National park · China
Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve九寨沟
Go for one full day with the hop-on bus pass: ride to Long Lake or the Rize head, then walk the plank trails downhill; enter at 7:00–7:30 opening, and pick late October for colour or a winter weekday for ice falls and thin crowds.Go for one full day with the hop-on bus pass: ride to Long Lake or the Rize head, then walk the plank trails downhill; enter at 7:00 AM–7:30 AM opening, and pick late October for colour or a winter weekday for ice falls and thin crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²)
- Core scenic area about 720 km²; the three valleys run roughly 60 km in a Y shape.
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Chengdu
Jiuzhaigou is a Y-shaped valley system of travertine-dammed lakes and multi-level waterfalls in the Min Shan of northern Sichuan, part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. Three arms — Shuzheng, Rize and Zechawa — spread from a single gate, and a park bus links the stops, so the practical day is: ride to the head of an arm, then walk the plank trails downhill. The reserve reopened in late 2019 after the 2017 earthquake closed it for two years, and daily visitor numbers are capped, so tickets are effectively an advance booking. Autumn colour in late October is the reason most people come and also the busiest week of the year; winter gives frozen falls and thin crowds at the cost of some closed upper trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1992Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1997World Biosphere Reserve network.
Size and age
720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²) · national park since 1982
Core scenic area about 720 km²; the three valleys run roughly 60 km in a Y shape.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Chengdu.
Why go
- Travertine-dammed lakes in blue, green and turquoise, with the bottom visible metres down.
- Multi-level waterfalls such as Nuorilang and Pearl Shoal, reached on wooden plank trails.
- A Y-shaped valley system where a park bus links the three arms, so you can walk one way and ride back.
- Tibetan villages still lived in inside the reserve, and alpine forest that changes with altitude.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCold, around 0 °C (32 °F); ice falls and few peopleCold, around 32 °F (0 °C); ice falls and few people
- FebCold and clear; frozen lakes
- MarFrozen soil and leftover snow; some trails closed
- AprThawing; 14 °C (57 °F) days, cold nightsThawing; 57 °F (14 °C) days, cold nights
- MayMild; green forest, some rain
- JunRain builds; busiest domestic season starts
- JulWettest month; landslide risk on the road in
- AugRain and crowds; book bus and hotel ahead
- SepRain eases; first colour at altitude
- OctPeak colour, roughly 15–30 Oct; the busiest week
- NovColour fades, crowds drop, cold nights
- DecSnow scenery; some upper trails closed (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant panda (about 20 reported in the reserve)Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Sightings are very unlikely in the main valleys; Zaru Valley is the better bet. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeyApr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Rare; forest edges at dawn. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds (about 140 species recorded)Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Autumn colour in the forestOct–Nov · Peak roughly 15–30 Oct. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chengdu
High-speed train from Chengdu East to Huanglongjiuzhai station, then about 2 h by bus to the park.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Chengdu by road
Long-distance bus from Xinnanmen or Chadianzi station; winding mountain roads, sometimes closed after heavy rain.
7–11 h
Open the page →
From Huanglongjiuzhai airport (JZH)
Shuttle bus (about ¥50 (≈ US$7)) or taxi (¥260 (≈ US$40) day, ¥360 (≈ US$55) night) to the park entrance.
1.5 h
From Huanglongsi National Park
Daily bus between Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou; pair the two parks on one loop.
