Listed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1992 Location: Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, southwest China Best Time to Visit: Late spring till early autumn

THE Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and historic interest Area is a reserve of exceptional natural beauty with spectacular jagged alpine mountains soaring above coniferous forest around a fairyland landscape of crystal clear, strange-colored blue, green and purplish pools, lakes, waterfalls, limestone terraces, caves and other beautiful features.

The area includes a number of karst formations. It is a “natural museum” for alpine karst hydrology and research. Its superb landscapes are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst landforms and spectacular waterfalls. It also has an important number of well-preserved quaternary glacial remnants with great scenic value.