Jiuzhaigou Valley

Jiuzhaigou is within the boundary of Yangtong Tibetan-inhabited area in northern Sichuan (四川) Province, and is part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiangzu Autonomous Prefecture. It is composed of three valleys (Shuzheng, Rize and Zechawa) in the form of a letter Y.

The valley derives its name from the 9 ancient Tibetan villages within the valleys. Its highest point, located at the end of the valley, is 4,700 m above the sea level. Other main sight-seeing spots are between 1,980 meters and 3,000 meters high.

Jiuzhaigou is a beautiful "fairyland valley" running over 40 km through snow-covered mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forest.
History
Jiuzhaigou was inhabited by Tibetans and Qiangs for centuries but had not been disturbed until the end of the 1960s when large groups of lumber workers arrived there. In 1975, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry sent a team to Jiuzhaigou to investigate the field. The team were extremely impressed by its natural beauty and immediately published their surveys and comments: Jiuzhaigou has rare animals and rich plant resources, and most of all, it is a beautiful "fairyland valley".

In December 1978, the State Council promulgated a document (Code No. 256), officially announcing that four belts of Jiuzhaigou are listed as the National Nature Reserve, and any lumbering activities within the valleys are strictly prohibited. In 1979, the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve Administration was officially established. In 1984, the State Council listed Jiuzhaigou as the National Key Place of Scenic Interest. In 1992, it was included by the UNESCO in the World Natural Heritage list.

[edit] Weather

The scenic area of the park is situated at a height of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres. In summer the winds blow predominantly from the south and in the winter from the north. The following table shows the average monthly temperature and rainfall .
Legend
Legend has it that long long ago, a beautiful Goddess received a mirror from her lover. The goddess was so excited that she dropped the mirror, smashing it into 108 small pieces. Over the centuries those pieces gave birth to 108 wonderful lakes.

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