Colorful pond, Lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley, China.
Colorful Pond is a lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley displaying multiple shades of blue and green created by calcium carbonate deposits and different algae species. The water surface remains clear and calm throughout the year, showing distinct color bands in different sections.
The lake gained international recognition when Jiuzhaigou Valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 for its natural features. This status brought global attention and stronger conservation efforts to the region.
Local Tibetan stories speak of a goddess who once bathed here while a god brought fresh water, connecting the place to spiritual beliefs. The multiple hues hold meaning in regional folklore and remain important to people who visit this landscape.
The lake sits at significant elevation, so comfortable walking shoes and time to adjust are important when you arrive. Plan to visit early in the morning when fewer people are around and the light conditions are best for seeing the colors.
Mineral deposits on the lake bottom create natural barriers that form separate sections, each showing different mineral concentrations. These formations develop slowly over time and shift their appearance with the changing seasons.
Location: Jiuzhaigou County
Address: 2WWM+25X, Jiuzhaigou County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 623402
GPS coordinates: 33.04855,103.93041
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:49
Earth displays its color range at numerous sites, from geological formations to human-built environments. The selection includes locations on six continents, where natural processes or cultural traditions have resulted in prominent visual displays. The Danxia mountains in China's Gansu province show layered sedimentary rock formations in reds, oranges and yellows, while Arizona's Painted Desert derives its colors from iron oxides and other minerals. Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring owes its concentric bands of color to heat-loving bacteria that thrive in different temperature zones of the water. The Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize reaches a depth of 407 feet (124 meters), providing a deep blue contrast to the surrounding turquoise shallows. Various communities have marked their built environment with distinctive color palettes. Chefchaouen in Morocco's Rif Mountains displays blue walls throughout its medina. Jodhpur in Rajasthan uses blue paint that originally marked Brahmin residences. Cape Town's Bo-Kaap presents houses in yellows, pinks, greens and blues, while Buenos Aires' La Boca neighborhood has corrugated metal facades in bright colors. Copenhagen's Nyhavn shows 17th and 18th century townhouses along the canal in reds, oranges, yellows and other hues. Scarborough's beach huts on the English coast offer a smaller scale of residential color. Water features contribute to the variety. China's Jiuzhaigou lakes display blues and greens due to calcium carbonate and algae. Tanzania's Lake Natron turns red to pink because of microorganisms living in its alkaline water. Pena Palace on a hilltop near Sintra, Portugal, combines yellow and red facades. Copacabana on Bolivia's Lake Titicaca offers whitewashed buildings with colorful accents. Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu presents fields of phlox in pinks, whites and purples, while Kitakyushu's Kawachi Fuji Gardens feature wisteria tunnels. Even Longyearbyen on Svalbard displays colored wooden houses against Arctic landscapes.
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