I spent three days and two nights in Jiuzhaigou and stayed up late to compile this travel guide
I. Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport ☞ Jiuzhaigou Valley Entrance
After arriving at Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Valley. Upon arrival, you can first drop off your luggage at the hotel and take a short rest. In the afternoon, you can explore the area around the entrance and experience the local Tibetan culture. For dinner, you can try local Tibetan cuisine.
Day 2: One-day tour of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
In the morning, take the scenic area shuttle bus into Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. Visit Rize Valley and enjoy Pearl Beach Waterfall, Five-Colored Lake, Long Lake, and other attractions. Have lunch at a restaurant inside the scenic area. In the afternoon, visit Zechawa Valley and enjoy Long Lake, Five-Colored Pool, and other attractions. Then return to the entrance.
Day 3: Jiuzhaigou ☞ Huanglong Scenic Area ☞ Return Trip
In the morning, depart from Jiuzhaigou and head to Huanglong Scenic Area. Visit Huanglong Scenic Area and enjoy the Five-Colored Pool, Huanglong Temple, and other attractions. In the afternoon, take the cable car down the mountain, then return to Jiuzhaigou Valley entrance or go directly to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport to end your pleasant journey.
II. Recommended Attractions
1. Jiuzhaigou: A World Natural Heritage site, famous for its "six wonders" - emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, Tibetan culture, and blue ice.
2. Pearl Beach Waterfall: The largest waterfall in Jiuzhaigou, 21 meters high and 270 meters wide.
3. Five-Colored Lake: The iconic attraction of Jiuzhaigou, with colorful lake water.
4. Long Lake: The largest lake in Jiuzhaigou, at an altitude of 3,060 meters.
5. Five-Colored Pool: The iconic attraction of Huanglong Scenic Area, with water displaying multiple colors.
6. Huanglong Temple: A Tibetan Buddhist temple in Huanglong Scenic Area.
7. Xuebaoding: The highest peak in Jiuzhaigou, at an altitude of 5,588 meters.
8. Mirror Lake: Crystal clear water that reflects the surrounding snow mountains and forests.
9. Nuorilang Waterfall: The widest waterfall in Jiuzhaigou, over 300 meters wide.
10. Rhinoceros Lake: Named after a rhinoceros-shaped rock by the lake.
III. Recommended Food
1. Tibetan cuisine: Local specialty food, including yak meat, butter tea, highland barley wine, etc.
2. Tibetan hot pot: Mainly made with yak meat and lamb, with a flavorful broth.
3. Butter tea: A traditional Tibetan beverage made with butter, tea leaves, salt, etc.
4. Highland barley wine: A traditional Tibetan alcoholic beverage made from highland barley.
5. Yak meat: A local specialty with delicious flavor.
6. Lamb: A local specialty with tender meat.
7. Tibetan pastries: Including tsampa, milk residue, etc., all must-try delicacies.
8. Wild vegetables: Local specialty food, including fern, maidenhair fern, etc.
9. Mushrooms: Local specialty food, including matsutake, morel mushrooms, etc.
10. Tibetan butter cookies: Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a rich milky flavor.
Hope this guide helps you enjoy a pleasant holiday in Jiuzhaigou!