parque chinês de biosfera

China. Chinese tourists enjoy the 4500m mountain views and mineral tinged lakes at the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Reserve in Southwest China's Sichuan province Wednesday 07 September 2005. The remote location has 720 square kilometers of protected terrain where the indigenous Tibetans are now prospering from a daily influx of tens of thousands of mostly Chinese tourists. The rigidly imposed rules prevent visitors from smoking (fine 200 euros) or even stepping off the designated paths (fine 50 euros). In return one of the few remaining areas of primeval forest and unpolluted fresh water lakes is enjoyed by a huge number of visitors, most of whom take a 14 hour bus journey from the nearest major city. EPA