Jiaju Tibetan Village Travel Guide

Jiaju Tibetan Village is known as one of the six most beautiful ancient villages in China. It is a Tibetan village locked in time with its beautiful architecture and serene lifestyle. Its name, Jiaju, means ‘a hundred families’. Recently, there are still many Tibetan families are living in the traditional houses in the small village. It is always the highlight of a Danba tour, during which you will not only enjoy the marvelous nature beauty, but also experience the unique culture of the local Tibetans in Sichuan.

Jiaju Tibetan Village - The Most Beautiful Ancient Village in China

Highlights of Jiaju Tibetan Village

The featured Tibetan houses are the most iconic part of the villages. The red, white, and crown shaped roofs are peppered in close clusters in the village. All the houses are usually two or three storied and adorn paintings of sun, moon, and other symbols on their walls. The inside of the houses like walls, cupboards, and beds are also adorned with colorful patterns of trees, flowers, gardens, lotuses, mountains, and Lamas. Located in the sunny slope of the mountains, people of Jiaju mostly work in farms and orchards.

The red, white, and crown shaped roofs are peppered in close clusters in the village.

Where is Jiaju Tibetan Village?

Located at an altitude of 2200m, Jiaju Tibetan Village is located 8km from Danba County. Danba is located in western Sichuan and almost towards the edge of southeastern part of Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Jiaju Village occupies an area of about 1,200 acres and more than 150 families reside here. From Danba County it takes about an hour to reach Jiaju and from Chengdu it takes about ten hours. Although the altitude is not very high, the sun might be just a little harsh.

Get to Jiaju Tibetan Village from Chengdu

There are two direct buses from Chandianzi Bus Station in Chengdu to Danba County every day, at 6:30 am and 7:00am. The bus travel takes about 7 to 8 hours, but due to moderate road conditions it might take extra couple of hours to reach Danba.

Chandianzi Bus Station

From Danba you can take a local van or hire a car to get to Jiaju. It takes less than hour to reach Jiaju and costs about CNY 60-70 if you are hiring a car. You can also take a bus from Kangding to Danba County, there are two buses everyday at 6:30 am and 2:30 pm. It takes only 4-5 hours from Kangding.

The Best Time to Visit Jiaju Tibetan Village

The best time to visit Jiaju Tibetan village is during spring and autumn. The leaves turn red in the slopes of the village during autumn which beautifies the scenery and creates a palette of red-orange hues along with the houses. The village has abundance of peach and pear flowers all around. On a good day you can even just pluck a couple of pears and have them. During winter the village shows a different side of its beauty. The whole village looks like it is cloaked under a white blanket. The snow settled in the crown shaped roofs and the fresh white paints on the walls makes the view all the more beautiful. If you happen to visit during to visit the village during Jiarong Tibetan New Year or Danba Folks Festival you can see a lot of authentic traditional activities of the villagers.

The leaves turn red in the slopes of the village during autumn.

Accommodations in Jiaju Tibetan Village

There are a lot of small guesthouses and home stays in Jiaju Tibetan Village. You can also stay in the houses of locals, they are friendly and welcoming. Any basic accommodation includes two meals along with basic amenities. The produces used for cooking are usually home grown fresh vegetable mostly from their backyard. Only breakfast and dinner will be provided. With prior notice and for extra money you can arrange bon fire parties and get a fully cooked sheep for meal. The cost of entry for Jiaju Village is CNY 30- 50 per day. By living, eating meals, and conversing with the locals you can get a little insight into their way of living, culture, and customs.

Recommended Sichuan Tours to Jiaju Tibetan Village

A trip to Danba, where Jiaju Tibetan Village is, is always included in a trip to the western Sichuan, such as a Daocheng Yading tour from Chengdu, or a popular tour from Chengdu to Mount Siguniang. Staying for one night in this lovely Tibetan village is highly recommended for you to explore the special Tibetan culture in this area.

Hiking along the nearby villages and valleys of Danba town.

Furthermore, if you have much more time, and want an in-depth trip in this village, you can take a local hiking tour along the nearby villages and valleys of Danba town. Some of the attractions near Jiaju Village are Zhonglu Town, Suopo Watchtowers, and Beauty Valley. Zhonglu Town is 20 minutes from Danba. It is much quieter than Jiaju but very similar to it. Although Zhonglu is very close to Jiaju but sees very less footfalls compared to Zhonglu mostly because of its location. Zhonglu is located on a hill top opposite to Jiaju and requires a little bit of up hike. The entry into the village is free. There are 3 observational decks in Zhonglu where you can take breathtaking panoramic shots of the surrounding villages and hills. Suopo town famous for its many watchtowers is just 3 km from Danba County. The Tibetan villages in Danba are collectively called as Beauty Valley because of the beautiful women who still wear their ethnic long red robes and headdress.

The sample route of a hiking tour around Jiaju Tibetan Village is as below:
Jiaju-Kaqia Tibetan Village- Zhuanbo Towers-Majia Village- Niexia Township

It takes just 4-5 hours to hike this route. The scenery along the way is simply lovely and beautiful. It is important that you have a local guide with you as it is easy to get lost on the way. To experience authentic Tibetan experiences in Sichuan Danba villages are the place to go. In fact many call Jiaju and Zhonglu as model villages of authentic, old Tibet. Visiting these villages is hassle free, relaxing, and a feast to eyes.