The Most Beautiful Autumn Route in Jiuzhaigou

Chasing Autumn in Jiuzhaigou with Kids | Mom-Tested Family Guide (Including Chengdu Transfer Tips)

When Jiuzhaigou’s colorful forests dye the valleys and the first golden ginkgo leaves fall along Chengdu’s avenue — this autumn, take your kids on a double experience of "fairytale colorful forests + adorable pandas"! As a mom who has visited Jiuzhaigou twice with kids, here’s a "worry-free, effortless + in-depth experience" guide just for you~

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🍁 Jiuzhaigou Autumn Countdown (with family-friendly timing)

📅 Best viewing period: October 15 - November 5 (90%+ color change rate)

👶 Golden time for kids: October 20 - October 30 (peak colorful forests + comfortable temperature)

⏳ Autumn progress schedule:

• 🌱 Early stage (early October): Larches turn yellow, suitable for short hikes with young children

• 🌈 Mid stage (mid to late October): Orange-red gradient, perfect for family Hanfu photos in the colorful forest

• 🎨 Peak stage (end of October): Oil painting-level colorful forests, recommended to visit early morning off-peak

• 🍂 Late stage (early November): Falling leaves, ideal for photography enthusiasts

🐼 Must-visit Chengdu transfer spots (kid-friendly version)

1. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

• 🕗 Kid-friendly tip: Arrive at 7:30 to head straight to the "Moon Nursery" to watch cubs nursing (pandas sleep after 9 am)

• 🚗 Transport: Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station + shuttle bus (2 RMB/person)

• 🍚 Lunch: "Bamboo Rhythm Restaurant" inside the base offers panda-shaped buns (kids’ meal 38 RMB)

2. Kuanzhai Alley

• 👶 Family activities: Read panda picture books at Sanlian Bookstore in Well Alley, try sugar painting in Narrow Alley (15 RMB/session)

• 🚫 Avoid: Don’t buy "panda headbands" (20 RMB in scenic area, 5 RMB in supermarkets)

3. Jinli Ancient Street

• 🌃 Night view recommendation: Lanterns light up after 7 pm, take family silhouette photos against the red walls of Wuhou Shrine

• 🍢 Food: "San Da Pao" glutinous rice balls (10 RMB/portion, kids love the ritual)

🗺️ Jiuzhaigou 3-day 2-night family itinerary (mom’s budget version)

Day 1: Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou

• 🚄 Transport: 7:00 AM train from Chengdu East Station to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station (2h, second class seat 106 RMB)

• 🚌 Shuttle bus: Take the direct scenic area bus from the station (45 RMB/person, free for under 1.2m)

• 🏨 Accommodation: Luneng Hilton at the valley entrance (has a kids’ playground, 5-minute walk to the scenic area)

Day 2: Deep tour of Jiuzhaigou

• 🌅 Early morning reverse tour: Take the first sightseeing bus before 7:30 to Changhai (avoid tour groups after 9 am)

• 👩👧👦 Family route: Changhai → Five Flower Lake (flat boardwalk) → Nuorilang Center lunch (bring self-heating rice) → Five Flower Lake (take family photos at Tiger Mouth viewing platform)

• 📸 Hidden photo spot: Near the "Mill" at Shuzheng Group Lakes for colorful forest reflections

Day 3: Jiuzhaigou → Chengdu

• 🚶 Hiking experience: Nuorilang Waterfall → Pearl Shoal boardwalk (3 km, 1.5h, kids can collect colorful fallen leaves)

• 🎁 Souvenir: Buy yak jerky at the "Tibetan-Qiang Cultural Village" at the valley entrance (original flavor, 80 RMB/jin)

🏨 Accommodation recommendations for families

Recommended:

• 🌟 Tianyuan Howard Johnson at the valley entrance: Hot spring in-room, provides baby cribs

• 🌟 Luneng Hilton: Tibetan style, kids’ club offers daycare services

• 🌟 Zhangzha Town homestay: "Jiuzhai Yunding" offers stargazing and Tibetan costume experiences

Not recommended:

• ❌ "Zhaxidele" inside the scenic area: Poor conditions and high prices

• ❌ Hotels near Huanglong Airport: 2 hours from the scenic area by car

🍜 Family food map

Chengdu:

• 🥟 "Zhong Dumplings" (People’s Park branch): Panda-shaped dumplings with sweet noodles

• 🍢 "Kuixinglou Street": Spicy hotpot skewers (mild spicy broth, kids can dip tofu skin)

Jiuzhaigou:

• 🍲 "Tibetan Family Restaurant": Yak meat hotpot (choose clear broth, kids love potato cakes)

• 🥛 "Valley Entrance Supermarket": Buy barley cakes (5 RMB each, for breakfast)

⚠️ Must-know tips for traveling with kids

1. Transport tips:

• ❌ Don’t rent private cars! The Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou bus is safer (book via "Tuanzi Travel" WeChat official account)

• ✅ Choose left-side seats on Jiuzhaigou sightseeing buses for better views of colorful forests

2. Clothing guide:

• 🧥 "Three-layer dressing": Quick-dry shirt + fleece + windbreaker (temperatures are low at the mountaintop Changhai)

• 👟 Gear: Non-slip shoes (boardwalks can be mossy) + foldable stroller (usable on flat paths, fold on steps)

3. Altitude sickness prevention:

• 💊 Prepare in advance: Children’s ibuprofen, oral glucose (scenic area altitude 2000-3100 meters)

• 🚫 Avoid: Bathing and strenuous exercise on the first day (slow down walking speed at Changhai)

4. Photography tips:

• 👗 Outfit: Dress kids in bright jackets (red/yellow contrasts well with colorful forests)

• 📱 Equipment: Use phone grid lines when shooting reflections for better composition

💌 Mom’s heartfelt words

When the colorful forests of Five Flower Lake reflect in your child’s eyes, and the droplets of Nuorilang Waterfall sprinkle on their smiling face, Jiuzhaigou’s autumn becomes the most brilliant fairytale of childhood. Traveling with kids doesn’t mean "checking off everything"; spending half a day soaking in the hotel hot springs and collecting fallen leaves is the true essence of family travel~

Final reminder: Hotel prices rise by 30% in late October, book at least 15 days in advance! Wishing you an autumn woven with "golden and blue" hues.