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Visiting Jiuzhaigou National Park, China (from Chengdu)

China is arguably the best country in the world to spend months travelling in. It has so much more than just the Great Wall of China. I was in Chengdu, trying to hold a panda and I heard about a beautiful place north of the city. Jiuzhaigou National Park. (Also, I which I had heard about visiting Chongqing then too, but I didn’t do that until years later)

Although it was tricky to get to. Via public transport, an 8-10-hour bus journey just to see a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Was it worth it? 100% Yes. I spent a full day hiking and walking in Jiuzhaigou National Park, and it was probably the most beautiful national park I have been to in all of Asia. 
(Yes, I even dressed up like an idiot in the park for photos.)

Where is Jiuzhaigou National Park?

It’s about 500km north of Chengdu. It took me 8-10 hours on a bus, but apparently, now the road has been fixed and it can be a little quicker. 

Jiuzhaigou National Park sits in northern Sichuan, about 500km north of Chengdu. When I visited, the journey involved a long winding bus ride through mountains that took around 8–10 hours. Roads have improved in recent years, and many travelers now also fly to the nearby airport before transferring to the park.

The park itself lies in the eastern edge of the Himalayas, at altitudes approaching 3,000 meters, which explains the cool temperatures and snow-covered peaks surrounding the valleys. In 1992 Jiuzhaigou National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its surreal turquoise lakes, waterfalls and alpine forests.

 

How much does it cost to enter the Jiuzhaigou national park?

In high season, April to September, it costs 220 Kwai ($35) or 115 Kwai for students ($18). You also really, really should buy the hop-on/hop-off bus ticket for 80 kwai ($12) otherwise you have a 14km hike to start the day, plus another 30km or so to see everything.

So basically, entrance fees change slightly depending on the season.

Typical prices are:

• High season (April–November): around 220 RMB (~$35)
• Student ticket: about 115 RMB (~$18)

There is also a park shuttle bus ticket, which costs about 80 RMB (~$12). You really should buy the bus ticket.

Without it you’re looking at:

• 14 km just to reach the first lakes
• another 30 km or more to see the rest of the park

Jiuzhaigou National Park is huge, and the hop-on hop-off buses make exploring much easier.

What’s the best way to see everything in the park?

Get there early (7 am in high season, 8.30 am in low season) and beat the tour groups.

The park is shaped like a ‘Y’, so take the first bus to the first drop-off point, and from there walk to fork in the road.

Take another bus to the top of either the west or east roads, walk back down to the fork, jumping on the bus between lakes/scenic spots if you’re tired and then take the bus to the top of the other fork and make your way back down again.

This takes about 4 hours for the eastern fork, and about 2 hours for the western fork.

If you do it correctly, one day is more than enough to see everything.

Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou National Park

Jiuzhaigou National Park changes dramatically with the seasons.

• Autumn (September–October) – the most famous time to visit. The forests explode with red, orange and yellow leaves reflected in bright blue lakes.
• Winter (November–March) – snow-covered landscapes and frozen waterfalls. Far fewer tourists.
• Spring (April–May) – melting snow feeds the waterfalls and rivers.
• Summer (June–August) – lush forests but also the busiest season.

Autumn is widely considered the most spectacular time to visit Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Is it worth the journey from Chengdu?

8 hours there. Sleep. Visit the national park. Sleep. 8 hours back. Is it worth it?

If you have time you can stop off at Songpan on the way back to do some horse trekking but if you’re on a time budget (like me), then you can’t!

So it is worth it? Absolutely, it’s really awesome and definitely worth the journey.

How to get to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu?

If you’re backpacking, with time and limited funds. Then this is how I did it. From Chengdu, it’s an 8-10 hour bus journey (147 Kwai/$23). You get the bus from Xinnanmen station at 8 am. The park is about 700m from Jiuzhaigou bus station.

You can also fly to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu, it costs around $130 for the 50min flight (ouch!). Or you can remove all the stress and take a Jiuzhaigou 4 day tour from Chengdu that goes to the national park and the Tibetan city of Songpan. 

By bus

The classic backpacker route is the bus from Chengdu.

• Departure: Xinnanmen Bus Station
• Travel time: 8–10 hours
• Cost: around 147 RMB (~$23)

The Jiuzhaigou bus station is only about 700 meters from the park entrance.

By plane

You can also fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport.

Flights from Chengdu take around 50 minutes but usually cost about $130.

Organized tours

If you prefer less hassle, many travelers take multi-day tours from Chengdu, which combine:

• Jiuzhaigou National Park
• Huanglong National Park
• Songpan Tibetan town

Are there any good hostels in Jiuzhaigou?

Ermmmm, not really. China has the best hostels in the world I reckon, especially for the price. But Jiuzhaigou is a small town of about 50, 000 people, no-one speaks English and there are no backpacker-type hostels. There are a few ‘fake’ YHA ‘hostels’ that cost around $7 a night. Expect cold water showers and squat toilets!

Visiting Jiuzhaigou National Park; My Experience

My lonely planet suggested I entered the park early to ‘avoid the crowds’. So I set my alarm for 6 am, slept late until 6.45 and rocked up to the park at 7.15 am. The park is in the extreme east of the Himalayan mountain range. It’s almost at 3000m altitude and the temperature was about -5 degrees. Thanks for nothing, Lonely Planet! The park opens at 8.30 in low season (November to March). I stayed until around 4 pm and managed to ‘do’ the whole park in one day. 2 days would be fine but for me one day was grand.

I paid my 80 kwai ($12) entrance and my optional but beneficial 80 kwai ($12) hop-on/hop-off bus ticket and entered the park. What a sight to behold! Probably the most awe-inspiring national park I’ve ever been to. The park is full of multi-coloured lakes, huge snow-capped mountains, undulating hills and vast forests. 

FAQs about Visiting Jiuzhaigou National Park

FAQs About Jiuzhaigou National Park

What makes Jiuzhaigou National Park famous?

Jiuzhaigou National Park is famous for its turquoise lakes, tiered waterfalls and alpine forests. The park contains more than 100 lakes, many with crystal-clear water that reflects the surrounding mountains and forests. In autumn the colors become especially spectacular.

How long do you need in Jiuzhaigou National Park?

Most visitors spend one full day in Jiuzhaigou National Park. Because the park has a shuttle bus system, you can reach the main scenic spots quickly. If you want to hike more trails or take your time with photography, two days is ideal.

Can you hike everywhere in Jiuzhaigou National Park?

Not entirely. While there are many walking paths between lakes and waterfalls, much of the park is protected. Visitors usually combine short hikes with the park’s shuttle buses to move between valleys.

What is the altitude of Jiuzhaigou National Park?

The park sits between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level. Most travelers do not experience serious altitude sickness, but you may notice the air is thinner, especially when walking uphill.

Is Jiuzhaigou National Park crowded?

Yes, it can be very busy, especially during Chinese holidays and the autumn foliage season. Arriving early in the morning helps avoid the biggest tour groups.

What is the best time of year to visit Jiuzhaigou National Park?

The most famous season is autumn (late September to October) when the forests turn red and gold. Winter can also be beautiful, with frozen waterfalls and snow-covered landscapes, and far fewer visitors.

Can foreigners visit Jiuzhaigou National Park easily?

Yes. Foreign travelers can visit Jiuzhaigou National Park without special permits. You simply buy a ticket at the entrance and explore the park using the shuttle buses and walking trails.

Is Jiuzhaigou National Park worth visiting?

Absolutely. Despite the long journey from Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou National Park is widely considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in China, and many travelers rate it as a highlight of their trip.