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Jiuzhai: Picturesque Fairyland
Lying in southwestern China,
the northwestern Sichuan Plateau is noted for its picturesque and idyllic
natural beauty. One of the best scenic areas is the Grand Jiuzhai Tourist
Region, located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in northwest
Sichuan Province. Covering an area of 84,000 square
kilometers, the tourist region is especially famous for its plateau landscapes
and ethnic customs. The tourist region encompasses two world natural heritage
sites, three state-level scenic spots and eight provincial-level nature reserves
and scenic areas. The most famous are the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Huanglong
Scenic Area, Mt. Siguniangshan (Four Maidens'
Mountain) and Wolong Panda Nature Reserve.
A Wild Wilderness Beauty
Jiuzhaigou's attraction lies in its primitive and mysterious beauty.
According to a beautiful legend, long, long ago, the brave mountain deity Da Ge
fell in love with the charming goddess Se Mo and gave her a mirror burnished by
wind and cloud. Carelessly, Se Mo accidentally smashed the gift. The segments
sprinkled down into the world, changing as they fell into the 114 magnificent
alpine lakes of the region.
The average altitude of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area is between 2,000 and 4,760
meters, and the area enjoys cool summers and warm winters. With an average
temperature between 13 and 21 degrees centigrade, summer here sees the abundant
greenery in its prime, with gentle gurgling streams and crystal clear waterfalls
cascading down from tall mountain peaks. Primitive, unspoiled, and uninhabited,
it is an idyllic nature getaway.
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