Jiuzhaigou is a valley in northern Sichuan where stepped travertine lakes shift from jade to turquoise and silver waterfalls thread the forest. It is home to Tibetan villages and one of China's last panda habitats.
Why visit Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou is a valley in northern Sichuan where stepped travertine lakes shift from jade to turquoise and silver waterfalls thread the forest. It is home to Tibetan villages and one of China's last panda habitats.
Top highlights
Five Flower Lake — Peer into water so clear it reveals fallen trunks, the lake shifting jade, turquoise and sapphire by depth.
Nuorilang Waterfall — Stand before the wide curtain of Sichuan's best-known waterfall on the park's central road.
Tibetan villages — Meet the valley's Tibetan residents in wooden watchtower houses and prayer-flagged yards.
Autumn foliage — Time a visit for October, when the surrounding forest turns gold and red above the blue lakes.
The multicolored water of Five Flower Lake.Nuorilang Waterfall's wide curtain.A Tibetan village watchtower in the valley.Autumn forest reflected in a Jiuzhaigou lake.
Go in mid-October for peak autumn color but book transport early; the park limits daily entries, so arrive at opening to ride the shuttle ahead of crowds.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 — fly or drive to Huanglong, then Jiuzhaigou village. Day 2 — full day on the park shuttle: Shuzheng, Five Flower Lake and Nuorilang. Day 3 — quieter Rize and Zechawa valleys, evening departure.
