‘Oh my god, the water here looks like someone knocked over God’s colour palette!’ This was my honest reaction when I first swiped a photo of Jiuzhaigou on Instagram. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed secret place has natural wonders that make all the filters seem superfluous. If you’re looking for a destination that makes even Yellowstone look bland, fasten your seatbelt – we’re going to take you on a tour of the ‘fairytale world of the East’ that’s been praised by countless American travellers.
What is Jiuzhaigou?
Jiuzhaigou Valley is located in the northern part of China’s Sichuan Province, about 330 miles from Chengdu. This Y-shaped valley is 37 miles long and has an average elevation of between 6,500 and 14,000 feet. Don’t be intimidated by these numbers, when you actually walk into the land, all the geographic data comes to life before your eyes:
- The Origin of Jiuzhaigou: In Tibetan, ‘Jiuzhai’ means ‘nine Tibetan villages’, and there are still seven well-preserved traditional villages.
- The magic of water: the glacial meltwater has been calcified and deposited for millions of years, creating a blue-green lake that is unparalleled in the world.
- Ecological miracle: home to endangered giant pandas and golden monkeys, with biodiversity comparable to the Amazon rainforest
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake in 2017 had temporarily shut down the scenic area, but after four years of careful restoration, Jiuzhaigou has now not only regained its splendour, but also added a new smart guide system and better ecological protection measures.
II. A visual feast of four seasons in disguise (when is the best time to go?)
1. Spring Awakening (April-June)
Imagine New England’s autumn palette suddenly reset – mountain peaches and rhododendrons bloom in the valleys, and waterfall formations from melting snow begin to awaken. A light down jacket is recommended; the temperature difference between morning and evening can be as much as 20°F.
2. Emerald Summer (July-August)
A perfect summer resort with an average temperature of 68℉. The Norilang Waterfall is in full bloom, with water equivalent to dumping 3 Olympic swimming pools per minute. But remember to book in advance – this is the peak summer holiday season for Chinese students.
3. Autumn Carnival (mid-September-Mid-October)
90% of tourists will tell you this is the best season. Maple leaves, birch trees and fir trees put on a colour gradient show in the altitude difference, and the Sea of Mirrors is so calm that you can take ‘Mirror in the Sky’ pictures. We recommend visiting in the second week of October to avoid the crowds of China’s National Day.
4. Winter Wonderland (November-March)
Visitor numbers plummet by 70 per cent and entrance fees are reduced by 40 per cent. The frozen waterfalls look like frozen magic, and the Changhai Sea turns into a natural ice skating rink. However, some of the stacks will be closed, so you need to check the opening in advance.
III. Essential Passage Guide for American Tourists
1. Traffic Tips for Travelling to the USA
- International section: direct flight from LAX/SFO to Chengdu (about 14 hours), it is recommended to book 3 months in advance to find a round-trip ticket of about $600.
- Domestic: Chengdu Shuangliu Airport has 6 direct flights to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH) every day (50 mins), or choose the 8-hour scenic mountain bus (recommended right window seat).
- Inside the scenic area: you must take the environmental protection sightseeing bus (included in the ticket), like Disney’s tour bus but with a real fairyland outside the window.
2. Tips to avoid the crowds wisely
- Book the first bus ticket at 7:30am and enter the scenic spot 2 hours earlier than the mass tourists.
- Reverse the tour: take the bus to the highest point, Changhai, and go from top to bottom.
- Wednesday and Thursday are the least visited (local Chinese tourists tend to travel on weekends)
4. 5 must-photograph spots that skyrocketed ins followers
- The Sea of Five Flowers – ‘God’s overturned paint tray’.
It is recommended to shoot before 10am, the sunlight penetrates the 30 metre deep body of water, you will see the sunken wood under the water presenting a magical peacock blue colour. - Pearl Beach Waterfalls – Setting for the end credits of Journey to the West
Walk to the viewing platform on the west side of the waterfall and use the water mist as a natural filter. Remember to put a waterproof case on your mobile phone! - Shuzheng Qunhai – a jewelled necklace of 19 terraced lakes
Side backlighting at 4pm will give the calcified dykes a golden colour encrustation, capture the flow of light and shadow with time-lapse photography. - Zarugou – a secret place known only to locals
Join a hike led by a Tibetan guide (about $30/person) to look for the thousand-year-old Tibetan scriptures on the rock walls. - Rhinoceros Sea Morning Mist – a scene like a fairy tale!
Check the sunrise time in advance, and you can occasionally see wild white-lipped deer drinking in the mist rising from the water.
V. ‘Cultural codes’ that American travellers must know.
- Highland Reaction Response: Changhai, the highest point in the scenic area, is 10,170 feet above sea level:
- Adapt to Chengdu 2 days in advance.
- Carry glucose oral solution with you (available at local pharmacies)
- Avoid hot baths on the first day.
- New environmental regulations:
- No single-use plastic bottles allowed (direct water dispensers at entrance)
- Smoking must be in designated areas (maximum $150 fine for non-compliance).
- Drones need to apply for a licence in advance (available on the website).
- Cultural etiquette:
- Turn clockwise when you come across a Buddhist scripture roller
- Don’t point your finger directly at the sacred mountain.
- Use both hands when accepting ghee tea from Tibetan amahs.
- Hidden Benefits:
- Free admission on your birthday with your passport.
- Free postcard for taking photos in traditional costumes.
- Collect all 5 stamps to redeem a limited-edition medallion.
Six: A Food Map for American Tummies ## Six.
Don’t be put off by ‘Sichuan spice’, Jiuzhaigou has authentic fusion cuisine:
- Tibetan hot pot: yak meat + wild mushrooms + barley wine, $15 per person.
- Yam patties: Q-bouncy snack made from highland potatoes (recommend Yanglin Restaurant)
- Barley latte: a special drink that can’t be drunk at Starbucks (limited to the ‘Ninth Walled Village Café’ in the scenic area).
- Roasted whole goat ceremony: more than 8 people can be booked, including Tibetan song and dance performance (booked 3 days in advance)
VII. Blood and Tears Experience from the Past
- Dressing Guide: Adopt ‘onion style dressing’, recommend Columbia 3-in-1 jacket + Merino wool underwear. 2.
- Photography equipment: Polarised lenses are a must! iPhone users are advised to download the ‘Jiuzhaigou AR Guide’ APP.
- Toilet report: There are star-rated toilets (free of charge) at the main attractions, so bring a small packet of tissues with you.
- Language Tips: Download the Tencent Translator App and learn ‘Zaxi Dele’ (扎西德勒), you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
As I watched the Sea of Five Flowers turn purple and gold in the setting sun, I suddenly understood why local legends say this is the place where fairies dress up. The beauty of Jiuzhaigou is a stunning experience that will make you redefine the word ‘nature’. It’s now limited to 41,000 visitors per day (1/3 of Yellowstone’s average daily attendance), and will be booked by 2024 – which means every glimpse you get is a limited edition gift from the earth.
It’s time to update your travel wish list. Book a flight to Chengdu, pack your curiosity and your camera – the landscapes of Jiuzhaigou are waiting to be unveiled to you. After all, there are some landscapes that you can only believe exist when you see them with your own eyes – and this is one of them.
