Pearl Shoal

Pearl Shoal

Pearl Shoal is the spot where Tang Seng and his disciples were shown leading their horse through the water in the opening credits of the TV series Journey to the West.

Guide

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Pearl Shoal is located in the Rize Valley and is one of the broader rocky shoals among the many lakes (haizi) in Jiuzhaigou. A plank walkway spans Pearl Shoal, and the southern side of the water shoal is covered with thickets. After the rapids pass under the bridge, they stir up countless rolling, leaping pearls on the northern shallows. The fierce rapids continue along this sloping shoal for 200 meters before plunging over a cliff and dropping into the deep valley, forming the majestic Pearl Shoal Waterfall. Introduction to Pearl Shoal

Introduction to Pearl Shoal

Pearl Shoal sits at an elevation of 2,433 meters, is about 160 meters wide, and covers an area of 95,000 square meters. It is a vast fan-shaped travertine shoal flow. Clear rapids splash countless droplets onto the uneven, yellowish travertine surface. In the sunlight, these droplets resemble pearls in a giant scallop shell.

The reason this landscape appears as if pearls are leaping day and night is that this canyon section happens to be a 20-degree sloped travertine area, coupled with its porous "biokarst" landform features. When water flows here and spreads across the shoal, it is obstructed by the tiny pores spread across the riverbed, creating clusters of thousands upon thousands of water droplets. Under the sunlight, they sparkle brilliantly, looking like glistening pearls tumbling all over the slope and valley.

Even more peculiarly, Pearl Shoal is densely covered with light yellow moss, which is not slippery. Walking barefoot on it feels like stepping on a sponge. A few years ago, visitors could still wade into the shoal and play in the water, experiencing its magic firsthand, but now they can only view it from the shore and are not allowed to enter the water. A plank walkway crosses over Pearl Shoal, with the water flowing beneath it, allowing visitors to cross the beach via the walkway.

Legend: Long ago, a passing goddess fell in love with a Tibetan youth. The young man gave her a string of pearl necklaces, and the goddess gave him a mountain-splitting axe in return. The youth used the axe to dig an irrigation channel, which angered the heavenly gods. They furiously sent soldiers to capture the goddess and, in a rage, tore the pearl necklace from her neck. The pearls scattered and fell to the ground, transforming into the beautiful Pearl Shoal.

Pearl Shoal Waterfall

The water surging down from Pearl Shoal tumbles over the cliff, forming a wide, crescent-shaped waterfall. Walking down the Pearl Shoal plank walkway allows you to view this spectacular waterfall.

Pearl Shoal Waterfall sits at an elevation of 2,433 meters, has a width of 310 meters at its crest, and a maximum drop of 40 meters. The waterfall crashes into the valley floor with a deafening roar, forming a fierce, splashing torrent that races away like flying petals and rolling jade. This torrent is the most beautifully colored, fastest-flowing, and loudest-sounding of all the rapids in Jiuzhaigou.

Walking along the plank walkway, accompanied by the roaring rapids and continuing eastward, you will reach the eastern side of Pearl Shoal. Here, the sloped shoal has a steeper incline, a more rugged surface, and even more spectacular scenery.

Photography Tips:

The winding plank walkway on the left side of the rapids offers the best angle for viewing the waterfall and taking photos.