Jiuzhaigou ([tɕjòʊ.ʈʂâɪ.kóʊ]; Chinese: 九寨沟; pinyin: Jiǔzhàigōu) is a nature reserve and national park located in the north of Sichuan Province in southwestern China. A long valley that runs from north to south, Jiuzhaigou was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. It is classified as category V, known as a Protected Landscape, in the IUCN system of protected area categorization.

The Jiuzhaigou valley is part of the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and covers an area of about 72,000 hectares (180,000 acres). It has an elevation of over 4,800 meters and includes many different types of forest ecosystems. The area is famous for its many multi-level waterfalls, colorful lakes, and snow-covered mountains. Its elevation ranges from 2,000 to 4,500 meters (6,600 to 14,800 feet). The Jiuzhaigou area is located near the Minshan Garna Peak to the south and the Huanglong Scenic Area to the north. It begins in the Baishui River region, which is one of the sources of the Jialing River and part of the Yangtze River system.

History

Jiuzhaigou, which means "Nine Settlement Valley," is named after the nine Tibetan villages located along the valley.

For many years, this remote area was home to Tibetan and Qiang people. Until 1975, the region was difficult to reach and not well known. In 1975, a scientist named Wu Zhonglun studied the area thoroughly. He was deeply impressed by the natural beauty and wrote to the Sichuan Provincial Government and Forestry Department, urging them to protect the land and stop cutting down trees. The government responded by limiting logging beyond 200 meters in certain parts of the valley. Later, they created a detailed plan to fully stop logging and protect Jiuzhaigou. In 1980, the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve was officially established.

An Administration Bureau was created, and the site opened to visitors in 1984. Rules and facilities were completed by 1987. In 1992, UNESCO added Jiuzhaigou to its list of World Heritage Sites, and in 1997, it was also named a World Biosphere Reserve. The area is classified as a top-level (AAAAA) scenic spot by China’s tourism authority.

Since opening, the number of visitors has grown each year. In 1984, 5,000 people visited, and by 1991, this number reached 170,000. By 2002, over 1.19 million visitors came. In 2024, the site welcomed 5.11 million tourists, with more than 30,000 people visiting daily during peak times in July and August. To manage crowds, daily visits are limited to 41,000 through timed tickets. The nearby town of Zhangzha and Songpan County now have many hotels, including luxury five-star options like Sheraton.

Improved transportation, such as the Sichuan–Qinghai railway and Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, has made Jiuzhaigou more accessible. However, increased tourism has raised concerns about environmental damage.

In August 2017, a strong earthquake measuring 7.0 struck Jiuzhaigou County, causing serious damage. The valley was closed to visitors until March 2018, after which it reopened with limited access.

The earthquake damaged two natural dams in the area: the Nuorilang Waterfall dam and the Huohua Lake dam. The Nuorilang Waterfall dam was made of weak materials and had poor stability, making it prone to damage even before the earthquake. Its structure made it more vulnerable to shaking. The Huohua Lake dam broke during the earthquake, causing water to flow rapidly. The water level dropped quickly, leading to collapses along the dam.

Population

Seven out of nine Tibetan villages are still inhabited today. The main groups of villages that are easy for tourists to visit are Heye, Shuzheng, and Zechawa. These villages are located along the main paths used by tourists and offer handmade items, souvenirs, and snacks for sale. Another village, Rexi, is found in the smaller Zaru Valley. Behind Heye village are three additional villages: Jianpan, Panya, and Yana. Guodu and Hejiao villages are no longer inhabited. Penbu, Panxing, and Yongzhu villages are located along the road that passes through the town of Jiuzhaigou/Zhangza outside the valley.

In 2003, about 1,000 people lived in the valley, forming 112 families. Because the area is a protected park, farming is not allowed. The people there now depend on tourism and government support for their income.

Geography and climate

Jiuzhaigou is located at the southern end of the Minshan mountain range, 330 km (205 mi) north of Chengdu, the provincial capital. It is part of Jiuzhaigou County (formerly Nanping County) in the Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of northwestern Sichuan province, near the border with Gansu.

The valley covers 720 km² (278 sq mi), with protected areas adding an additional 600 km² (232 sq mi). Its elevation varies depending on the area, ranging from 1,998 to 2,140 meters (at the mouth of Shuzheng Gully) to 4,558 to 4,764 meters (on Mount Ganzigonggai at the top of Zechawa Gully).

