Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide: A Perfect Journey to a Fairyland

I. Jiuzhaigou Overview Jiuzhaigou is located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is a World Natural Heritage Site and a national 5A tourist attraction, known for the saying "Once you've seen Jiuzhaigou, no other water is worth seeing." It is named for the nine Tibetan villages in the valley and boasts five unique landscapes: emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, and Tibetan culture. Best time to visit: Autumn (late September to early November): Colorful forests and red leaves complement the blue lakes. Summer (June to August): A summer resort with abundant water. Spring (April to May): Mountain flowers are in full bloom, and there are fewer tourists. Winter (December to March of the following year): Covered in silver, with few tourists. II. Pre-trip preparation Transportation: ✈ Airplane: Fly from Chengdu/Chongqing/Xi'an to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (approx. 1 hour), then take a bus for 1.5 hours. 🚌 Bus: Direct from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station/Chadianzi Station to Jiuzhaigou (approx. 8–10 hours). 🚗 Self-driving: Depart from Chengdu via Duwen Expressway and G213 National Highway (approx. 8 hours). Essential items: Sun protection for the plateau: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat Warm clothes: The temperature difference between day and night is large, so prepare a jacket even in summer. Comfortable shoes: A lot of walking in the scenic area. Camera: Too much beauty, prepare a sufficient memory card. Small amount of cash: Poor signal in some areas. III. Scenic Area Tour Guide Ticket information: Peak season (April 1–November 15): Ticket CNY 169 + sightseeing bus CNY 90 Off-season (November 16–March 31 of the following year): Ticket CNY 80 + sightseeing bus CNY 80 Opening hours: Peak season 7:30–17:00; off-season 8:30–17:00 Recommended tour route: 1-day essential tour: Enter the park at 7:30 in the morning and take the sightseeing bus directly to the primeval forest at the top of Rize Valley. Visit Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, Wuhua Lake, and Pearl Shoal Waterfall from top to bottom. Have lunch at Nuorilang Central Station. In the afternoon, visit Changhai and Wucai Pond in Zechawa Valley. Finally, visit Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake, and Shuzheng Village in Shuzheng Valley. 2-day deep tour: Day 1: Rize Valley + Zechawa Valley Day 2: Shuzheng Valley + Zharu Valley (niche route) Must-see attractions: Wuhua Lake: The essence of Jiuzhaigou, the lake water presents a variety of colors. Pearl Shoal Waterfall: The filming location of the ending of "Journey to the West" Changhai: The largest and highest lake in Jiuzhaigou Wucai Pond: Small but the most colorful Nuorilang Waterfall: The widest travertine waterfall in China IV. Accommodation recommendation Near the entrance of the valley (convenient for sightseeing): Five-star: InterContinental Resort Jiuzhai Paradise (Tibetan style, complete facilities) Four-star: Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Hotel (excellent location) Economy: Jiuzhaigou Rice Grain International Youth Hostel (preferred by backpackers) Accommodation in the valley (suspended): Staying overnight in the scenic area is currently not allowed, please note. V. Food recommendation Tibetan hot pot: Yak meat and wild mushrooms are the main ingredients. Butter tea: Tibetan specialty drink Highland barley wine: Traditional Tibetan wine Yak yogurt: Rich taste Roast whole lamb: More cost-effective for multiple people to share Recommended restaurants: Zangjia Restaurant (authentic Tibetan food) Jiuzhaigou Food Street (multiple choices) Himalaya Music Tibetan Restaurant Bar (food + performance) VI. Useful tips Altitude sickness: Jiuzhaigou is 2,000–3,000m above sea level. There is generally no severe altitude sickness, but avoid strenuous exercise. Environmental protection: Smoking and littering are strictly prohibited in the scenic area. Avoid peak travel: Enter the park as early as possible in the morning to avoid crowds, and there are fewer tourists after 3 pm. Changeable weather: Bring rain gear with you. Respect customs: Tibetan settlement area, please respect local customs and religious beliefs. VII. Recommended surrounding tours Huanglong Scenic Area (1.5 hours by car): Known for its four unique features: colorful pools, snow-capped mountains, canyons, and forests. Ruoergai Grassland (4 hours by car): One of the most beautiful wetland grasslands in China Songpan Ancient City (2 hours by car): A border town with a long history Jiuzhaigou is a treasure given to the world by nature. Every visit will bring new discoveries and emotions. I hope this guide can help you plan a perfect Jiuzhaigou trip! If you have any other questions, please leave a message in the comment area to communicate~