Jiuzhai Valley National Park

Jiuzhai Valley (九寨沟), which literally translates to “valley of nine stockaded villages” in Chinese, is a real-life fairyland in Sichuan Province in southwestern China. Famous for its multi-colored lakes set against snow-capped peaks, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains three named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Garze Konka (4,558 m/ ft).

Geography

Jiuzhai Valley National Park occupies an area of 720 square km (278 square mi) in southwestern China. The park is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture (阿坝藏族羌族自治州) of Sichuan Province, with an additional buffer zone of about 600 square km (232 square mi).

The park is located about 330 km (205 mi) north of Chengdu (成都), the provincial capital. It is also part of the Min Mountains (岷山), a subrange of the extensive Hengduan Mountains (横断山脉) in southwestern China.

The area is in the transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. The elevation on the northern end of the park is around 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) while the southern end of the park has an average elevation that’s around 4,500 meters (14,760 ft).

The core area of the park is made up of three connecting valleys that an inverted Y shape: Shuzheng Valley (树正沟), Rize Valley (日则沟), and Zechawa Valley (则查洼沟). A fourth valley, Zharu Valley (扎如沟), branches off from Shuzheng Valley and has been opened to tourists since 2009. Tucked in the valleys are 108 high elevation lakes and 17 waterfalls.

The park offers more than 70 km (43 mi) of wooden boardwalks as well as a shuttle bus service that offers access to the major attractions. It is also served by Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, which is located 88 km (55 mi) away.

Tourists are not allowed to stay overnight inside the park unless they join a guided camping trip to Zharu Valley. Plenty of accommodation options, from basic shared dorms to five-star international chains, are available just outside the park entrance.

Geology

About 400 million years ago, the Jiuzhai Valley area was a shallow sea teeming with ancient marine life. The seabed contained layer upon layer of calcium deposits that gradually accumulated to carbonate rocks as thick as 4,000 meters (13,123 ft).

The collision of the Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate about 50 million years ago pushed up the Earth’s crust in an uneven manner that set the stage for the formation of a panoply of dramatic geological features.

Apart from tectonic activities, glacial and hydrological forces also play a part in shaping the constantly evolving landscape in the region. During the last glacial maximum, the area was covered with glaciers. Even though the glaciers have long since disappeared, they left behind steep-sided ridges, U-shaped valleys, moraines, and glacial lakes.

Water has always been a dominant feature of the landscape and scenery in the region. Abundant rainfall interacted with the carbonate rocks, leading to karst erosion that gave rise to hanging cliffs, waterfalls and an extensive underground water system.

The area contains a copious amount of tufa, a type of limestone that formed as a result of the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate from freshwater. It settled on rocks, lake beds and even fallen trees in the water, and sometimes built up to become terraces, shoals and dike barriers in the lakes. Microbial organisms on the tufa are the reason behind the stunning colors of the iconic lakes in the park.

That being said, the land in and around Jiuzhai Valley National Park is still tectonically active. Indeed, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the moment magnitude scale hit the area in August 2017, killing more than 20 people and injuring nearly 500.

This earthquake caused widespread landslides, the draining of some lakes and the partial collapse of the Nuorilang Waterfalls, the widest waterfall in China. Much of the disturbances to the landscape have since recovered, partly with the aid of human efforts.

Ecology

Jiuzhai Valley is part of an area in southwestern China that contains one of the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world. Most of the park is covered with mountain conifers and mixed broadleaf-coniferous forests. Common trees include firs, spruces, pines and oaks.

The wide ranges in elevation in the region have given rise to different types of forests. This includes:

Montane mixed forests between 2,000 m and 2,700 m (6,562 ft to 8,858 ft)

Cloud forest between 2,700 m and 3,500 m (8,858 ft to 11,483 ft)

Subalpine zones between 3,500 m and 4,200 m (11,483 ft to 13,780 ft).

