Tips for Visiting Five-color Pool

Located in the Huanglong Scenic Area of Sichuan, China, Five-Color Pool sits at an altitude of approximately 3,576 meters above sea level. Covering an area of about 21,000 square meters, it is the largest group of colorful pools in Huanglong, consisting of 693 individual pools.

This spectacular natural formation is also considered the world’s largest and highest-altitude open-air travertine pool system. Created through thousands of years of geological processes, Five-Color Pool combines crystal-clear water, colorful minerals, and unique limestone formations to create an unforgettable landscape.

Unique Features of Five-Color Pool

Five-Color Pool is famous for its shallow edges, carefully arranged pools, and the incredible variety of colors reflected across its waters. The bottom of the pools is covered with stones that form distinct patterns, creating visible contrasts between the textures of the rocks and the aquatic plants growing beneath the surface.

As water flows gently from one pool to another, the entire area appears like a collection of brilliant jade plates scattered across the landscape when viewed from a distance.

A Landscape Filled With Brilliant Colors

Under sunlight, the pools display an extraordinary range of shades. White, purple, blue, green, and other tones blend together, creating a scene that is both delicate and magnificent.

Even during the cold winter months, when the surrounding mountains are covered in pure white snow, Five-Color Pool maintains its jewel-like blue and turquoise appearance. The contrast between the frozen landscape and the colorful waters creates a mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere.

A Natural Three-Dimensional Painting

The pools are surrounded by dams and formations in many different shapes, including curved, fan-shaped, and skirt-like structures. These natural terraces overlap and extend irregularly, giving the entire area the appearance of a three-dimensional artwork.

Often described as the “Jade Pool of the World,” Five-Color Pool resembles a masterpiece created by nature itself. Its peaceful beauty feels like a silent poem written within a magical mountain paradise.

The Romantic Legend of Five-Color Pool

According to local legend, Five-Color Pool was once the place where the goddess Semo came to wash and comb her hair. The god Dage was said to visit every day and bring water for her.

Over time, their repeated journeys created 189 stone steps leading down to the pool. The story says that the goddess’s rouge washed from her face and colored the waters with beautiful shades.

A traditional belief among couples says that if lovers walk down the 189 steps to the side of the pool, make a sincere promise to the heavens, and then return by climbing back up the same steps, they will be blessed with a happy and lasting marriage.

Today, Five-Color Pool remains not only a breathtaking natural attraction but also a place filled with cultural stories, romance, and the timeless beauty of Huanglong’s landscape.