Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, is an enchanted wonderland on Earth in the east of the planet. With its unmatched natural beauty and rich cultural legacy, this magnificent place has drawn many domestic and foreign visitors—including many Americans. The beauty of Jiuzhaigou strikes them all, and they wonder at the fact that it is a great gift for mankind and a miracle on earth.
The nine Tibetan villages scattered throughout the terrain not only reflect the legacy of centuries of Tibetans but also create a unique and beautiful tapestry of Tibetan culture from Jiuzhaigou. Apart from being a national 5A tourism destination, Jiuzhaigou is also a World Natural Heritage Site, a National Nature Reserve, a National Geopark, and a significant participant of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. With crystal clean Cui Lake, waterfalls like the Milky Way, vibrant autumnal woods, and towering snowy peaks, all of which taken together comprise Jiuzhaigou’s “six best” settings, the natural scenery here is among the best.
Though Jiuzhaigou’s cultural quirks are equally intriguing, its natural beauty is incomparable. From rare ethnic handicaps to valuable medicinal plants, Jiuzhaigou is replete in specialty items each with great cultural legacy and regional appeal.
Considered the greatest of all poria, Jiuzhai poria is one of Jiuzhaigou’s well-known specialties with great size, low density and high polysaccharide content. Its form resembling horse dung makes the locals usually refer to it as “horse shit ling”. Not only are local souvenir stores abound with this geographical indication protected product, but travellers also value it for its ability to strengthen immunity and help treat many diseases.
Not equally well-known is the Knife Dang, a unique ginseng family member grown in Zhong’anle Village, Anle Township, Jiuzhaigou County. The roots of Codonopsis pilosula are fat, soft and chewy, and they tonify the center of the body, therefore strengthening the spleen and helping the lungs. Not only was it a tribute throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, but modern individuals would find it wise to feed their bodies from this decision. Often simmered with Angelica and Astragalus, Knife Party is a wonderful and nouraging ingredient.
Visitors of Jiuzhaigou may also admire Qiang embroidery’s intangible cultural legacy. Geometric designs, strong lines and rich compositions define Qiang embroidery. Its masterpieces include yungyun shoes and embroidered waistbands. Furthermore worth purchasing are satchels, caps, and purses in Tibetan design. These ethnic handicrafts are available in a wide selection of stores at the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Gou, making them a wonderful choice for tourists to take home as gifts for friends and family.
Songbei is a delicacy of Songpan County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, although the Jiuzhaigou region is particularly famed for its Songbei. Among Chinese herbs, Songbei is a valued product because of its efficiency in removing dryness and moistening the lungs, resolving phlegm and easing coughing, and so alleviating. But Songbei is expensive, hence there are many of copycat products on the market; hence, you have to be very careful while making purchases.
Apart from a useful instrument, Tibetan knives have great artistic appraisal value. Designed on the sheath of the family name, animals, flowers and other designs, and even inlaid jewels, agate, making it a favorite tourist item and present. Tibetan knives, which are regulated knives, cannot be taken on trains or flights, nevertheless.
Another unique talent of Jiuzhaigou is ox horn combing. Made from ox horn, the combs stimulating the scalp and boosting blood circulation feel as warm as jade. Perfect as a keepsake or for your personal use, a decent cow horn comb costs 20 to 30 yuan at Jiuzhaigou’s picturesque locations.
Furthermore not to be missed is Jiuzhaigou’s yak meat jerky. Growing on the plateau, yak meat has a distinct taste. A wonderful present for friends and relatives, vacuum-packed yak meat is easy to carry and keep. Trying it first is advised to make sure the taste suits you.
Thangka is a distinctive kind of painting art in Tibetan culture, including many facets of Tibetan history, politics, culture, and society, hence known as the Tibetan “encyclopaedia.” Although they are costly, exquisite thangkas are a favorite souvenir and business present for visitors because of their special creative worth and memorial meaning.
Jiuzhaigou is not only full of unique goods but also features a lot of jewelry with strong Tibetan traits such Tibetan silver, jade and turquoise. Local clansmen hand-weave these jewelry pieces; the final goods are exquisite, mostly bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, and so on. To prevent being misled, nonetheless, you must have specific identifying abilities while buying the jewelry as the valuable items are rather expensive.
Apart from these cultural treasures, Jiuzhaigou’s morel mushrooms are really noteworthy. Growing in Jiuzhaigou County at 3000 meters above sea level, this type of fungus shaped like a sheep’s belly smells rich, delicate. Morel mushrooms are not only great but also help expand the stomach and strengthen the spleen, clear phlegm and control qi, so supporting the body.
Beautiful natural surroundings and rich cultural treasures in Jiuzhaigou make it a wonderful place drawing many visitors. It’s an amazing experience whether one is enjoying the cultural riches or exploring the natural surroundings. Jiuzhaigou is surely an amazing trip for American visitors, a great chance to interact with Tibetan culture and environment.
