Jiajin Mountains in Sichuan
Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area, also known as Jiajin Mountain Scenic Spot or Jiajin Mountain Tourist Area, is located at the junction of Baoxing County in Ya’an City, Sichuan Province, and Xiaojin County in Aba Prefecture. It is bounded by the county borders of Baoxing and Wenchuan counties, Xiaojin County, and Kangding County in the northeast, north, and west directions, respectively. To the southeast, it borders the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, and to the southeast and south, it is bordered by the township boundaries of Qiaoqi Township and Longdong Township, and Yongfu Township, respectively. The area covers an area of 839 square kilometers.
Jiajin Mountain is a western branch of the Qionglai Mountain Range. The name “Jiajin” originated from the Tibetan transliteration of “jiaji” during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, meaning “curved road.” The main peak has an altitude of 4,260 meters, and the summit of Pingkou Wangmuzhai is at an altitude of 4,114 meters. It is the boundary between Baoxing and Xiaojin counties and the ancestral habitat of giant pandas for generations. The scenic area includes alpine lakes, Red Army relics, ethnic customs, and a semi-wild giant panda breeding and protection area.
In July 2006, at the 30th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the “Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat – Wolong, Mt. Siguniang, and Jiajin Mountain” was successfully listed on the World Natural Heritage List. In August 2022, it was selected as a “National Rural Tourism Boutique Route” by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Geographical Environment Location and Boundaries Jiajin Mountain is a western branch of the Qionglaishan Mountain Range. The Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area is located at the junction of Baoxing County in Ya’an City, Sichuan Province, and Xiaojin County in Aba Prefecture. It is bounded by the county borders of Baoxing and Wenchuan counties, Xiaojin County, and Kangding County in the northeast, north, and west directions, respectively. To the southeast, it borders the Fengtongzhai Reserve, and to the southeast and south, it is bordered by the township boundaries of Qiaoqi Township and Longdong Township, and Yongfu Township, respectively. The area covers an area of 839 square kilometers.
Topography and Landforms The main peak of the Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area is 4,930 meters above sea level, with steep cliffs on both sides and deep valleys.
Climate Characteristics The Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area belongs to a temperate plateau climate.
Hydrology The Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area is the source of the Qingyi River. The lakes are clear, and during the peak winter season, the water surface freezes, becoming a natural ice rink.
Natural Resources
Plant Resources The Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area is home to pure coniferous and broad-leaved forests as well as mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. The main tree species include spruce, fir, hemlock, alpine juniper, alpine pine, birch, and aspen, as well as rhododendrons, honeysuckle, and roses.
Animal Resources The Jiajin Mountain Scenic Area is home to national first and second-class protected animals such as golden monkeys, takins, goral, sika deer, blood pheasants, and reed parrotbills.
Main Attractions Overview Visitors to the scenic area can enjoy natural tourism resources such as alpine meadows, snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, primitive forests, and rare flora and fauna, as well as visit cultural tourism resources such as Qiaoqi Tibetan Village, Heping Tibetan Village, Red Army Umbrella, the former residence of the Central Red Army during the Long March in Qiaoqi, Liangshuijing, Red Army Trails, Wu Dao Guai, and Jiajin Mountain.
Jiajin Mountain Jiajin Mountain is located in the middle section of the Longmen Mountain Range of the Qionglai Mountains. It is situated in the northwest of Baoxing County, with the main peak at an altitude of 4,260 meters. The summit of Pingkou Wangmuzhai is at an altitude of 4,114 meters. It is the boundary between Baoxing and Xiaojin counties (Maogong), and it was the first snowy mountain crossed by the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army during its 25,000-mile Long March. Jiajin Mountain is covered in snow all year round, with steep mountains, towering trees, and vast grasslands.
Jiajin Village Jiajin Village is located in the heart of the “Wolong, Mt. Siguniang, and Jiajin Mountain” World Natural Heritage Site and the Jiajin Mountain National Forest Park. The villagers are warm, simple, and kind-hearted. Visitors can enjoy outdoor sports, leisurely dining, and summer health retreats.
Jiajin Lake Jiajin Lake has a water surface length of about 800 meters and a width of 200 meters, with a water area of 160,000 square meters. When viewed from the shore, the surrounding mountains, rocks, blue sky, white clouds, and sunset are reflected in the water, creating a colorful scene. When viewed from above, Jiajin Lake looks like a green gem embedded in Jiajin Mountain. During the peak winter season, the lake surface freezes, becoming a flat and hard natural ice rink, where visitors can play and skate.
Red Army Crossing Jiajin Mountain Memorial Hall The Red Army Crossing Jiajin Mountain Memorial Hall was built in 2005 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Red Army’s crossing of Jiajin Mountain during the Long March and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Chen Yun. It covers an area of about 4,500 square meters and consists of the Red Army Square, themed sculptures, and exhibition halls. The exhibition hall has two floors and two indoor exhibition halls. The first floor is the exhibition hall of the Red Army’s crossing of Jiajin Mountain, and the second floor is the exhibition hall of Chen Yun’s journey to Sichuan and his glorious life.
