Long Lake 长海
A high-valley lake with a different mountain setting.
- Plan around
- A park-day focus
- Combine with
- Zechawa Valley
All destinations
Southwest China
Jiuzhaigou travel guide
Visit Jiuzhaigou’s colorful lakes, waterfalls and forest paths. Park buses connect the main valleys; choose walking sections that suit your group and stay near the entrance for an easier start.
Include Jiuzhaigou in my trip ↗
What to see in Jiuzhaigou
Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.
More places to consider in Jiuzhaigou
Five Flower Lake 五花海
Observe changing water color and submerged shapes.
· A park-day stop
Pearl Shoal and waterfall 珍珠滩及瀑布
Follow the water through a distinct waterfall landscape.
· A park-day walking section
Nuorilang Waterfall 诺日朗瀑布
A major waterfall within the park.
· A park-day stop
Five Color Pool 五彩池
A small, intensely colored pool in Zechawa Valley.
· A park-day stop
Shuzheng Lakes 树正群海
A sequence of lakes offering another scale of the valley.
· A chosen walking section
At the local table
What to eat in Jiuzhaigou
Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.
Yak-meat dishes 牦牛肉菜肴
Regional meat preparations in the surrounding area.
Barley-based foods 青稞食品
Local breads or other barley preparations.
Mutton dishes 羊肉菜肴
A regional option; ask about cuts and seasoning.
Butter tea 酥油茶
A savory tea associated with Tibetan food culture.
For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.
Where to stay
Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Near the park entrance / Pengfeng area | An early park start and easy evening meals | Busy visitor-oriented surroundings |
| Zhangzha accommodation farther from the gate | A resort-focused stay | A daily entrance transfer |
| Songpan / Chuanzhusi | A wider Huanglong-region journey | Not interchangeable with a hotel at Jiuzhaigou’s gate |
Getting there & around
Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station has connected the region to the rail network since August 2024; it is not the park entrance. Arrange the onward road transfer to Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong for the actual train. Jiuhuang Airport is another separate gateway. Do not copy old guides claiming there is no rail access.
Choose your time, then make it yours
How many days do you have?
Start with a day in Jiuzhaigou or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
A day in the destination
Jiuzhai Valley’s lakes and waterfalls
One full park day from a nearby hotel. Gateway travel takes separate time.
Make this my own 1-day trip ↗- Day 1
One full park day
Starting from a hotel near the entrance, spend the day on selected Jiuzhai Valley lakes and waterfalls. Follow current park routing and leave arrival and departure travel outside this day.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
A short stay
Arrive, explore and return
Three days from a regional gateway, with a full day in the park and travel on either side.
Make this my own 3-day trip ↗- Day 1
Travel to your Jiuzhaigou base
Arrive through your actual gateway and continue by road to your hotel near the park. Keep the remaining day for a meal and rest before sightseeing.
- Day 2
A full day in Jiuzhai Valley
Follow the park’s operating transport route to selected lakes and waterfalls, including a Five Flower Lake focus where accessible. Mix short walks with breaks instead of pursuing every stop.
- Day 3
Leave the Jiuzhaigou area
Transfer from your hotel to the actual railway or airport gateway, allowing time for the road journey. Keep any onward connection separate enough for a comfortable return.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou with a lighter day
A broader Sichuan week, with a full park day and time near Jiuzhaigou to rest.
Make this my own 7-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Chengdu
Settle into your hotel, then take a short walk near your base. Keep the first evening for a Sichuan meal and an unhurried start.
- Day 2
Pandas and a tea-house afternoon
Make the Panda Base your main morning visit, allowing time between enclosures. Return to town for lunch and a relaxed tea stop in People’s Park.
- Day 3
Travel to your Jiuzhaigou base
Arrive through your actual gateway and continue by road to your hotel near the park. Keep the remaining day for a meal and rest before sightseeing.
- Day 4
A full day in Jiuzhai Valley
Follow the park’s operating transport route to selected lakes and waterfalls, including a Five Flower Lake focus where accessible. Mix short walks with breaks instead of pursuing every stop.
- Day 5
A flexible day near Jiuzhaigou
Keep a light day around your accommodation for rest and a short local walk. A second park visit can replace this day if separately arranged and suitable for your interests.
- Day 6
Return to Chengdu
Allow for the road journey to the rail or airport gateway, then continue to Chengdu. Keep the evening free and stay overnight before a separate onward flight.
- Day 7
A final Chengdu morning
Allow time for a favorite breakfast or a short local walk before your transfer. Match the final outing to your actual airport or railway-station departure.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong and Leshan
A wider Sichuan journey with mountain visits on separate days and a Chengdu buffer before departure.
Make this my own 10-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Chengdu
Settle into your hotel, then take a short walk near your base. Keep the first evening for a Sichuan meal and an unhurried start.
- Day 2
Pandas and a tea-house afternoon
Make the Panda Base your main morning visit, allowing time between enclosures. Return to town for lunch and a relaxed tea stop in People’s Park.
- Day 3
Travel to your Jiuzhaigou base
Arrive through your actual gateway and continue by road to your hotel near the park. Keep the remaining day for a meal and rest before sightseeing.
- Day 4
A full day in Jiuzhai Valley
Follow the park’s operating transport route to selected lakes and waterfalls, including a Five Flower Lake focus where accessible. Mix short walks with breaks instead of pursuing every stop.
- Day 5
A flexible day near Jiuzhaigou
Keep a light day around your accommodation for rest and a short local walk. A second park visit can replace this day if separately arranged and suitable for your interests.
- Day 6
A separate Huanglong outing
Travel to the Huanglong area for a selected scenic route, shaped around altitude, weather and walking preferences. Stay in the Songpan or Chuanzhusi area rather than rushing onward.
- Day 7
Songpan and the return journey
Take a short walk around Songpan if it fits the connection, then transfer to the railway gateway for Chengdu. Leave the rest of the day for travel and recovery.
- Day 8
Leshan Giant Buddha and local flavors
Focus on the Giant Buddha scenic area, choosing the walking route around your comfort with steps. Follow with a relaxed Leshan meal and a short riverfront pause.
- Day 9
Return to Chengdu at an easy pace
Enjoy a relaxed Leshan breakfast and a final local walk before returning to Chengdu. Keep the afternoon for rest and leave the onward flight to the following day.
- Day 10
A final Chengdu morning
Allow time for a favorite breakfast or a short local walk before your transfer. Match the final outing to your actual airport or railway-station departure.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
Make Jiuzhaigou part of your private journey.
Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.
Discuss my Jiuzhaigou plans ↗