Dreamy Jiuzhaigou – A Nine-Day Tour
Located in the transitional zone from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Sichuan Basin, Jiuzhaigou is renowned for its colorful lakes and magnificent waterfalls. On August 8, 2017, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, damaging the scenic area. After several years of restoration, Jiuzhaigou has now regained its beauty. After the peak summer season, we decided to visit Jiuzhaigou after the earthquake. For this trip, we planned to first visit the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, then take a bus to Jiuzhaigou, so we chose Mianyang, which has more train services to Guanghan, as our first stop.
Cost (for two people): total 11,910.58 CNY, including:
Transportation (including chartered car): 4,678.00 CNY
Accommodation: 1,948.24 CNY
Tickets (including scenic area sightseeing buses, cable cars, etc.): 2,314.00 CNY
Shopping, meals, city transportation, and miscellaneous: 2,970.34 CNY
We took a morning flight and landed at Mianyang Nanjiao Airport at 9:45, then took a taxi to the reserved hotel. After a short rest and lunch, we went to Fule Mountain Park in Mianyang.
Fule Mountain Scenic Area is located 2 kilometers east of Mianyang city center in Sichuan Province, on the southern section of the ancient "Shu Road to Jianmen". Originally called East Mountain, also known as Banner Mountain, it features a beautiful environment, numerous historical sites, and a combination of Three Kingdoms relics and landscape gardens. With gardens within gardens and changing views with each step, it has both the grandeur of imperial gardens and the rustic charm of natural landscapes, earning it the reputation as "the number one mountain in Mianzhou".
Fule Mountain Park
Day 2
At 7:15 a.m., we took a bullet train from Mianyang Station to Guanghan North Station. After exiting, we transferred to a bus and arrived at Sanxingdui Museum just after 8 a.m.
The Sanxingdui site, dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years, is the largest, longest-lasting, and most culturally rich ancient city, kingdom, and Shu culture site discovered in the southwestern region. It is known as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, demonstrating that the Yangtze River basin, like the Yellow River basin, is a maternal source of Chinese civilization, earning it the title "Source of the Yangtze River Civilization".
Located on the banks of the Yazi River in the historic city of Guanghan, the Sanxingdui Museum is situated at the northeastern corner of the Sanxingdui site. It integrates functions of artifact collection, preservation, academic research, and social education, and is a modern specialized site museum in China. Covering an area of about 530 mu (approximately 35.3 hectares), the museum opened in October 1997. It houses and displays over a thousand precious artifacts unearthed from the Sanxingdui site and its two Shang dynasty sacrificial pits, including bronze, jade, gold, pottery, and bone objects.
Sanxingdui artifacts are valuable human cultural heritage. Among China's vast and spectacular array of cultural relics, they are among the most historically, scientifically, and artistically valuable and visually appealing. These ancient Shu treasures include many bizarre and mysterious bronze shapes: a 2.62-meter-tall bronze standing figure, a 1.38-meter-wide bronze mask, and a 3.96-meter-tall bronze sacred tree, all unique masterpieces of their time. The gold artifacts, represented by the dazzling gold scepter, and the jade and stone artifacts, such as the patterned border tablet, are also unprecedented rare treasures.
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
We spent about four hours visiting the museum. Since it was still early, we went to Fanghu Park.
Fanghu Park is located in the southwest corner of Luocheng Street in Guanghan City. It was built during the Tang dynasty by the famous prime minister Fang Guan when he was demoted to be the prefect of Hanzhou. It is known as the "Pearl of Western Sichuan". The west gate is the crenellated gate of the ancient Luocheng city, with 500 meters of battlements and a three-story tower, towering and majestic, with golden tiles shining and red pillars flowing, solemn and magnificent. Inside the park, scenic spots are scattered in an antique style, combining the delicate features of Suzhou-style gardens with the ancient charm of Bashu gardens.
After exiting Fanghu Park, we took a bus to Guanghan North Station and caught a bullet train back to Mianyang at 18:17.
