Like a Painting • Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou in August offers cool weather and pleasant scenery, making it an ideal summer getaway. Here's a travel guide for visiting Jiuzhaigou in July:

Pre-Trip Preparation

- Clothing: Daytime temperatures range from 20-25°C (68-77°F), but there's a significant temperature difference between day and night. Bring thick outerwear like windbreakers.
- Sun protection: The high-altitude UV rays are strong. Pack arm sleeves, bucket hats, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and sunglasses.
- Other items: Waterproof hiking shoes are recommended as sudden showers are frequent in July, and stone paths in the scenic area tend to accumulate water. Consider bringing self-heating hot pot meals as food prices within the park are high.

Transportation Guide

- High-speed rail: Take the train from Chengdu East Station to Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Station (about 2 hours), then transfer to the scenic area shuttle (another 2 hours). Tickets can be booked via "Jiulv Yuexing".
- Long-distance bus: Buses depart from Chengdu's Xinnanmen or Chadianzi stations to Jiuzhaigou Entrance Station (8-9 hours).
- Flight: Fly from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport, then take the airport shuttle (¥45/person) or shared taxi (about ¥100/person) to Jiuzhaigou.

Ticket Information

- Combined ticket (entry + sightseeing bus): ¥280. Must be reserved in advance via "Aba Tourism Network" on WeChat (no on-site sales). Enter with ID card.

Tour Strategy

- Park layout: The Y-shaped valley consists of Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Zechawa Valley. Allow at least 5 hours for touring.
- Recommended spots: Shuzheng Lakes, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Long Lake, Rhinoceros Lake, and Reed Lake are must-sees in July. By late July, Five-Color Pond and Sparkling Lake enter their peak water periods with enhanced views.
- Suggested route:
Morning: Enter around 9am. If the bus goes right first, visit Arrow Bamboo Lake → Panda Lake → Five-Flower Lake → Pearl Shoal Waterfall → Mirror Lake.
Noon: Lunch at Nuorilang Center.
Afternoon: Take the left branch to Long Lake, walk to Five-Color Pond, return to Nuorilang, then hike along the main valley past Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, Twin Dragon Lake, and Sparkling Lake. Finally, take the bus to Bonsai Beach and walk 500m back for Reed Lake photos.
- Crowd avoidance: Arrive early for the 7:30am opening bus to enjoy Mirror Lake reflections crowd-free, or take the less popular Long Lake route after 3pm when crowds thin.

Recommended Accommodations

- Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Located at No. 26, Zhongcha Valley, Zhangzha Town, offering pure natural serenity with Tibetan-Qiang cultural immersion.
- Conrad Jiuzhaigou: On S301 Provincial Road, Langzhai Village, featuring rooms with snow mountain views.
- Hilton Jiuzhaigou Resort: Also on S301, Langzhai Village, with beautiful window views and Tibetan cultural elements.

Important Notes

- The highest point (Long Lake) is at 3,101m altitude. Oxygen tanks usually aren't needed, but glucose water (¥5) helps with altitude sickness.
- Confirm if ethnic costume photo packages at Tibetan homestays include all accessories to avoid payment disputes.