Jiuzhaigou, Chinese for Nine-Village Valley, is located in northwest Sichuan Province, China. This world-famous scenic spot attracts people from all over the world with its crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, virgin forests, imposing snowed capped peaks, and fascinating Tibetan culture.

When spring comes to Jiuzhaigou, the ice and snow begin to melt, new life sprouts, and the air is sweet and fragrant. The blue water, emerald green trees, and snow-white clouds create a colorful world.

Jiuzhaigou is located in the Minshan Mountains in Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.Jiuzhaigou's 114 lakes,17 waterfalls, 5 calcareous tufa shoals, and numerous springs create a splendid and unique scenic area.

The scenic spot, with a total area of 720km2, is 19km east to west by 59km north to the south.

When you enter Jiuzhaigou, you step into a beautiful land of water, mountains, and colors. Water flows down the mountains and through the forests, pastures, lakes, and shoals, creating a beauty which beckons you to sit quietly and marvel at this place.

Reed Lake, near Heye Village,is 7km from the entrance. The stream, flowing gently through the green reeds, and the reeds, swaying in the wind, are like a beautiful poem.

Shuzheng Lakes, is a magic combination of lakes, trees, and tumbling waterfalls. Trees grow in the water and water flows among the trees.

At Pearl Shoal, the water splashing on the calcified shoal looks like pearls.

The widest waterfall in Jiuzhaigou is Nuorilang Waterfall. Stand and watch, listen to the roar, and feel the mist on your face as the water crashes down to the stream below and continues its journey out of the valley.

Long Lake, the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou, covers an area of 1.5km2 and has an elevation of 3102m. This lake is formed by an ancient glacial moraine.

Mirror Lake's clear surface is like a mirror. Birds appear to fly in the water and fish appear to swim in the sky.

Colorful Lake is like a wine glass full of love.

If Jiuzhaigou was a princess, Five-color Pond - with colors of red, orange, yellow, green, and, blue - would be the brightest pearl in her crown.

Water plays the most important role in Jiuzhaigou. It is said that,after seeing the water here, you won’t want to see other water. Graceful birds, colorful algae, swaying grasses, and flowering azaleas enhance the stunning beauty of this ancient land.

In 1992,Jiuzhaigou was inscribed on the World Heritage list,and in 1997,was designated as a World Biosphere Reserve,becoming the only scenic spot in China with these two international recognitions.

The Himalayan movement,which began over 2,500,000 years ago,has created the maginificant scenery of Jiuzhaigou. The elevation in Jiuzhaigou drops 1810m south to north, creating the numerous terraced lakes and waterfalls. The three valleys in Jiuzhaigou form a Y, a jade necklace of lakes and rivers among the mountains.

Situated in the transition zone between the temperate zone and subtropical zone, Jiuzhaigou has rich natural plant resources. More than 2,000 species of plants grow in the 30,000-hectare primeval forest - some are endemic and some are endangered.

Jiuzhaigou is home to more than 100 kinds of animals including giant pandas, golden monkeys and Zangma pheasants.

Tibetans have lived in Jiuzhaigou for hundreds of years. Prayer flags and prayer wheels are everywhere, complimenting the stunning water and mountain scenery. The local Tibetan believe that everything - mountains, hills, trees, birds - has a soul, and they worship the soul in all things.

In Jiuzhaigou, there is a beautiful story - long long ago, a monster named Xieyao was in charge of Jiuzhaigou. Jiuzhaigou was so desolate and poor that even the grass wouldn’t grow. The Goddess Semo and the God Dage fell in love, but Xieyao tried to stop them from seeing each other. Zaghe, the god of all mountains was moved by their love and helped them defeat Xieyao. To celebrate their victory, Dage polished a mirror for his love, Semo. When Dage handed the mirror to Semo, the mirror dropped, fell to the earth, and broke into 114 pieces - the lakes which we still enjoy today. What a beautiful story! What a magic place!

To enjoy Jiuzhaigou is to enjoy a beautiful painting. To read Jiuzhaigou is to read an inspiring book. In Jiuzhaigou, everyone can see what he wants to see and find what he wants to find.

This is Jiuzhaigou, a natural paradise and a spiritual home, to experience and remember.
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