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 running north to south, Jiuzhaigou was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. It belongs to the category V (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 stretches over 72,000 hectares (180,000 acres). It has an altitude of over 4800 meters and is composed of a series of diverse forest ecosystems. It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls, colorful lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Its elevation ranges from 2,000 to 4,500 metres (6,600 to 14,800 ft). The Jiuzhaigou area borders the Minshan Garna Peak in the south, and the Huanglong Scenic Area is to Jiuzhaigou's north. It originates from the Baishui River area, one of the headwaters of the Jialing River and a part of the Yangtze River system.
History Jiuzhaigou (literally "Nine Settlement Valley") takes its name from the nine Tibetan settlements along its length. The remote region was inhabited by various Tibetan and Qiang peoples for centuries. Until 1975 this inaccessible area was little known. In 1975, famous forestry scientist Wu Zhonglun conducted a comprehensive survey of Jiuzhaigou. He was deeply moved, saying "I have visited several countries in Europe and America, but I have never seen such breathtaking natural beauty. It must be well protected." He then wrote to the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and the Sichuan Provincial Forestry Department, urging local authorities to protect the natural landscape and prohibit the indiscriminate logging of trees. The Sichuan Provincial Forestry Department promptly issued a notice stating that logging must be restricted beyond 200 meters in the Zechawa and Rize gullies of Jiuzhaigou. The Sichuan Provincial Government subsequently prioritized the protection of Jiuzhaigou, directing relevant departments and research institutes to develop a detailed conservation plan and completely halting logging in the valley. In 1980, the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve was established. An Administration Bureau was established and the site officially opened to tourism in 1984; layout of facilities and regulations were completed in 1987. The site was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. The tourism area is classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.
Visitor numbers Since opening, tourist activity has increased every year: from 5,000 in 1984 to 170,000 in 1991, 160,000 in 1995, to 200,000 in 1997, including about 3,000 foreigners. Visitors numbered 1,190,000 in 2002. In 2004, the site averaged 7,000 visits per day, with a quota of 12,000 being reportedly enforced during high season. In 2024 the site welcomed 5.11 million tourists, with over 30,000 per day during the peak season during the end of July and start of August. A limit of 41,000 daily visitors is enforced by requiring timed tickets. The town of Zhangzha at the exit of the valley and the nearby Songpan County feature an ever-increasing number of hotels, including several luxury five-stars, such as Sheraton. The site has become more accessible with mass transport due to the opening of the Sichuan–Qinghai railway and Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport. Developments related to mass tourism in the region have caused concerns about the impact on the environment around the park.
2017 earthquake In August 2017, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou County, causing significant structural damage. The authorities closed the valley to tourists until March 3, 2018, before reopening the park with limited access. The Jiuzhaigou earthquake in Sichuan, China had a significant impact on the scenic area. The earthquake also resulted in the damage and breakage of two natural dams, namely the Nuorilang Waterfall dam and the Huohua Lake dam. The Nuorilang Waterfall suffered damage due to its initial low stability and topographic effects. The dam was composed of poor material with low mechanical strength, making it prone to rockfalls even during non-earthquake periods. The nearly vertical structure of the dam amplified the seismic influences at its upper part, increasing the likelihood of deformation and collapse. The Jiuzhaigou earthquake caused the Huohua Lake dam to break. After the dam broke, the water discharge increased from the normal level of 9.3 m3/s to a maximum of 21.5 m3/s. As a result, the water level rapidly descended, leading to collapses along the dam.
Population Seven of the nine Tibetan villages are still populated today. The main agglomerations that are readily accessible to tourists are Heye, Shuzheng and Zechawa along the main paths that cater to tourists, selling various handicrafts, souvenirs and snacks. There is also Rexi in the smaller Zaru Valley and behind Heye village are Jianpan, Panya and Yana villages. Guodu and Hejiao villages are no longer populated. Penbu, Panxing and Yongzhu villages lie along the road that passes through the town of Jiuzhaigou/Zhangza outside the valley. In 2003, the permanent population of the valley was about 1,000 comprising 112 families, and due to the protected nature of the park, agriculture is no longer permitted so the locals now rely on tourism and local government subsidies to make a living.
Geography and climate
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
