Bring your ID card. If you have relevant discount certificates (such as student ID, military ID, senior citizen ID, etc.), bring them along as well, as they can entitle you to corresponding discounts when buying tickets, etc.
Clothes
The temperature difference between day and night in Jiuzhaigou is large. Even in summer, it is advisable to bring a thick coat, such as a chongfengyi; in spring and autumn, you need to prepare warm clothes like sweaters and thick coats; in winter, bring down jackets, thick cotton-padded clothes, warm gloves, scarves, hats, etc. At the same time, prepare comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes for walking.
Items
Bring sunscreen products, sunglasses, sun hats and other sun protection supplies; rain gear (such as a folding umbrella or a light raincoat); common medicines (cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, band-aids, etc.); power banks, cameras and corresponding chargers, memory cards, etc.; you can also prepare an appropriate amount of snacks and drinking water. There are sales points in the scenic area, but the prices may be a bit higher.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane
Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport: It is about 80 kilometers away from the Jiuzhaigou scenic area. There are shuttle buses running between the airport and the scenic area, and the driving time is about 1.5 2 hours. You can also book a taxi or a chartered car in advance to go to the scenic area.
Bus
Departing from Chengdu: Both Xinnanmen Station and Chadianzi Station have buses to Jiuzhaigou. The buses at Xinnanmen Station are mainly tourist special lines, with a driving time of about 8 9 hours; there are more bus trips at Chadianzi Station, but the driving time is a bit longer.
Internal Transportation
Sightseeing Bus
The sightseeing bus in the Jiuzhaigou scenic area is a must-have means of transportation. It can stop at various major scenic spots, and tourists can get on and off freely. The operation time of the sightseeing bus is generally from 8:00 am to about 5:00 pm. Pay attention to reasonable arrangement of play time.
Scenic Spot Introduction
Shuzheng Valley
Penjing Beach (Bonsai Beach)
There are dense trees on the shallow beach. Due to travertine accumulation around the trunks, natural basin embankments slightly higher than the water surface are formed one by one, like groups of bonsai, hence the name.
Shuzheng Qunhai (Shuzheng Lakes)
It consists of 19 lakes of different sizes, clustered in terraces, with scattered heights and extending for several miles. The water is blue, and under the sunlight, it presents colorful colors.
Shuzheng Waterfall
The waterfall rushes out from the ancient tree jungle. The width of the waterfall surface varies, and the water flow is sometimes rapid and sometimes slow. Looking down from the top of the waterfall, the waterfall surface is like a silver dragon tumbling among the trees.
Rize Valley
Nuorilang Waterfall
With an altitude of 2,365 meters and a waterfall surface width of up to 300 meters, it is the widest among the many waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou. The top of the waterfall is flat like a platform. The surging water comes from the Nuorilang Qunhai and flows down from the top of the waterfall like a flying Milky Way, with great momentum.
Pearl Shoal Waterfall
The Pearl Shoal is full of pits. The rapids hit the pits and splash countless water flowers. Under the sunlight, the dots of water are like pearls scattered, thus getting its name. The Pearl Shoal Waterfall is a waterfall downstream, with the water flowing down torrentially and the water mist filling the air, very spectacular.
Wuhua Sea (Five-flower Lake)
It has the reputation of “a wonder of Jiuzhaigou”. The same water area presents various colors such as light yellow, dark green, dark blue, and dark cyan, mottled and blurred, colorful. Under the sunlight, it seems like a colorful fairy tale world.
Zechawa Valley
Changhai Lake (Long Lake)
It is the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou. Changhai Lake bends along the mountain and its head is deeply hidden in the valleys of overlapping mountains. The lake water is ink blue, and its water source comes from the melting snow of high mountains, looking mysterious and tranquil.
Wucaichi (Five-color Pond)
It is the smallest but most colorful lake in Jiuzhaigou. Under the influence of various factors such as sunlight, algae, and travertine, the lake water presents a colorful scene, which is amazing.
