Lying on the highest tableland in the
world between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,
Jiuzhaigou Valley covers altitudes ranging from 2,000 meters
(656,168 feet) to about 4,300 meters (14,107,612 feet). With its
large number of lake groups, waterfalls and rich variety of
endangered plants and fauna, Jiuzhaigou was awarded the status of
UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1997 and was also recognized as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Jiuzhaigou's landscape is made up of high-altitude karsts shaped by
glacial, hydrological and tectonic activity. It lies on major
faultiness on the diverging belt between the Qinghai-Tibet Plate and
the Yangtze Plate, and earthquakes have also shaped the landscape.
The rock strata is mostly made up of carbonate rocks such dolomite
and tufa, as well as some sandstone and shales.
Jiuzhaigou's best-known feature is its dozens of
blue, green and turquoise-colored lakes. The local Tibetan people
call them "Haizi", meaning "son of the sea". Originating in glacial
activity, they were dammed by rockfalls and other natural phenomena,
then solidified by processes of carbonate deposition. Some lakes
have a high concentration of calcium carbonate, and their water is
very clear so that the bottom is often visible even at high depths.
The lakes vary in color and aspect according to their depths,
residues, and surroundings.
Currently this is one of China's top tourist destinations among
Chinese visitors, but it is still not very well-known among
foreigners. If you have already visited China's main tourist cities,
and want to see an amazing natural environment, you should add
Jiuzhaigou Valley to your destinations list.
At Great Wall Adventure Club, we have packages that
include tour to Jiuzhaigou. Please visit our
Shanghai Expo
package page to view our itineraries and sign up your tour.
Jiuzhaigou Tourist Attractions:
Jiuzhaigou-Shuzheng Valley
Jiuzhaigou-Rize Valley
Jiuzhaigou-Zechawa Valley |
