People say one of the most delightful experiences in Jiuzhai Valley is to rest with the sound of water flowing by. This is true. If you listen closely, you will hear the waters play different tunes, some in haste, some at ease, some cascading to magnificent waterfalls, some to babbling brooks.

It is said that after you have visited Jiuzhai Valley, no waters anywhere else will match them. Jiuzhai gains this reputation largely from its beautiful lakes, dubbed "sons of the sea", as the locals call them. Legend holds that when the God Dage fell in love with the beautiful Goddess Semo, he used the wind and moon to grind a magic mirror to impress her. Unexpectedly, the mirror broke. The 114 pieces fell into the Valley and became the crystal lakes, just like beautiful diamonds embedded in the canyon.

Whether the legend is true or not, diamond is an appropriate image to describe these lakes. From pure blue to dark green, the lakes of Jiuzhai Valley radiate the whole spectrum of colors. The surfaces, peaceful as a mirror, reflect the colorful woods on the snow-capped mountain, or dance in a shimmering breeze.

Locals tell us that once a child put the scenery on canvas, but was upbraided by his teacher for "too much imagination". Only after the teacher herself came to Jiuzhai Valley, did she finally realize that such a place really existed and made a profound apology to her student.
Many tourists echo the awestruck feeling.

Regev is a tourist from Israel.

"It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to in my whole life. What's special about Jiuzhaigou is you can see together lakes, mountains with colors' of trees, red, green and orange. And then you see the snowy mountain, and the lake also really special and colorful."

Shi Chuan, another visitor, tells us this is already the 5th time she has come here.

"Although I have been here many times, each time it gave me a renewed feeling of beauty. This time, I specially chose this coat for the trip, it' s Chinese style, bright red, with hand-embroidered flowers and birds on it, very beautiful! This is how I feel about Jiuzai Valley. I do not think I can really describe the beauty in words, like a poem, a painting and a song."

According to a World Natural Heritage Organization survey, only Plitvice Lake National Park, in the Republic of Croatia, ranks with Jiuzhai Valley, but the Croatian site is dwarfed by comparison: only one-twelfth of the vertical range and one- third the surface area, of Jiuzhai.

Yet people quip that the Nine Village Valley is not just Heaven but also a hell -- Heaven for photographers, and hell for painters. Here in Jiuzhai Valley, we come across one brave soul, Zhou Changxing, who dares try to capture the beauty of the moment on canvas.

"Just now, a tourist told me Jiuzhai Valley is hell for painters, but I would say it is a paradise for masters. The rich colors here strike me deeply, and the waters inspire me. I mean, where else can you find beauty like this? The colors and light are ever-changing; if you are not skillful enough, you won't capture the beautiful moments, but I believe I can make it! This series of paintings is supposed to be exhibited next year in Beijing as a gift for the 2008 Olympics. "

Beside the beautiful lakes of Jiuzhai Valley, you can always find signs saying "Your tenderly touch may damage millions of years' fruit of calcification" . What they're trying to say is that the flow of water over millions of years, combined with accumulations of moss and algae and other ecological transformations, have created this magical scene. Though the water is pure and transparent, it refracts astounding color.

And Juizhai has guardians safeguarding its future, many of whom are local Tibetans.

Though a little bit shy, Zhuoma, a member of the staff in Jiuzhai Valley, sends her greetings to guests.

"Welcome to Jiuzhai Valley!! Hope you have fun in Sichuan!! "

Jiuzhai Valley is once the exclusive home of Tibetan people, but now they share this land with people all around the world. What is life like for them? Is their homeland well protected? Tomorrow, in Part 2, locals and officials share their opinions.