Gem of a Time in China

Glittering lakes, spicy food and warm hospitality are among reasons to visit Jiuzhaigou

- Sarah Stanley

JIUZHAIGOU, China - Tucked along the edge of the Tibetan plateau is one of Sichuan province's most captivating gems, Jiuzhaigou.

Jiuzhaigou, which translates to "Nine Village Valley," is situated in its namesake county within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in China's Sichuan province.

Stretching over 72,000ha and ranging in altitude from roughly 1,990m to 4,700m, the jagged valley teems with biodiversity — from crystal-clear lakes to sloping hills to cascading waterfalls.

The valley was proposed as a national park site in 1982 and established as Jiuzhaigou National Park in 1984. It was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 1992 and, later, a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997.