Jiuzhaigou: Complete Guide to the Valley of 108 Lakes

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What is this place
Jiuzhaigou National Park in Sichuan Province is a crown jewel of Chinese nature, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name translates to "Nine Villages Valley," where Tibetan tribes historically lived. At altitudes of 2,000-4,300 meters, this unique ecosystem features 108 crystal-clear lakes, 17 waterfalls, and ancient forests.

The main attraction lies in travertine terraces created by calcium carbonate deposits, giving the water bodies incredible transparency and fantastic colors ranging from turquoise to emerald, depending on depth and mineral composition.

Key attractions
Five Flower Lake — the most famous and photogenic, changing colors from blue to golden. Nuorilang Waterfall (320m wide) — the most powerful in the valley. Long Lake — the largest water body stretching 7.5km. Mirror Lake reflects surrounding peaks like a perfect mirror.

Routes and zones
The park has a Y-shaped structure with three main valleys:

Rize Valley (18km) — most scenic, includes Five Flower Lake and Panda Lake
Zechawa Valley (17km) — Long Lake and Seasonal Lake
Shuzheng Valley (14km) — Nuorilang and Shuzheng waterfalls
Recommended route: start from the farthest point by bus, then walk down, stopping at key locations. Full exploration requires 1-2 days.

How to get there
From Beijing/Shanghai: Direct flights to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, then 1.5-hour bus ride to the park entrance.

From Chengdu:

By air: 1-hour flight + bus transfer
By land: 8-hour bus journey through scenic mountain roads
High-speed train to Jiuzhaigou + bus (recommended for comfort)
Best time to visit
September-October: Peak autumn colors with golden aspens and red maples creating a fiery kaleidoscope. June-August:
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