Tour Route Planning
One-day Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, take the sightseeing bus directly to the primitive forest at the end of Rize Valley. Then walk along the plank road or take the bus to visit scenic spots such as Fangcao Lake, Swan Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, Pearl Shoal, and Wuhua Sea in turn. Have lunch at the Nuorilang Central Station. In the afternoon, visit Changhai Lake and Wucaichi in Zechawa Valley, and finally return to Shuzheng Valley to visit Shuzheng Qunhai, Shuzheng Waterfall and other scenic spots before leaving the scenic area.
Two-day Tour Route
First Day
Morning: After entering the scenic area, first visit Shuzheng Valley. Take the bus from the entrance of the valley to Penjing Beach, and then walk along the plank road to enjoy Shuzheng Qunhai, Shuzheng Waterfall and other scenic spots in turn. Rest and have lunch at Shuzheng Village.
Afternoon: Take the sightseeing bus to Zechawa Valley to visit Changhai Lake and Wucaichi. Then return to the Nuorilang Central Station and you can stroll around or rest nearby.
Second Day
Morning: Take the sightseeing bus directly to the primitive forest in Rize Valley, and then walk along the plank road or take the bus to visit Fangcao Lake, Swan Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, Pearl Shoal, Wuhua Sea and other scenic spots. Have lunch at the Nuorilang Central Station.
Afternoon: Visit the Nuorilang Waterfall and surrounding scenic spots again, and then take the sightseeing bus out of the scenic area according to the exit time.
Food Recommendations
Local Specialties
Yak Beef
You can taste yak beef hot pot, yak beef jerky, etc. The yak beef is tender and nutritious. The hot pot is paired with various local specialty vegetables and has a rich flavor. Yak beef jerky is a characteristic snack that is easy to carry.
Tibetan Pig
This is a pig breed that grows in the plateau area and mainly feeds on natural wild edible plants and fruits. The roasted Tibetan pig has a crispy outer skin and a fragrant meat flavor, or it can be made into stir-fried Tibetan pork dishes, which also has a unique flavor.
Highland Barley Cake
It is baked with highland barley flour. The cake tastes sweet and fragrant with the unique aroma of highland barley. It can be eaten with milk tea, etc.
Special Snacks
Buttered Tea
It is a Tibetan specialty drink. Boil the brick tea, add butter (fat extracted from yak milk) and salt, etc., and stir evenly. It has a rich flavor and helps relieve altitude sickness and resist cold.
Yogurt
The yogurt in Jiuzhaigou has a mellow taste. Usually, a layer of white sugar or honey is sprinkled on it, sweet and sour, very appetizing.
Accommodation Suggestions
Near the Entrance of the Scenic Area
There are various accommodation options here, ranging from star hotels to budget inns. The advantage is that it is close to the entrance of the Jiuzhaigou scenic area, which is convenient for entering the scenic area early the next morning for sightseeing; the surrounding supporting facilities such as catering and shopping are also relatively complete.
Zhangzha Town
It is one of the main accommodation areas for Jiuzhaigou tourism. There are a large number of hotels, homestays, etc. in the town. In addition to being close to the scenic area, it is also lively at night, with various specialty bars, restaurants, etc.
Travel Precautions
Altitude Sickness Prevention
Some areas in the Jiuzhaigou scenic area are at a relatively high altitude, and altitude sickness may occur. During the tour, avoid strenuous exercise. You can prepare some anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance, such as Rhodiola rosea. When there is a slight altitude sickness, you can take a proper rest and inhale oxygen to relieve it.
Environmental Protection Awareness
Jiuzhaigou is a nature reserve. When visiting, you should take good care of the environment, do not litter at will, and do not damage the vegetation and ecology in the scenic area.
Tour Safety
Pay attention to your step safety when walking in the scenic area, especially near the water and on the plank road; take good care of your personal belongings when taking the sightseeing bus.
