[2025 Jiuzhaigou Attraction] Travel Guide for Reed Lake (Updated Mar)

🎉 I just returned from Jiuzhaigou and want to share some truths with everyone. Now that the high-speed rail is open, there are indeed more people, but the scenery is absolutely stunning 😍. Jiuzhaigou on a sunny day is unexpectedly beautiful 📷, you can use the original photos without any filters. September to October is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou, ladies, you must go at least once! Here are some tips I’ve gathered that might help those who haven't visited yet!!! ✅ Travel Itinerary D1: Chengdu East Station 🚄 take the high-speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station - Huanglong Scenic Area - Jiuzhaigou Entrance D2: Full-day deep tour of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area D3: Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong Jiuzhai Station - Chengdu 🏔 Must-see Attractions in Jiuzhaigou 1⃣ Shuzheng Valley: Reed Lake, Bonsai Beach, Shuzheng Lakes, Sparkling Lake, Rhinoceros Lake. 2⃣ Rize Valley: Five Flower Lake, Mirror Lake, Panda Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Nuorilang Waterfall. 3⃣ Zechawa Valley: Five-Color Pond, Long Lake. ✅ Attraction Descriptions Five-Color Pond: Known as the 'Eye of Jiuzhai,' it is a stunning blue. Nuorilang Waterfall: Gathers water from Rize Valley, with spectacular ice falls in winter. Shuzheng Lakes: Composed of over 40 lakes, you can see the full view from the observation deck. Long Lake: The surrounding peaks are snow-covered year-round, and the blue-green lake is even more serene in winter. Panda Lake: On windless days, you can see the reflection of the entire sky, very spectacular. Pearl Shoal Waterfall: Like a galaxy descending from the sky, one of the filming locations for 'Journey to the West.' Reed Lake: A spot that requires a hike, from Shuanglong Lake to Bonsai Beach, there is a blue ribbon in the reeds. Mirror Lake: A filming location for the movie 'Hero,' as calm as a mirror. Rhinoceros Lake: The sightseeing bus passes by, sit on the left side for a better view. Tiger Lake: The distant snow-capped mountains reflect in the blue-green lake. Arrow Bamboo Lake: Surrounded by arrow bamboo and fir trees, with a small waterfall nearby. ✅ Jiuzhaigou Travel Tips 🔸 There are public restrooms every two to three kilometers within the scenic area, very convenient. 🔸 Be sure to apply sunscreen, the UV rays are strong even without sunlight. 🔸 The altitude of Jiuzhaigou is over 3000 meters, so altitude sickness is usually just a mild headache. 🔸 The beauty of Jiuzhaigou can't be fully captured in photos, so make sure to bring a friend who can take good pictures to capture the stunning scenery. 🔸 When taking the sightseeing bus, sit on the left side for Shuzheng Valley and on the right side for Rize Valley. 🔸 It takes about 6-7 hours to tour the entire scenic area, so it's best to start early to avoid the crowds and long lines for the sightseeing bus. ✅ Recommended Route within the Scenic Area Morning: Start with Shuzheng Valley, walk along the wooden plank road, highly recommend Reed Lake, which has no parking spot, so you need to walk back 1 kilometer from Bonsai Beach, but it's worth it, different from other lakes, it has its unique beauty. Noon: Take the bus from Bonsai Beach to Nuorilang Center for lunch and visit Nuorilang Waterfall. Afternoon: While the crowds head to Shuzheng Valley, we can go to Zechawa Valley's Long Lake and Five-Color Pond. You can view Upper and Lower Seasonal Lakes from the bus, as the hike is long. Then return to Nuorilang Center and transfer to Rize Valley's Primeval Forest. If time is short, you can skip this as you've already seen many similar lakes. Walk from Five Flower Lake to Pearl Shoal Waterfall, then take the bus from Mirror Lake parking lot to the exit, enjoying Mirror Lake along the way.

