Shuzheng Lakes

树正群海

More than 40 terraced lakes in Shuzheng Valley are linked by travertine dams into a blue-green 'string of pearls.' Waterfalls between the lakes and the Tibetan-style water mills of Shuzheng Village make this the most rural stretch of Jiuzhaigou.

The Shuzheng Lakes lie in the middle section of Shuzheng Valley, between the park entrance and Nuorilang, at an altitude of about 2,200–2,300 meters. The group of 19 lakes large and small descends in terraces along the valley. The lakes are separated by travertine dams, and water flows from one lake over the dam and into the next, forming countless small waterfalls. Shuzheng Village beside the lakes is one of the few villages in Jiuzhaigou where Tibetan people still live. It has prayer wheels and water mills. From downstream to upstream, the lakes are: Bonsai Shoal, Reed Lake, Twin Dragon Lake, Sparkling Lake (its dam was breached in the 2017 earthquake and has since been repaired), Crouching Dragon Lake, Shuzheng Lakes, Shuzheng Waterfall, Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake and the Nuorilang lake group. How to visit: the Shuzheng Valley trail is the longest boardwalk in Jiuzhaigou, running about 7 km from Shuzheng Village to Nuorilang. Most visitors ride down from Nuorilang in the afternoon, get off at the Shuzheng Lakes or Tiger Lake stop, walk downstream to Shuzheng Village to see the water mills, then continue to Rhinoceros Lake and Twin Dragon Lake, and finally board a bus at the Shuzheng Village or Reed Lake stop to leave the valley. The walk takes about 1.5–2.5 hours. Some people walk this section first thing in the morning, when it is quiet. Tips: this section is relatively flat and quiet, so it suits a leisurely pace. There is a Tibetan-run shop and simple food in Shuzheng Village. At the Sparkling Lake viewing platform, look for signs of the dam repairs. In the afternoon, watch the time of the last sightseeing bus, which in peak season leaves Nuorilang at around 5:30 p.m.

Shuzheng Lakes

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby