Jiuzhaigou Valley

Introducing Jiuzhaigou Valley
Located in Ngawa Tibetan-Qiang Prefecture, Jiuzhai Valley (Nine Villages Valley) is so-named because of the nine Tibetan villages along the valley. Jiuzhaigou Valley is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and is just like a wonderland for visitors, with adarce lakes, waterfalls, and floodland. Jiuzhai Valley has five stunning landscapes: Green Sea, Overlapping Creeks, Colorful Forests, Snow Peaks and Tibetan Villages.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Jiuzhaigou 九寨沟
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 days
• Things to Do: Photography, Nature, Hiking
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 169 from Apr 1 to Nov 15, CNY 80 from Nov 16 to Mar 31
• Address: Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Region, Sichuan Province

What to expect at Jiuzhaigou Valley

Stretching for 651.34km, Jiuzhai Valley gets its name from the nine Tibetan villages, including Shuzheng Village, Heye Village, Zechawa Village, etc. The annual average temperature is 6-14°C without severe cold in winter and extreme heat in summer. Jiuzhaigou Valley is surrounded by steep mountains, of which ten reaching clouds, are snow peaks all the year round. The amazing water gathers at the river valley and forms a scenic area centered on mountain lakes, waterfalls and travertine beaches unique in China and rear in the World. There are 114 lakes in trapezoidal distribution, 17 waterfalls, 5 travertine beach lands, 47 springs and 11 turbulences with altitude difference of 1,870m, traveling among the forests and valleys between the 12 snow peaks, linking like a Y-shaped string of jade beads and winding for about 60km. The lakes vary from small one of several square meters to the biggest of 7km in length. Jiuzhai Valley, combining primitive beauty, natural beauty and rustic beauty, is of high tour viewing value and scientific value.

Overnight stays in the Jiuzhaigou Valley are not permitted. Even if you have not finished your day trip, you will have to leave the area and stay at one of the many hotels near the entrance. Forward-planning is strongly advised, and booking online or by phone in advance is recommended.

Shuzheng Lakes
Located in Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, Shuzheng Lakes, consisting of 20-30 small or large lakes distributed in a terrace shape with total length of 13.8km, are the gate to the beautiful scenery of Jiuzhai Valley. These lakes, surrounded by dense cypress, pine, fir and other green trees, stretch for several miles with altitude difference of nearly 100m. The lake water crosses the embankment from the upstream, falls into the lower lake and forms the superposed waterfall.

Nuorilang Waterfall
In Tibetan, Nuorilang means the charming man (tall and upright), so Nuorilang Waterfall means the grand waterfall. The water from Nuorilang Lakes falls from the top as if it were dumped from the Milky Way and the roar reverberates in the valley. The water prevails in the South with pressing chill and drizzly mist. When the sun shines on the water in the morning, the rainbows are often seen hanging over the valley, which add charms to the fascinating waterfall.

How to get to Jiuzhaigou Valley

By Bus from Chengdu
• Take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to the Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area directly.
• Take a bus from Chadianzi Bus Station to Jiuzhaigou county. Then take a taxi to the scenic area.

By Air
• Take flight to Jiuhuang Airport and then take a direct bus to Jiuzhaigou Valley (about 88 kilometers). Currently, the airport operates direct air routes from/to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing and Mianyang. Please notice that Jiuhuang airport is located on a plateau and the flights may be suspended due to bad weather conditions.

Additional travel advice on Jiuzhaigou Valley
• The park issues up to 17,000 tickets a day. Tourists need to book tickets online in advance.
• Both individual and group tourists are received from November 28th, 2019.
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothes.
• Long-sleeved clothes are necessary as the temperature difference between day and night is relatively large over the region.