The name Jiuzhaigou itself feels like a whispered secret. Nestled in the mountains of northern Sichuan, this valley of nine Tibetan villages is more than a destination; it’s a sensory recalibration. Famous for its impossibly colored lakes, multi-tiered waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks, it’s a place where nature’s palette seems to have been invented anew. For any travel vlogger, it presents both a dream and a challenge: how to capture the sublime? On my latest journey, I moved beyond the postcard shots to find the soul of Jiuzhaigou through its most iconic and some surprisingly intimate viewpoints. This is that visual diary.
The main artery of the park, Rize Valley, is where most visitors get their first, breathtaking taste of Jiuzhaigou’s magic. The shuttle buses whisk you up, but the true connection comes from walking the boardwalks.
The vlog tip here is non-negotiable: arrive at Mirror Lake (Jing Hai) for the first shuttle. The payoff is unparalleled. Before the wind stirs, the lake lives up to its name with a perfect, glassy reflection of the surrounding forest and mountains. The stillness is profound. For the shot, I set up a low-angle, wide frame, capturing both the reality and its mirror image. It’s a scene of pure symmetry and peace, a moment that feels suspended outside of time. The only sound was the shutter of my camera and the distant call of a bird—pure ASMR gold for the vlog.
Further up, Five-Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai) is the undeniable superstar. The water here is a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of turquoise, emerald, yellow, and sapphire, with ancient fallen tree trunks crusted with white calcium carbonate lying clearly visible on the lakebed. The best viewpoint isn’t just one spot; it’s a slow circumnavigation. The boardwalk takes you right over sections of the water. My favorite angle was from the viewing platform on the north side, looking back towards the forest. The contrast of the vibrant water against the deep green and the mineral-rich textures creates a scene of surreal beauty. Timelapse footage here, showing the play of light and shadow on the water’s colors, is absolutely essential.
Descending from Rize, Shuzheng Valley offers scale and spirit. Here, the water isn’t just still and contemplative; it’s powerful, cascading, and woven with local culture.
Before diving into the waterfalls, pause at Shuzheng Village. This active Tibetan community is a vital reminder of the valley’s living heritage. Framing a traditional wooden house with colorful prayer flags against the backdrop of the park’s peaks instantly adds cultural depth to the vlog. The giant prayer wheel by the stream is a perfect interactive moment—joining locals for a clockwise spin is a gesture of respect and a beautiful, humanizing scene to film.
Nuorilang is the widest travertine waterfall in China, a majestic, 270-meter-wide curtain of water. The classic frontal view from the platform is impressive, but for the vlog, I sought a different perspective. Walking down the left-side path (facing the falls) offers a stunning lateral view, with the multiple streams creating dynamic layers. Shooting in slow-motion here captures the sheer power and graceful fall of the water, while the constant mist creates endless mini-rainbows on a sunny day. It’s a symphony for the eyes and ears.
Often less crowded due to its higher elevation, Zechawa Valley is home to the park’s largest and some of its most spiritually significant lakes.
At over 3,000 meters, Long Lake (Chang Hai) is an expanse of deep blue nestled at the foot of snow-dusted peaks. The viewpoint at the boardwalk’s end is vast and open. The air is crisp and thin. The key here is to capture the scale. A panoramic shot, slowly sweeping from the glacial horns of the mountains down to the still, dark blue water, establishes the grandeur. It’s said to be a sacred lake, and the atmosphere is palpably serene. This is a moment for wide, establishing shots and contemplative voice-over in the edit.
Despite its smaller size, Five-Color Pond (Wucai Chi) is arguably the most intensely colorful pool in Jiuzhaigou. Its mineral deposits create an astonishingly vivid mosaic. Because it’s compact, every viewpoint offers a new detail. I focused on tight, detailed shots—the rust-red veins in the rock, the electric-blue pool nestled within yellow travertine banks. A macro lens would be perfect here. It’s like filming a piece of naturally crafted jewelry.
The magic often happens between the major stops. On the return walk from Five-Flower Lake towards Pearl Shoal, I found quieter stretches of the stream, where the water gurgled over stepped travertine formations, creating miniature terraces. These "hidden" moments, captured with a focus on natural sounds, provide breathing room in a fast-paced vlog. Similarly, the forest paths in the late afternoon, dappled with golden light, offer beautiful B-roll for transitions and a sense of immersion in the valley’s ecosystem.
No discussion of Jiuzhaigou is complete without touching on the 2017 earthquake and the park’s remarkable, careful recovery. The temporary closure and phased reopening were acts of profound respect for the environment. This isn’t just a tourist hotspot; it’s a case study in regenerative tourism. As vloggers and visitors, our role is to be mindful stewards. I made sure to highlight the impeccable boardwalk system that protects the fragile travertine, the electric-only shuttle buses that keep the air clean, and the clear rules against touching the water. Promoting this "leave no trace" ethic is perhaps the most important travel hot take we can share. Our content should inspire awe and responsibility in equal measure.
The journey through Jiuzhaigou’s viewpoints is more than a checklist. It’s a progression from awe at Mirror Lake’s stillness, to exhilaration at Nuorilang’s power, to reverence at Long Lake’s scale, and finally to intimate wonder at the details of Five-Color Pond. Each frame captured, each sound recorded, is an attempt to hold onto a feeling—the feeling of walking through a living, breathing watercolor painting that changes with every step and every season. The true "best viewpoint" is ultimately a state of mind: one of presence, gratitude, and a commitment to preserving such unparalleled beauty for the frames of future vloggers, and for the planet itself.
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Author: Jiuzhaigou Travel
Link: https://jiuzhaigoutravel.github.io/travel-blog/jiuzhaigous-best-viewpoints-scenic-travel-vlog.htm
Source: Jiuzhaigou Travel
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