Travel in Jiuzhaigou

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Jiuzhaigou Sightseeing Tips

Jiuzhaigou is praised as fairyland on earth by tourists, renowned for its colorful lakes and forests, multi-level waterfalls, as well as snow-capped peaks. With its high reputation and rare karst scenery, Jiuzhaigou Valley is the only natural reserve in China that enjoys both the “World Natural Heritage” and “World Biosphere Reserve”. For those who are crazy for waterscape, Jiuzhaigou Valley will be your best choice since the numerous colorful lakes make Jiuzhaigou Valley a water world from fairy tale.

Among all the scenic areas in Jiuzhaigou, the most remarkable destinations must be Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong National Park while you are planning a Jiuzhaigou tour. Here are some sightseeing tips for Jiuzhaigou trip listed for your reference.

Reading Guideline:

Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou
What to Pack
Recommended Hotels to Stay
How to Go to Jiuzhaigou
How to Arrange your Jiuzhaigou Tour
Tips for Jiuzhaigou

Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou

The best time to visit Jiuzhaigou is in Autumn, especially in October, since the leaves of the trees are changing colors, yellow or red, you could have a view of the picturesque scenery of those colorful forests. At the same time, the water resource is adequate as well so that you could also enjoy the view of waterfalls with multi levels.

Mirror Lake

Jiuzhaigou has wonderful but different scenes for the four seasons. Varies from person to person, with its special sceneries for each season Jiuzhaigou attracts tourists to visit according to different preference.

Most crowded period: October

Coldest month: Jan, 3℃ (37.4℉)

Hottest month: Jul, 17℃ (62.6℉)

Travel Tips:

From January to March: less crowded, but the weather is cold. It’s the best time for snow scenery in Jiuzhaigou.
From April to June: leaves are turning green, and more people come to visit.
From July to August: peak season, good time to visit for the waterfalls.
From September to October: high season, especially in October. The view will be the best for the colorful forests and waterfalls. But try to avoid the first week of October since it’s national holiday in China.
From November to December: getting cold, quiet with less people to visit. Good time to visit for snow landscape.

Read more about Best time to visit Jiuzhaigou.

What to Pack

Spring: low temperature and big temperature difference for day and night, usually between 9℃(48.2℉)-18℃(64.4℉). Long-sleeve jacket and jeans are good choices, a warming coat will be better.

Summer: stable temperature range, between 19℃(66.2℉)-22℃(71.6℉). The weather is cool in summer, especially at night. Better to prepare a thin jacket and sunscreen.

Autumn: comfortable climate but big temperature difference between day and night, especially in the late October. Prepare a jacket and change you clothes according to the weather change. Since it’s the rainy season for Jiuzhaigou in Autumn, you’d better take umbrella with you.

Winter: very cold, and the weather is dry in winter, please bring enough winter clothes to keep you warm. A pair of sunglasses will be good for snow scenery.

Tips:

Please prepare for a pair of comfortable hiking shoes since there are lots of hiking involved.
Be aware of the altitude sickness.
Outdoor jackets are recommended to bring.
The winter in Jiuzhaigou is cold and dry, eat more fruits and vegetables.

More information about Jiuzhaigou Climate & Weather.

Recommended Hotels to Stay

► Jiuzhai Paradise Intercontinental Hotel (Rank: Deluxe Hotels )
Address: Ganhaizi Scenic Area, Jhang Zha Town, Jiuzhaigou County 623402, China
Surrounding: Jiuzhaigou Valley,
Direction: 60km from the airport, 440km from the downtown

The intercontinental resort Jiuzhai paradise is located in Jiuzhaigou, China, 500 meters from skijoring, four kilometers from the Ganhaizi Tibetan and Guang cultural reserve and 20 kilometers from the Jiuzhaigou city center.

► Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort (Rank:Deluxe Hotels )
Address: Located in Jiuzhai Valley
Surrounding: beautiful natural scenery in Jiuzhai Valley Park
Direction: 1.5km to Jiuzhaigou Resort; 130km to Huanglong Resort; 86km to Huanglong Airport.

A warm Tibetan-style welcome awaits at Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort, the first five-star resort in China. Located in the North Sichuan Plateau, the stunning setting is 1,800 meters above sea level. Surrounded by the green mountains and blue waters of this unique world heritage site, we're near the White River Golden Monkey National Reserve.

How to Go to Jiuzhaigou

By Plane

There are direct flights to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport from a few cities in China, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Xian. It takes about one hour from Chengdu to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport. Shuttle buses are available to take from the airport to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Spot and Huanglong Scenic Spot.

By Bus

There are buses from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou every day, at Chadianzi Station and also the New South Gate Station. But it takes a long time, usually about 9 to 10 hours. Better to buy the tickets one day in advance.

Read more about transportation in Jiuzhaigou.

How to Arrange Your Jiuzhaigou Tour

Jiuzhaigou Valley is a large scenic area to visit. Generally, the sightseeing time will be 1-2 days. Here I would like list the common itinerary for your reference.

