China Trip - Day 3 Jiuzhaigou Zechawa Valley

1.

This is Long Lake (长海, Cháng Hǎi) at elevation 3,150 metres. It is located at the highest point of Zechawa Valley (则查洼沟, Zécháwā Gōu). It is the highest, largest (about 7.5 km long) and deepest lake (103m) in Jiuzhaigou nature reserve.

Zechawa gully which spans 18 km in length is the south eastern branch of Jiuzhaigou.

Visitors will usually take the bus from the park entrance or Nourilang Visitor Centre in Shuzheng Valley and go all the way up to Long Lake where they can get down and take a walk to other areas of attraction such as Colour Pond, Upper Season Lake and Lower Season Lake.

2.

Long Lake is formed from melted snow from nearby mountains. In summer, the peaks are still covered with snow. The lake is frozen in winter and it becomes an ideal skating ground. There is a grand old tree at the side of the lake which is said to the the guardian of the lake.

 “Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Huanglong 9D7N - Day 3 Jiuzhaigou Zechawa Valley”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Malaysia Daily Photo blog by Autumn Belle @ http://mymalaysiadailyphoto.blogspot.com on 21 Sep 2013.

3. 

Long Lake is the perfect place to take a photo for remembrance. I think this is the most scenic spot point of Jiuzhaigou nature reserve. There is a large viewing platform build at about 100m above the lake and there is also a walking trail beside the lake.

The picture above shows a group of tourist clad in traditional Tibetan attire having their photos taken by photographers who charge a fee for the service. There are quite a number of vendors there, so you need to bargain for the best price.

4.

Colourful Pond, also known as Five Colour Pool (五彩池, Wǔcǎi Chí)

This lake which is located at 2,995 metres above sea level is about 6.6 metres deep and spread over an area of 5,645 square metres. 

5.

The water is so clear you can even see every detail of the bottom of the lake.

Legend says that this is the pond where Goddess Semo washed her hair and God Dage came daily to bring her water. (Source: Wikipedia)

6.

On bright, sunny days, the lake presents a wonderful play of colours from green to aquamarine, cyan, turquoise, blue and purple with a tinge of red, orange and yellow.

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Further down the gully are the Seasonal Lakes (季节海, Jìjié Hǎi) which is a series of 3 lakes (Lower, Middle and Upper) that change from empty to full according to the seasons of the year.

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