Just back from Jiuzhaigou Valley: Honest Travel Tips! Complete Travel Guide
Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide: 9 Core Attractions + Accommodation Guide + 4-Day May Day Holiday Itinerary
📍 9 Must-Visit Attractions in Jiuzhaigou
✅ Five-Flower Lake
💸 Ticket: Included in the Jiuzhaigou scenic area pass (Peak season: ¥190 + ¥90 for shuttle bus; Off-season: ¥80 + ¥80)
🍎 Highlights: The lake displays vibrant colors including yellow, Tibetan blue, dark green, and sapphire blue. Known as the "Jiuzhaigou's Ultimate Wonder," the lake features a natural canvas of calcified deposits on the lake bottom intertwined with tree reflections.
✅ Nuorilang Waterfall
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: The widest highland waterfall in Asia, with water cascading like the Milky Way. Particularly spectacular in summer when water volume is abundant.
✅ Long Lake
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: The highest lake (3,100 meters) in Jiuzhaigou, with deep blue waters reflecting snow-capped mountains and forests. Different scenery in each season.
✅ Five-Color Pond
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: The "essential eye" of Jiuzhaigou, with water displaying gradients of blue, green, and yellow due to mineral deposits. Never freezes and sparkles like jewels in sunlight.
✅ Pearl Shoal Waterfall
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: A filming location for "Journey to the West," with water falling like scattered pearls. Magnificent and perfect for photos.
✅ Mirror Lake
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: The lake surface is like a mirror reflecting snow mountains and clouds. Best viewed in early morning or when there's no wind. Known for the saying "fish swimming in clouds, birds flying in water."
✅ Shuzheng Lakes
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: 19 lakes arranged like terraced fields, with white pagodas, prayer wheels, and snow mountains creating a beautiful scene. A microcosm of Jiuzhaigou's cultural and natural blend.
✅ Reed Lake
💸 Ticket: Same as above
🍎 Highlights: An emerald lake intertwined with reed clusters where wild ducks often appear. Just an 800-meter walk away, it's a hidden gem away from crowds.
✅ Shenxian Pool Scenic Area
💸 Ticket: ¥50 (separate scenic area, about 30 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou)
🍎 Highlights: Combines Huanglong's calcified pools with Jiuzhaigou's lake scenery. Less crowded, offering activities like horseback riding and rafting.
🏨 Accommodation Guide
Zhangzha Town (Valley Entrance Area)
Recommended reason: First choice for 60% of visitors, 6-7 kilometers from the park entrance, vibrant nightlife, walking distance to Qiangu Qing performance.
High-end options:
Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou (Chinese Tibetan-Qiang style, terrace for stargazing)
Luneng Hilton (5-star, comprehensive facilities)
Mid-range options:
Rundu Hot Spring Hotel (5-diamond rating, includes hot springs)
Xingyu International Hotel (4-diamond rating, good value)
Budget options:
Kaihong Holiday Hotel (comfortable, suitable for limited budgets)
Chuanzhusi Town (First day or return transition)
Recommended reason: Suitable for late flight arrivals or departing visitors, 20 kilometers from Huanglong, 30-minute drive.
Recommended hotel:
Jiuzhaigou International Hotel (convenient transportation, complete facilities)
Inside the Scenic Area (In-depth tour)
Recommended reason: Exclusive enjoyment of morning and evening tranquility, but limited options requiring advance booking.
Recommended:
Heye Village Tibetan Homestay (experience Tibetan family life)
🚗 4-Day May Day Holiday Itinerary
📅 Day 1: Chengdu—Diexi Lake—Jiuzhaigou
Itinerary:
Morning: Depart from Chengdu, pass through Dujiangyan and Wenchuan, arrive at Diexi Lake (earthquake-formed barrier lake, free attraction).
Afternoon: Check in at Zhangzha Town hotel, experience Tibetan Celebration (recommended dinner: yak meat hot pot).
📅 Day 2: Full-day in-depth tour of Jiuzhaigou
Itinerary:
Enter at 8:00 AM, follow the "Y"-shaped route:
Left route (Zechawa Valley): Long Lake → Five-Color Pond → Nuorilang Center (lunch).
Right route (Rize Valley): Arrow Bamboo Lake → Panda Lake → Five-Flower Lake → Pearl Shoal Waterfall → Mirror Lake.
Middle route (Shuzheng Valley): Shuzheng Lakes → Reed Lake → Bonsai Beach.
Tip: VIP shuttle bus (¥490) can reduce waiting time and prioritize core attractions.
📅 Day 3: Jiuzhaigou—Huanglong—Mao County
Itinerary:
Morning: 1.5-hour drive to Huanglong Scenic Area, visit Five-Color Pools and Zhengyan Pools (entrance fee ¥60, cable car up ¥80).
Afternoon: Head to Mao County, check in at a Qiang-style hotel, recommended dinner: potato cakes and cheese buns.
📅 Day 4: Mao County—Ancient Qiang City—Chengdu
Itinerary:
Morning: Visit China's Ancient Qiang City (entrance fee ¥60), experience Qiang culture.
Afternoon: Return to Chengdu, passing through Songpan Ancient Town (optional stop).
⚠️ Important Notes
Ticket reservation: During peak season, reserve 15 days in advance through "Aba Tourism Website," real-name registration required for entry.
Altitude sickness prevention: The highest elevation is 3,100 meters; oxygen bottles recommended, avoid strenuous activities.
Transportation options: Driving from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou takes about 8 hours; shared direct bus (¥45/person) or chartered car recommended.
Avoiding crowds: During May Day holiday, enter the park at 8 AM and prioritize the left route to Long Lake and Five-Color Pond.
✨ Have a wonderful trip and unlock the fairy-tale world of Jiuzhaigou!