We fly into Jiuzhaigou as the roads have been damaged by the earthquake. Jiuzhaigou main ethnic groups are the Qiang (ethnic Chinese) and the Tibetans. The living conditions are harsh at 3000 m altitude. Most food and vegetable need to be transported from Chengdu as there is virtually no agriculture except for potato.

Due to higher ratio of men, the Tibetan brothers may share one wife. Their wealth is mainly measured by their yaks headcount. They are hard workers and usually keep to themselves.

We visit a Tibetan house. Prayers are printed on a multitude of flags flapping in the wind. We are given a symbolic yellow scarf for good luck. Before entering their house, we pray and walk around a pile of rocks, then we must cross over the threshold step and fan the smoke into our face from a fire pit at the entrance.

Each flag features a different prayer and is changed regularly around the year.

Below:

In the courtyard, there are more prayer mills that can be turned clock wise for good luck...

The ladder leads to the chambers of unmarried Tibetan girls, only an approved suitor can climb those steps...

We join a Tibetan meal and are served yak tea.

During the meal,  the daughters and sons of the house entertain us with songs. We have to cheer, chant and stomp our feet.

Here the man has the seat of honor and is the leader.

The meal is simple due to scarcity of ingredients and is composed of plain potatoes, dried walnut flowers, black fungus stir fried with vegetable and boiled yak ribs. The plat de resistance is a pit roasted goat. We merrily drink yak tea and rice wine while chanting, cheering and stomping our feet...

The Tibetans are very spirited, cheerful and attractive looking.

The next evening, we attend a Tibetan dance show within walking distance from our hotel. It is a spectacular and colorful show. The Tibetan performers are dressed in beautiful and elaborate costumes, some of them are reminiscent of cowboy western outfits, although they are original Tibetan garb.

The show is quite entertaining with engaging dance and music, and Guido joins the stage.

Below is our hotel, the Jiuzhaigou Sheraton. It's quite luxurious and located in the mountainous area near the entrance of the Jiuzhaigou National Park.