At Jiuzhaigou Valley in northern Sichuan. it is a peerless experience to walk along the water, fed by distant clear and freezing Snow water. that submerges old trees and dry roots, flows through desolate grassland and into the tranquil Jinghai Lake, sneaking out of the jungle and finally racing down over a fault cliff to create the fabulous Nuorilang waterfall. Flowers. grasses and conifers thrive at the foot of the cliff, the vegetation muffling the noise of the flying waterfall like a soft sponge, thus making the Scene look both Wild and restrained at the same time-like a group of wild strongmen tamed by a beautiful maiden. In the far distance, rise steep snow-capped mountains, elegant green hills, limitless lush forests, peaceful lakes, blue sky and floating white clouds.
Of all me charming waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou, the Nuorilang Waterfall is the most stunning-It is about 2,365 meters high above sea level, 325 meters across at its widest point, with a headfall of 30-40 meters and an average flow of 5.8 cubic meters per second. The faulting here has formed steep slopes and waterfalls, and, because of abrupt changes in the water velocity, carbon dioxide in the water is released, forming travertine deposits on the steep slopes anti creating a major, multi-level travertine waterfall. It has altogether 18 lakes separated by delicate travertine dikes.
The water flows over and runs down in tiered cascades and as the water from a11 me lakes rushes out of the forest, it crashes down as the spectacular Nuorilang Waterfall. It is a rare "forest waterfall" as the cliff down which the waterfall runs is covered with thriving trees. As the seasons change. the lakes take on a new appearance. In spring and summer, dense willows and bright flowers crowd the banks and the waters are full of life: in autumn. Seasonal red leaves and colorful fruits create a charming lakeland scene; in winter, the waters freeze. glittering with beauty and purity.
When night falls, the waterfall shows its other charms. In the darkness, the mountains become quiet and solemn; the lakes both big and small gleam dark blue; in the mist, the only thing stirring is a silvery white belt, moving gently to the murmuring of water. Although surrounded by limitless darkness, the waterfall is still a sacred streamer, full of life-force. 1ike the pulse of the plateau.