Day 3
Today we are going to Jiuzhaigou. Currently, the expressway from Mianyang to Jiuzhaigou and the high-speed rail from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou are both under construction, so the only option is to take a long-distance bus. After breakfast at the hotel, we took a taxi to Mianyang Pingzheng Bus Station. Departing at 9:30 sharp, after nearly 8 hours of driving, we checked into a hotel near the Jiuzhaigou scenic area in the evening.
The hotel we stayed at was not far from the Jiuzhaigou scenic area. After breakfast at the hotel, we walked for just over ten minutes to the main entrance of the scenic area.
Jiuzhaigou is a mountain valley over 50 kilometers deep, with an altitude above 2,000 meters. It is named after the nine Tibetan villages (Shuzheng, Heye, Zechawa, etc.) located in the valley (also known as Heyao Jiuzhai). Most of the valley is covered by forests, with numerous lakes, waterfall groups, and travertine streams. Water is the main attraction of Jiuzhaigou: crystal clear streams thread through forests and shoals like necklaces, while colorful lakes and magnificent waterfalls are a feast for the eyes. In the distance, snow-capped peaks stand tall against the sky, with perennial white snow. Combined with Tibetan wooden houses, prayer flag racks, plank bridges, mills, traditional customs, and myths, it is known as a "fairy-tale world".
Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve is located in Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is China's first nature reserve primarily aimed at protecting natural scenery, and is a famous scenic spot and a national model for civilized scenic tourism. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Man and Biosphere Reserve Network.
The Jiuzhaigou scenic area is distributed in a "Y" shape. The lower branch is Shuzheng Valley, the left branch is Zechawa Valley, and the right branch is Rize Valley. The scenic area's eco-friendly sightseeing buses go from the entrance to Nuorilang Service Center, then proceed to either Long Lake in Zechawa Valley or the Primeval Forest in Rize Valley, depending on the dispatch. On the return, visitors can get off at various attractions.
We planned to spend two days in Jiuzhaigou. Today, our first stop on the eco-sightseeing bus was Long Lake in Zechawa Valley, so our Jiuzhaigou trip began at Long Lake.
Zechawa Valley is the left branch of the "Y" shape of Jiuzhaigou. From Nuorilang Service Center to Long Lake, it stretches nearly 18 kilometers, with beautiful scenery and the highest altitude route in Jiuzhaigou. The attractions are concentrated at the end of the valley, mainly including Seasonal Lake, Five-Color Pond, and Long Lake.
Long Lake is at an altitude of 3,150 meters, the longest lake in Jiuzhaigou, about 5 kilometers long, appearing ink-blue and shaped like an "S". Surrounded by layered green mountains and dense forests along the shore, the lake is like a mirror, with majestic snow peaks bathed in the blue sky and white clouds, spectacular and magnificent. Long Lake can be considered the mother of all lakes in Jiuzhaigou because it has no outlet, only draining through evaporation and underground channels that replenish other lakes.
A one-kilometer walk downhill from Long Lake leads to Five-Color Pond.
Five-Color Pond is located in the southern section of Zechawa Valley, north of Long Lake. Famous for its beauty, colorfulness, purity, and clarity, it is the smallest and most vibrant pond in Jiuzhaigou. The water is clear and transparent, the lake surface is deep blue, and through the water, the patterns of the rocks at the bottom can be clearly seen. The aquatic plants growing in the water have different chlorophyll levels, and in the calcium-rich lake water, they display various colors. Under the sunlight, the dappled light and shadows create a riot of color.
From Five-Color Pond, we took a sightseeing bus back to Nuorilang Service Center. After a short rest, we walked to Nuorilang Waterfall and began to explore the attractions of Shuzheng Valley.
Shuzheng Valley is the main valley of Jiuzhaigou and the gateway to its beautiful scenery. It is 14 kilometers long and has over 40 lakes, accounting for about 40% of all lakes in Jiuzhaigou. Known as a microcosm of Jiuzhaigou, it features mysterious lakes, colorful shoals, clusters of lakes with primitive mills and plank bridges, and majestic waterfalls, making it an overwhelming display of nature's wonder.
