Nuorilang Transportation Transfer Center

The design of the Nuorilang Transfer Center harmoniously combines modern material technologies with the principles of sustainable development and respect for the protected natural environment. Designed by the renowned Institute of Architectural Design at Tsinghua University (THAD), the facility is a key element of the tourism infrastructure in one of China's most valuable UNESCO nature reserves.

Reconstruction after the Disaster

Jiuzhaigou National Park suffered a devastating earthquake in 2017, triggering over 1,800 landslides and leading to significant infrastructure damage. In response, the Sichuan provincial government developed a comprehensive reconstruction plan. This included the construction of the Nuorilang Transfer Center – part of a broader reconstruction program aimed not only at restoring the functionality of tourist facilities but also at setting new standards for architecture in protected areas.

Architecture in the Jiuzhaigou Landscape

THAD architects faced a unique challenge: designing a functional building complex that would withstand the extreme climatic conditions of high mountains, yet be virtually invisible in the spectacular landscape of Jiuzhaigou – a valley famous for its cascading waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and peaks reaching 4,800 meters above sea level. In response, they employed advanced parametric design techniques to ensure that the Transit Center's form blends harmoniously with the surrounding environment.