The climate is a mix of subtropical and temperate monsoon, with an average yearly temperature of 7.8°C. January averages −3.7°C, and July averages 16.8°C. Total yearly rainfall is 761 mm, but in the cloud forest, it is at least 1,000 mm. About 80% of rainfall occurs between May and October. Monsoon winds blowing into the valley make summers mild, cloudy, and somewhat humid. Above 3,500 meters, the climate becomes colder and drier.

Ecology

Jiuzhaigou's ecosystem is a type of temperate forest with broad leaves and woodlands, found in mountain and highland areas. About 300 km (116 sq mi) of the main scenic area is covered by untouched mixed forests. These forests turn bright yellow, orange, and red in autumn, making that season a popular time for visitors. The area is home to many plant species, including rare types of rhododendron and bamboo.

Local wildlife includes the endangered giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey. Both species have very small populations (fewer than 20 pandas) and are separated from other groups. Their survival is at risk due to increasing tourism in the valley. Jiuzhaigou is one of only three known places where the threatened Duke of Bedford's vole lives. The region also supports around 140 bird species.

The area is a natural museum for studying mountain karst water systems and research. It protects several important forest ecosystems, including ancient forests that provide homes for many endangered animals and plants, such as giant pandas and antelopes. Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area also has many well-preserved remains from ancient glaciers, which are valuable for their scenic beauty.

Geology and hydrology

Jiuzhaigou's landscape is formed by high-altitude rock structures shaped by glacial movement, water flow, and earth movements. It is located on major fault lines where the Qinghai-Tibet Plate and the Yangtze Plate move apart, and earthquakes have also influenced the area's shape. The rocks in the region are mostly made of carbonate rocks like dolomite and tufa, along with some sandstone and shale.

The area has a large amount of tuff, a type of limestone created when calcium carbonate quickly forms in freshwater. Tuff can cover rocks, lake beds, and even fallen trees in water, sometimes forming terraces, shallow areas, or natural dams in lakes.

The valley includes the area where three large gullies drain water (often called valleys themselves) and is a source of the Jialing River through the Bailong River, which is part of the Yangtze River system.

Jiuzhaigou is best known for its many lakes with blue, green, and turquoise colors. Local Tibetan people call these lakes "Haizi," meaning "son of the sea." These lakes were formed by glacial activity and blocked by rockfalls and other natural events. Over time, calcium carbonate deposits helped solidify the lakes. Some lakes have high levels of calcium carbonate, making their water very clear and allowing the lake bottom to be seen even at great depths. The lakes' colors and shapes depend on their depth, mineral content, and surrounding environment. Some unstable natural dams have been reinforced by humans, and visitors are not allowed to touch the lakes or other features.

Notable features

Jiuzhaigou consists of three valleys arranged in a Y shape. The Rize and Zechawa valleys flow from the south and meet at the center of the site, forming the Shuzheng valley, which flows north to the valley’s mouth. The mountainous areas of these valleys have 55 km (34 mi) of roads for shuttle buses, along with wooden boardwalks and small pavilions. The boardwalks are usually built on the side of the lakes opposite the road, helping protect the lakes from the noise and movement of buses.

Most visitors begin by taking a shuttle bus to the end of the Rize or Shuzheng valleys. They then walk back downhill on the boardwalks, using the bus again if the next site is too far. Here is a summary of the sites in each valley:

The 18-kilometre-long (11 mi) Rize Valley (日则沟, pinyin: Rìzé Gōu) is the southwestern branch of Jiuzhaigou. It has the most sites and is usually visited first. Going downhill from its highest point, visitors pass the following:

• Primeval Forest (原始森林 Yuánshǐ Sēnlín): An ancient forest with views of surrounding mountains and cliffs, including the 500-meter-high, blade-shaped Sword Rock (剑岩 Jiàn Yán).
• Swan Lake (天鹅海, Tiān’é Hǎi): A lake 2,250 meters long and 125 meters wide, named for swans and ducks that visit.
• Grass Lake (草海, Cǎo Hǎi): A shallow lake covered in complex plant patterns.
• Arrow Bamboo Lake (箭竹海, Jiànzhú Hǎi): A shallow lake covering 170,000 m² and 6 meters deep, located at 2,618 meters elevation. It was a main location for the 2002 Chinese film Hero.
• Panda Lake (熊猫海, Xióngmāo Hǎi): A lake with blue and green color patterns. Giant pandas were said to drink here, though no sightings have been recorded for many years. The lake leads to the Panda Waterfalls, which drop 78 meters in three steps.
• Five Flower Lake (五花海, Wǔhuā Hǎi): A shallow, multi-colored lake with ancient tree trunks on the bottom.
• Pearl Shoal (珍珠滩, Zhēnzhū Tān): A gently sloping area with flowing water and calcareous tufa deposits. It leads to the Pearl Waterfalls, where the shoal drops 28 meters in a 310-meter-wide curtain of water. A scene from the television adaptation of Journey to the West was filmed here.
• Mirror Lake (镜海, Jìng Hǎi): A quiet lake that reflects the surroundings when the water is calm.

