Jiuzhaigou Valley, Protected area in Sichuan, China.
Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area Administration manages a reserve in northern Sichuan with hundreds of lakes spread across three branching valleys. The waterfalls range from small cascades to wide curtains that drop over limestone steps.
The valley remained cut off from the outside world for centuries until loggers discovered it in the 1970s. The government stopped commercial use and converted it into a nature park that gained international recognition.
The name means "Valley of Nine Villages" and refers to the Tibetan settlements that still exist within the reserve today. Visitors see prayer flags along the paths and can try local dishes like tsampa and butter tea in the villages.
Most visitors follow the wooden boardwalks that wind around the lakes and cross flat sections. The shuttle buses stop at major points in each valley, and walking between stops reveals quieter corners.
The lakes change color depending on light and season, from deep turquoise in summer to green tones in autumn. Some waters show submerged tree trunks that lie beneath the clear surface and look like sculptures.
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