If you’re planning a ‘Chinese Avatar’ trip, Jiuzhaigou’s turquoise lakes, pristine forests and Tibetan culture are definitely worth adding to your wish list. But as an American traveller, you might be worried: Is this earthquake-ravaged wonderland safe now? Will altitude sickness ruin the trip? Don’t worry – I just got back from Jiuzhaigou, and this real-life experience report will tell you the answers with data + first-hand experience.
I. Is Jiuzhaigou safe now? Let’s look at this set of key data first
- ✅ 98% of the area reopened: among the attractions damaged by the 2017 earthquake, core scenic spots such as the Sea of Sparks have completed ecological restoration
- 🚁 Helicopter rescue coverage: the scenic area has 3 emergency medical stations and a 15-minute response mechanism
- 📉 Accident rate of 0.003%: official data in 2023 showed that there were only 6 minor accidents among 2 million tourists in the whole year
- 🌐 English service upgrade: 100% bilingual signage at major attractions, 24-hour English translation available for emergency calls
II. Jiuzhaigou after the earthquake: a fairy tale world safer than Disney
‘I heard there was an earthquake here?’ This is the question I get asked most at the entrance of scenic spots. In fact, Jiuzhaigou may now be safer than Yellowstone:
1. world-class reconstruction standards
- 2.8 billion yuan invested in ecological restoration, using NASA satellite monitoring technology
- All walkways are upgraded to non-slip rubber (more so than the Grand Canyon Skywalk).
- Daily traffic limit of 41,000 people, 60% of the pre-epidemic level (meaning less crowding).
REAL EXPERIENCE: met a team of German geologists at Nojilang Falls who marvelled, ‘The rock monitoring system here is more sophisticated than in the Alps.’
2. Intelligent safety systems
- SOS emergency buttons every 500 metres (comes with face recognition and GPS positioning)
- Real-time air quality monitoring screen (PM2.5 <15 all year round)
- Travel insurance in co-operation with US Travel Guard can be used directly
III. 5 Safety Codes for US Tourists to Know
According to local tourism bureau data, 90% of tourist problems stem from these details —
🏔️ Rule 1: The secret of making friends with altitude
Jiuzhaigou has an average altitude of 3,000 metres, but don’t let altitude sickness ruin the good mood:
- ✈️ The right way to open: first fly to Chengdu (500 metres above sea level) to acclimatise for 2 days, then take a scenic through-train (equipped with oxygen interface)
- 🥤 Local drink: spend 5 RMB on a bottle of ‘Rhodiola Cola’ (works better than Advil)
- 💡 Key reminder: avoid showering on the first day! That’s a lesson I learned the hard way with a headache
🚌 Rule 2: Scenic transport subterfuge
Don’t look at the map showing the 70km tour route, it’s the smartest way to play it:
- 🕗 Grab the ‘VIP bus’ at 7am (the left seat has the best view of the Mirror Sea reflection).
- 📱Check the number of people waiting for the bus at each station in real time with the ‘Jiuzhaigou e-Ticket’ app.
- 🚴 Hideaway: Rent an electric scooter at the Shujungunghai section ($50 per hour, passport copy required).
🍜 Rule 3: Food Safety Guide
Want to experience Tibetan food but afraid of gastrointestinal protests? Remember these:
- ✅ Safety list: barley cakes (freshly baked), yak yoghurt (fermented on site), ghee tea (boiled at high temperature)
- ❌ Lightning Tip: Roadside ‘matsutake sashimi’ may have parasites, hotpot option is recommended!
- 🥢 Secret Weapon: Take small packets of Pepto-Bismol with you, hard to find in local pharmacies!
📸 Rule 4: Photo Taboos and Proper Positions
Tibetan grannies might smile at you for doing this:
- 👍 Popular Behaviour: turn clockwise three times before using a transept, ask for permission to take a group photo
- 👎 Dangerous behaviour: jumping under the warp beam (may trigger the alarm system)
- 🌟 Network red machine position: the east side of the Five Flowers Sea observation deck, 3 pm sunshine will make the lake water turn Tiffany blue
🚑 Rule 5: Medical Emergency Programme
Hopefully it won’t be used, but you need to know:
- 🏥 Nearest international clinic: Jiuzhaigou County People’s Hospital (1 hour drive from the scenic area)
- ☎️ Emergency call: contact the hotel’s bilingual butler immediately after dialling 120
- 💊 Essential medication: bring a sufficient amount of prescription medication, only basic antibiotics are available locally
IV Private Safe Routes from a National Geographic Photographer
‘I bring groups here 6 times a year and never had a problem with this route:’
Day 1: Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou (Lodging at Jiuzhai Paradise Intercontinental with hyperbaric oxygen chamber)
Day 2: Rizegou (Sea of Mirrors + Pearl Beach) → Zechawa Gou (Changhai Oxygen Station)
Day 3: Shuzhegou (gentle slope tour) → watch ‘Jiuzhai Thousand Years of Love’ night show
Day 4: Huanglong Scenic Spot (prepare hiking poles) + Songpan Ancient City to acclimatise to the altitude
V. These insurances can give you 10 times the peace of mind
Normal travel insurance may not cover:
- Global Rescue member: Helicopter transfer to West China Hospital in Chengdu (annual fee of $329 worth the price)
- TravelEx Premier Plan: Includes hospitalisation benefit for altitude sickness ($300 per day).
- Mobile Phone Insurance: a hard lesson learnt from dropping 3 GoPros at Pearl Beach Falls
VI. 5 Safety Warning Hours Only Locals Know About
- ⛈️ July-August afternoon rainstorms: canyon may be temporarily closed (remember to bring folded mackintoshes not umbrellas)
- 🚶 National Day Golden Week: overloaded with people from 1-7 October, recommended for the last week of September
- 🚧 annual maintenance period in March: some of the trestle closed, but you can see the spectacle of the first melting of snow and ice
Conclusion: Why is now the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?
Jiuzhaigou, after professional reconstruction, is in the golden period of ‘the highest safety factor + the most beautiful ecological recovery’. When I stood in front of the Panda Sea and saw the water quality monitoring report that was clearer than the Maldives (with a transparency of 21 metres), I finally understood what the UN experts said: ‘This is the best example of reconciliation between mankind and nature.’
Action Guide:
- Check United flights from San Francisco to Chengdu now (special offers on Tuesdays).
- Follow the official website of Jiuzhaigou (booking opens on the 1st of every month for the following month).
- Bookmark this article – when you are standing by the fairytale-like Calcium Pool, you will be thankful for the preparation you have done now!