The Zechawa Gully (则查洼沟, Zécháwā Gōu) is the southeastern branch of Jiuzhaigou. It is about the same length as the Rize Valley (18 km) but reaches a higher altitude (3,150 meters at Long Lake). Going downhill from its highest point, it includes:

• Long Lake (长海, Cháng Hǎi): A crescent-shaped lake, the highest, largest, and deepest in Jiuzhaigou. It is 7.5 km (5 mi) long and up to 103 meters deep. It reportedly has no outgoing waterways, receiving water from snowmelt and losing it through seepage. Local stories mention a monster in its depths.
• Five-Color Pond (五彩池, Wǔcǎi Chí): One of the smallest lakes in Jiuzhaigou, with brightly colored underwater landscapes. According to legend, the pond was where Goddess Semo washed her hair, and God Dage brought her water daily.
• Seasonal Lakes (季节海, Jìjié Hǎi): Three lakes (Lower, Middle, and Upper) along the main road that change from empty to full each year.

The Shuzheng Valley (树正沟, Shùzhèng Gōu) is the northern (main) branch of Jiuzhaigou. It ends after 14.5 km (9 mi) at the Y-shaped intersection of the three valleys. Going downhill from the intersection to the valley’s mouth, visitors see:

• Nuorilang Falls (诺日朗瀑布, Nuòrìlǎng Pùbù): Located near the valley junction, these falls are 20 meters high and 320 meters wide. They are reportedly the widest highland

Tourism

The Zharu Valley (扎如沟, Zhārú Gōu) is located southeast of the main Shuzheng gully and is visited by few tourists. The valley begins at the Zharu Buddhist monastery and ends at the Red, Black, and Daling lakes.

Zharu Valley is an important area for tourism in Jiuzhaigou. Recently, the valley has been opened to a small number of visitors who want to hike and camp on less-traveled paths. Visitors can choose between short day walks or longer hikes, depending on how much time they have. Experienced guides lead tourists through the valley and share information about the area’s unique plants, animals, and local traditions. The Zharu Valley is home to 40% of all plant species found in China and is the best place in the national park to see wildlife.

The main hiking trail follows the path taken by local Benbo Buddhists during their pilgrimage around the sacred 4,528-meter-high Zha Yi Zha Ga Mountain.

Access

Jiuzhaigou is harder to reach by land compared to other popular tourist areas in China. Most visitors travel to the valley by bus from Chengdu, a ten-hour trip along the Min River canyon. This route may have small rock slides sometimes, and during the rainy season, mudslides can make the trip take longer. A new highway built along this path was damaged during the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake but has since been fixed and is now open for buses and cars.

Since 2003, travelers can fly from Chengdu or Chongqing to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, located on a mountain side in Songpan County. From the airport, a one-hour bus ride reaches Huanglong, or a 90-minute bus ride reaches Jiuzhaigou. In 2006, daily flights to Xi'an were added during peak seasons. In October 2009, new direct flights were added from Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

Jiuzhaigou is served by the Huanglongjiuzhai railway station, which opened on August 30, 2024. This station is part of the Sichuan–Qinghai Railway.

Protection

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area is a national park and nature reserve protected by national and provincial laws. These laws help manage and protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage. In 2004, new laws were created in Sichuan province to better protect the site, including rules for the Aba Autonomous Prefecture. These laws provide stronger guidelines for preserving the heritage.

The Sichuan Provincial Construction Commission is in charge of protecting and managing the site. The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area Administrative Bureau (ABJ) includes several departments, such as the Protection Section, the Construction Section, and a police station. These groups handle daily management tasks at the site. In addition to national laws, local government rules also apply. A management plan updated in 2001 follows these laws and includes specific rules, such as banning tree cutting and polluting activities. The plan also considers the needs of local Tibetan residents.

Image gallery

• Arrow Bamboo Lake
• Pearl Shoal Rapids
• Beautiful green lake water in the park
• Five Flower Lake
• Panda Lake
• Sleeping Dragon Lake
• Long Lake
• Tiger Lake
• Shuzheng Lakes
• A ribbon-shaped feature called "Jade Ribbon" in Reed Lake
• Mirror Lake
• Rhinoceros Lake