Nuorilang Waterfall is at an altitude of 2,365 meters, with a width of 270 meters and a height of 24.5 meters. It is one of China's large calcified waterfalls and the widest waterfall in the country. The name Nuorilang means "majestic waterfall" in Tibetan. It cascades down in multiple levels, with a 140-meter-wide water curtain flying out from between the mountains, creating a rare forest waterfall. Opposite the waterfall, there is a viewing platform where the entire waterfall can be seen. The 300-meter waterfall, set against the clouds, turns into a magnificent scene. Many films and TV series have been shot here, including the ending of the 1986 TV series "Journey to the West".
Nuorilang Waterfall is a must-visit spot in Jiuzhaigou and is very crowded. After enjoying the area, we took a bus to Rhinoceros Lake.
Rhinoceros Lake is at an altitude of 2,301 meters, with a wide water area, making it the second largest lake in Jiuzhaigou. Legend says that a seriously ill monk rode a rhinoceros to this spot, drank from the divine spring by the lake, and was cured, so he left the rhinoceros here, giving the lake its name. In spring and summer, the lake is emerald green; in autumn, the reflected autumn colors on the lake are stunningly beautiful. Especially the large area of heart-stopping blue water makes visitors linger.
About two minutes by bus from Rhinoceros Lake is Tiger Lake.
Tiger Lake is at an altitude of 2,298 meters. The water appears blue due to travertine, with smooth color transitions from light blue to sapphire to deep blue, very beautiful. In late autumn, the trees on the shore are covered with red and purple leaves, reflecting in the clear water, creating a mottled pattern like tiger stripes.
From Tiger Lake, a short bus ride takes you to Shuzheng Village.
Shuzheng Village is a Tibetan and Qiang village in Shuzheng Valley. Behind the village is the sacred Dage Mountain at 4,200 meters, facing Shuzheng Lakes. Inside the village is the Nine-Treasure Lotus Stupa, symbolizing the unity, peace, and happiness of the nine Tibetan villages.
Shuzheng Waterfall is located by the road in front of Shuzheng Village, at an altitude of 2,295 meters. It is the first waterfall encountered when entering the valley and the smallest of the four major waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou. The waterfall forms a forward-convex arc, composed of many interconnected cascades, creating a multi-level rounded shape.
Shuzheng Lakes are at altitudes between 2,187 and 2,280 meters. The terrain was formed by mudslide deposits layered on valley floors, then further calcified, creating 19 lakes arranged in tiers along the valley. On the embankments grow clumps of plateau-specific shrubs, rooted in the water, standing against the current, enduring the flow for years without falling or decaying, forming a unique plant community and a rare natural wonder. Forests, lakes, and small waterfalls intertwine, set in deep mountain valleys, connected by green trees and silver cascades, like a beautiful emerald necklace for Shuzheng Village, presenting a wondrous scene of "trees growing in water, water flowing through forests, and people wandering in a painting".
Walking along the plank road for over 900 meters from Shuzheng Lakes, a peaceful lake appears before you: this is Crouching Dragon Lake.
Crouching Dragon Lake is at an altitude of 2,220 meters. At the bottom, there is a milky-yellow travertine embankment shaped like a submerged dragon, lifelike. The lake surface is calm and serene, like a smooth, transparent sapphire. The lake is surrounded by colorful flowers and trees. In spring and summer, it is lush green. The blue-green water becomes even more intense, intoxicating the heart. When autumn wind rises, red leaves and green trees are reflected in the lake, creating a beautiful picture.
Dead branches and broken trees that have been soaked in water for a long time, through travertine action, form beautiful "tree corals".
Continuing along the forest plank road, accompanied by clear lake water and beautiful "tree corals" at the bottom, we soon arrive at Spark Lake.
