Ah, Jiuzhaigou (Jiǔzhàigōu, 九寨沟): clean, crisp air; frigid, fast-paced Himalayan snow-melt rivers; vivid lazuli waterfalls; calm, age-old freshwater basins the color of tortoise shells; the natural wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are innumerable. So it is no surprise that the wooden walkways lining the most famous lakes, reservoirs and waterfalls are elbow-to-elbow crowded during the peak tourist season. Since the region was named a National Park in 1982, what was initially a logging destination has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in China for urban-dwellers (and country bumpkins, I'm sure) looking for a piece of that fresh, nature goodness.

The Jiuzhaigou Valley has been inhabited by Tibetans and people of the Qiang minority for centuries, and is today part of the Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province. The area takes its name from the nine villages that have long thrived in the harsh, majestic climate (seven survive today, with limited authenticity; farming is prohibited in the protected park, so the remaining population relies mainly on tourism for income). Jiuzhaigou is part of the Min Shan mountain range (Mín Shān, 岷山), and is on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, and is stunning year-round. The site sees more than 10,000 tourists (!) on a busy summer day, but winter has its own set of advantages. Read on for more information about the nature preserve and some mid-winter deals on tours to Jiuzhaigou....