Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Limestone waterfall in Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, China.
Pearl Shoal Waterfall is a limestone cascade in Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve in northern Sichuan Province that spans 310 meters (1,017 feet) and drops about 40 meters (131 feet). The water flows over multiple terraced levels carved by centuries of mineral-rich water moving across the stone.
The waterfall formed over millennia as rainwater dissolved the limestone bedrock and carved out the karst landscape of Jiuzhaigou Valley. These geological processes continue to shape the formations that visitors see today.
The waterfall holds meaning for Tibetan communities who have lived in these mountains for generations and view the waters as spiritually significant.
You can reach this waterfall by taking the shuttle bus to the Five Flower Lake stop and walking the marked wooden boardwalks that wind through the park. The paths are flat and well-maintained, though they become crowded during peak visiting times.
The water carries so many dissolved minerals that it appears milky white and deposits a layer of stone-like material on the rocks as it flows, creating the pale encrusted look. Small trees and plants manage to grow in the spray zone despite the harsh conditions.
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