Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historical Area - World Natural Heritage in China

Spanning more than 72,000 hectares in northern Sichuan province, the jagged Jiuzhaigou valley reaches an elevation of more than 4,800 meters, encompassing a diverse range of forest ecosystems. Its amazing landscape is particularly interesting with its series of narrow conical limestone formations and spectacular waterfalls. About 140 species of birds also inhabit the valley, as well as several endangered species of flora and fauna, including giant pandas and Sichuan antelopes.

Accreditation year: 1992
Criteria: (vii)
Area: 72,000 ha
Buffer zone: 60,000 ha
Nanping County, Sichuan Province

Table of Contents

Outstanding global value

Jiuzhaigou Valley Historic and Scenic Area is a reserve of exceptional natural beauty with spectacular jagged mountains soaring above coniferous forest surrounding a fairyland landscape of lakes. Water, lakes, waterfalls, limestone terraces, clear caves, strange colors. and other nice features. These include several karst formations; actually the area is a “nature museum” for alpine hydrology and research. Covering an area of 72,000 hectares in northern Sichuan province, Jiuzhaigou preserves a wide range of important forest ecosystems including old-growth forests that provide important habitat for many endangered plant and animal species. threats, including giant pandas and takin. Reaching an elevation of 4,752 m in the southern Minshan Mountains, Jiuzhaigou also contains an important number of well-preserved Quaternary glacial ruins of excellent scenic value.

Criterion (vii): Jiuzhaigou is famous for its majestic scenery and beauty. Its magical landscape with many lakes, waterfalls and limestone terraces, with its mineral-rich, clear, attractive water, located in the breathtaking high mountain range with very diverse forest ecosystem, shows Remarkable natural beauty.

Integrity

Jiuzhaigou has all the elements needed to express and protect its natural beauty, and is surrounded by buffer zones. Although the area has been partially degraded by previous forestry activities, it is recovering through tree planting and rigorous management, including protection of water quality, air quality and forests. At the time of inscription, about 800 residents in six villages lived within the reserve, whose policy was to seek voluntary agreements to gradually reduce the reserve’s population.

Protection and management requirements

As a national park and national nature reserve, Jiuzhaigou is protected by national and provincial laws and regulations, ensuring the long-term management and conservation of the Heritage. In 2004, the Sichuan Provincial Regulations on the Protection of World Heritage Sites in Sichuan and the Implementation Regulations of the Sichuan Province Regulations on the Protection of World Heritage Sites in the Aba Autonomous County became law, creating the basis for stricter for asset protection.

The Jiuzhaigou World Heritage Administration, established in 2006, ensures that the site complies with the Aba Provincial Guidelines on Implementation of the Sichuan Provincial Regulations on World Heritage Protection. This Administration has 21 departments, including the nature protection department, the multidisciplinary science department, the planning and construction department, and the resident management office.

A Master Plan for Jiuzhaigou National Park has been launched and approved by the national government, providing a framework for park protection and management, including a detailed monitoring plan. park resources. Water resources, biodiversity, forest pests, weather and climate are all monitored under this plan. In addition, the plan also provides for the protection of biodiversity, traditional culture, and environment under increasing tourism development. As part of the supervision and protection of Jiuzhaigou, the Science Department is intimately involved in collaborative research with both national and international universities and researchers.

Important research and monitoring areas include the development of the tufa mines at Jiuzhaigou; air and water quality; archeology; grassland reforestation and biodiversity; and interactions between people and the landscape. The results of these research projects form the basis for new management policies. The continued growth of the tourism industry is a challenge and of concern, and many remedial actions to control the impact of human activities have been undertaken based on research and monitoring projects. .

The Science Department is intimately involved in collaborative research with both national and international universities and researchers. Important research and monitoring areas include the development of the tufa mines at Jiuzhaigou; air and water quality; archeology; grassland reforestation and biodiversity; and interactions between people and the landscape. The results of these research projects form the basis for new management policies. The continued growth of the tourism industry is a challenge and of concern, and many remedial actions to control the impact of human activities have been undertaken based on research and monitoring projects. .

The results of these research projects form the basis for new management policies. The continued growth of the tourism industry is a challenge and of concern, and many remedial actions to control the impact of human activities have been undertaken based on research and monitoring projects. . air and water quality; archeology; grassland reforestation and biodiversity; and interactions between people and the landscape. The results of these research projects form the basis for new management policies. The continued growth of the tourism industry is a challenge and of concern, and many remedial actions to control the impact of human activities have been undertaken based on research and monitoring projects. .