Sichuan · 2,000 m
Jiuzhaigou
A mountain valley of clear blue and green lakes, wide waterfalls and forest in northern Sichuan, with Huanglong's coloured pools nearby.
Altitude
2,000 m
Best time
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Suggested stay
2–3 days
Jiuzhaigou, "Nine Village Valley", is named after the Tibetan villages along it. Its Y-shaped valleys hold dozens of lakes so clear you can see the bottom, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, as has nearby Huanglong.
Best way to see it
- Stay in Zhangzha town, right outside the valley gate, and enter early.
- Private cars cannot drive in. Take the green eco-bus up to the higher lakes, then walk back down the boardwalks, hopping on the bus between distant stops.
- Give Huanglong its own day: it is about 3 hours by road from Jiuzhaigou.
When to go
- Autumn colour peaks in October and draws the biggest crowds. May–Jun brings fresh green and full waterfalls.
Altitude: the gate is about 2,000 m, Long Lake about 3,060 m and Huanglong's Five-Colour Pool 3,576 m. Walk slowly and drink water.
Sights
A shallow, many-coloured lake in Rize Valley, with ancient fallen tree trunks lying clearly visible on its bed.
Boardwalks with a few steps; easy pace.
Good to know
- Jiuzhaigou tickets are sold online only, with real-name booking by passport and a daily cap of 41,000 visitors. October and Chinese holidays can sell out days ahead, so book early and carry the same passport.
- Mind the altitude: the road to Huanglong crosses a pass over 4,000 m. Walk slowly, rest often and use the cable car rather than climbing.
- Bring warm layers, a hat and sunscreen. It is cool even in summer at these heights, and most rain falls between May and October.
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