2–3 h
From Aba region
Buses from Songpan and Jiuzhaigou county town; the wider prefecture plan is on the Aba page.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Shuzheng Valley (the stem) | The lower valley from the gate to Nuorilang: Shuzheng Lakes, Tiger Lake and the travertine terraces. | Plank trails and bus stops; the first stretch is walkable from the gate. |
| Rize Valley (right arm) | The longest arm: Nuorilang Waterfall, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal and Primeval Forest at the head. | Bus to the head, then walk downhill between stops. |
| Zechawa Valley (left arm) | The high arm to Long Lake and Five Colour Pool, with the biggest lake in the reserve. | Bus to Long Lake, walk down to the pool and the next stop. |
| Zaru Valley | A side valley kept for eco-tourism and the best chance of wildlife. | Restricted or guided only. |
Sketch map
- 1Park gate (Goukou) · Gate≈33.260, 103.918Map ↗
- 2Nuorilang Waterfall · Viewpoint≈33.150, 103.900Map ↗
- 3Long Lake · Viewpoint≈33.050, 103.920Map ↗
- 4Five Flower Lake · Trail≈33.100, 103.910Map ↗
- 5Primeval Forest · Trail≈33.080, 103.880Map ↗
- 6Zhangzha town · Town≈33.270, 103.920Map ↗
- 7Huanglongjiuzhai airport · Ranger station≈32.851, 103.685Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the three valleys, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, high season (roughly Apr–Nov) | CNY 169–190 (≈ US$25–30) | person | 2026 estimate; peak-holiday pricing can differ. |
| Entrance, low season (roughly Dec–Mar) | CNY 80 (≈ US$12) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Park bus pass, high season | CNY 90 (≈ US$13) | person | 2026 estimate; separate from the entrance ticket and effectively required. |
| Park bus pass, low season | CNY 80 (≈ US$12) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Airport shuttle, Huanglongjiuzhai airport to the park | CNY 50 (≈ US$7) | person | Runs to about 18:00; taxi ¥260 day, ¥360 night. |
| Chengdu long-distance bus to Jiuzhaigou | CNY 110–145 (≈ US$16–25) | person | 2026 estimate; 7–11 h on mountain roads. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance ticket permit or guide
Park bus pass permit or guide
Passport for entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥169–190≈ US$25–30
- CN¥80≈ US$12
- CN¥90≈ US$13
- CN¥80≈ US$12
- CN¥50≈ US$7
- CN¥110–145≈ US$16–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Jiuzhaigou official site before you go.
Park rules
- No private vehicles or bicycles
- Only park buses and walking inside the reserve; buy the bus pass with your ticket.
- Stay on the plank trails
- Do not step into lakes, on travertine dams or past closed barriers; the dams are fragile and fines apply.
- No overnight stays inside the park
- Sleeping in the reserve is not permitted; stay in Zhangzha town or Jiuzhaigou county town.
- No drones
- Not allowed without permission from the reserve administration.
- No litter, no fires, no feeding animals
- Carry out what you bring in; the reserve is a World Heritage site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Zhangzha town (Goukou)
Guesthouses and hotels 5 km (3.1 mi) from the gate; the usual base for an early entry.Guesthouses and hotels 3.1 mi (5 km) from the gate; the usual base for an early entry.
Near the park
Jiuzhaigou county town
About 39 km (24 mi) from the gate; cheaper rooms, longer morning transfer.About 24 mi (39 km) from the gate; cheaper rooms, longer morning transfer.
Near the park
Park hotels outside the gate
3- to 5-star hotels near the entrance, roughly ¥400–1,000 a night in season.
Safety
Altitude (2,000–3,100 m) medium
Mountain road closures after heavy rain medium
Cold nights and sudden weather low
Missing the last bus medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park bus reaches the main stops, and plank paths at Nuorilang and Shuzheng are the flattest walking.
- Long Lake and the stepped paths to Five Colour Pool involve stairs; wheelchair access is limited.
Visiting lightly
- Take the bus between valleys and walk one direction only; this is how the reserve keeps car traffic out.
- Carry your rubbish out; bins are limited along the upper trails.
- Buy from village stalls and homestays so the Tibetan villages inside the reserve benefit from tourism.
- Avoid peak national-holiday weeks, when the cap on daily visitors is stretched.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve?
High season (roughly April to November) the entrance ticket is about ¥169–190 and the park bus pass about ¥90; low season the ticket drops to about ¥80 with a ¥80 bus pass. These are 2026 estimates — check the official site before you book, because peak-holiday pricing differs.
What are the best hikes in Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve?
The Rize Valley walk from the head of the valley down to Nuorilang, past Five Flower Lake and Pearl Shoal, is the classic 4–6 hour route. Long Lake down to Five Colour Pool takes 1.5–2 hours, and the Shuzheng Lakes walk in the lower valley is a good 2–3 hour finish. All are plank paths, so combine walking one way with the bus back.
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve?
Late October, roughly 15–30 October, for autumn colour — and it is also the busiest week. Late April to May and September are quieter with good weather. December to February gives frozen waterfalls and snow with far fewer visitors, though some upper trails close.
Can I stay inside the park?
No. Overnight stays in the reserve are not permitted. Stay in Zhangzha town, about 5 km from the gate, or in Jiuzhaigou county town, about 39 km away.
How do I get to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu?
The fastest route is the high-speed train from Chengdu East to Huanglongjiuzhai station, about 2 hours, then roughly 2 hours by bus to the park. Long-distance buses from Xinnanmen or Chadianzi take 7–11 hours on mountain roads, which can close after heavy rain.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes in practice. Daily visitor numbers are capped and peak dates sell out, so buy the entrance ticket and bus pass online ahead of your date and carry your passport for the identity check at the gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go