TourJiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide

Jiuzhaigou is a natural wonderland - home to colorful lakes and forests, cascading waterfalls and snow-capped peaks, mysterious Tibetan villages and temples. Jiuzhaigou National Park offers countless opportunities for exploration, and we hope you'll create unforgettable memories in this magical paradise.

Park Information

Official Name: Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area (九寨沟风景名胜区)
Location: Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, China
Area: 650.74 square kilometers
Elevation: 1,990 - 4,764 meters
Opening Hours: Summer 7:30-18:00, Winter 8:00-17:00
Climate: Alpine subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters
Best Time to Visit: September-October (Autumn) for the most colorful scenery

What To Expect in Jiuzhaigou

Language

Tibetan is the main language spoken in the Tibetan villages in Jiuzhaigou, but because Jiuzhaigou was a tourism region, you'll often hear a lot of Putonghua(Standard Chinese) and Sichuanhua (Sichuanese) or other dialects while out and about.

Currency & Payment

Currency: CNY (¥). ATMs can only be found in some of the 5-star hotels, and most hotels, restaurants, and shops will accept Wechatpay and Alipay. Only 5-star and 4-star hotels accept credit cards.

Best Time to Visit

There's no bad time to visit Jiuzhaigou. For pleasant weather, the best time to visit is in the springtime (April to June) and the fall (September to early November). Though if you are looking for the cheapest time to visit, January to the end of March is the best time to go.

Helpful Tip

If you're visiting Jiuzhaigou during the winter months (Dec, Jan, Feb), there's a chance it might snow! Pack enough layers to keep you warm while you're exploring and bring along your biggest coat!

Must-See Attractions in Jiuzhaigou

Colorful Lakes

Colorful Lakes

Jiuzhaigou features 108 stunning lakes with crystal-clear waters rich in calcium carbonate. The lake beds are often visible even at significant depths.

Throughout different seasons, these lakes display an enchanting array of colors - from deep blues and turquoise to emerald greens and even russet and crimson hues, creating a natural kaleidoscope.

Multi-level Waterfalls

Multi-level Waterfalls

The valley boasts 17 spectacular multi-tiered waterfalls, each interconnected with the region's beautiful lakes, forming a mesmerizing network of cascading water features.

Colorful Forests

Vibrant Forests

Home to over 2,000 plant species, Jiuzhaigou's forests are a testament to biodiversity.

During autumn, the landscape transforms into a spectacular display of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns, creating a magical forest wonderland.

Snow-capped Peaks

Snow-capped Peaks & Ice Falls

Winter transforms Jiuzhaigou into a pristine wonderland, with majestic snow-covered peaks and stunning blue ice waterfalls.

The valley takes on a completely different character during the cold months, offering visitors a unique and breathtaking winter landscape.

Special Experiences

Cultural Shows

Cultural Shows

Jiuzhaigou offers many wonderful cultural shows. The most famous one is the Zang Mi Tibetan Music and Dance Show.

The show tells a story about an elderly Ama pilgrimaging from Jiuzhaigou to Lhasa, and what she saw and heard. She sets off with only her pet sheep as companions and prostrates herself every 3 steps along the way.

Anyone who has seen Tibetan pilgrims will be moved by such devotion. The show begins at 19:30 every evening at Jiuzhaigou Zangmi Grand Theatre.

Bonfire Party

Bonfire Party

Some hotels or Tibetan families offer wonderful bonfire parties, giving you a unique opportunity to enjoy time with locals: you can eat and drink together, learn to sing Tibetan songs with traditional instruments, and learn the Tibetan dance - Guozhuang.

Eating & Drinking

The notable local food and drink include: milk products, highland barley wines, Yak meat, Zanba (a kind of glutinous potato cake), and so on.

Getting There

The best way to get to Jiuzhaigou is by air via Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai.

Accommodation

There are no hotels or commercial accommodation inside the park.

There are a number of 5 star, 4 star and 3 star hotels just near the main entrance to the park or Zhangzha Town.