Spark Lake was formed by mudslide deposits, at an altitude of 2,211 meters, surrounded by dense forests. The lake, nestled in clusters of green, is as calm as a mirror, like a crystal-clear jade plate. When sunlight slants onto the lake, shimmering ripples sparkle like fire. Wildflowers bloom profusely around, with clusters of purple and red, and dewdrops on the flowers glitter like diamonds, complementing the sparks in the lake with endless charm.
One hundred meters from Spark Lake is Double Dragon Lake.
Double Dragon Lake is at an altitude of 2,200 meters, surrounded by many tall trees. At the bottom, many dead branches and broken trees have settled. Through the crystal-clear water, two ribbon-like biological travertine embankments can be seen hidden underwater. The upper part of the embankments is travertine, the lower part is moraine, resembling two dragons, both still and moving. On the indigo water surface, brown dead wood sprouts clusters of delicate, green plants – a sign of dead wood coming back to life, full of vitality, making people feel the power of nature and the traces of history.
From Double Dragon Lake, we took a bus to Bonsai Shoal.
Bonsai Shoal, also called "Bonsai Lake" and "Jiazhucuo" in Tibetan, is the first shoal landscape when entering Jiuzhaigou. The travertine slope of Bonsai Shoal is gentle, the river is clear. On the milky white travertine shoal, many plants grow, with intertwined roots, each tree forming a unique scene, creating natural bonsai of various forms. These bonsai are purely natural, without human manipulation, yet they display a higher aesthetic level through their unparalleled harmony and natural beauty.
Tired from the day's excursion, we took a few photos at Bonsai Shoal and then took the bus back to the main entrance, ending the day's itinerary.
Day 4
Yesterday we visited Zechawa Valley and Shuzheng Valley; today we continue with Rize Valley.
Rize Valley scenic line is 18 kilometers long, between Nuorilang and the Primeval Forest. It is the essence of Jiuzhaigou, extremely beautiful and varied, and the climax of Jiuzhaigou's landscape. Rize Valley is densely packed with attractions, including Mirror Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Pearl Shoal, Peacock River, Five-Flower Lake, Panda Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake, Swan Lake, and Grass Lake.
Here, some lakes are brilliantly colored like a kaleidoscope; some are pristine and natural, like entering a fairyland; some are deep and serene like enchanting mirrors. There are also the highest-drop waterfall, a treasure bowl-like shoal, ancient towering trees in the primeval forest. The attractions are arranged in order, with varied heights and natural transitions, giving a strong aesthetic impression that stirs the heart.
After entering the scenic area, our sightseeing bus happened to head toward the Primeval Forest. The bus stopped at Arrow Bamboo Lake, where most tourists started their visit, but we continued to the end of Rize Valley, the Primeval Forest.
The Primeval Forest is at the southernmost end of Jiuzhaigou, at an altitude of 2,930 meters, dominated by various fir and spruce trees. The air is fresh, making it a natural oxygen bar.
After a brief stay in the Primeval Forest, we walked downhill along the plank road. Not far away, a peak appeared beside the plank road, pointing to the sky like a sword – this is Sword Rock.
Sword Rock Hanging Spring is located between Grass Lake and the Primeval Forest. A solitary peak rises abruptly, over 500 meters high, standing majestically. The cliff is as smooth as if cut, like an unsheathed sword pointing straight into the sky, hence the name "Sword Rock". On the side facing Grass Lake, a stream of water falls from halfway up the mountain, like a white silk hanging in the air, about 130 meters high – this is the Hanging Spring. Legend says it is the lovesick tears of the goddess Semo searching for the god Dage.
Continuing from Sword Rock, we saw large aquatic plants before us – we had reached Grass Lake.
Grass Lake is at an altitude of 2,910 meters, a semi-swamp lake with a long shape. It is home to many colorful grasses and flowers, creating a special scenery of lush greenery. The blue grass in the water sways gracefully, and waterfowl swim leisurely. During blooming season, various flowers open with rich fragrances.
Walking on the wooden plank road, breathing fresh air, with flowing water underfoot and dense forests around, our mood was particularly cheerful. We walked and stopped, unwittingly arriving at Swan Lake.
