With a total length of 18 km , the route links Nuorilang and virgin forests - the best part of all Jiuzhaigou tour routes. Noted for its varied scenic spots, it is rated as the climactic component of your tour Jiuzhaigou tour. Here are all colors of the lakes like a kaleidoscope, like a fairyland tranquil and abstruse, and like a mystic mirror. Here is the waterfalls with the tallest drop, beaches like treasure houses, virgin forests reaching the sky, all in finest arrangements, engendering a strong aesthetic appeal and offering you an exciting experience.
Altitude 2,375m , total 18 separate lakes
The Nuorilang Lake is the starting spot of Rize Valley , noted for its blue water and overlapped, multi-colored waterfalls. In spring and summer, lake dikes arc half- submerged in water that seem to have energized everything. Autumn reddens the tree leaves, against the effulgent lake water. Winter sees water turn into ice that wraps and encloses the whole world.
Altitude 2,390m , average depth 11, deepest 24.3m , area 190,000 sq.m.
One of the best views of Jiuzhaigou, the inverted re- flection on the lake water is as clear as that of a mirror, which creates an exact copy of the ground and aerial images (into the water surface. In early morning when rosy dawn reddens the horizon and the water is calm.the blue sky, white clouds and snow mountains are all reflected on the lakebed, into such a wonderful view of "Fish swims among clouds, and birds fly in water." A thick rattan on the lake bank tangles a tall tree, both jointly pushing themselves up into the sky. Under the tree, you will have endless imaginations: greenness that the tree furnishes the rattan, the lingering feeling of the rattan to the tree. Thus, the Jing Lake is affectionately called the Lovers' Park, where lovers coming from afar may take a photo to express their loyalty to each other.
Altitude 2.433m . width 160m , area 95, 000 sq. m., a fan-shaped travertine beach.
On a gentle slope of the Mountain Loop Road , (here grow various shrubs on a shallow beach. You can walk across the beach on a wood bridge with rip torrents run- ning below. On the irregular travertine surface, water splashes like pearls fanning out. Hence the name: Zhenzhu ( Pearl ) Beach.
Altitude 2,433m , lop width 310m . the highest drop 40m
Water rushing from the Zhenzhu Beach drops from the cliff, and forms ;i crescent waterfall. Walking down ilie plank path, you will have a lull view of ihe waterfall. Its roaring, splashing, and rushing create the best water sight of Jiuzhaigou, because of tin; must rapid section of torrents here. The plank trail on the left of the rapids is the most ideal place to view the splashes of ihe waterfall.
Altitude 2,435m
A large lake and a small one are twinned together, like a pair of bronze bells. The depth of the small one is 103 meter's, the deepest in all other kikes inJiuzhaigou. Over- looking the Jinling Lake , viewing its water and dense woods on the banks, you will find the "pair of hells" more attractive, and seem to bear their ringing.
This section covers 310 meters and links the north end of the Wuhua (Five-Flower) Lake . The narrow river bed winds its way through forests, on the banks are flow ering trees and singing birds. Running water helps to shift color patterns: dark green, sapphire blue, golden yellow, etc. waves alter the reflected images, like a pea- cock spreading its tail lo display its fine feathers.
Altitude 2,472m , depth 5m , area 90,000 sq.m.
It is regarded as one of the wonders of Jiuzhaigou, due its lake-bottom travertine, and colorful algae. Unevenly-distributed submerged plants form many colored spots-sapphire blue, verdant, orange, and light red-like countless gem-embedded jewelries. N autumn, images of colorful forests are reflected on the water surface, mixng the colored spots at the bottom into a colorized world. Its color combination outdoes imaginations of any painter. At dust, fiery-red sunglow is reflected on the water surface that like a blanket of splashing sparks. At this moment, its colored ripples are so gorgeous.
Altitude 2,587 m , average depth 14m , area 90,000 sq.m.
