The first of three photo posts showing the beauty of Jiuzhaigou National Park in Sichuan Province, China. Jiuzhaigou is divided into three valleys, Shuzheng is the entrance, which branches into Rize and Zechawa.
Five-Flower Lake
Close to the meeting point of the two valleys, this is the most popular lake. It’s only 5m deep, and the bottom can clearly be seen, cross-crossed by multiple tree trunks.
Five-Flower Lake viewed from above
Five-flower Lake
Apparently Five-Flower lake looks like a deer’s leg when viewed from above. In local folklore, the King of the Forest injured a holy deer, who fell down and became a lake. The dark green algae spots mimic the pattern of the local spotted deer.
The largest fallen tree in Five-Flower Lake
Panda Lake
Supposedly where Pandas would enjoy hanging out for a drink, Panda Lake is next to the largest rest point on the Rize Valley trail. The adjacent lakes are called Swan Lake, where swans would enjoy hanging out for a drink, and Grass Lake.
Despite appearances, this lake is only 6m deep. It was a major filming location for the movie Hero, starring Jet Li
Pearl Shoal Waterfall
Pearl Shoal is a large, sloped area of calcareous tufa(?), over which flows a thin sheet of water. The shoals culminate in the famous Pearl Shoals Waterfalls. The waterfall basin is 310m wide and drops 28m. It seems to be a popular spot for wedding photography and dropping litter.
More about Jiuzhaigou
Be sure to check out the other two posts in the the series covering Shuzheng Valley and Zechawa Valley, followed by a post detailing the reality of visiting this crowded national park.
I shouldn’t have skipped Jiuzhaigou when I was around, I see now.
Who knows how it’ll look when, if ever, I get back there.
Beautiful photos–I especially like the tree in the lake against an aquamarine backdrop!
what gorgeous colors – the BLUES!!
Beautiful pictures! I’m always blown away at how diverse the landscapes in China are. It seems to have everything!
That’s amazingly clear water!
Wow! Really makes me want to go for a swim. Amazing pics.
Great work, Steve! That Five Flower Lake looks truly incredible, and I love the way you captured its colors. Seems like a dreamy place to spend a day.