Why is it important to choose the right time of year?
As a Singaporean who has been to Jiuzhaigou 3 times, I have to tell you that the value of this “paradise on earth” changes according to the seasons! Choosing the wrong time may result in torrential rains, crowds of people, or even road closures due to heavy snowfall. Today, I will use my experience to help you find the best travel time for Singaporean tourists.
Spring (March – May): less crowded and less expensive, but don’t go too early!
👍 Advantages
- Low crowds and good prices: hotel prices in March are 50% cheaper than peak season, and a bowl of beef noodles is only ¥15 (~S$3)
- Peach Blossoms in Snowy Mountains: wild peach blossoms around Changhai bloom in mid-April, suitable for ins style blockbuster photos
- Comfortable Climate: average daily temperature 5-15°C (much cooler than Singapore)
👎 Drawbacks
- Weather capricious: big sun in the morning may suddenly hail in the afternoon
- Some attractions closed: Pearl Beach waterfalls are not enough water, Norilang waterfalls may be frozen until April, some trestles are not open
- Risk of plateau reaction: Singaporeans suddenly go from 0 meters to 3000 meters above sea level and are prone to dizziness
- The color of the lake is relatively light: the color of the lake is lighter than the fall, not enough “sapphire” effect
🧥 Dressing guide
- Onion style dressing: thermal underwear + fleece jacket + windproof jacket
- Essential: non-slip hiking shoes (some trestles have thin ice)
Summer (June-August): preferred for summer vacation, but watch out for rain!
👍 Advantages
- Full screen green: 80% forest coverage, 200 times more negative oxygen ion concentration than in Singapore
- Waterfalls in full bloom: the largest amount of water in July, Norilang Waterfall is 320 meters wide
- Summer Resort: Average daily temperature is 18-22°C (much more comfortable than Singapore)
👎 Disadvantages
- Rainy season spoilers: 60% probability of experiencing showers, which may trigger delays in landslides
- Tourist surge: 41,000 tickets sold out in seconds every day in July-August
- Ultraviolet rays are super strong: sunscreen should be SPF50+, otherwise half a day’s sunburn will peel off your skin
💰 Prices for reference
- Airfare: Singapore-Chengdu roundtrip from $600
- Hotel: 4-star ¥800/night (~S$150)
🧥 Dressing guide
- Short sleeves + thin jacket + raincoat (don’t bring an umbrella, it’s not easy to walk)
Autumn (September-October): the most scenic season, but also the most expensive!
👍 Advantages
- Color explosion: maple leaf red + lake blue + snowy mountain white, any hand shot is a postcard
- Stable climate: 80% sunny days, best for aerial photography
- Festivals: Tibetan Sun Buddha Festival, Potlatch Dance Performance
👎 Drawbacks
- Price doubled: hotel prices increased by 300% during the National Day, a bowl of noodles sold to ¥ 50
- Crowded to the point of skepticism: queues at popular attractions start at 1 hour
- Extremely different temperatures: 20°C during the day, -5°C at night
📸 Photography tips
- Best time to shoot: 7-9 am (windless reflection period in the Mirror Sea)
- Must go to the machine: the southern section of the Wuhuahai Observation Deck
🧥 Dressing Guidelines
- Sweater + down undershirt + non-slip boots (ice on the lake in the morning)
Winter (November-February): less crowded package, but don’t come if you’re afraid of the cold!
👍 advantages
- Package experience: less than 10% of tourists in peak season, take random unmanned photos
- Blue Ice Wonders: the Changhai looks like a giant sapphire when it freezes over
- Hot springs benefits: natural hot springs at the foot of snowy mountains (¥198/person)
👎 Drawbacks
- Inconvenient transportation: 50% of flights at Jiuhuang Airport may be canceled
- Partial closure: Primitive forest trestle closed from December to March
- Extreme cold test: -10°C at night, Singaporeans may freeze and cry
🧤 Anti-cold gears
- Heated underwear + down jacket + wool socks
- Warm baby on the back of your cell phone to prevent it from shutting down
Final Verdict: When is the best time to go?
If you’re like me and you’re afraid of crowds but want a great view:
1️⃣ Choose September 15-25 or October 20-30, the red leaves are just right + avoid National Day crowds
2️⃣ or April 20-30, spring flower season + prices haven’t gone up yet!
⚠️ Definitely avoid:
- China National Day Golden Week (10.1-10.7)
- Around Chinese New Year (January-February blizzard period)
Best way to travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou?
Option 1: fastest but expensive (for working people with few vacations)
- ✈️ Singapore fly to Chengdu (4.5 hours) → transfer to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (1 hour), get off the plane and take the hotel shuttle bus for 1.5 hours to the scenic area
- 🏨 Total time consumed: 7 hours, airfare + pickup about SGD 2000
Option 2: Save money but tired (for students/backpackers)
- 🚐 Fly from Singapore to Chengdu → Take the scenic through train (8 hours, 160 RMB), via Wenchuan to eat Qiang bacon
- 🌃 Total time spent: 12 hours, cost about S$800
Option 3: Self-drive (for families/adventurous)
- 🎫 Rent a car in Chengdu (300RMB/day), drive for 8 hours via G213 National Highway, stop at Songpan Ancient City for Tibetan costume portraits
- 📍 Note: some mountain roads are icy in November-March, must rent a 4WD vehicle Note: some mountain roads are icy in November-March, must rent a 4WD vehicle
If you have enough time, you can use self-drive tour, which is the best way to travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou in my personal opinion, you can refer to the 3 days 2 nights arrangement:
Day1: Chengdu→Songpan (stay in Tibetan lodging, wear Tibetan clothes, experience Tibetan activities)
8:00 Chengdu pick up the car (recommended rental tank 300, 450 yuan / day with anti-skid chain)
12:00 Wenchuan lunch, recommended “Qiangzhai clay hot pot” per capita 60 yuan
15:00 Songpan ancient city to shoot Tibetan blockbuster, shopping tea horse ancient road old teahouse
18:00 Stay in Songpan Gari Manor (floor heating + oxygen room, off-season 600 yuan / night)
Day2: Songpan→Jiuzhaigou (live in front of the scenic spot)
9:00 Drive 2 hours to Jiuzhaigou, take photos at Minjiang River source on the way.
12:00 Check in a ritz-carlton reserve hotel jiuzhaigou(5 minutes walk to the scenic spot, off season RMB 800/night)
13:00-18:00 Play Jiuzhaigou core area:
Five Flowers Sea: the lake looks like sapphire under the sun (bring sunglasses!)
Norilang waterfall: 3 pm light is the most suitable for shooting rainbows
Changhai: 3100 meters above sea level, don’t run and jump to prevent high reflex.
Day3: Jiuzhaigou → Chengdu (or play Huanglong)
Option A: get up early and drive back to Chengdu (about 7 hours)
Option B: Play Huanglong Scenic Spot (Calcified pools are fantastic, but the altitude is 3570 meters, so it is easy to get a high reflex).
Some tips
1️⃣ What to do about high reflex? Take rhodiola rosea in advance, and buy oxygen cylinders first at the scenic spot (30 RMB/tank)
2️⃣ Payment: prepare ¥2000 cash (some places have bad signal, can’t use WeChat and Alipay)
3️⃣ Internet: Rent Roaming Superman WiFi (¥35/day), which is more stable than Singtel Roaming.
4️⃣ Medicine: bring Banadu to prevent headache, Jiuzhaigou pharmacy does not sell international brands
Now you know when to go, right? Favorite this, the beauty of Jiuzhaigou will definitely make you send your friends circle to be praised!