Swan Lake is also a semi-swamp lake, at an altitude of 2,905 meters, surrounded by dense mountain forests and lush flowers and trees. On the wide lake, wild grass carpets the area, with a clear stream winding through. Sometimes swans land, and wild ducks swim in groups. The lake surface has a crystal luster, and the water grass is tender green, floating on the water like a layer of fine velvet.
From the Primeval Forest to Swan Lake, there is no sightseeing bus stop; the entire 3-kilometer stretch must be walked, so there are very few tourists. But the scenery along the way is beautiful, ethereal and quiet. Since another companion had already gone ahead by bus to Arrow Bamboo Lake, we couldn't stay long here, just took a few photos and then took a bus to Arrow Bamboo Lake.
Arrow Bamboo Lake is at an altitude of 2,629 meters. The lake is surrounded by lush arrow bamboo and towering fir trees. The water reflects the facing mountains and swaying bamboo shadows. The lake is wide and long, with blue-green water. Like a bright mirror, it reflects the dark mountain shadows; the straight trunks by the lake look as if they are growing directly in the water, making it hard to tell whether the mountain is in the water or the water is on the mountain.
Arrow Bamboo Lake has a unique phenomenon: some calcified dead trees lie in the water. Sometimes, half of the dead wood is exposed, and new seedlings take root on it, called "rotten wood regeneration" or "dead wood coming back to life" or "regenerated trees". These regenerated trees are a special feature of Arrow Bamboo Lake.
The water from Arrow Bamboo Lake flows into the forest, where there are dams formed by collapse. The water is divided into many streams by the dams and falls down, forming Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall.
Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall is at an altitude of 2,618 meters, with a height of 7 meters and a width of 150 meters. The waterfall has a large span but a low drop, forming an arc. Here, the blue lake, white waterfall, and flying catkins create a dynamic and static, blue-and-white wonder.
Walking downhill along the plank road from Arrow Bamboo Lake, listening to the gurgling water, we soon arrived at Panda Lake.
Panda Lake is a glacial barrier lake at an altitude of 2,574 meters, named after pandas that once visited in this area. Under the sunlight, the ripples of Panda Lake reflect dazzling colors, giving a dreamy feeling.
We originally wanted to walk to Five-Flower Lake along the plank road, but it was closed, so we had to take a bus to Five-Flower Lake.
Five-Flower Lake is located in the middle section of Rize Valley, upstream of the Peacock River, at an altitude of 2,462 meters. It is a barrier lake formed by landslides and mudslides blocking an ancient glacial valley. Known as "a unique wonder of Jiuzhaigou" and "the essence of Jiuzhaigou", due to calcified deposits at the bottom, various colorful algae, and the reflection of colorful trees along the shore, Five-Flower Lake displays a variety of colors such as goose-yellow, navy, dark green, sapphire, etc., hence the name "Five-Flower Lake".
The water colors of Five-Flower Lake are diverse, rich in variation, and full of variety. From a distance, you see the colorful reflections of green, dark green, deep blue, navy, golden, and some indescribable colors forming a clear layered image, intertwined without chaos, complementing without eroding, adorning without crowding, beautifully and perfectly.
Walking along the lakeside plank road, the calm water reflects colorful trees and blue sky and white clouds, very beautiful.
Continuing, we soon reached the end of the plank road, where the outlet of Five-Flower Lake meets the Peacock River. From the plank bridge at the outlet, we ascended to the mountain road and walked downhill to Pearl Shoal.
Pearl Shoal is a relatively wide stone shoal among the many lakes of Jiuzhaigou, at an altitude of 2,450 meters. It is a large calcified travertine platform formed by carbonate deposits. The clear lake water rushes down over the wide shoal; on the tilted, uneven stones, it splashes into silver droplets shaped like pearls, hence the name Pearl Shoal. The shoal is covered with many algae and scattered water-loving shrubs. Over a length of about 100 meters, the water cascades down multiple levels into the valley. Due to biological karstification and chemical deposition, the shoal surface is scaly and wavy. The clear rapids splash into countless foams, dazzling under the sun, like rolling pearls.
