Jiuzhaigou

Synopsis

Jiuzhaigou is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, renowned for its five wonders: emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, and Tibetan culture. Water is the soul of Jiuzhaigou, with its 108 lakes displaying sapphire-like hues. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 1992 and is acclaimed as a fairy-tale world and a paradise on earth.

Overview

Jiuzhaigou is located in Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on the northeastern side of Gonggan Ridge in the southern section of the Minshan Mountains. It is one of China's most renowned natural scenic areas. Jiuzhaigou is famous worldwide for its Five Unique Wonders: emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, and Tibetan culture. The most astonishing among these are the alpine lakes (known as "Haizi") that display sapphire-like colors. There are a total of 108 large and small lakes in Jiuzhaigou, each with its own unique color and charm. In 1992, Jiuzhaigou was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List and is hailed as a "fairy tale world" and an "earthly paradise."

The name Jiuzhaigou originates from the nine Tibetan villages within the valley. The area has an elevation ranging from 2,000 to 3,100 meters and features a high mountain gorge topography, with over 85% of its area covered by pristine forests. The water of Jiuzhaigou is its greatest attraction—the lakes display incredible shades of blue and green due to the high concentration of calcium carbonate deposits in the water, which refract sunlight to create dreamlike colors.

Main Attractions

The Beauty of the Five Wonders

Emerald Lakes are the core landscape of Jiuzhaigou. Five-Flower Lake is the most beautiful lake in Jiuzhaigou. The lakebed contains travertine deposits and algae of various colors, causing the water to display a dazzling array of hues like light yellow, dark green, deep blue, and navy blue under sunlight. Although the Five-Color Pond is the smallest in area, its colors are the most intense, resembling a concentrated sapphire.

Layered Waterfalls are another expression of Jiuzhaigou's water. Nuorilang Waterfall is China's widest plateau waterfall, with a drop of 20 meters and a width of 300 meters. Water cascades down from the broad cliff top with immense power. Pearl Shoal Waterfall gets its name from the water spray that resembles countless pearls and was also a filming location for the 1986 TV adaptation of Journey to the West.

Colorful Forests are the most spectacular sight in Jiuzhaigou during autumn. From mid to late October each year, maple, birch, and pine trees covering the mountainsides display a brilliant tapestry of red, orange, yellow, and green, reflected in the blue-green lakes to create a breathtaking natural painting.

Travel Information

The Jiuzhaigou scenic area is shaped like a "Y" and is divided into three main valleys: Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Zechawa Valley, with a total length of about 60 kilometers. Sightseeing buses operate within the park, and a visit of 1-2 days is recommended.

Jiuzhaigou was severely damaged by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on August 8, 2017, which affected some landscapes like Nuorilang Waterfall and Spark Lake. After several years of restoration, the park partially reopened in 2019 and fully reopened in 2021. The self-healing power of nature is astonishing, with many damaged landscapes having recovered or even taken on new appearances.

The best season to visit is autumn (October), when the colorful forests are at their peak and the lakes are at their clearest. Spring (April-May) offers blooming mountain flowers, summer (July-August) is lush and green, and winter (December-February) is covered in silver snow, each season possessing its own unique beauty.

References

1. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/637
2. Jiuzhaigou Official Website: https://www.jiuzhai.com
3. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/九寨沟