Heavenly Pool, Jiuzhaigou on Earth—Jiuzhaigou, located in Sichuan Province, China, is a magical place that attracts tourists from all over the world with its unparalleled natural scenery and rich cultural connotations. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jiuzhaigou is not only a magnificent scenic area but also an ecological diversity conservation area.
Overview of Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. Named after the nine Tibetan villages scattered within the valley, Jiuzhaigou is a scenic area famous for its pristine natural beauty and ethnic minority customs.
The total area of the scenic spot is about 720 square kilometers, featuring rich water landscapes, forests, snow-capped mountains, and Tibetan culture, making it a tourist destination that integrates nature and humanity. It is one of the first natural heritage sites in China to be listed on the World Heritage List.
Legends of Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou is surrounded by layers of mountains and dense forests, with 108 clear lakes and rushing waterfalls, as well as various birds and rare animals. Standing anywhere in Jiuzhaigou, you seem to be admiring a beautiful and outstanding painting. Water is the soul of Jiuzhaigou, with 108 clear lakes, including Five-Color Pond, Long Lake, Sparkling Lake, and Five-Flower Lake, among others. But where did these lakes come from?
Legend has it that in ancient times, the goddess Wono Semo's lover, the valiant god Dage, gave her a precious mirror. Perhaps too delighted, Wono accidentally dropped the mirror, shattering it into 108 pieces, which became the 108 colorful lakes known as "emerald seas." From a young age, people learned from mythological stories that the Queen Mother of Heaven's palace had a five-colored pool, but who had ever seen it?
In Jiuzhaigou, you can truly see colorful lakes, such as the Five-Color Pond hidden at the bottom of Zechawa Valley. Through the forest gaps, you can see places in the pond where the water is azure, some light green, some crimson, some gray-black, and some places show a beautiful pink-blue. If a mountain breeze blows, the whole lake becomes a riot of colors, like a five-colored pool fallen to earth. Locally, it was once said that this was dyed by the rouge water of a fairy. However, in fact, it is closely related to the aquatic communities formed by water moss, chara, water ferns, and other aquatic plants growing in the lake.
Best Travel Time
Jiuzhaigou offers different beautiful scenery throughout the year, but the best travel times are spring and autumn. In spring, Jiuzhaigou is full of blooming flowers, and the lake water is crystal clear, making it a great time for photographing the lake and mountain scenery. In autumn, Jiuzhaigou is famous for its red leaves, with the leaves of various trees changing into red, yellow, and green colors in the autumn wind, creating a colorful picture with the azure lake water.
In winter, Jiuzhaigou is covered with snow, presenting a tranquil and mysterious beauty. In summer, it is a great place to escape the heat, with the lush greenery providing a refreshing feeling.
Main Attractions
Five-Flower Lake
Five-Flower Lake is a landmark attraction in Jiuzhaigou, known as "a pearl of Jiuzhaigou." The calcium carbonate-rich water, combined with aquatic plants containing different chlorophyll, creates a kaleidoscope of colors under the sunlight. The forest on the shore reflects in the pool, creating a colorful scene with submerged wood and plants, hence the name Five-Flower Lake. Its magnificent underwater world is breathtaking, with travertine deposits and various brightly colored algae dividing the lake into many color blocks, like countless gems embedded in a giant ornament, exuding a charming brilliance at the bottom of the lake.
Nuorilang Waterfall
Nuorilang Waterfall is one of the widest waterfalls in China, about 300 meters wide and 20 meters high. The waterfall cascades down, with mist filling the air, often forming beautiful rainbows under the sunlight. The name "Nuorilang" is a transliteration of Tibetan, meaning "male god," symbolizing grandeur and majesty. Therefore, Nuorilang Waterfall is a magnificent and spectacular waterfall. The rushing water comes from the Nuorilang group of lakes, flowing down the top of the waterfall like a galaxy pouring down, echoing through the valley. The southern end has a powerful water flow, with a chilling mist rising. In the morning sunlight, rainbows often span the valley, making this waterfall even more charming.
Shuzheng Lakes
Shuzheng Lakes is a group of lakes of various sizes, known for its colorful lake water and rich vegetation. The lakes in Shuzheng Lakes are clear, with the water showing different colors under the sunlight, like a giant natural palette.
Long Lake
Long Lake is the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou, with the highest altitude, surrounded by lush primeval forests and towering snow-capped mountains. Long Lake gathers water from numerous snow mountains and streams, but it has no outlet, relying entirely on evaporation and underground seepage for drainage. Surprisingly, it never overflows after long rains or dries up after long droughts, earning it the nickname "the inexhaustible, unfillable treasure gourd." The lake surface is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding peaks, with layers of green mountains and ancient woods, and snow-capped peaks in the distance, offering a heavenly view.
Pearl Shoal Waterfall
Pearl Shoal Waterfall is about 160 meters wide and 20 meters high. Its downstream Pearl Shoal is named for its rapid water flow and splashing water droplets that resemble pearls. The shoal surface is composed of travertine, with small scale-like undulations. When a thin layer of water flows over the shoal surface, it sparkles like countless pearls under the sunlight, hence the name Pearl Shoal. Due to the gentle water flow and flat shoal surface, visitors can walk barefoot on the shoal. However, as the waterfall is formed by snowmelt from the mountains, the water temperature is low, and even in midsummer, walking on Pearl Shoal feels chilling.
Cultural Experience
The name Jiuzhaigou comes from the nine Tibetan villages here, including Shuzheng, Zechawa, Nuorilang, Rize, Zaru, Heijiao, Pantuo, Shangsi, and Xiazhai. Each village has its unique culture and traditions, allowing visitors to experience Tibetan customs and life up close. Jiuzhaigou is not only famous for its natural scenery but also for its rich cultural heritage, adding to its charm. The Tibetan and Qiang people living here have traditional cultures and lifestyles that blend with the natural environment. The local Tibetan villages maintain their original customs and religious beliefs, and visitors can learn about Tibetan traditional culture, handicrafts, and religious ceremonies by visiting these villages.
Religious Culture
The Tibetan people in the Jiuzhaigou area believe in Tibetan Buddhism, and temples are an important part of Tibetan culture. Visitors can visit local temples, listen to monks chanting, and feel the mystery and tranquility of Tibetan Buddhism.
Conclusion
Jiuzhaigou attracts countless tourists with its unique natural beauty and rich cultural connotations. Here, you can admire the wonders of nature and feel the profound heritage of Tibetan culture. Whether it's hiking, photography, or cultural experiences, Jiuzhaigou will provide you with an unforgettable travel experience. We hope this detailed travel guide will help you better plan your trip and enjoy your time in Jiuzhaigou.