Below Pearl Shoal is a cliff. The rushing water from Pearl Shoal tumbles down the edge, forming a wide crescent-shaped waterfall – Pearl Shoal Waterfall.
Pearl Shoal Waterfall is at an altitude of 2,433 meters, with an average height of 21 meters and a width of 270 meters. It was formed by moraine platforms from the Quaternary glaciation, then calcified, making the waterfall slope higher and stronger. The waterfall falls into the valley with a deafening roar, creating a wild torrent that stirs up thousands of waves, raising mist in the green valley, then rushing eastward with thunderous sound, making the mountain stream boil with majestic force. This torrent is the most beautiful in water color, the fastest in flow, and the loudest in sound among all the rapids in Jiuzhaigou.
Walking along the plank road, there is a huge rock on the hillside that fell from the mountaintop during the August 8, 2017 earthquake in Jiuzhaigou. That earthquake caused great damage to Jiuzhaigou. To commemorate this moment, people named this rock "8.8 Rock".
From Pearl Shoal, we took a sightseeing bus to the next stop: Mirror Lake.
Mirror Lake is one of the famous attractions in Jiuzhaigou. It is long and narrow, about one kilometer long, surrounded by forests. The water surface is as smooth as a mirror, hence its name. At dawn or when morning glow covers the sky, the blue sky, white clouds, distant mountains, and nearby trees are all reflected in the lake, with clear lines and vibrant colors.
Mirror Lake has three wonders: on a sunny, windless day, the water surface is smooth like a mirror, reflecting the scenery with perfect fidelity, every detail visible; when summer drizzle falls, the water surface ripples slightly, and a faint, soft white belt of water appears upstream, without raindrops on it, smooth and bright, while outside the belt, the water shimmers, creating a dreamy effect; in the lake, many large fallen trees 20-30 meters long float half-submerged, and the tips of two huge trees are half-exposed, on which shrubs and moss grow, standing gracefully like bonsai in the middle of the lake.
From Mirror Lake, we took a sightseeing bus back to the main entrance, ending our visit to the Jiuzhaigou scenic area.
Day 5
Today we are going to Huanglong. Just after 7 a.m., the chartered driver we had arranged earlier came to pick us up at the hotel. After nearly 2 hours of driving, we arrived at the Huanglong scenic area.
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area is located in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is the only well-preserved high-altitude wetland in China. The main scenery is concentrated in Huanglong Valley, about 3.6 kilometers long, filled with milky yellow carbonate travertine deposits, which from a distance look like a yellow dragon winding through dense forests and deep valleys, hence the name Huanglong (Yellow Dragon). Inside the valley, there are over 3,400 colorful pools arranged in terraced patterns, with the longest travertine shoal stretching 1,300 meters and the widest part 170 meters. The main attraction is the surface travertine landscape, famous for its large scale, ingenious structure, and rich colors. With its rare karst landforms, Huanglong is world-renowned for its "four wonders": colorful pools, snow-capped mountains, gorges, and forests. It is hailed as a "world wonder" and "earthly fairy pool", a true paradise on earth.
We took a sightseeing bus from the visitor center to the lower cable car station, then took the cable car up the mountain, and then transferred to a sightseeing bus to Huanglong Temple. Walking up the stone steps, we first arrived at Moon Reflection Colorful Pool.
Continuing upward, we reached the highest colorful pool group in Huanglong: the Five-Color Pools.
The Five-Color Pools are a group of travertine pools, totaling 693 pools, with countless pools of different sizes and shapes, like a palette filled with various colorful paints: blue-green, sea blue, light blue, etc., extremely gorgeous. Strolling by the pools, with green mountains in the background, the 5,588-meter main peak of Minshan Mountain, Xuebaoding, stands majestically before us.