📍Attraction Address: Located in Jiuzhaigou, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, AAAAA Jiuzhaigou 🚗Attraction Transportation: From Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, you can choose to fly directly to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, and then take the airport bus to Jiuzhaigoukou. Driving from Chengdu, the 400-kilometer journey takes 8 hours, with beautiful scenery along the way, but the road conditions are complex, so drive carefully. Take the high-speed rail from Chengdu to Zhenjiangguan Station, then transfer to a bus to Jiuzhaigou 👍️Scenic Spots: Lotus Terrace Reflecting Colors, Qinglong Sea, Fairy Pool, Golden Flow, Lotus Terrace, Gold and Silver Beach, Yaochi, Water Curtain Cave, Bamboo Forest Path, Green Sea, Thousand Layer Beach, Yonglian Spring, Rizegou (Fragrant Grass Sea, Swan Sea, Arrow Bamboo Sea, Five Flower Sea, Pearl Beach Waterfall); Zhawagou (Long Sea, Five Color Pool); Shuzhenggou (Rhinoceros Sea, Tiger Sea, Shuzheng Waterfall, Sparkling Sea, Reed Sea). Pearl Beach Waterfall, Five Color Pool, and Five Flower Sea are great for taking photos : There are various hotel options near Jiuzhaigou, catering to different tourists' needs and providing a comfortable stay 🎟️Ticket Information: Peak Season: Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area Peak Season (April 1 to November 15) Full Price Ticket: Entrance Ticket 190 RMB/person, Bus Ticket 90 RMB/person; Off-Season: November 16 to the end of March: Entrance Ticket 80.00 RMB/person; Bus Ticket 80.00 RMB/person; Total: 160.00 RMB/person. 💗Tips: The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so remember to bring warm clothes. Also, don't fully trust the weather forecast, as Jiuzhaigou is foggy and the weather is changeable. : Autumn Red Leaves: Late September to early November is the best time to see the red leaves, and this period is also the most crowded and expensive. Winter Snow Viewing: December to February, Jiuzhaigou is covered in white snow, like a fairy tale world of ice and snow Spring Flower Viewing: March to May, you can see highland peach blossoms in mid to late March, paired with the colorful lakes of Jiuzhaigou; Summer Escape: June to August, the summer is cool, the air is fresh, and the trees in Jiuzhaigou are lush and green, making it a great place for a summer vacation. : The altitude range of Jiuzhaigou varies widely, from the lowest point at the entrance at about 1900 meters to some high points within the scenic area reaching about 3500 meters. This altitude variation not only gives Jiuzhaigou a rich natural landscape but also allows visitors to experience different climates and ecological environments during their visit. Since the altitude of Jiuzhaigou is not particularly high, with the highest point only around 3200 meters, most people walking in the scenic area will not exceed this altitude. Therefore, tourists visiting Jiuzhaigou do not need to worry about altitude sickness, as it is unlikely to occur.

📍Attraction Address: Reed Lake is located in the Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area in Sichuan. It is a scenic spot full of poetry and romance. The scenery varies in different seasons and is deeply loved by tourists. Attraction Features: - Reed Beauty: The reed marshes stretch for several kilometers. The golden reeds sway gracefully in the breeze, resembling golden waves, complementing the surrounding azure lake water and snow-capped mountains, creating a picturesque scene. - Waterbird Habitat: This is home to many waterbirds. Birds can often be seen flying and playing, or foraging and perching in the reeds, adding vitality to the tranquil Reed Lake. - Unique Light and Shadow: In the early morning and evening, the sunlight casts shadows that shuttle through the reeds, creating a dreamlike world of light and shadow, a must-see for photography enthusiasts. 🚗Transportation: Transportation Methods: - Self-driving: You can navigate to "Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area." However, due to traffic control around the scenic area, during peak seasons, you need to transfer to the scenic spot's sightseeing bus at the designated parking lot. The road conditions are good throughout the journey, and the natural scenery along the way is charming. - Public Transportation: Some cities have direct tourist buses to Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area. If there is no direct bus, you can go to Chengdu first and then transfer to a bus to Jiuzhai Valley. The journey is long, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance and arrange your itinerary reasonably. 👍️Must-See Attractions: - Tour Route: After entering the Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area, take the sightseeing bus and get off at the Bonsai Shoal Station. Stroll along the wooden boardwalk, through the reed marshes, and enjoy the beautiful scenery up close. Afterward, you can continue by bus to the next stop. 🎟️Tickets: - Ticket Information: Included in the Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area ticket. Peak season (April 1 - November 15) tickets are 169 yuan/person, sightseeing bus tickets are 90 yuan/person; off-season (November 16 - March 31 of the following year) tickets are 80 yuan/person, sightseeing bus tickets are 80 yuan/person. Students, seniors, and other specific groups can enjoy discounts with valid IDs. 💗Other Tips: - Food Recommendations: Around Jiuzhai Valley, there is Tibetan yak beef hot pot, with tender beef and delicious soup, perfect for warming up and nourishing the body. There are also highland barley cakes, crispy and with a unique fragrance of highland barley; and butter tea, a blend of milk and tea aromas, with a rich taste.

The first time I went to Jiuzhaigou, I secretly wished to see all four seasons of Jiuzhaigou. Now I've completed 34 visits, and each season's Jiuzhaigou is uniquely beautiful (autumn is my top favorite). Every visit brings unexpected beautiful scenery and lots of photos~ Here are a few of my favorite less-known spots (though they are not that unknown): 1. Primeval Forest-Grass Lake-Swan Lake: Don't be scared off by the 3km distance! It's all boardwalks, and you can take photos along the way. You'll reach the bus stop in no time. There are very few people on the way, and it's so quiet that you can only hear birds and water. Don't you want to see the tranquil Jiuzhaigou? 2. Nuorilang Viewing Platform: You can see the full view of Nuorilang Waterfall, but you need to keep climbing. Trust me, once you reach the top and see the view, you'll feel it's worth it. 3. Shuzheng Village Viewing Platform: Ahhh, this platform is a must-visit. The beauty is beyond words, like sapphires embedded in emeralds. Everyone must go! You won't regret it! 4. Reed Lake: If you have time, you can hike all the way from Shuzheng Village. If not, take the bus to Bonsai Beach and return. It's worth visiting in any season, whether autumn, winter, or summer. No matter how you take photos, they can't compare to what you see with your eyes. I hope everyone can personally experience the beauty of Jiuzhaigou~

From July to September, Jiuzhaigou has abundant water 💧 and enters its peak season, attracting a large number of tourists. Therefore, I sincerely recommend that everyone make thorough preparations before setting off, especially during this peak season. Based on my personal experience, I have summarized a guide to avoid pitfalls and methods to avoid crowds. Save it directly! ✅ About the Scenic Area 📍 Address: Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba, Sichuan Ticket: 190 yuan, Sightseeing Bus: 90 yuan ⏰ Entry Time: 7:30—14:00 🧐 About the Weather ⛅ July-August: 15 - 30℃, stable weather, mainly sunny 🧥 Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night in Jiuzhaigou is large, so bring a windbreaker or thick coat. You can wear short sleeves and skirts at noon, but you need to wear a coat in the morning and evening. Travel Tips: ✅ To enjoy the most beautiful scenery, remember: sit on the left side of the sightseeing bus from the entrance to Rhino Lake, sit on the right side from Rhino Lake to Nuorilang, sit on the right side when visiting Rize Valley, and sit on the left side when visiting Zechawa Valley. ✅ When you arrive at the scenic area in the morning, don't stay too long in one spot out of curiosity. Arrange your time reasonably and mainly go to the attractions you want to visit. Highly recommended spots are Long Lake, Five-Color Pond, Sparkling Lake, and Reed Lake (you can also choose based on your preferences). ✅ Only the Nuorilang Center Station in the scenic area provides food, so it is recommended to prepare some dry food to replenish energy along the way.

In the "Reed Lake", reeds grow densely, water birds fly, clear streams flow, green ripples sway, winding through the air, presenting a great view of the wetland. In the "Reed Lake", the reeds are vast, green and lush, with a gentle breeze, the green waves rise and fall. The rustling sound is expressive and moving, making people feel relaxed and happy. When the flowers bloom, it's another scene. The fluffy reed flowers, posing and acting coquettishly, stir up layers of catkin tides, attracting flocks of egrets and pairs of wild ducks. Therefore, the entire Reed Lake is full of vitality, striking the rhythm of poetry, knocking on people's hearts. Reeds grow densely in Reed Lake, dancing with the wind, and it is the home of water birds. Since the altitude has reached 2140 meters, the reeds here are not as tall as those in low-altitude areas. Interestingly, there is a floating water belt in the middle of Reed Lake, winding through the Reed Lake, dividing the Reed Lake into two halves. This water belt has the luster and color of jade, so it is called the Jade Belt River. It is said that this beautiful Jade Belt River was transformed from the waistband of the female mountain god Wonuo Se Mo of Jiuzhaigou.

The most exciting time of the Reed Sea is in the winter, and the yellow reeds and the blue seas complement each other. Can not stand the clean and cold, can not live that cool loneliness, we still have to go back to the living place that we are tired of being familiar with. I hope that when you talk about the unparalleled beauty of the beautiful scenery you have traveled, you can understand from that clear...