Complete Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide｜Altitude Sickness Tips + Pitfall Avoidance, Enjoy the Fairyland Without Regrets!

“After Jiuzhaigou, no need to see other waters,” but the 3100-meter altitude difference, peak season ticket battles, and unpredictable weather can hide surprises! This tested practical guide helps you handle altitude sickness, save money, take great photos, and easily unlock the “palette spilled by God”～ 🫁 Altitude Sickness Tips · Easily Adapt to the Plateau Jiuzhaigou’s altitude ranges from 2000 to 3100 meters, with a vertical drop like an “oxygen roller coaster”! The key secret: “Walk slowly, don’t run or jump, eat less and drink more water.” Avoid intense exercise 3 days in advance, bring ginger brown sugar water (works faster than Rhodiola), and use the “478 breathing method” (inhale through nose for 4 seconds, hold breath for 7 seconds, exhale through mouth for 8 seconds) to improve oxygen utilization. Altitude Sickness Warning: Stay no longer than 30 minutes at Changhai Lake and the Primeval Forest (above 3000 meters). Carry a sports headband; if the pressure mark doesn’t fade within 3 seconds, descend immediately. Free oxygen points are scattered in the park; buy oxygen bottles in advance at Chengdu pharmacies (18 RMB/bottle). They sell for 35 RMB in the park but are not essential. 🚌 Transportation & Ticket Purchase · Official Channels to Avoid Pitfalls • Ticket Booking: Reserve 7 days in advance via the “Jiuzhaigou” WeChat official account or Aba Tourism website with real-name registration. Peak season (April-November) has 41,000 tickets/day, and entry must be before 14:00! Don’t trust black-market “inside tickets,” real-name checks are strict. • Sightseeing Bus Must-Buy: 90 RMB/person in peak season, 80 RMB/person off-season, one ticket covers 22 stops with continuous departures. For elderly and children, VIP sightseeing buses (210 RMB/person) are available, no queue, flexible stops, limited to 200 tickets daily for on-site purchase. • Transportation Options: Chengdu high-speed train reaches Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station in 3 hours, then a 1.5-hour bus to the park; from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, choose official shuttle (40 RMB/person), avoid illegal taxis. 👔 Seasonal Clothing · Adapt to Changing Weather • Spring & Autumn: Quick-dry clothes + fleece + windbreaker, use heat patches in mornings and evenings, snow may still fall in April, don’t be misled by county town temperatures; • Summer: Short sleeves + sun protection clothing + light down jacket, bring a foldable raincoat (quick switch between sun and rain), wear non-slip sports shoes, avoid stepping in melting snow water; • Autumn: 3-in-1 windbreaker + fleece pants, hand warmers protect camera batteries, boardwalks have fallen leaves and water, non-slip shoe covers are essential; • Winter: Down jacket + snow boots + crampons, ear-protecting hat, phone with heat patch, shoot stunning blue ice after 2 PM. ⚠️ Pitfall Avoidance & Save Money • Spending Tips: Don’t buy the 60 RMB boxed lunch at Nuorilang; 35 RMB Tibetan yak beef noodles are more cost-effective. Bringing instant noodles is allowed with free hot water; carry 1 RMB coins inside the park as some toilets charge fees. • Accommodation Recommendation: Choose hotels in Zhangzha Town near the park entrance, 15-minute walk to the park; avoid staying in the county town (1-hour round trip by car), prioritize homestays with oxygen supply equipment. • Other Reminders: Say no to roadside “low-price tours” and “photo fees,” the ecosystem is fragile—do not enter the water or litter, violators may be fined. 📸 Key Photo Spots · Capture Legendary Shots • Mirror Lake: Shoot reflections before 7:30 AM when there’s no wind, the wild plank road across the highway is 90% less crowded, horizontal shots instantly become movie posters; • Five Flower Lake: Shoot from “Tiger Mouth” at a 45° angle, sunlight slants at 3 PM, underwater deadwood textures are clear, lower highlights in post-processing for better shots; • Nuorilang Waterfall: Around 10 AM sunlight sprays the water curtain, the lower left plank road often has rainbows, lower exposure to make rainbows more saturated; • Changhai Lake: The highest lake in Jiuzhaigou, shoot panoramic views with snow mountains, stay no longer than 30 minutes to avoid altitude sickness. The beauty of Jiuzhaigou lies in a calm pace. Proper altitude sickness protection, choosing the right transport and accommodation, and avoiding traps allow you to truly immerse in the lake’s blue and the colorful forests’ brilliance. Take this guide to unlock a relaxed fairyland journey～