Thanks to an abundance of deciduous species in the region, the vibrant colors of fall vegetation in the park rival those of the lakes. Flowers such as rhododendrons and orchids contribute to the vivid autumnal palette in the region. The park is also a haven for bamboo, ferns and aquatic plants. More than 400 species of algae thrive in the lakes.

Jiuzhai Valley is home to more than a thousand species of animals, including the beloved giant panda, red panda and Sichuan golden monkey. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park, too, such as golden eagle, lesser kestrel, spectacled parrotbill, and snowy-cheeked laughingthrush.

Even though the area teems with lakes and rivers, low water temperatures combined with an exceptionally high mineral content make the park an inhospitable environment for fish. The only recorded fish in Jiuzhai Valley National Park are two rare species of alpine naked carp, which have almost no scales or else the minerals in the water would precipitate on their body.

Logging used to be the main economic activity in the area before it was banned in 1979. Nowadays, the main threat to the flora and fauna in the region is mass tourism.

History

About 1,000 people, mostly ethnic Tibetans, currently live inside the park. They speak a Tibetan dialect that is quite different from the Tibetan spoken in Lhasa. Out of the nine stockaded villages or “Jiuzhai,” there are three villages readily accessible to tourists in the park, as well as two that are no longer inhabited.

Human activities in the region can be traced back some 3,000 years. The earliest settlers in the region are believed to have migrated from the Tibetan region of Ngari. Their descendants led a semi-pastoral and semi-agricultural lifestyle for centuries until recent decades.

Hemmed in by mountains in a remote part of the country, the locals in the region had little contact with the outside world before Jiuzhai Valley was officially “discovered” in 1972. Extensive logging soon followed but was banned in 1979, and the area was made a national park three years later.

After the park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997, the villagers were not allowed to farm and herd yak. Most of them now earn a living from catering to tourists.

The locals have been practicing the pre-Buddhism religion of Bon (苯教) since the second century BCE. As a shamanistic and animalistic religion indigenous to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Bon has co-existed and sometimes merged with Tibetan Buddhism since the latter was introduced to the region in the seventh century.

The highest peak in the park, Garze Konka, is considered a holy mountain by the locals. Pilgrimage to the mountain takes place every month on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, when pilgrims make their way around the mountain on foot or on horseback in an anti-clockwise direction.

Stupas, prayer wheels, and prayer flags can be seen all over the park. Prayer flags have five colors—each symbolizing an element—that are arranged in order from left to right: blue (sky), white (air), red (fire), green (water) and yellow (earth).

The Zharu Temple (扎如寺), which was dedicated to the Bon religious tradition and, to a lesser extent, Tibetan Buddhism, was built in the late 1500s. It hosts four large-scale religious celebrations every year, including the Mazhi Culture Festival that lasts for nine days in the fourth month of the lunar calendar.

Major Hiking Trails and Attractions

With its well-defined seasons, Jiuzhai Valley has something to offer all year round, between spring flowers and fall foliage, and from refreshingly cool summer temperatures to a snowy winter wonderland. Here are some of the must-see places in the park.

Shuzheng Valley (树正沟)

The Shuzheng Valley is the main branch of Jiuzhai Valley. It boasts more than 40 lakes, including a stepped cluster of 19 lakes that form the Shuzheng Lakes. Surrounded by lush vegetation on all sides, the lakes resemble islands of sapphire in a sea of virgin forest. These lakes are fed by the multi-tiered Shuzheng Waterfalls.

The Nuorilang Lakes is another cluster in the valley. The tranquil waters of the lakes turn into raging curtains as they pour down the 320-meter (1,050-foot) wide Nuorilang Waterfalls, one of the most visited attractions in the park. Many visitors find the waterfalls even more impressive when they freeze solid during the coldest months of the year.

Other popular nearby sights include Sleeping Dragon Lake, Reed lake, Bonsai Shoal, and Shuzheng Stockaded Village.

