Things to do in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou is a fairyland left behind by the heavens on earth. It is so beautiful that it makes you want to cry. The Pearl Shoal Waterfall, the filming location of the 1986 TV series Journey to the West, is even more unforgettable. Its water either cascades down in thousands of strands with a graceful posture that makes people linger, or it gallops like ten thousand horses with a huge momentum that makes people feel awe. "After visiting Jiuzhaigou, you will not see any water again." It is indeed well-deserved!

Fairy Pool, a less-visited scenic spot in Jiuzhaigou County, is a beautiful and less crowded destination during the National Day holiday! The travertine pools of Lotus Terrace are particularly stunning, with their crystal-clear Tiffany blue waters – absolutely breathtaking! Traveling with the whole family, we were worried about altitude sickness at Huanglong, but we're so glad we chose Fairy Pool. You might even encounter adorable chipmunks! Highly recommended!

We stayed at the Hilton Hotel and passed by the town visitor center. The front desk lady gave us a free guide map and patiently introduced the experience activities in the resort. She also let us take a free shuttle bus to Zhongchagou. We went to the Tibetan family to drink tea and ride horses. Life was so comfortable that my friends didn't want to leave. In the evening, we danced on the bonfire and visited the museum by the way. The exhibits inside were so shocking, especially the embroidery exhibits of the intangible cultural heritage master Mr. Yang. I really recommend it. There are so many activities.

Beautiful, can walk, but there are a lot of yak and horse dung. 11/15/2024

Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou is the scenic area's "face," situated at an altitude of 2365 meters. With a width of 270-300 meters and a drop of 24.5 meters, it is currently the widest known high-altitude travertine waterfall in China, earning it the title of "China's No. 1 Waterfall." "Nuorilang" means "male god" in Tibetan, symbolizing grandeur and magnificence; therefore, locals also regard it as the "most magnificent waterfall." The surging water pours down from the Nuorilang Lakes, splitting into countless streams at the top, resembling a silver river cascading down from afar; mist rises from the valley floor, and rainbows are often seen arching across the surface at dawn. Four Seasons to See - Spring: Abundant water, lush greenery, vibrant life. - Summer: Maximum water volume, roaring through the valley, countless silver beads of water. - Autumn: Surrounded by colorful forests, red and yellow intertwine, the richest color palette. - Winter: Waterfalls freeze into giant ice curtains, forming the "Blue Ice" spectacle of Jiuzhaigou. A must-see in Jiuzhaigou is Nuorilang Waterfall. Standing on the viewing platform, you can get a panoramic view of "the widest travertine waterfall + rainbow + spectacular photos of the four seasons." Suitable for photos in the morning and all year round.

The Five-Colored Ponds are renowned natural wonders in China, primarily located in the Huanglong Scenic Area and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The following is a detailed introduction: I. Geographic Location and Altitude Huanglong Five-Colored Ponds Located at the highest point of the Huanglong Scenic Area in Songpan County, at an altitude of 3,576 meters, they are the world's highest open-air travertine pools, comprising 693 pools of varying sizes. Rich in calcium carbonate and bicarbonate ions, they are known as the "Eyes of the Yellow Dragon."12 Jiuzhaigou Five-Colored Ponds Located in the Zechawa Valley of Jiuzhaigou, at an altitude of 3,010 meters, they are the smallest lake in Jiuzhaigou and are known as the "Eyes of Jiuzhaigou" for their vibrant colors. II. Scenic Features Color Causes: The water in these pools exhibits a vibrant blend of blue, green, yellow, and red due to minerals, algae, and light refraction. The Huanglong Five-Colored Ponds are particularly rich in travertine deposits, while the Jiuzhaigou Five-Colored Ponds are even more translucent due to aquatic plants and reflections of the snow-capped mountains.15 Changing Seasons: Jiuzhaigou's Five-Colored Pool displays different hues with the seasons, emerald green and azure blue in spring and summer, and golden and silvery white in autumn and winter. When the Huanglong Five-Colored Pool is still ice-free in winter, it stands out against the snow-capped mountains, creating a tranquil and mysterious scene.

Five-Flower Lake, at an altitude of 2462 meters, is 450 meters long, 313 meters wide, and 9 meters deep. It is a barrier lake formed by a landslide and debris flow blocking a former glacial valley. Five-Flower Lake is the most colorful lake in Jiuzhaigou. The travertine, algae, aquatic plants, and dead trees on the lakebed, under different reflections and refractions of light, combined with the reflections of the blue sky, white clouds, green grass, and verdant forests in the lake, create a tapestry of colors—from pale yellow and emerald green to dark green, sky blue, deep blue, and navy blue—resembling a giant ornament inlaid with countless gemstones, shimmering and magnificent. Viewed from above, it resembles a peacock spreading its tail feathers.

When I first arrived, I was disappointed; it looked like a run-down little park, and there weren't many people. But once I started walking along the forest trail, I was pleasantly surprised. The water features couldn't compare to those in Jiuzhaigou, but the forest trail was very comfortable, and I saw many plants and mosses I'd never seen before… I even spotted a sneaky, chubby weasel! 😁 I recommend setting aside half a day for a visit. There are fast and slow charging stations.

Opposite the lake, snow-capped peaks, cirques, "U"-shaped valleys and other typical glacier landscapes are vividly visible. The banks are covered with lush trees and leaves. At a glance, the water is like a mirror, and the towering snow-capped peaks are bathed in the blue sky and white clouds, which is spectacular and beautiful. This lake area has a large surface area, but there is no surface outlet. The water does not overflow the embankment during heavy rains in summer and autumn, and does not dry up during long droughts in winter and spring. The Tibetan people praise it as a "treasure gourd that is never full and never leaks."

Seeing Pearl Shoal Waterfall always evokes a touch of nostalgia. Everyone comes here because of the 1986 TV series "Journey to the West," and we've heard that the opening sequence was filmed here. Pearl Shoal Waterfall is located in Rize Valley, a microcosm of Jiuzhaigou's scenery, and one of China's most distinctive waterfalls. It's the widest waterfall in Jiuzhaigou, at an altitude of 2433 meters, 21 meters high, with a crescent-shaped crest and a maximum drop of 40 meters. The wide curtain of water cascades down from Pearl Shoal, creating a circular silver screen.