‘If there is a heaven on earth, it must look like Jiuzhaigou.’ That’s what National Geographic photographer Mike Yamashita exclaimed as he stood in front of the Sea of Five Flowers. This UN-certified World Natural Heritage site attracts millions of tourists every year to traverse the lofty mountains just to witness the magical sight of the calcareous beach streams and colourful forests. In this article, we will reveal how to spend 3-4 days, like a National Geographic explorer to experience this secret land in western Sichuan.
1, the golden rule of trip planning: why 3-4 days is perfect?
According to the data of Scenic Spot Administration, 83% of tourists choose 1-2 days tour, but miss 70% of the hidden beauty because of this. We recommend a 3-4 day programme that perfectly balances in-depth exploration with a comfortable experience:
Day 1: A quick tour of the classic Y-shaped route (Nuorilang Waterfall→Changhai→Wucai Pond→Pearl Beach)
Day 2: Hiker’s exclusive secret area (Primitive Forest→Swan Sea→Arrow Bamboo Sea Trail)
Day 3: Huanglong Calcium Huachi joint tour (recommended to take the cable car in peak season)
Day 4: In-depth experience of Tibetan culture (Shuzheng Zhai → Zaru Monastery → Tibetan medicine bath)
Emily, a photographer from California, shared, ‘On the third day hiking in the Sea of Reeds, the sound of waterfowl winging in the morning mist made me finally understand the oriental philosophy of “unity of heaven and man”’
2, the daily itinerary essence: how to play Jiuzhai like a local?
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7:30 am on time to enter the park, in front of the tour group to shoot the sea of mirrors ‘mirror of the sky’. Environmental protection vehicle directly to the top of the Zechawa ditch Changhai (3060 metres above sea level), remember to carry portable oxygen bottles. In the afternoon, focus on Rize ditch, pearl beach waterfall 2-4 points of sunshine will create rainbow spectacle.
Photography tips: Wuhuahai west viewing platform is the holy land of aerial photography, carry polarising lens to eliminate water reflections
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Starting from the Primitive Forest Station, take a gentle walk down the 8km Swansea Trail. This hidden route passes 6 unnamed alpine lakes and it is recommended to carry a portable water quality pen – you’ll be amazed at the clarity of the water which can reach over 12 metres.
Specialist equipment advice:
- Salomon waterproof hiking shoes (to cope with wet trestles)
- Osprey 30L rucksack (for lunch and highland emergency kit)
- Bear bells (protection from occasional wildlife encounters in the reserve)
Take the world’s highest cable car (3,568 metres above sea level) straight to Wanglongping, and descend along the 3.7km wooden trestle. Observe the changing colours of the Calcarea Pools: blue-green from calcium carbonate deposits, golden yellow from sulphuric bacteria, and black areas are the underdeveloped ‘Calcarea embryos’.
Plateau reaction response: Rhodiola rosea should be taken 10 days in advance, and headache can be taken with plateauan tablets.
3, the hidden game reveals: beyond the depth of ordinary tourists experience
- Shuzheng Zhai Cultural Exploration
When attending a Tibetan home visit, pay attention to the ‘auspicious knot’ pattern on the lintel. When you turn the scripture tube with your own hands, remember to go round it three times clockwise. The host of the lodging, Zhaxi, will teach you how to draw the ‘Eight Treasures of Auspiciousness’ pattern with barley flour, an ancient technique that has been applied for as a non-heritage item. - Starry sky photography private location
Avoiding light pollution, the centre of the Milky Way is clearly visible from the north bank of Zarugou in autumn. Use Star Walk 2 APP to locate the silver centre, use the Tibetan White Pagoda as the foreground, and keep the exposure time within 20 seconds (more than that will produce star trails). - Microcosmic Exploration
Carry a portable microscope to observe the edges of the caliche pools: you will see aquatic plants such as watermilfoils and rotifers slowly ‘building’ new caliche dykes, a process that only grows 1-3 cm per century.
American Travel Wisdom: Jiuzhaigou Survival Guide
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- Golden Autumn Limited (15-25 October): the colourful forest and red leaves index reaches its peak.
- Staggered Peak Tips: Early summer in June when tourists are scarce and wildflowers are in full bloom
- Winter egg (January-February): blue ice waterfall spectacle + hot springs half price
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The Norilang Restaurant in the scenic area serves a modified version of Tibetan food, and we recommend trying the Butter Tea Latte. For dinner, you can go back to Zhangzha town and experience yak hot pot DIY at ‘Tibetan Mystery Palace’, which costs about $25 per person.
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- Luxury: Intercontinental Jiuzhai Paradise (glass dome for stargazing)
- Cultural immersion: Tibetan-style lodging (experience the culture of the fire pit)
- Eco-friendly choice: ‘Earth Warehouse’ hotel built with environmentally friendly materials
5. Sustainable Travel Suggestions: Protecting this Fragile Wonderland
- use biodegradable sunscreen (ordinary sunscreen poisons 2,000 square metres of Caohua Pond every year)
- participate in the ‘garbage-for-tickets’ programme (collect 1kg of rubbish and get a postcard)
- support community tourism projects (e.g. Shuzhengzhai Handicrafts Co-operative).
When you leave with your camera full of beauty and your heart full of emotion, remember the Jiuzhaigou Valley Authority’s monitoring data: for every tourist who reduces the use of plastic bottles by one, the microbial community of the entire ecosystem survives 3% better. This is a journey that will change the way you look at nature.
