Rizegou Valley in Jiuzhaigou, Aba (Ngawa)

The Core Scenic Valley in Southern Jiuzhaigou

Stretching across the southern part of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Rize Valley (Rize Gou) is renowned as the most beautiful and concentrated landscape corridor of the entire fairyland. With a total length of over 18 kilometers, the valley gathers the most classic Haizi (alpine lakes), cascading waterfalls, primitive forests and snow-capped mountain views in Jiuzhaigou. It concentrates nearly half of the core premium scenic spots of the resort, presenting diverse scenery ranging from gentle lakeside vistas to magnificent waterfall groups, and from dense virgin woods to secluded mountain valleys. As one of the three major valleys in Jiuzhaigou, Rize Valley boasts the richest layers of colors and the most varied natural landscapes, serving as an essential stop for every Jiuzhaigou tour.

The Charm of Rize Valley: A Gallery of Alpine Water Scenery

What makes Rize Valley irreplaceable is its incredibly rich and varied water scenery. Walking along the valley plank road, visitors can witness the whole evolution of alpine water landscapes: from quiet, mirror-like high-altitude Haizi, layered colored ponds, to roaring cliff waterfalls and winding mountain streams. All classic views of Jiuzhaigou are perfectly displayed here. The water here changes with the terrain and light, showing diverse tones of sapphire blue, turquoise and emerald green. The water quality is pure and transparent, matching the lush primeval forests all year round, forming a three-dimensional fairy landscape that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Classic Attractions: Gathering Jiuzhaigou’s Finest Views

Rize Valley concentrates the most representative iconic scenic spots of Jiuzhaigou. The breathtaking Nuorilang Waterfall (Nuorilang Pubu), one of China’s widest alpine waterfalls, pours down from the cliff in a huge water curtain, creating magnificent rolling waves and misty spray. The elegant Peacock River (Kongque He) and its surrounding colored beaches show dreamlike flowing colors under the sunlight. The quiet and profound Mirror Sea (Jing Hai) perfectly mirrors snow mountains, forests and clouds, realizing the ultimate integration of water and sky. In addition, well-known spots including Panda Lake (Xiongmao Hai), Five Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai) and Golden Bell Lake (Jinzhong Hai) are distributed along the valley, forming a continuous scroll of mountains and waters.

Forest and Ecology: A Primitive Natural Oxygen Bar

Apart from its stunning water scenery, Rize Valley preserves a large area of well-protected primitive alpine forest. From low-altitude mixed forests to high-altitude coniferous forests, the vertical vegetation distribution is distinct and layered. Dense woods cover the mountain slopes all year round, accompanied by blooming wild flowers in spring and summer, and dyed colorful foliage in autumn. The valley maintains superior ecological environment and fresh negative oxygen ion air, known as a natural oxygen bar in Sichuan. Walking through the secluded forest path, visitors can hear birdsong and flowing water, feel the tranquility and vitality of the primitive nature, and stay away from urban noise and impetuosity.

Local Humanistic Features of Rize Valley

Rize Valley has long been inhabited by local Tibetan families. Endowed with pristine mountains and pure water, the valley carries simple Tibetan customs and profound plateau cultural heritage. Local villagers have guarded this land for generations, living in harmony with mountains, forests and lakes. The simple folk customs, distinctive Tibetan dwellings and plateau pastoral scenery add warm humanistic charm to the natural landscape of Rize Valley, making the fairyland scenery more vivid and touching.

Four-Season Scenery: Eternal Fairyland with Different Beauty in Four Seasons

Rize Valley features distinct seasonal scenery and amazing all-year-round views. In spring, melting snow nourishes the valley, flowers bloom among forests and streams, and the whole valley is fresh and tender. In summer, the forest is luxuriantly green, waterfalls are surging, and the cool mountain wind brings comfortable summer refuge. In autumn, it enters the most gorgeous viewing period of the year. The whole valley is covered with red, golden and green forests, reflecting on blue water, creating the most stunning autumn scenery in Jiuzhaigou. In winter, snow covers the forests and frozen waterfalls hang on cliffs, presenting a pure and holy plateau snow scene.

Visit Rize Valley: Walk Through the Scroll of Fairyland Mountains and Waters

Rize Valley is the most concentrated essence of Jiuzhaigou’s scenery. Every lake, every waterfall and every forest here tells the unique beauty of plateau fairyland. Stroll along the winding wooden plank road, enjoy the changing scenery step by step, immerse yourself in the pure blue water and lush mountains, and feel the shocking beauty and gentle healing power of nature. A trip to Jiuzhaigou is never complete without a walk through Rize Valley — explore the core fairyland scenery hidden in the mountains.