Jiuzhaigou Valley九寨沟
Turquoise lakes, waterfalls and Tibetan villages in northern Sichuan — one of China’s most beautiful national parks.
Photo: pzhui · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Best time
- October for autumn colour; also late spring and summer. Winter is quiet and partly frozen.
- Nearest base
- Chengdu
About Jiuzhaigou Valley
Jiuzhaigou (“Nine Village Valley”) is a Y-shaped system of valleys in the Min Mountains, named after the Tibetan villages within it. Its lakes owe their colours to calcium carbonate deposits and clear water. It became a World Heritage site in 1992.
A 2017 earthquake damaged parts of the park; it reopened in stages and most of the main areas have since been accessible. Inside, green buses run along the valleys and boardwalks lead between lakes and falls.
Tickets and getting there
- Booking
- Daily visitor numbers are capped; book tickets and bus passes online with your passport, especially in October.
- How to get there
- High-speed trains now run from Chengdu to Huanglong Jiuzhai station (around 1.5–2 hours), with a road transfer to the park; or fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong airport.
Almost every major sight in China books by passport number. See what to set up before you fly.
Highlights
- Five Flower Lake — The most colourful lake.
- Nuorilang Falls — Wide waterfall on travertine terraces.
- Long Lake — Highest point, around 3,000 m.
- Pearl Shoal Falls — Water cascading over a wide shoal.
Field notes
- Take the bus to the top of one valley first and walk downhill on the boardwalks.
Staying in Chengdu
Chengdu travel guide
Pandas, teahouses and some of the best food in China, in a city famous for taking life slowly.
Classic China by High-Speed Rail: 12 Days
China with Kids: 10 Days of Walls, Warriors and Pandas
Chongqing, the Yangtze and Zhangjiajie: 9 Days
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FAQ
Can I combine Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong?
Yes. Huanglong’s travertine pools are about two to three hours’ drive away and are often combined on a 3–4 day trip from Chengdu. Huanglong is higher (around 3,500 m), so walk slowly.
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