Jiaju Tibetan Village

   Name in Chinese: 甲居藏寨  jiǎ jū zàng zhài  [dʒa: dʒu: dzæŋ dzai]

    Duration of Tour: Two Hours

    Location: Danba County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province

    Highlights: Tibetan Culture and Folk Custom

    Reputations: A National Four-star Scenic Area, One of the Top Six Beautiful Villages in China

    Located in Danba County, Jiaju is a typical traditional Tibetan village. It features traditional Gyarong Tibetan fortress-like houses and spectacular watchtowers. The village was listed as one of the six most beautiful villages in China by Chinese National Geography in 2005.

    Jiaju is a Tibetan word which means hundreds of households in English. There are over 140 households in the village. The villagers have completely maintained their tradition and folk custom. Even today, they still build their blockhouses in the traditional ways. The eaves and wooden parts of the houses are painted red, the walls above the second floor are plastered as white as snow with local white mud. The local people whitewash their houses once a year for celebrating their new year. The village is situated on a mountain slope, overlooking a valley. Jinchuan River flows through the valley. It looks like a white ribbon extending endlessly to the mountains. The red-roofed white houses are set off by the surrounding apple and pear groves. Jiaju Village is a place where humans and nature coexist harmoniously, is a place where visitors can explore the authentic Tibetan culture, tradition and folk custom.

    How to Get to Jiaju Tibetan Village

    Jiaju Village is located in the north of Danba County, 8 km(5 miles) away from the county seat. The county seat of Danba is about 1,800 meters(5,906 feet) above sea level. It serves as a stepping stone for the tour to higher destinations in western Sichuan. Danba County is about 325 km(202 miles) away from Chengdu. Visitors usually go to Danba after visiting the beautiful Siguniang Mountain.

    Travel Tips:

    How to Visit Jiaju Tibetan Village

    There are three viewing platforms in the village. Visitors usually drive to No.1 View Platform, then ride their cars to No.3 Viewing Platform and walk into the village. Afterwards, the drivers pick up their clients at the No.2 Viewing Platform, and drive to the town.

    Weather

    The temperature in Danba County ranges from 2℃(35.6°F) to 16℃(60.8°F) in spring,13℃(55.4°F) to 27℃(80.6°F) in summer, 17℃(46.4°F) to 29℃(62.6°F) in autumn and 5℃(41°F) to 18℃(64.4°F) in winter. The apple and pear trees bloom from the late March to the early April. The most ideal time to visit Danba is between September and October. Visitors should try to avoid going to the west part of Sichuan in the rainy season. The rainy season in Sichuan lasts from July to August.

    In the western Sichuan highlands, visitors should prepare warm coat and try to decrease the risk of catching a cold.

    Photography Tips:

    Photographers should try not to leave the village until the sunset hour. A tripod, a filter, telephoto lenses and wide angle lenses are needed.

    Recommended Tour:

    Twelve-Days West Sichuan Pure Land and Tibetan Culture Exploring Tour

    Related Articles:

    Siguniang Mountain

    Hailuogou Glacier

    Altitude Sickness

Author: Tina Luo

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