AN ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTION FOR TOURISM AND NATURE PRESERVATION

The Sichuan-Qinghai Railway, a major transportation artery connecting northwest Sichuan, has brought the scenic beauty of Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong closer to tourists. On 30 August 2024, the Zhenjiangguan to Huangshengguan section was officially opened, making travel to these iconic destinations more accessible than ever. With six daily trains from Chengdu East to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station and tickets priced as low as 128 yuan, the journey can be completed in as little as 1 hour and 39 minutes. However, some may wonder why the new station is 90 kilometers away from Jiuzhaigou, rather than being located directly in the tourist hub. The answer lies in a careful balance between development and ecological preservation.

Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Railway Station Is 90 Kilometers Away from Jiuzhaigou ▏hi@tibet4fun.com ↑

PROTECTING ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS

The new railway passes through an area rich in biodiversity, including the Giant Panda Nature Reserve and other ecologically sensitive zones. The Sichuan-Qinghai Railway’s planners took great care to avoid disturbing these areas while ensuring convenient access for travelers. The route’s designers prioritized minimizing the environmental impact by ensuring that the railway was "close but not advanced"—meaning the line skirts around major natural reserves without penetrating them directly. This was especially critical in protecting habitats for giant pandas and other species. The railway also runs through several forest parks, geological parks, and water source protection areas, making it vital to keep human intervention to a minimum.

Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Railway Station: Protecting Sensitive Ecosystems ▏hi@tibet4fun.com ↑

CHALLENGING TERRAIN AND TUNNELS

In addition to the environmental considerations, the railway’s designers had to contend with the complex and often hazardous geological conditions of the region. The Sichuan-Qinghai Railway traverses the Hengduan Mountains, rising from 650 meters at the Chengdu Plain to 2,800 meters at Songpan. The area is also located in the heart of an earthquake zone, crossing three significant seismic zones. To address these challenges, a significant portion of the railway, including a 22,943-meter-long tunnel, was constructed underground. By building tunnels and bypassing sensitive areas, the designers ensured the safety of passengers while limiting disruptions to local ecosystems.

Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Railway Station: Navigating Challenging Terrain and Tunnels ▏hi@tibet4fun.com ↑

A GREEN APPROACH TO TOURISM

The decision to locate Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station 90 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou is part of a broader effort to ensure that tourism development does not come at the expense of the environment. By keeping the railway and the station at a distance, the area’s natural beauty is preserved for future generations. In fact, the railway design extended the route by 20% to avoid disrupting important wildlife corridors, such as the Tudiling Corridor, which serves as a breeding ground for giant pandas. This eco-conscious approach not only helps protect the environment but also enhances the travel experience by offering visitors an unspoiled view of northwest Sichuan’s landscapes.

Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Railway Station: A Green Approach to Tourism ▏hi@tibet4fun.com ↑

By making these concessions, the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway has achieved a harmonious balance between convenience for tourists and the preservation of the region’s rich biodiversity. The 90-kilometer distance between the new station and Jiuzhaigou may add time to the journey, but it ensures that the scenic beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site remains intact.