China: The Scenic Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan Province

Jiuzhaigou Valley is probably the only place on Earth with an amazing ecosystem. In Jiuzhaigou you will come across unique narrow conic karst land formations, mountains, dense forests, colorful lakes, scenic waterfalls, and a wide variety of wildlife.

Jiuzhaigou Valley is some 600 sq km and located in the northern part of Sichuan Province. The jagged peaks around Jiuzhaigou Valley reach heights of more than 4,800 m and in the valley there is a range of diverse forest ecosystems. The breathtaking landscapes are greatly interesting with their narrow conic karst land formations and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species also make it their home here, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the "National Treasure" - the giant panda, and of course the Sichuan takin.

Lying on the edge of the diverging belt between the Qinghai-Tibet Plate and the Yangtze Plate, there are major faultlines running through the site. Seismic activities resulting in Earthquakes are common and have greatly altered the geological landscape.

The main valley is some 50 km long, and this is where Shuzheng, Qunhai, Rize, and Zechawa valleys merge. Spectacular waterfalls and streams link some 100 lakes of various sizes. SOme of the more well-known ones are the Xionguashai (Panda Lake) Fall which drops 78m in three steps, and the Zhengzhutan (Pearl Shoal) Fall, which drops 28m in a broad curtain of water, 310m wide.

The lakes in Jiuzhaigou were formed by calcium carbonate in the flowing water when the earth was in the interglacial stage. Since calcium carbonate cannot solidify, it is carried by the water. Over 12,000 years ago, when the global climate became warmer, the calcium carbonate became active and attached itself to obstacles in the water. As time passed, the attached matter became thicker, forming the milky white banks of barrier lakes.

The tranquility of the place is shattered musically to the thunderous sound of the many roaring waterfalls downstream. The most magnificent waterfall in Jiuzhaigou is the Pearl Beach Waterfall in the Rize Valley, roaring down from a sheer cliff, and flying about in all directions. The drops of water reflected in the sunlight glisten like colorful pearls.

The name Jiuzhaigou actually means the Ravine with Nine Villages, and the area was so named because there were originally nine Tibetan villages here.

When will I see you again...Jiuzhaigou