Jiuzhaigou National Park: A Comprehensive Guide to a Fairy-Tale World

📌【Trip Overview】 ✔️Recommended seasons: Autumn foliage (October–November) & Summer waters (June–August) ✔️Suggested duration: 3–4 days for an in-depth tour ✔️Budget estimate: CNY 1,500–2,500 per person (including round-trip travel from Chengdu) 🚗【Transportation Guide】 ❶By air: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport → Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (1 hr) ✈️, then a 40-min taxi ride to the scenic area ❷By high-speed rail: Chengdu East Railway Station → Jiuzhaigou Railway Station (10 hrs) 🚄, ideal for budget travelers ❸By car: Drive from Chengdu via G213 National Highway, with optional stops at Wenchuan/Maoxian along the way, 8-hr drive (recommended for experienced drivers) 🏨【Accommodation Guide】 ▫️Inside the scenic area: Stay in Shuzheng Village/Zechawa Village for stunning views of snow-capped mountains (book 1 month in advance during peak season) ▫️Near the park entrance: Cluster of 500+ hotels, recommended: Jiuzhai Paradise InterContinental with 270° panoramic view rooms ▫️Avoid: Jiuzhaigou County! It's a 40-min drive from the scenic area, which is too far. 📸【Must-See Attractions】 ✨Nuorilang Waterfall: Featured in Journey to the West, capture rainbow waterfalls at 10:00 am ✨Five Flower Lake: The most iconic lake in Jiuzhaigou, drone photography reveals a peacock-blue wonderland ✨Long Lake: The highest-altitude lake, frozen blue ice creates a winter fairy tale ✨Shuzheng Lakes: A chain of 19 emerald lakes, stroll along the boardwalk for a relaxing experience ✨Mirror Lake: Arrive before 8:00 am! Enjoy the exclusive reflection of the sky 🍜【Foodie Delights】 🔥Tibetan cuisine: Barley wine paired with hand-grabbed yak meat, tsampa with butter, and yak yogurt 🔥Sichuan flavors: Tibetan hot pot (spicy broth) near the park entrance, and sour and spicy noodles 🔥Chengdu treats: Must-try on the way back: Shudaxia Hot Pot/Yepobo Bobo Chicken 💡【Tips to Avoid Pitfalls】 ⚠️Altitude sickness warning: Pack ibuprofen and oxygen, avoid washing your hair on the first day ⚠️Clothing formula: Layer up (short sleeves + windbreaker), bring an umbrella ⚠️Photography tips: Wear white/red clothes for better photos, the lighting is best after 3:00 pm ⚠️Hidden gems: Hike the primeval forest boardwalk to discover the less-crowded Huohua Lake 📝【Sample Itinerary】 Day 1: Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou (stay near the park entrance) Day 2: Enter the park at 7:30 am → Y-shaped tour route (Rize Valley + Zechawa Valley) Day 3: Second visit to the park for in-depth exploration (Shuzheng Valley + less-known lakes) → Tibetan and Qiang cultural show Day 4: Return trip with optional stops at Huanglong/Dujiangyan 📌Tips: ✅Purchase tickets in advance on the Aba Tourism website, enter the park with your ID card ✅Bring enough cash! The signal inside the scenic area is intermittent ✅The CNY 90 park bus is a must-buy, as the distance between attractions is considerable 💌Follow me for more travel inspiration to hidden gems Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area