► Jiuzhaigou 1 Day Sightseeing

► Sightseeing Route:

Entrance - Rize Valley (Mirror Lake-Pearl Shoal Fall-Five-flower Lake-Panda Lake-Arrow Bamboo Lake) - Nuorilang Tourist Center - Zechawa Valley (Multi-color Lake-Long Lake) - Nuorilang Tourist Center - Shuzheng Valley (Rhinoceros Lake- Tiger Lake-Shuzheng Fall-Reed Lake-Pottediandscape Lake) - Exit

► Opening Time & 1 Day Entrance Ticket:

	High Season (Apr 01 – Nov 15)	Low Season (Nov 16 – Mar 31)
Time	7:00 am to 7:00 pm	8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Adult	Entrance Fee: 190 RMB One Day Bus Ticket: 90 RMB	Entrance Fee: 80 RMB One Day Bus Ticket: 90 RMB

► Details

08:00-11:30 Visiting Rize Valley

Before 8:00 a.m. enter the scenic area, taking the scenic shuttle bus to Rize Valley. Stop at Mirror Lake (around 8:00 a.m. is the best time to take photos of Mirror Lake because no wind in the period). And then, go up along the road (both hiking & shuttle bus will be fine) to visit Pearl Shoal Fall, Five-flower Lake, Panda Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake. And then, taking the shuttle bus back to Nuorilang Tourists Center.

11:30-12:30 Lunch Time

It is the lunch time, and enjoy your lunch at Nuorilang Tourist Center

12:30 - 14:00 Visiting Zechawa Valley

After lunch, taking shuttle bus from Nuorilang to Zechawa Valley to visit Multi-color Lake & Long Lake. Around 1.5hrs will be enough.And then, back to Nuorilang Tourist Center

14:00-17:00 Visiting Shuzheng Valley

Starting hiking Shuzheng Valley around 14:00. From Nuorilang Waterfall to hike, go on the walkway along the lakes. You can visit Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Fall, Reed Lake, till the last spot Pottediandscape Lake. And then, get on the scenic shuttle bus and get to the scenic spot exit.

► Jiuzhaigou 2-Day Sightseeing

► Sightseeing Route:

Day 1

Rize Valley (Primeval Forest-Gran Lake-Swan Lake-Arrow Bamboo Lake-Panda Lake-Five-flower Lake-Pearl Shoal) - Nuorilang Tourist Center - Zechawa Valley (Long Lake-Multi-color Lake) - Nuorilang Tourist Center - Zechawa Village & Nuorilang Waterfall - Exit

Day 2

Mirror Lake - Nuorilang Waterfall - Shuzheng Valley (Rhinoceros Lake-Tiger Lake-Shuzheng Waterfall-Shuzheng Village-Water Mill-Shuzheng Lakes) - Nuorilang Tourist Center - Shuzhen Valley (Water Mill-Shuzheng Lakes-Wolong Lake-Fire Flower Lake Waterfall-Fire Flower Lake-Shuanglong Lake-Reed Lake-Pottediandscape Lake) - Exit

► Opening Time & 2 Days Entrance Ticket:

	High Season (Apr 01 – Nov 15)	Low Season (Nov 16 – Mar 31)
Time	7:00 am to 7:00 pm	8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Adult	Entrance Fee: 190 RMB+190 RMB Bus Ticket: 90 RMB+90 RMB	Entrance Fee: 80 RMB+20 RMB Bus Ticket: 90 RMB+90 RMB

Note: Re-entry in low season will be a great choice. Less people and less cost.

How to buy 2-day ticket in low season:
During the low season the second day ticket costs 20 RMB. When purchasing your ticket you will be asked if you would like to enter the park for one or two days. If you would like to spend two days in the park you need to pay for the second day together with your first day’s ticket. Your photo will be taken on entry to the park to validate your second day’s ticket. If you pay for a one-day ticket and decide that you would like to re-enter on the second day you must tell the park staff on the way out, before you exit the park. This offer is only valid for two consecutive days in the off peak season.

► Details

Day 01
Morning (8:00 - 12:00)

Enter into the scenic area → Rize Valley Shuttle bus to Primeval Forest → Hiking to visit Gran Lake& Swan Lake → Shuttle bus to Arrow Bamboo Lake → Hiking to visit Arrow Bamboo Lake → Hiking to visit Panda Lake & Five-flower Lake → Hiking to visit Pearl Shoal and Pearl Shoal Waterfall → Hiking to the Parking lot at Mirror Lake → Shuttle bus to Nuorilang Tourist Center

Afternoon (14:00 - 16:00)

Shuttle bus from Nuorilang to Long Sea → Hiking to visit Long Lake & Multi-color Lake → Shuttle bus from Multi-color Lake to Nuorilang Tourist Center → Hiking to visit Zechawa Village & Nuorilang Waterfall → Shuttle bus to the exit

Day 02
Morning (8:00 - 12:00)

Enter into the scenic area → Shuttle bus to Mirror Lake → Visiting Mirror Lake and hiking to the parking lot → Hiking to visit Nuorilang Waterfall, Rhinoceros Lake- Tiger Lake-Shuzheng Fall-Shuzheng Village-Water Mill-Shuzheng Lakes) → Nuorilang Tourist Center

Afternoon (14:00 - 16:00)

Shuttle bus from Nuorilang to Shuzheng Village → Hiking to visit Water Mill, go to the other side of the walkway to see the panorama view of Shuzheng Village → Hiking to visit Shuzheng Lakes, Wolong Lake, Fire Flower Lake Waterfall, Fire Flower Lake, Shuanglong Lake, Reed Lake, Pottediandscape Lake → Shuttle bus to the exit

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