Jiuzhaigou is one of China's most famous natural scenic areas, celebrated for its 'Five Wonders' — turquoise lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, and Tibetan culture. It is often called 'Paradise on Earth.'
Enjoy the purest highland lakes and waterfalls in China, and experience the stunning water scenes that inspire the saying, 'Once you've seen Jiuzhaigou water, no other water is worth seeing.'
Jiuzhaigou is a paradise for nature lovers. The beauty of the water scenery is breathtaking, and despite the long journey and crowds, it is absolutely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥169
- Child ticket
- ¥80
- Free
- No
- Ticket methods
- Book via the official WeChat account 'Aba Tourism Network' or the scenic area's official website; you can also buy on-site (peak season may have visitor limits).
- Ticket notes
- Peak season (Apr 1 - Nov 15): ticket ¥169, sightseeing bus ¥90; off-season (Nov 16 - Mar 31 next year): ticket ¥80, sightseeing bus ¥80. Real-name registration required for ticket purchase.
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- 14:00
- Ticket sales end
- 16:00
- Holiday hours
- On holidays, gates may open earlier (e.g., 07:00) and extend to 18:00; check the scenic area's announcements for details.
- Seasonal hours
- Peak season (Apr-Nov) 08:00-17:00; off-season (Dec-Mar next year) 08:30-17:00. Some attractions may be closed in winter.
- Temporary closure
- May be temporarily closed due to major natural disasters or epidemic situations; please follow official notices.
- Opening notes
- The scenic area imposes visitor limits, with a maximum daily capacity of approximately 41,000 people. Advance reservation is recommended.
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Early morning and late afternoon, when light is soft and lake colors are richest.
- Best day of week
- Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday)
- Best season
- Autumn (late September to mid-October)
- Avoid times
- Public holidays, weekends, and the afternoon group-tour peak hours (13:00–15:00)
- Avoid days
- Statutory holidays such as National Day and Labor Day (May Day)
- Crowd level
- Very High
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00-14:00
Getting There
In Detail
Jiuzhaigou is located in Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is named after nine Tibetan villages in the valley, including Shuzheng, Heye, and Zechawa. In 1992, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List; in 1997, it was included in the World Biosphere Reserve; and in 2007, it became a national 5A scenic area. Composed primarily of alpine lake clusters, waterfall groups, and travertine beaches, Jiuzhaigou is known for its 'Five Wonders' — turquoise lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, and Tibetan culture. The scenery changes with the seasons: tender buds in spring, green shade around the lakes in summer, red leaves covering the hills in autumn, and snow-clad mountains in winter.
The scenic area is distributed in a 'Y' shape along three valleys — Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Zechawa Valley — with a total length of about 60 kilometers. Rize Valley is the highlight, featuring famous spots like Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Falls, and Mirror Lake; Zechawa Valley has Long Lake and Five-Color Pond; and Shuzheng Valley includes Shuzheng Lakes and Rhinoceros Lake. The lake water, colored by minerals and algae, appears in shades of blue and green and is so clear you can see the bottom. Under the sunlight, the sparkling surface looks like a fairyland.
The tourist facilities at Jiuzhaigou are well-developed, with sightseeing buses and boardwalks allowing visitors to easily reach all major attractions. The air is fresh and rich in negative oxygen ions, making it a natural oxygen bar. However, because of the high altitude (2000-3000 meters), some visitors may experience mild altitude sickness, so it is advisable to make preparations in advance.
What to expect
Take the sightseeing bus into the scenic area, walk along the boardwalk to enjoy the lakes, waterfalls, and primeval forest; you can see Tibetan villages and prayer wheels; in autumn the colorful forests cover the mountains, and in winter some attractions may be closed.
How to visit
It is recommended to fly from Chengdu or take a bus to Jiuzhaigou, and transfer to the sightseeing bus inside the scenic area. The best approach is to enter the park early, take the sightseeing bus to the highest point of Rize Valley, then walk downhill to visit the attractions, and finally explore Shuzheng Valley.
Pros
Breathtaking natural scenery and unique water views
Well-developed facilities and convenient sightseeing buses
Beautiful in all seasons, especially with rich colors in autumn
Fresh air, great for leisure hiking
Cons
Far from Chengdu, with long travel times
Crowded with visitors, especially during holidays
High altitude, may cause altitude sickness
Relatively expensive tickets and sightseeing bus fares
Highlights
- Five Flower Lake: The lake is brilliantly colored, like an overturned palette.
- Nuorilang Waterfall: The widest travertine waterfall in China, with magnificent momentum.
- Long Lake: The largest lake in Jiuzhaigou, with picturesque snow-capped mountain reflections.
- Five-Color Pond: Small and exquisite, with crystal-clear blue water like a gem.
- Shuzheng Group Lakes: Layer upon layer of lakes, dotted with Tibetan villages.
FAQ
What is the best season to visit Jiuzhaigou?
Autumn (from late September to mid-October) is the most beautiful season in Jiuzhaigou, with colorful forests reflected in the water and the most vivid colors; summer is cool and pleasant, while winter offers snow scenes but some attractions may be closed.
What is the altitude of Jiuzhaigou? Will I experience altitude sickness?
The altitude of Jiuzhaigou ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 meters. It generally does not cause severe altitude sickness, but those who are sensitive may experience mild headaches and shortness of breath. It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, drink plenty of water, and you may carry an oxygen bottle.
How much are Jiuzhaigou tickets? Do I need to buy them in advance?
Ticket prices are about ¥169 in peak season (about ¥80 in off-season), and the sightseeing bus costs an additional ¥90. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance on the official website or WeChat official account; real-name reservation is required during peak season.
Field Tips
Best photo spot 1. Five Flower Lake viewing platform: overlooks the colorful lake with clear reflections — a signature Jiuzhaigou photo. 2. Long Lake viewing platform: panoramic views of snowy peaks and lake, great for wide-angle shots. 3. In front of Nuorilang Waterfall: broad travertine waterfall with curtain-like water flow, ideal for slow-shutter photography. 4. Mirror Lake boardwalk: when calm and windless in the early morning, the lake is like a mirror with perfect reflections.
Best entrance Main scenic-area entrance (Goukou), also the starting point of the sightseeing bus.
Best exit Main scenic-area exit (Goukou), same as the entrance.
Trip Planner
Facilities
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Huanglong (60.2 km)
- Bailu Music Town (230.6 km)
- Haiwozi (238.3 km)
- Hongkou Scenic Area (239.1 km)
- Tea Creek Valley Scenic Area (245.4 km)