Jiuzhaigou National Park: Complete Travel Guide
Discover Jiuzhaigou, one of China's premier national parks, with a comprehensive travel guide. Get essential tips for exploring its stunning landscapes, vibrant ecosystems, and breathtaking scenery. Plan your perfect Jiuzhaigou adventure today!
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Jiuzhaigou National Park is a must-see in Sichuan, and it's easy to see why it's considered one of China's best. Nestled high in the mountains of Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou National Park is a wonderland of colorful lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. At an elevation of 2,000 to 4,500 meters, Jiuzhaigou National Park will also offer a welcome respite from the summer heat.
I personally had no choice but to visiting during Golden Week, bracing myself for crowds. Surprisingly, I did find tranquility amidst the holiday rush. The secret? 99.999% of the locals simply hop on and off the (countless) buses for photos/selfies at the main spots, leaving the trails delightfully empty for those of us who prefer to explore on foot.
How to reach Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu
Getting to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu is surprisingly easy. Hop on the high-speed train to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station (黄龙九寨), which takes around 2 hours (the train is bookable in advance on Trip.com). Then, a short 1.5-hour bus journey will deliver you straight to the wonders of Jiuzhaigou National Park.
How to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased in advance, and as usual Trip.com is the easiest platform for foreigners. Tickets were totally soldout when I was there during the Golden Week though, but I showed up right at the opening of the park and I managed to secure a ticket at the kiosk on site.
How to avoid the crowd
Want to escape the crowds in this National Park? It seems that local visitors have a full-blown phobia of walking, so ditching the bus and exploring on foot is the key to having the place almost to yourself.
My tip? Hop on the bus at the park entrance and ride it to one of the furthest points of the park's "Y" shape. From there, enjoy a leisurely walk down to the Y's intersection. Catch the bus to the other end of the "Y", and then walk back down to the park entrance. This way, you'll experience the best of the park's trails and avoid the bus-bound throngs. Please be aware that it will be a LONG day, so make sure to enter the park relatively early 🙃
Where to stay in Jiuzhaigou
If you're planning to enter the park at dawn, I recommend staying within walking distance of the entrance - I personally spent two nights at the Snow Valley (50€/night, a bit pricey but it was very comfortable). It's an easy 15-minute stroll to the park, plus you'll find plenty of good eats and shops nearby.
