If you were to ask an American, “What places in China are like the magic world,” the answer would be Jiuzhaigou. This secret place in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, has been called by National Geographic as the “Wonderland on Earth”, and its most amazing features are the six natural wonders – Cuihai, waterfalls, colorful forests, snowy peaks, hidden feelings, and blue ice. They are like nature’s well-designed magic, making everyone who steps into this place instantly become the protagonist of a fairy tale.
Wonders 1: Cuihai – God’s color palette
The soul of Jiuzhaigou is water, and the most extreme form of water is Cuihai. The lakes here (locally called “sea”) are like magic, and the water is so blue that it seems to be able to dissolve the sky. For example, when the sunlight penetrates the water, the calcified dead wood, algae and minerals at the bottom of the lake intertwine green, blue, yellow and purple gradient colors, like a flowing oil painting. Changhai is another scene, the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the lake is as blue as a mirror all year round, and even the reflection is so clear that you can count the texture of the snow-capped mountains.
Travel Tip: The best time to view Cuihai is before 10:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m., when the sun is shining obliquely with the most fantastic colors. Remember to wear light-colored clothes to take more pictures!
Wonders 2: Stacked waterfalls – a symphony of water flow
Jiuzhaigou’s waterfalls are not “a curtain”, but a three-dimensional symphony. Nuorilang waterfall is 270 meters wide, the water from 30 meters high calcified rock wall pouring down, the roar like thousands of horses rushing; Pearl beach waterfall is like countless pearls in the jump – water impact beach calcified pores, splash water droplets in the sunlight glittering, and even the “Journey to the West” end of the film had been in this scene. More magical is the Shuzheng Qunhai between the ladder waterfall group, layers and layers of water flow as if held by invisible steps, gentle and full of power.
Cold knowledge: some of the waterfalls will freeze into blue ice in winter, but the water volume is the largest in summer, and rainbows often hang between the waterfalls, so remember to bring a waterproof camera!
Wonders 3: Colored Forest – The Flaming Mountains in Autumn
If Disney’s fairy tale forest is real, it must be the colored forest in Jiuzhaigou. Every October, more than 2,000 kinds of plants collectively “dress up”, gold, red, dark green intertwined into 60 kilometers long colorful scroll. Standing in the tree overlooking the ditch, you will see the mountains like being splashed with paint, even the lake has become a palette. The most extreme is the “forest in the water” – the dead trees fell in the lake, calcified to form coral-like branches, autumn leaves fall, as if the underwater flames.
Local secret: the most beautiful moment of the colored forest is the first week after the frost, the leaves are the most saturated color, and relatively few tourists.
Wonder 4: Snowy peaks – the giants guarding the fairyland
Jiuzhaigou’s snow-capped mountains are not a backdrop, but a “living” landscape. At an altitude of 4,400 meters, the 4,400-meter Zayi Zagaiga Divine Mountain is snow-covered all year round, like a white-robed giant silently guarding the place. In winter, when you take the cable car to Changhai, you will see the snowy peaks and icy lakes, and the cold blue-white color is just like the real version of Frozen. And in spring and summer, the snow melts to form streams that nourish the forests and seas below – without these snowy mountains, the magic of Jiuzhaigou would be lost.
Adventure tip: Physically fit travelers can hike up to near the snow line to get a closer look at the glacier ruins (guide required).
Wonder 5: Tibetan Love – A Passionate Party on the Plateau
Jiuzhaigou is not only a natural sanctuary, but also a treasure trove of Tibetan culture. The villages here have preserved millennia of tradition: walk into Shuzheng Zhai and you’ll see colorful scripture streamers chanting in the wind, and old men smiling while holding a Bible twister; and at the night’s roasted goat party, dance potshang around the bonfire, where the mellow aroma of barley wine and the bravado of Tibetan songs can instantly ignite your soul.
Cultural Cold Knowledge: Tibetan wedding ceremonies are complex and romantic, with the man welcoming the bride on horseback with a hatta, and the woman testing the groom with songs and dances — next time you encounter a Tibetan wedding, don’t miss it!
Wonders 6: Blue Ice – a winter-limited crystal palace
When the temperature drops below zero, Jiuzhaigou is transformed into a stage for the “Song of Ice and Fire”. Nuorilang waterfall frozen into blue ice waterfall, sunlight penetration flooded with ghostly cold light; five flowers under the sea of ice, bubbles like being sealed stars, and the long sea is turned into a natural ice rink, the locals wearing Tibetan robes skating picture magic and real.
Safety tips: the ice looks solid, but do not leave the designated area without authorization. Wear non-slip shoes and sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.
Travel Tips: How to unlock the magic of Jiuzhaigou?
- Best Time: See the colorful forests in October, enjoy blue ice from January to February, escape the heat in summer, and wildflowers bloom in spring.
- Transportation: Chengdu is the fastest way to fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (1.5 hours), or take a bus to experience the scenery of the Western Sichuan Highway (8 hours).
- Admission: peak season (April-November) 169 RMB + sightseeing bus 90 RMB; off-season 80 RMB pass.
- Hidden play: get up early to avoid the crowds, wait for the sunset at the Rhinoceros Sea in the evening, and stay in a Tibetan-style B&B under the stars.
Conclusion: why Jiuzhaigou can conquer the world?
In 2017, Jiuzhaigou experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake, but it took only two years for the city to “heal itself” as before – this may be its most magical sixth sense: healing the eyes with the Cuihai Sea, awakening the ears with the stacked waterfalls, and warming up the hearts with Tibetan love. Whether you are a nature control, photography fan or cultural explorer, there is always a magic here to make you believe that fairy tales really exist.