Descending along the viewing plank road from the Five-Color Pools, we saw in turn the most color-rich Contending Color Pool, the Potala Pool hidden among rhododendron bushes, the Mirror Reflection Pool nestled against the forest, and the naturally formed Bonsai Pool. Groups of crystal-clear and colorful pools, like colorful pearls set in the primeval forest, interlocking with pools within pools, outer pools connecting, embankments linked, overlapping in tiers. The pool surfaces are clear and dust-free, like bright mirrors. Around and in the pools, there are trees, rocks, flowers, and grasses, with cypress roots clinging, breathtakingly beautiful.
After passing Golden Beach, a yellow stone wall suddenly appeared before us – the world's longest travertine collapse wall. The surging water pours over the embankment, cascading down the travertine wall into a golden, magnificent calcified waterfall, very spectacular.
Going down the slope, thousands of layers of blue water break through the dense forest and rush down a rock ledge about 10 meters high and over 60 meters wide, forming dozens of stepped waterfalls, like rolling pearls flashing silver light; like a hanging water curtain with rising mist; like silk flowing gently and gracefully; like swaying bead curtains, charmingly beautiful. Behind the waterfall is a steep cliff, mostly with lung-shaped and flake-like travertine accumulations, seemingly dripping, golden yellow, making the entire waterfall look rich and magnificent. When sunlight touches, it reflects different colors, like colorful clouds descending from the sky, exceptionally brilliant – this is called "Flying Waterfall with Splendid Radiance".
Following the winding plank road down, a group of exquisite and delicate pools with clear water came into view – the Welcome Guests Pool. The pools vary in size, with strange shapes, brilliant colors, and well-arranged levels. Surrounded by mountains and lush forests, wildflowers bloom on the mountainside, and butterflies dance. Winding stone paths meander, dotted with viewing pavilions, adding interest.
Continuing down from Welcome Guests Pool, we soon arrived at the scenic area gate, ending our Huanglong trip.
Day 6
Our next destination was Songpinggou in Maoxian County. On the way to Maoxian, we would pass through the Fairy Pool scenic area, so we decided to visit Fairy Pool first before going to Maoxian. In the morning, the chartered driver arrived at the hotel as scheduled. The car drove along mountain roads, winding up the mountains with 28 switchbacks.
Jiuzhaigou – 28 Switchbacks
After an hour's drive, we arrived at the Fairy Pool scenic area.
Fairy Pool Scenic Area is located in Jiuzhaigou County, on the southern section of the Minshan Mountains on the northwest Sichuan Plateau, facing Jiuzhaigou in the distance. In Tibetan, it is called "Nen'ensangcuo", meaning "the place where fairies bathe". The entire scenic area is surrounded by vast primeval forests, with steep terrain. There are over 10 peaks above 4,000 meters, with layered ridges, deep winding streams, and misty clouds, giving a sense of ethereal mystery, tranquility, and remoteness.
Entering the Fairy Pool scenic area, we strolled slowly along the plank road, with lush dense forests beside us. Large slopes were coated with yellow and milky white calcareous deposits, forming peculiar basin-shaped travertine pools and slopes, stacked layer upon layer. The water in the pools has a unique "Jiuzhaigou blue", with an otherworldly quality.
There were few visitors, but the scenery was beautiful, making for a great experience. We spent nearly four hours leisurely exploring. After exiting the scenic area, we continued toward Maoxian. On the way, we passed by Songzhou Ancient City. Since there were still over four hours of driving to Maoxian, we didn't enter the city, just took a photo and continued.
Entering Maoxian territory, we stopped to rest at a place called Diexi Haizi by the roadside and took a few quick photos.
Diexi Haizi is located in Maoxian County, the largest Qiang settlement in China, at the foot of Minshan Mountain on the upper reaches of the Min River. It is a barrier lake formed by an earthquake. The lake surface is at an altitude of 2,258 meters, only about 1 kilometer wide but over 10 kilometers long. The lake consists of two connected parts, shaped like intestines. Surrounded by green mountains, with lush grass on the shore and clear blue ripples, it is a beautiful and charming scene, a unique highlight along the tourist route to the world natural heritage sites Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong.
