Who understands! Jiuzhaigou in December looks exactly like the live-action version of "Frozen"❄️

Who understands! Jiuzhaigou in December looks exactly like the live-action version of "Frozen," and this pitfall-avoidance guide saved me 2000 yuan!

The moment I saw the snowy scenery of Jiuzhaigou, I immediately took my annual leave early—who can resist a fairy tale world where "blue ice and white snow dance together"? But after doing three days of research before going, I found that many pitfalls people fell into were totally unnecessary. This tested and effective "Winter Jiuzhaigou Nanny Guide" is sure to help you have a great trip!

1. Must-know before the trip! Ignore these 3 things and you’ll waste your trip! ⚠️

1. Opening hours & tickets: December to February is the off-season, opens at 8:30 AM (don’t go too early or you’ll freeze!), tickets + sightseeing bus only cost 169 yuan (peak season is 310 yuan, what a steal!), remember to book one day in advance on the "Aba Tourism Website," just swipe your ID card to enter, no need to exchange tickets~
2. Dressing formula: Down jacket + fleece pants + snow boots are basic, but be sure to bring waterproof gloves (to keep your hands warm while playing in the snow) and sunglasses (the snow’s reflection can blind you)! My best friend didn’t wear sunglasses and her eyes hurt so much in the afternoon she cried, don’t be like her!
3. Transportation options: Chengdu is the most convenient starting point. You can either take the high-speed train to Chuanzhusi Station (2.5 hours, then a 1-hour taxi to the scenic area) or join a pure sightseeing small group tour (about 300 yuan per person, includes pick-up and drop-off and avoids shopping stops). Don’t drive yourself! The mountain roads have hidden ice patches, and beginners can’t handle it~

2. Must-visit photo spots! These 5 places will make your photos legendary, with angle tips 📸

- Changhai Lake: The highest altitude lake in Jiuzhaigou, in winter it freezes into thick blue ice! Stand on the viewing platform to capture the panorama, framing the "snowy mountains + blue ice + dead trees," shoot in landscape mode on your phone, and your social media will explode with likes!
- Five-Color Pond: Very few people in the off-season! The water looks like a spilled palette against the white snow. The best sunlight is at 2 PM; crouch by the pond for close-ups to see the underwater calcite deposits, which look like glass!
- Nuorilang Waterfall: A waterfall in summer, but in winter it freezes into an "icefall"! The hanging icicles are spectacular. Remember to shoot from the viewing platform looking down, with people standing nearby for scale to show the icefall’s grandeur~
- Mirror Lake: Before 9 AM when there’s no wind, the lake surface is like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the snowy mountains and trees, making your photos look like symmetrical paintings with no need for editing!
- Panda Lake: Has a hidden blue ice cave! It’s a 10-minute walk along the boardwalk. Stand in front of the ice cave for a side profile shot, with sunlight shining through the ice cracks, creating an amazing atmosphere~

3. Pitfall avoidance guide! I’ve stepped into these "pits" for you 🙅

- ❌ Don’t buy "anti-slip chains" at the scenic area entrance: The sightseeing buses use main roads and don’t need them. I wasted 50 yuan buying them and never opened the package, such a loss!
- ❌ Don’t buy food inside the scenic area: A bowl of instant noodles costs 25 yuan. Bring your own chocolate and beef jerky as snacks. For lunch, you can go to the Nuorilang Restaurant for a buffet (60 yuan per person, with hot soup to warm you up).
- ❌ Don’t try to see everything in one day: The scenic area is huge, and the sightseeing bus takes an hour to reach the innermost part. Enter at 10 AM and play until 4 PM, that’s just right. Going too early or too late is tiring and you won’t get good photos~

4. Accommodation & food! Cost-effective choices recommended by locals 👍

- Accommodation: Staying in Zhangzha Town is most convenient (5 minutes by car from the scenic area entrance). In the off-season, you can get a room with floor heating in a guesthouse for about 150 yuan per person! The place I stayed even offered free pick-up and drop-off service, and the owner made ginger tea in the morning, super thoughtful~
- Food: You must try the "yak hotpot," about 80 yuan per person. The meat is tender and the broth is fresh. Eat it with barley cakes, it warms you right up! Don’t order the "sky-high priced salmon," Jiuzhaigou doesn’t produce salmon; they’re all transported from elsewhere and not worth it~

Final ramble:

Jiuzhaigou in winter has fewer people and beautiful scenery. You don’t have to squeeze for photos; every shot looks like wallpaper! When I went, it happened to snow, and the snowflakes fell on the blue ice, making me feel like I had stepped into a fairy tale~ If you come, be sure to take lots of photos because you’ll want to look back at them every day after you leave!

Who do you most want to go see Jiuzhaigou’s snowy scenery with? Chat in the comments~ If you need, I can help you organize the "Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou high-speed train schedule," ready to use! 🚄