What Should I Pack For A Trip To Jiuzhaigou?

Planning to visit Jiuzhaigou? Named “China’s most magical wonderland” by Lonely Planet, this place requires special pre-trip preparation in order to have fun and stay safe. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned backpacker, this practical guide designed for American travelers will help you avoid the mines that 90% of newbies step on.

Traveling to Jiuzhaigou for Americans: A Comprehensive Preparation Guide

1、Life-saving equipment: high-altitude survival kit

Jiuzhaigou scenic area is 2000-3100 meters above sea level, equivalent to the height of Aspen Ski Resort in the Rocky Mountains of the United States.

Oxygen cylinders: available at the airport and scenic entrances (about $5/can), bring 2 cans per day for backup
Sunscreen three-piece set: UV index often exceeds 8 levels, must SPF50 + sunscreen, UV400 sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat
Medicine package: Ibuprofen (to relieve headaches), anti-diarrhea drugs, band-aids, motion sickness medicine (mountain roads with sharp curves)

Emergency reminder: if breathing difficulties or persistent vomiting, immediately go to the scenic medical station (Pearl Beach, Norilang has a site).

2, dress rule: a day through the four seasons

The weather here is more fickle than Colorado, refer to this layering program:

Basic Layer: Quick Drying Clothes (Uniqlo Heattech series is tested to work well)
Middle Layer: Fleece or thin down (Patagonia nano down jacket can be compressed to the size of a fist)
Outer layer: windproof and waterproof punching jacket (Columbia OutDry series of rainstorm pro-tested effective)
Footwear: waterproof hiking shoes (Merrell Moab series recommended) + wool socks

Seasonal Special:

Winter (November-March): thickened gloves, warm baby (stick to the back of the phone to prevent low temperature shutdown)
Rainy season (June-August): folding poncho is more practical than an umbrella, water mist is extremely high in the waterfall area

3, documents and payment: customs clearance tips

Document package: original passport + copy, Chinese visa, driver’s license (if you want to rent a car)
Electronic Payment: Bind Alipay/WeChat Payment (supported by 90% of the merchants in the scenic area), and prepare another $200 equivalent RMB cash
Network plan: Open international roaming (AT&T/T-Mobile $10 per day package), or rent mobile WiFi at Chengdu airport ($3/day).

Tips for avoiding pitfalls: Scenic spots ticket offices only recognize original documents, don’t lock your passport in the hotel safe!

4、Photography artifacts: the necessary tools for the film

Want to shoot a National Geographic-level blockbuster? These equipment allows you to win at the starting line:

Lens Set: 16-35mm wide-angle to shoot the lake, 70-200mm telephoto to catch the details of waterfalls
Filter Set: Polarizer to eliminate water reflections, ND scrim to capture silky water flow
Hidden props: portable reflector (A5 size is enough), drone (need to report to the official website in advance)

No Flying Tips: Only designated areas in the scenic area can fly drones, violation of the maximum fine of $700.

5、Cultural etiquette: Be a welcome foreign guest!

Jiuzhaigou is a Tibetan and Qiang settlement, pay attention to these details let you harvest more smiles:

Photography taboos: smile and gesture before photographing Tibetans, and don’t touch the streamers and mani piles.
Eating etiquette: drink ghee tea with both hands to receive the bowl, leftover food is not more than 1 / 3
Tipping culture: not necessary, but a tip of $5-10 to the guide will enhance the service experience.

Language Tips: Learn two phrases in Tibetan – “Zhaxi Dele”.

“Zhaxi Dele” (good luck): a universal greeting for meeting people.
“Tou and its” (thank you): used when buying things

6、Transportation Tips: Avoiding Traffic Jam Nightmares

2023 Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou train has been opened, but the details determine the experience:

Golden train times: choose 7:00 a.m. D619, 2 hours direct and can grab a window seat.
Connecting skills: Don’t take a black car after leaving the station! Recognize the yellow bus of “Nine Travel Group” ($3 to the scenic spot).
Driving Warning: The Nine Ring Road is prone to landslides during the rainy season, so it is recommended to buy full insurance (available on the Rent-A-Car platform).

7, hidden benefits: time and money saving tips

Ticket mystery: the official website 3 days in advance of the booking of tickets can be self-selected into the garden time, 60 years old and above free tickets
Secret passage: enter the ditch from the entrance of Shuzhengzhai after 2:00 p.m., avoiding 90% of the tour groups.
Free resources: English maps, rechargeable treasure rental, hot ginger tea available at the visitor center

Ultimate Packing List

✅ Documents: passport/visa/driver’s license copy
✅ Electronics: universal converter plug + rechargeable treasure (up to 20,000 mAh)
✅ First Aid: Oxygen Cylinder + Common Medicines + Insurance Policy (covering Alpine Rescue)
✅ Clothing: Sandwich wear set + spare insoles
✅ Snacks: energy bars (more expensive in scenic restaurants), empty water bottles (to catch direct drinking water)

The beauty of Jiuzhaigou deserves your full preparation. Now after checking this list, you can embark on your journey with confidence! We wish you the most amazing “Dance of Blue Ice and Colored Forests”!