October 24th, just returned from Jiuzhaigou, here’s some harsh truth...

Listen up! Stop following the crowd! Jiuzhaigou at the end of October hides so many secret experiences, if you don’t plan right, you’ll miss half the beauty… Here’s a private guide you need to save 📝
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☁️ Recent Weather & Outfit Tips
At the end of autumn, Jiuzhaigou’s temperature difference between day and night can be as much as 15°C! During the day, a thin sweater is enough when the sun is out, but once the wind blows, you’ll need a windbreaker; at night staying in a valley guesthouse, even with a thick quilt, it’s not too warm. Occasionally there’s a short rain shower, so bring a waterproof jacket to block the wind and keep dry 🌧️
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🌊 Hidden Classic Spots Collection
- Reed Sea: Personally, I think it’s an underrated treasure! Golden reeds surround the emerald lake, and when the wind blows, it looks like golden silk floating on satin. There’s no sightseeing bus stop here; walk 1 km from Penjingtan to the middle section for great photos. The reeds are dense and the lake wide.
- Tiger Lake: The water is a rich imperial blue, and sunlight on the surface creates tiger-stripe-like light spots. Walking along the boardwalk connects to Shuzheng Waterfall, where the water flows through the forest like a silver curtain hidden among the trees.
- Five-Color Pool: Don’t be fooled by its small size, the colors are stunning, deep blue and light green overlapping like gems, even warmer under the autumn sun. Much less crowded than Five Flower Lake, perfect for quiet photos.
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🗺️ Slow Travel Route (No rushing)
1. Arrive at the park at 8 AM, take the sightseeing bus to Rhino Lake station, then walk downhill to Tiger Lake (easy and scenic all the way);
2. Have lunch at Nuorilang Center, then transfer to Reed Sea, stroll slowly along the boardwalk and shoot backlit silhouettes;
3. At 3 PM, head to Zechawa Valley, first visit Chang Lake to capture snow-capped mountains and colorful forests together, then walk to Five-Color Pool, and leave the park before closing time at dusk.
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📸 Hidden Photo Spots
- Reed Sea boardwalk: Stand backlit at 4 PM, have a friend shoot from the side, the reed outlines will be rimmed with gold, and the silhouette shots will be legendary;
- Side of Tiger Lake: When shooting Shuzheng Waterfall, go around to the side to capture the “water flowing into the emerald lake” scene, combining motion and stillness with great depth;
- Five-Color Pool boardwalk: Sit down for close-ups, framing the deadwood at the bottom and colorful forest on the shore, like a miniature fairyland.
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🍲 Tibetan Food List
- Tibetan Hot Pot: Besides yak meat, be sure to add local potatoes and greens, the broth is so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise;
- Tsampa: The owner will teach you to mix it with butter tea and form it into balls, with a solid texture, perfect with pickles to cut the richness;
- Roasted Yak Jerky: Freshly roasted and super chewy, buy a small bag as a perfect snack on the road.
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💡 Practical Tips
- Don’t walk the entire Reed Sea! One kilometer is enough for photos, going further repeats the scenery and wastes energy;
- Don’t walk uphill at Tiger Lake! The correct route is downhill from Rhino Lake, easy and panoramic;
- Bring a portable tripod, it helps stabilize shots of Five-Color Pool reflections for clearer photos.
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