Jiuzhaigou National Park

If the name of this park sounds familiar to you, it might be because it was in the news recently. A devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Jiuzhaigou area just weeks after I visited the park. On August 8th, at least 20 people were killed, and over 430 were injured in the earthquake. Looking through photos of the damage is unreal. I was walking down those streets just last month. Now they're rubble. The beautiful blue waters we saw at the park are slowly draining away and what's left is just a cloudy mixture that will surely be gone soon. (Click here to see before and after photos.)

It's truly heartbreaking and I feel so terrible for the families of those who were lost, and for everyone who was injured. I'm still in shock. I'm grateful I was able to witness the beauty of this park before the earthquake, but I'm sad thinking it may never be as gorgeous as it once was. Here are some photos I took during my visit. <3

We love you, Jiuzhaigou. Please keep China, Jiuzhaigou, and everyone affected by the earthquake in your thoughts. <3