Rize Valley (日则沟)

This stretch of land in the Rize Valley boasts diverse scenery. This includes the Primeval Forest (原始森林), a mist-shrouded haven of ancient trees at almost 3,000 m (9,843 ft) above sea level. Among the firs and spruces in the valley, the endemic Chinese red birch (Betula albosinensis) is a bit of a standout with its reddish peeling bark.

The Pearl Shoal is a 160-meter (525-foot) wide area of calcareous tufa deposits, whose rough surface causes pearl-like water drops to bounce around as water tumbles down the gentle slope. The mild gradient soon gives way to a vertical drop at Pearl Waterfalls. These falls are known for their sheer volume of water, which creates a deafening sound that fits well with the impressive view of the falls themselves.

Rize Valley has a fair share of fairytale lakes like the Five Flower Lake, which is especially prized for the fallen trees under its crystalline waters. Other nearby lakes include Grass Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, and Mirror Lake.

Zechawa Valley (则查洼沟)

In the Zechawa Valley, the biggest and smallest lakes in the park are just 1 km (0.6 mi) apart. With a length of 7.5 km (4.7 mi), Long Lake is not only the longest and largest lake in the park, but also the deepest with a depth of nearly 100 m (328 ft). It is flanked by snow-capped peaks and has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster.

The Five-color Pond, on the other hand, is only 100 m (328 ft) long and 6.6 m (21.7 ft) deep. Despite its size, it is arguably the most colorful lake in Jiuzhai Valley. It never freezes since it is replenished by warm underground water. This lake and Five Flower Lake in Rize Valley are often considered the most beautiful lakes in the park

Zharu Valley (扎如沟)

The Zharu Valley was opened to tourists much later than the others in the park. Therefore, it is the least well-known and least visited of all the park’s valleys.

It is free from the big tour groups that throng the other valleys as this branch is not yet served by shuttle buses. With a pristine environment that makes up for its lack of colorful lakes, this valley is billed as the premier destination for explorers and adventurers.

Its attractions include Zharu Temple, the sacred mountain of Garze Konka, and Black Lake. The park offers guided tours of the Zharu Valley that last between one to three days.

Major City

Most visitors travel to Jiuzhai Valley from Chengdu (成都), the provincial capital of Sichuan Province. Being the most developed and international city in western China, Chengdu is the most convenient gateway to the vast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A bus ride to Jiuzhai Valley through mountainous terrain takes ten hours and a flight takes only one hour.

Chengdu has been a major center of culture, commerce, and political administration for more than a thousand years. It offers world-class attractions such as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, as well as the historic Kuan Zhai Alley and Jinli Pedestrian Street.

For a local experience, don’t miss the bold and spicy Sichuanese cuisine. Additionally, be sure to check out the Sichuanese opera, which features the stunt-like art of face-changing (变脸).

Things to Do in Jiuzhai Gou

Sichuan Province, 450km (280 miles) N of Chengdu, 102km (63 miles) NE of Songpan

Photographs of this World Heritage nature site look retouched. The lakes are too "jewel-like," the pools too "limpid," the fall colors too "flaming." Surprisingly, the brochures aren't lying; they aren't even exaggerating. For sheer scenic beauty and variety, Jiuzhaigou has it all: dense forest, green meadow, rivers, rapids, ribbon lakes in various shades of blue and green, chalky shoals, and waterfalls of every kind -- long and narrow, short and wide, terraced, rushing, and cascading. Of cultural interest are the six remaining Tibetan villages of the original nine from which this valley gets its name. Some 1,000 Tibetans, of 130 families, live within the site. And to facilitate sightseeing, so-called "green buses" run along special highways within the valley delivering passengers to all scenic spots. Another aid to tourism is a network of raised plank paths and wooden pavilions that afford visitors a proximity to natural wonders that would otherwise be unapproachable.

Still, you may lose your will to visit just getting to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu; you must then face the honking, belching traffic along the strip of hotels outside the main gate, not to mention the contagion of avarice that seems to have infected the town. Cabbies are in cahoots with the hotels; hotel managers beg bribes; the PSB is on the take.

