Jiuzhaigou, a 'heaven on earth' through the eyes of a Vietnamese traveler

On his first winter visit to Jiuzhaigou, An Ninh was captivated by the jade-green lakes and icy waterfalls amidst Sichuan's mountains.

Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in northern Sichuan province, China, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Located about 400 kilometers from Chengdu, this scenic area features a pristine forest ecosystem, over 100 mineral lakes that change color with the light, dozens of waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains year-round.

An Ninh's journey began at Changhai Lake, the largest natural lake in the scenic area, situated at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains and dark green coniferous forests, a portion of the lake freezes in winter, while the rest maintains a deep blue hue, "flat as a mirror".

In late 2024, travel blogger An Ninh from Hanoi embarked on his first journey to Jiuzhaigou. He described standing amidst the jade-green lakes, snow-covered pine forests, and white mountains of this "heaven on earth" as an unforgettable experience.

Spanning over 72,000 hectares, the scenic area is shaped like a 'Y', comprising three main valleys: Shuzheng, Rize, and Zechawa. Visitors explore the park via internal buses, complemented by walks along wooden pathways that wind through the forests.

Along the tour route, jade-green lakes appear every few hundred meters. "I kept stopping to take photos because the scenery changed constantly, each lake beautiful in its own way," An Ninh recounted.

About one kilometer from Changhai Lake lies Wucai Lake, an icon of Jiuzhaigou. This lake is famous for its water, which shifts in color from jade green to blue to emerald, depending on the light, due to the limestone sediments and minerals at its bottom.

Zhenzhu Waterfall is another must-see. While it features cascading white water over a wide limestone shoal in summer, winter transforms it into a spectacle of ice columns and curtains. Amidst the ice, water continues to flow, creating a distinctive winter scene.

Nuorilang Waterfall also left a strong impression on An Ninh. In winter, the water flows powerfully, flanked by snow and ice. He shared an anecdote about his group struggling to ask locals for directions to the "Sun Wukong waterfall" – a filming location for the 1986 TV series "Journey to the West" – until they correctly named Nuorilang.

The name "Jiuzhaigou" translates to "Valley of nine villages," originating from the nine Tibetan villages that once inhabited the area. Historically regarded as sacred land by the Tibetans, Jiuzhaigou continues to preserve its indigenous culture through its villages, monasteries, prayer flags, and the customs of the Tibetan communities living around the scenic area.

Zhujian Lake, nestled within a coniferous forest, has been featured in numerous Chinese martial arts films.

Following heavy rains from Typhoon Noul in late July, Jiuzhaigou temporarily closed the area from Zhujian Lake upwards in Rize Valley, and the entire Zechawa Valley, which includes Changhai Lake and Wucai Lake. The remaining areas, including Shuzheng Valley with Nuorilang Waterfall and Zhenzhu Waterfall, remain open to visitors.