After a brief stop, we continued to Maoxian, arriving in the evening. The driver took us to the hotel in Pingtou Qiang Village in Maoxian.
Pingtou Qiang Village is located in Maoxian County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan. The village has over 500 households, nearly 2,000 people, 95% of whom are Qiang. After the "5.12" earthquake, the rebuilt Pingtou Village continued the traditional Qiang architectural style of "living on the mountain slopes". Entering the village, terraces are scattered, streams flow gently, buildings are rustic, alleys are quiet, and plank roads connect the houses. The Qiang village has preserved its ancient and unique traditional culture, with simple folk customs and rich Qiang flavor.
Day 7
Today's itinerary was Songpinggou. Through the recommendation of the hotel owner the night before, we had already arranged a chartered driver. After breakfast, we departed from the hotel and arrived at Songpinggou scenic area an hour later.
Diexi·Songpinggou Tourist Scenic Area is located in Songpinggou Township, Diexi Town, the core area of Maoxian Qiang culture. The ecological environment is pristine and simple, with pleasant scenery. The scenic area is famous for its beautiful natural landscapes and rare earthquake relic landscapes, being one of the best-preserved earthquake damage sites in the world.
Entering the scenic area, we took a sightseeing bus to the highest point, Long Lake.
Long Lake is at an altitude of 2,900 meters, the highest and longest lake in Songpinggou. It is an alpine barrier lake formed by an earthquake, named for its length. In Tibetan, it is called "Saerjiaocuo". There are many "grassland fish" (Songpan naked carp) in the water, considered sacred by herders. The water is clear and transparent, reflecting the green mountains and trees, the surface is like a mirror, clean and clear.
Only a few people were in the entire scenic area, accompanied by white clouds and blue water, feeling carefree and happy. Standing by the water, the lake lies quietly between heaven and earth, peaceful and real, with a unique charm.
After a short stay at Long Lake, we took the bus to the next stop, Five-Color Pond. From the parking point, we had to climb over a few large rocks to reach Five-Color Pond.
Songpinggou Five-Color Pond is a colorful body of water, also called the Love Sea. The lake water is exceptionally clear, like a mirror, transparent and pure.
Coming up from Five-Color Pond, we took the bus to Ink Sea.
Ink Sea was formed by rock fractures causing subsidence and water accumulation, and by mountain collapses blocking the water flow. The water settles on the dark blue rocks, deep and bottomless. The color of the water is as deep as blue ink, hence the name Ink Sea. The surrounding peaks, lush trees, green pines, and various flowers are reflected in the water, interacting, making the water deep blue like ink, like a pool of poured ink. Under the sunshine, Ink Sea shimmers with sparkling light, full of spirit.
Standing by Ink Sea, looking into the distance, golden sunlight spreads over the water, a gentle breeze creates ripples, surrounding peaks stand steep, forests are dense. Mountains, water, and forests form a light ink painting in the quiet.
We took a few photos at Ink Sea, then took the sightseeing bus back to the main gate. White Stone Lake is right next to the gate.
White Stone Lake is the largest lake in Diexi·Songpinggou Tourist Scenic Area, also called Gongpeng Lake or Wa'erpu Lake, named after a mysterious white stone by the lake. Its shape is like a flat sickle, with the sharpest part being the deepest, and the green between the cliffs is heart-stirring. The lake reflects the blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and forests.
Perhaps due to insufficient rainfall this year, the scenery of the entire Songpinggou scenic area was not as impressive as expected. After a short stay at White Stone Lake, we took a bus back to the hotel.
Day 8
Originally, our trip also planned to include Bipenggou and the Wulong Scenic Area in Chongqing, but some changes occurred on the way, forcing us to terminate the trip early. We canceled the already-booked subsequent tickets and hotels, took a bus in the morning to Chadianzi Bus Station in Chengdu, then transferred to the subway to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, and caught a 17:20 flight back to Tianjin.
October 2023