Jiuzhaigou (Valley of Nine Villages) gets three stars for its scenery and is docked four for everything else. But despite the cons, few places on earth have prettier scenery, and except for a few photo-taking forays, the majority of tourists stay on the bus, so it's not hard to find solitude along the plank paths. In the end, as much as I loathed the 12-hour ride on a smoke-filled bus and the tacky town outside the gate, the 2 days spent inside the reserve were absolutely worth it. Jiuzhaigou can be seen in 1 day, but 2 days is optimal.

The best time to go is from September to November, when all the lakes are filled with jewel-like water and leaves change colors, and before the weather cools down significantly. Even at the height of summer, have a jacket on hand for rain and sudden temperature drops. To avoid crowds and get the best hotel discounts, come midweek. Busy times are Chinese New Year, Labor Day week (first week of May), and National Day week (first week of Oct). Some hotels close between November and March.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

How to Arrange Your Jiuzhaigou Tour — guidance and ideas

The beautiful fall colors of Jiuzhai Valley The beautiful fall colors of Jiuzhai Valley

Jiuzhaigou has been likened to a land from a fairytale. The scenery is breathtaking with its lakes, waterfalls and, above all, the plants, trees, and waterscapes, which, in their many hues and forms, provide the landscape with a truly magical quality.

There are two main recommended scenic areas: Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area and Huanglong Scenic Area. The two areas are extensive and so, if you only have a few days in which to visit them, how should you organize your time?

Here is our recommended two-day and two-night detailed itinerary, which takes in some of the more extraordinary sites Jiuzhaigou has to offer.

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How to Get to Jiuzhaigou — Flights or Tourist Buses from Chengdu

When planning a tour, you need to know how to get to your destination. There are no direct international flights to the scenic areas. You will need to get to Chengdu first.

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province and also the gateway to Jiuzhaigou. There are flights and also regular buses from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou. The regular buses usually depart before 9am (single trip: about 140 yuan/21 USD).

In order to maximize the time available, book your flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to arrive in the morning, with a return flight the day after the following morning (single trip: about 1,500 yuan/221 USD).

2 Days Itinerary — Huanglong and Jiuzhai Valley

Pre-book your hotel and the chartered bus to save yourself some additional time. There's a lot to see there, and you want to waste as little time as possible on trip administration once you arrive.

You are recommended to prepare everything in advance, booking a taxi or car, a hotel room, and useful Chinese cards.

Day 1: Huanglong Scenic Area

A lake in Huanglong Scenic Area A lake in Huanglong Scenic Area

Huanglong Scenic Area is not as large as Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area. You can save time by using the cable car inside the park. Your are suggested to pre-booked chartered bus that will take you to Huanglong Scenic Area (1 hour).

Once you arrive, take the cable car to the top of the peak. From there, you will have an easy walk down through the scenic area — 3 to 4 hours will do the area justice. Walking down the mountain, you can see the main sites of Five-Colored Ponds, Mirror Ponds, Welcoming Guest Ponds, and a waterfall, as well as some temples and caves.

If you decide to do the whole trip on foot, forgetting the cable car, then allow yourself 5 to 6 hours for a slow hike up while you take in the scenery and a faster walk back down again.

Day 2: Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area — Visit on a Shuttle Bus

Clear water in Jiuzhai Valley Clear water in Jiuzhai Valley

Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area should be visited on the second day as this scenic area is very large and you can spend the whole day inside the park. Therefore, we recommend that you take an electric shuttle bus inside the park to help you visit the best highlights in one day. Note that the shuttle bus requires an extra fee of 100 yuan per person.

The park's valley forms a "Y" shape and you are recommended to take a shuttle bus to Rizegou to begin your tour inside the park, and then have a rest at the joining point of the "Y" at Nuorilang Tourist Center. After a good rest, visit Zechawa Valley by shuttle bus. Afterwards, spend your time visiting Shuzheng Valley, which has the most attractions in the park.

