Jiuzhaigou--A Dreamlike Fairyland

Author: Xu Jiaguo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Jiuzhaigou is renowned for its unparalleled primitive and mysterious atmosphere. Legend has it that long, long ago, the brave mountain god Dage fell deeply in love with the beautiful goddess Womo Semo. Dage crafted a mirror from wind and clouds and presented it to Semo, but she accidentally dropped it, shattering it into 108 pieces, which transformed into 108 alpine lakes (seaons), becoming the 108 most beautiful scenic spots in Jiuzhaigou. Here, snow-capped peaks stand tall, lush green mountains meet flowing waters, creating a dazzling spectacle. The waterfalls and streams here are particularly enchanting, like scattered pearls and jade, exceptionally magnificent and beautiful. Jiuzhaigou is located in the Nansping County of Aba Prefecture, upstream of the Min River, about 450 kilometers south of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. It is named after the nine Tibetan villages within the valley, including Panxin, Pengbu, Guwā, Pan'yazhechawa, Heijiaozhai, Shuzheng, Heye, and Zaru. According to the Nansping County Gazetteer, "In the Yangdong area, the strait stretches for several miles, with emerald waters floating and reflections of forests." Hence, the place is also known as Zhongyangdong or Emerald Sea. Jiuzhaigou is celebrated for its extraordinary primitive and mysterious ambiance. The legend tells of the brave mountain god Dage, who fell deeply in love with the beautiful goddess Womo Semo. Dage crafted a mirror from wind and clouds and presented it to Semo, but she accidentally dropped it, shattering it into 108 pieces, which transformed into 108 alpine lakes, becoming the 108 most beautiful scenic spots in Jiuzhaigou. Here, snow-capped peaks stand tall, lush green mountains meet flowing waters, creating a dazzling spectacle. The waterfalls and streams here are particularly enchanting, like scattered pearls and jade, exceptionally magnificent and beautiful. The total area of Jiuzhaigou is approximately 620 square kilometers, of which 52 are dense primeval forests. Its natural scenery combines the beauty of lakes, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and forests, earning it the reputation of a "fairyland." Most attractions are concentrated in the three main valleys shaped like a "Y," spanning 50 kilometers. According to expert studies, these alpine lakes were formed during the Earth's neotectonic movement, when the crust underwent abrupt changes, causing uneven uplift of mountains and river erosion. They are divided into four categories: glacial erosion lakes, karst depression lakes, debris flow dammed lakes, and landslide and collapse dammed lakes. Their common features are clear and transparent waters, deep and tranquil depths, interconnected by terraces and waterfalls, stretching endlessly. The smallest are half an acre, while the largest exceed a thousand acres. Ancient trees grow along the shores, accompanied by exotic flowers and plants that change colors with the seasons, creating a kaleidoscope of reflections and ever-changing weather. Among them, the largest, Changhai, is 7 kilometers long and stands at an altitude of 3,000 meters. Its waters are as clear as jade pools, allowing ice skating in winter and boating in summer. Nearby, Wuhai (Five-Color Lake) is renowned for its vibrant colors, formed by mineral deposits of various pigments, fallen leaves, and algae at the lake bottom, which, through sunlight refraction, create a dazzling array of hues, making it a true multicolored lake. Jiuzhaigou has been developed into several scenic areas: Shuzheng Scenic Area (Huohuo Sea, Wolong Sea, Xiniuhai, Ancient Mill, and Shuzheng Waterfall); Rize Scenic Area (Zhenzhai Beach, Nuorilang Waterfall, Pearl Beach Waterfall, and High Waterfall); Jianyan Scenic Area (Swan Lake, Hanging Spring, Jianyan Primeval Forest, and Panda Lake); Changhai Scenic Area (Changhai, Wuhai, Upper Seasonal Sea, and Lower Seasonal Sea); and Zaru Scenic Area (horseback riding, picnicking, and Tibetan village culture). It has developed two dams, three valleys, four waterfalls, and eighteen groups of lakes. The most famous attractions include Jianxuanquan, Fangcao Sea, Swan Lake, Jianzhu Sea, Panda Lake, High Waterfall, Wuhai, Pearl Beach Waterfall, Jinghai, Nuorilang Waterfall, Xiniuhai, Shuzheng Waterfall, Shuzheng Group Sea, Wolong Sea, Huohuo Sea,, Liujing Beach, Changhai, Five-Color Pool, Upper and Lower Seasonal Seas, etc. The trails between the attractions are deep and secluded, with small bridges crossing over them, and the villages are rustic, each with unique customs, giving visitors a sense of transcendent beauty. In the charming spring, Jiuzhaigou's numerous attractions burst with vibrant colors; in the scorching summer, they are shaded by lush greenery; in the enchanting autumn, they are adorned with a kaleidoscope of hues; and in the freezing winter, they are crystal clear and pure. Truly, each season has its own charm, with autumn being the most captivating. The 108 alpine lakes—seaons—hidden among the forests reach their peak when the sky is clear and the air is crisp, with emerald waters reflecting the brilliant autumn forests. The colorful stones at the lake bottom and the white clouds in the sky create a dreamlike, intoxicating scene. Attractions like Huohuo Sea and Five-Color Pool shimmer with light due to the clear waters and crystalline lakebeds, refracting sunlight into a magical glow, as if stepping into a fairyland. Pearl Beach sparkles like scattered pearls and jade. Nuorilang Waterfall, spanning over 100 meters wide and plunging from a 30-meter-high cliff, is a dazzling spectacle, exuding a unique elegance and natural charm. Jiuzhaigou's forests cover over 20,000 hectares, densely packed at altitudes of 2,000 to 4,000 meters. The main species include Korean pine, spruce, fir, birch, Euptelea, and Cercidiphyllum. In these primeval forests, rare animals such as giant pandas, white-lipped deer, takins, serows, sika deer, and golden cats thrive. The lakes are home to flocks of wild ducks, while swans and mandarin ducks often play in the waters. Jiuzhaigou is one of China's most famous nature reserves.