relatively new site not yet in many guidebooks.

The site is believed to be the sacrificial centre of the Shu Kingdom - a culture that remains an enigma. This site and the related one at Sanxingdui both show evidence of an advanced civilization yet there is no written record of this having any dealings with any other Chinese state.

The first hall covers one of the most productive excavation holes and is really interesting in that you are able to see some items in situ.

The second hall offers more of an explanation about the civilization and contains excellent displays of some truly incredible aretfacts. Pictures of some of these on the website below.

One of the highlights for us, and I'm sure for all family visitors, was the 4D cinema. The 3D film may be a little over-the-top in places but that extra dimension (elephants squirting water at you etc) made for hilarious and therefore unforgettable experience. How often can you say that about a museum?

www.jinshasitemuseum.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/34v9ztw

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An irrigation project doesn't sound exciting but this excursion from Chengdu is well worth the effort; I've been twice.

The project is more than two thousand years old but still working as designed. An artificial island divides the river flow in two with clever features to ensure that the proportions remain right whatever the water level.

A man-made channel then takes some of the flow away to irrigate a huge area that was previously unable to support agriculture.

The interest stems from the worship that surrounds the site and its main architect - Li Bing. There are plenty of temples and other more recent displays to ensure you understand just how really clever things are. The island wasn't just put anywhere; it is below a bend so that more of the silt goes to the fields and less to Chengdu's water supply.

Perhaps more importantly, Dujiangyan is not yet on the main tourist trail and so a visit here shows you something of the real China. Don't expect to see many other foreigners but do expect to have an interesting day out.

hubpages.com/hub/Dujiangyan-Daoism-In-Practice
Google map: tinyurl.com/3x5t2rc

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