A Shuttle bus in Jiuzhai Valley A Shuttle bus in Jiuzhai Valley

Best highlights to get off the bus and see at each valley:

Rize Valley: Pearl Beach, Panda Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake

Pearl Beach, Panda Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake Zechawa Valley: Long Lake, Five-Colored Lake

Long Lake, Five-Colored Lake Shuzheng Valley: Nuorilang Waterfall, Shuzheng Waterfall, Shuzheng Lakes (or you can walk through this valley until you reach the exit if you have enough time)

Accommodation Outside of Jiuzhai Valley

The Sheraton hotel outside Jiuzhai Valley The Sheraton hotel outside Jiuzhai Valley

After Huanglong tour: After you have finished the Huanglong tour, you are advised to drive to a hotel outside Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area, so that you can get into the park early the next morning. Have a good rest in your hotel and prepare for the Jiuzhai Valley tour by recharging your phone and camera.

After Jiuzhai Valley tour: Travelers are not allowed to stay inside the park at night. There's a range of accommodation options including branded hotels, such as Sheraton Hotel or InterContinental Hotel.

Remember to book hotel in advance and to have the name of your hotel handy to show the taxi driver. The travel time to Jiuzhaigou is about 2½ hours.

If You Don't Want to Spend the Second Night in Jiuzhaigou

If you don't want to spend an extra night outside the park, you can book a late flight from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, but the ticket price can be more expensive than the price of a daytime flight.

Try to book your return flight late enough that you don't leave the scenic area before 5pm in the evening. It's about 90 minutes' drive back to the airport (90 kilometers), so make sure you leave yourself adequate time.

Best Time to Visit and Tips to Avoid Crowds

Best Time — September to October

The beautiful scenery in autumn The beautiful scenery in autumn

The best time to visit Jiuzhaigou is from June to October but September to October is particularly recommended for the charming scenery with golden fall foliage. However, it's also the peak season for the scenic area.

Useful Tips to Avoid Crowds

Don't visit Jiuzhaigou during the National Day holiday (October 1st to 7th) as the scenic area will be filled with crowds.

Walk along the wood path and avoid traveling on the road during the peak season, as the main roads are used by tour groups.

The scenic area's attractions form a "Y" shape, and you can pick another route when you arrive at the conjunction to avoid the crowds.

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Contact us for a private tour of Leshan and Mount Emei.

Useful Tips During Your Trip

Five-Colored Lake in Jiuzhai Valley Five-Colored Lake in Jiuzhai Valley

Clothing: The climate can by trying, in particular the low temperature between the cold mornings and evenings, so bring warm coats. Be prepared not only for this but also for the intensity of the sun at this altitude. Sunblock and sunglasses may be necessary, as well as protection against possible rain.

Altitude sickness: The altitude varies a lot in different areas of Jiuzhai Valley. For example, the entrance to the valley is at about 2,000 meters, while the airport is at about 3,500 meters. Vulnerability to altitude sickness varies from person to person, so it's suggested you consult your doctor prior to your trip.

A great deal of hiking involved:Although the trails through Jiuzhaigou are well-blazed, the distances you will need to walk to take in the sights you want to see will prove strenuous. So if you are visiting Jiuzhai Valley, please prepare comfortable hiking shoses.

A waterfall in Jiuzhai Valley A waterfall in Jiuzhai Valley

1-Day tour is not suggested — Very Tiring: If you only have one day, then you are recommended to just visit Jiuzhai Valley Scenic Area, and possibly miss some of the attractions inside the park. Get to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport early in the morning and leave late at night. This way, you can finish the tour in one day with an early morning start.

Don't miss the tour bus if in a tour group: If you are touring with a group, always make sure, when getting off a tour bus, that there will be provision for you to continue your journey or to return in the evening. In some less-visited locations in particular, don't risk leaving yourself stranded.

See the Best of Jiuzhaigou in a Private Tour

Travel with China Highlights and we will help you solve these issues. We can adjust your itinerary during the tour. Considering your interests and requirements, we at China Highlights recommend the following tours for inspiration: