Jiuzhai Valley National Park: Highlights & Best Time to Visit

Jiuzhai Valley National Park, also known as Jiuzhaigou, is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's best spots for nature lovers. This park spans 720 square kilometers and is packed with waterfalls, jewel-bright lakes, and lush forests.

The waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou

You can also find the remains of nine ancient villages in the valley and learn about Qiang and Tibetan culture when you visit. Read on to learn everything you need to know about visiting this unique park.

Basic Information about Jiuzhaigou

Clear blue water of Jiuzhaigou

It's essential to have a plan before you visit Jiuzhaigou. Otherwise, you can easily get overwhelmed and miss something important. The Scenic Area is set up in a "Y" formation, with three distinct areas: Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Zechawa Valley.
We recommend that you start by exploring Zechawa Valley, to the left-hand side of the "Y" first, then Rize Valley, on the right. After you've seen both of those, we suggest you follow the main route towards Shuzheng Valley.

The map of Jiuzhaigou

Combining your walking journey with the electric shuttle bus is a great way to see everything. You'll be able to see everything at a leisurely and fun pace. These shuttle buses service the entire Scenic Area and cost 90 CNY from April 1 to November 15, and 80 CNY from November 16 to March 31. You can hop on or off at any stop to explore or take photos, with no need to transfer at Nuorilang Center Station.

Ticket Price and Opening Hours

Jiuzhai Valley National Park's hours of operation vary by an hour depending on what time of year you're visiting. During peak season, between April 1 and November 15, the park is open from 7:30 am to 6 pm. Between November 16 and March 31, the hours are 8:30 am to 6 pm.

• Adult tickets during peak season: 190 CNY
• Adult tickets during off-season: 80 CNY
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Best Time to Visit

The summer scenery of Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhai Valley National Park is open all year round, and you can experience different, exciting activities depending on when you go. One of the best times to visit is in late October when you see the leaves change colors.

During peak season, between April and November, you'll experience mild weather and epic hiking. It's a great time to visit the Scenic Area's waterfalls and beautiful lakes. During the off-season, from mid-November to March, Juizhaigou gets chillier, and some of the trails can be icy. On the other hand, there are fewer tourists, so you're more likely to have the park all to yourself.

Top Highlights of Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhai Valley National Park is a paradise of clear, bright lakes, forest waterfalls, mountains, and ancient Tibetan villages. There are delightful things to do and see around every corner, and it's bound to be the highlight of your vacation.

Zachawa Valley

Five-Colored Pond

The Zachawa Valley is known for its stunning Five-Colored Pond and Long Lake. Five-Colored Pond, also known as the "Eye of Juizhaigou," is a beautiful mixture of purple, green, and blue coloring and is easily one of the most impressive lakes in the country. Long Lake is the biggest lake in the Scenic Area, and if you see it from above, you'll note that it makes a graceful "S" formation across the park.

This glacial freshwater lake is an excellent place to take photographs of the serene Zachawa Valley. You'll also find several other lakes, like the Upper and Lower Seasonal Lakes. Since this valley is 3,101 meters above sea level, we advise that you take it slow to account for the increased altitude and take breaks as needed.

Rize Valley

Five Flower Lake

The highlights of Rize Valley are the Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Panda Lake, and Nuorilang Waterfall. The Pearl Shoal Waterfall is covered in calcium deposits, making it an ideal place for photographs. It is also a famously fresh area of the park, nicknamed the "natural oxygen bar."

Nuorilang Waterfall cascades through the forest, and the name is a Tibetan word that means "majestic and magnificent." You'll surely agree when you visit. Nuorilang Waterfall freezes during the winter, creating blue ice, a breathtaking phenomenon of natural ice sculptures.

Panda Lake is a glacial lake famous for the giant pandas that used to live there and is a unique and picturesque spot surrounded by a bamboo forest. Five Flower Lake is a multi-colored wonder with different shades of blues, greens, and yellows in its waters. You can also see other lakes in the valley, including Mirror Lake, Grass Lake, and Arrow Bamboo Lake.

Shuzheng Valley

Shuzheng Waterfall

The top features of Shuzheng Valley are the Shuzheng Waterfall, Sparkling Lake, Reed Lake, and Shuzheng Lakes. The 19 lakes that make up Shuzheng Lakes sit atop different terraces and flow into each other, creating a unique natural spectacle perfect for photographs. Shuzheng Waterfall is a multi-leveled waterfall that flows through a lush forest area and is ideal for hiking. Sparkling Lake is a still, bright blue body of water that's wonderful to see at sunrise.

Reed Lake is one of the most interesting lakes in the park. It is full of gentle reeds and surrounded by lovely nature. It's a good place to rest and meditate. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's certainly worth the hike.

You can bring water and snacks into the park or grab a bite to eat at the Nuorilang Center. The Nuorliang Center is also where you can get shuttle buses to different park areas.

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How to Get to Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou Valley on a sunny day

The best way to get to Jiuzhai Valley National Park is by high-speed train from Chengdu. It takes about two hours, and you will be dropped off at the Jiuzhaigou train station, where you can grab a shuttle bus to Jiuzhaigou, which takes another two hours.

You can also travel by bus from Chengdu. This journey takes 8 hours, and you can purchase a ticket at the station. Flying is another option, as Jiuzhaigou has its own airport. The journey from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to Jiuzhaigou is about 1.5 hours.

We're happy to arrange private transportation and a guide for you. This way, you'll have a smooth journey from start to finish and not have to worry about transferring. Ride-sharing services, like DiDi, are unavailable in Jiuzhaigou, so if you want to go by car, it's best to arrange transportation beforehand.

How to Make the Most of Your Time

We recommend spending two days in Jiuzhai Valley National Park and the surrounding area. That way, you'll be able to take your time really soaking in the scenery and not miss a thing. You can explore Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area on the first day, seeing the park on a mixture of shuttle buses and walking.

On the second day, we recommend that you visit Huanglong Scenic Area. This spot is just 2 hours away from Jiuzhaigou and is another fine example of Chinese nature full of alpine views, waterfalls, and fantastic natural terraces. Like Jiuzhai Valley National Park, this Scenic Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers incredible hiking and fantastic flora and fauna. We recommend that you stay in Goukou, near the Jiuzhaigou entrance, for easy access to the park.

Travel Tips

Jiuzhaigou in Winter

• While most of Jiuzhaigou is at a lower altitude, older guests are advised to carry a portable oxygen canister when visiting Huanglong.
• Bring sunscreen and water with you, and wear comfortable shoes.
• It's often much cooler at night, so bring layers or a light jacket, even during the summer.
• Buy tickets for the park in advance.

Visit one of China's Most Impressive National Parks

Jiuzhai Valley National Park is a natural wonder bursting with animal and plant diversity. It's sure to be one of the most memorable parts of your China vacation, and at China Odyssey Tours, we can help create a personalized itinerary and set up private transportation to make your trip the best. Visit our contact page or email us at trip@odynovotours.com to get started today.