Encountering the Beauty of China, Feeling Poetry and the Faraway - Walking the Motherland Series VI: Sichuan Chapter (2) Jiuzhaigou Shenxianchi Scenic Area

📍 Jiuzhaigou · 👁 2378 reads

Sichuan - Aba Prefecture - Jiuzhaigou - Shenxianchi Scenic Area

Whenever Jiuzhaigou is mentioned, people know it as a famous tourist attraction in Sichuan Province, China. Many have visited Jiuzhaigou and been stunned by its beautiful scenery. The saying "After visiting Jiuzhaigou, no other water scenery compares" perfectly captures the essence of Jiuzhaigou's picturesque and beautiful landscapes. However, just 40 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, there is another place of breathtaking beauty—Shenxianchi Scenic Area—yet few people know of its existence, and even fewer go there to admire its views. Those who have been there say that nature has truly favored Sichuan, not only bestowing it with the "fairy tale world" of Jiuzhaigou and the "earthly paradise" of Huanglong, but also with this Shenxianchi, which combines the beauty of both Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong.

Sichuan - Aba Prefecture - Jiuzhaigou - Shenxianchi Scenic Area

Shenxianchi (Nen'encuo) Scenic Area is located in Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It lies in the southern section of the Minshan Mountains on the northwestern Sichuan Plateau and is the core scenic area of Jiuzhaigou National Forest Park, standing opposite the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. The total area of the scenic area is 200 square kilometers. In Tibetan, "Nen'encuo" means "a place where fairies bathe." Its main attractions are distributed in a high mountain valley about 3,000 meters long and 300 meters wide. In 2021, Shenxianchi Scenic Area was officially designated as a national 4A-level scenic area.

Sichuan - Aba Prefecture - Jiuzhaigou - Shenxianchi Scenic Area

Within Shenxianchi Scenic Area, you can see alpine lakes, large areas of calcified landscapes, and vast primeval forests. The overlapping peaks, winding deep ravines, and swirling clouds create an ethereal, mysterious, and tranquil atmosphere.

Entering the Shenxianchi Scenic Area, you walk slowly along ancient wooden boardwalks. On either side are lush dense forests. Among the green pines, cypresses, and red birch branches, cute little squirrels occasionally scurry by. Large slopes are coated with yellow and milky white calcium deposits, forming peculiar basin-shaped calcified pools and slopes that pile up layer upon layer before you. The water in the pools emits a unique "Jiuzhaigou blue," seemingly untouched by the mortal world. The Jade Pool also displays various shades of blue, interwoven in layers. Such landscapes seem fit only for fairy bathing, leaving one to wonder why this place is not more famous.

Sichuan - Aba Prefecture - Jiuzhaigou - Shenxianchi Scenic Area

1. The altitude of Shenxianchi is only about 2,200 meters, and the relative height difference between scenic spots is only about 300 meters, so altitude sickness is generally not a concern.

2. The mountain road from the Jiuzhaigou entrance to Shenxianchi is about 40 kilometers with decent road conditions, though some sections are narrow; self-driving tourists need to drive carefully.

3. Public transportation to Shenxianchi Scenic Area is inconvenient; independent travelers generally need to hire a car. A visit of about two hours is sufficient.

4. Tour groups rarely visit Shenxianchi Scenic Area, so the biggest advantage of visiting here is the lack of crowds, even during peak season. You can leisurely stroll and take photos, enjoying the natural beauty to your heart's content.

Sichuan - Aba Prefecture - Jiuzhaigou - Shenxianchi Scenic Area