Its water is transparent with attractive sights of Inverted reflections. Beyond the blue sky are erecting peaks overlooking their images in water. It is said that giant pandas of Jiuzhaigou often come over to drink, to play and to look for food. Hence the name Xionmao(Panda) Lake .
Altitude 2,592m , height 78m top width 50m , three levels of waterfall
Walking along the north of the Xiongmao Lake —the Watch Stand to its end, you will find steep stone steps and a waterfall pouring down to the valley bottom. The rushing water is cut into several sections by protruding giant rocks. Thus, the overlapped waterfalls form a majestic sight. In winter, the waterfalls become frozen into an ice wall in a crystallized landscape.
Altitude 2,618m , depth 6m , area 170,000 sq.m.
Noted for its open space and dark blue water, it is the feeding site of giant pandas, that grows a large amount of arrow bamboo. As it neighbors Xiongmao Lake , hence the name.
In 2001, reputed Chinese movie director Zhang Yimou selected this site for his production of the movie: The Hero, because of its charming scenery.
Altitude 2,618m , height 7m , width 150m
Its water runs into the Forests, where collapsed stones form the dikes that separate the water into a number of small Streams. They are running along the dikes and form the Arrow-Bamboo Lake Waterfall. It is an arc-shaped waterfall with a large span and small drop. Here, the blue lake and while water, and dancing splashes create blue-white scenery, alternatively dynamic and still.
On the roadside leading to theTian'e (Swan) Lake , it is so named because over on the cave wall are 50 prints of the eagle claw. It is said the prints were left by King Sage'er (a legendary tribe hero) when he was fighting against devils. But. legend is usual fictional. The prints of 50-caIIed eagle's claws are the result of weathering of rocks.
Altitude 2,905m , area 55,000 sq.m., the widest span 125m .
Lying in deep valleys, it is noted for its glittering water, and dense fir woods on the banks. On the shallow beach are flowering plants and grasses in complete quiescence. On its fertile soil, swans are frequent visitors, to in habit and regenerate. As the swan is a migrating bird. and flies far away and comes back as seasons change, few tourists can see them.
Altitude 2,910m , area 30,000, a semi-swamp lake
Tucked under in deep cliffs, it neighbors the Tian'e Lake as its lower end. It shapes like a long belt, quiet and graceful. As the deep valley prevents sunlight from coming in until very late of the day, the lake gives off a mysterious bearing. In summer and autumn, in grass groves are yellow, white, red, and purple spots of flowers. Waterfowls sweep in and out of the flowery blankets, giving out ringing calls once in a while, when you feel even bleaker in the deep valley. In autumn, wild grass turns yellow. Looking from a distance, you will feel a bit nostalgic. Especially in rainy days, light blue mists hover on the water, while raindrops drive into water like millions of silver arrows. Green rings splash up and present a hollow realm.
Altitude 3,016m
Between the Cao Lake and the virgin forests, there is an erecting and isolated peak over 500 meters. The cliff wall is so steep as if being cut out abruptly by a sharp sword. Hence it is called the Sword Cliff, around which are surviving plants: star-leaf grass and single-leaf grass. They provide finest prehistoric specimens for biologists. From the Sword Cliff, on the side facing the Fangcao (Fragrant) Lake, is a 130m stream falling down half way from the cliff. This is what is called the Hanging Spring. It is claimed to be the tears streaming down when Goddess Semo was looking for God Dage.
Altitude 3,060m , area 540 hectares
The virgin forests will end your tour of the Rize Valley , where forests shed off the sunlight, rattans and vines crisscross on your way. Here grow arbors that mainly include first and spruces, and shrubs like honeysuckles, azaleas, arrows bamboo, as well as thick lichens. Here, you will enjoy the feeling of stepping on soft lichen blankets, fragrant humid air, huge pine trees and birds' singing. In mountain winds and verdant forests, you seem to transcend the unearthly thoughts. According to scientists, the spot has a high content of negative oxygen ion, with a density of 9,500 /cm -a real natural oxygen bar in woods.
