I. Preparation before the trip
1. ID: Be sure to bring your ID card for ticket purchase and identification. For people who meet preferential policies, such as students, the elderly, soldiers, etc., remember to bring student ID cards, old-age certificates, officer cards and other relevant documents, and you can enjoy discounts when buying tickets.
2. Clothing: Jiuzhaigou has a high altitude and a large temperature difference between day and night. When you go in summer, you need to bring long-sleeved coats and trousers, such as storm jackets and fleece jackets, which can protect against the sun and cope with sudden drops in temperatures. In spring and autumn, thick coats are indispensable; in winter, you need to be fully armed. Down jackets, thick sweaters, scarves, gloves and snow boots are indispensable to resist the severe cold of the plateau.
3. Drugs: Prepare common drugs such as cold medicine, gastrointestinal drugs, motion sickness medicine, etc. Due to the elevation of more than 3,000 meters in some areas, if you are worried about plateau reactions, take Hongjingtian and other preventive drugs in advance, and you can also prepare oxygen cylinders. The price in the scenic spot is about 30-50 yuan/can.
4. Other items: mobile phones, cameras, power bank, chargers, umbrellas or raincoats, toiletries, skin care products, etc. The price of catering in the scenic spot is high, and you can carry an appropriate amount of snacks and drinking water to replenish energy at any time. In addition, high-power sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats are also necessary to prevent ultraviolet damage on the plateau.
II. The best travel time
1. Spring and autumn (March - May, September - November): Spring and Autumn have a pleasant climate, comfortable temperature and less precipitation. In March-May, the snow melted, the wild flowers in the mountains bloomed, the waterfalls rushed, and the whole scenic spot was full of vitality. From September to November, the autumn breeze brushed, and the leaves gradually turned yellow to red. The mountains were decorated with colorful forests, which contrasted against the blue lake water, forming a thick ink and colorful oil painting, which is a paradise for photography lovers.
2. Summer (June-August): Summer is the flood season of Jiuzhaigou. Pearl Beach Waterfall, Norilang Waterfall, etc. show magnificent momentum, and the water flow is like the Milky Way, which is shocking. The average daily temperature is 15 - 25°C, which is cool and pleasant. It is an excellent choice for summer heat.
3. Winter (December - February): In winter, Jiuzhaigou is wrapped in silver, and the ice waterfall is crystal clear, just like the world of ice and snow fairy tales. There are relatively few tourists, and there are also discounts on tickets, which can make you feel the quiet and pure beauty of Jiuzhai quietly.
III. Traffic Guide
1. External traffic
Aircraft: It can fly directly to Jiuhuang Airport for about 1 hour from Chengdu or Chongqing. After arrival, take an airport bus (about 1.5 hours) or chartered bus to the scenic spot. However, Jiuhuang Airport is located on the plateau and may be suspended when the weather is bad.
High-speed rail: It only takes 1 hour and 39 minutes to take the high-speed railway from Chengdu East Station to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station. After arriving at the station, you can transfer to the through train of the scenic spot, and you can get to Jiuzhaigou scenic spot in about 2 hours. High-speed rail tickets are tight during the peak season and need to be purchased in advance.
Bus: Take a direct shuttle bus to Jiuzhaigou at Chengdu Xinnanmen Station or Tea Shop Station, which is about 8-10 hours' drive, which is suitable for tourists with limited budget and plenty of time.
Self-driving: From Chengdu, follow the Jiumian Expressway. The whole journey is about 440 kilometers. You can enjoy the scenery along the way, but there are many mountain roads on the plateau. Novice drivers need to drive carefully. It is recommended to drive SUV models and prepare an anti-skid chain.
2. Internal traffic in the scenic spot
There are sightseeing buses and medium buses in the scenic spot. The sightseeing bus runs circularly in the scenic spot. Each scenic spot has a station. Visitors can get on and off at any time, one-ticket system, valid for one day and unlimited number of times. Coster cars go with you. There is no need to queue up. You can book VIP Coster in advance, but the cost is relatively high.
IV. Ticket information
1. High season (April 1 - November 15): 190 yuan for tickets + 90 yuan for sightseeing tickets.
2. Off-season (November 16 - March 31): 80 yuan for tickets + 80 yuan for sightseeing tickets, and you can also enjoy the "buy one get one free" discount after 14 o'clock (you need to make an appointment on the official website).
3. Preferential policies: Children, the elderly, students, the disabled, soldiers and other specific groups can enjoy ticket discounts or ticket-free policies. For details, please refer to the official announcement of the scenic spot.
V. Must-see attractions
1. Sea of Flowers: Calcified deposition and algae plants at the bottom of the lake make the lake show a fantastic blue-green color from different angles, like a palette overturned by God. It is recommended to go when the sun shines directly around 10 a.m. At this time, the water color is the most beautiful. It is overheaded with a drone, and the picture is as amazing as a peacock opening the screen.
2. Changhai: Haizi, the highest elevation in Jiuzhaigou, reaches 3,100 meters, surrounded by mountains, and the lake is frozen in winter, like a huge mirror.
3. Pearl Beach Waterfall: The shooting site of Journey to the West, the water flowed down on the calcified beach, and the splashed water was like pearls, which was very spectacular. In the afternoon, the sun shines on the splashes like a dream.
4. Rhinoceros Sea: The waters are open and the lake is blue. It is said that a Tibetan doctor once sank to the bottom of the lake on a rhinoceros, hence the name. Walking along the plank road, you can feel its tranquility and depth up close.
5. Jinghai: At 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., when there is no wind, the lake is as calm as a mirror, perfectly reflecting the snowy mountains and forests in it, which is magnificent.
6. Norilang Waterfall: The widest calcium waterfall in China. During the peak season in summer, the waterfall is magnificent; in winter, it will form a unique ice waterfall landscape.
7. Colorful pool: Although the area is not large, the lake is colorful, which is the smallest and most colorful Haizi in Jiuzhaigou.
VI. Tour route planning
One-day essence tour
Morning: Take a bus from the ditch to the virgin forest (which may not be open in winter), and then visit the Arrow Bamboo Sea, the Panda Sea and the Five Flowers Sea in turn. The sea of flowers is the key point. It is recommended to spend more time to enjoy taking photos.
Noon: Dining and resting at Nogelang Central Station. There is a restaurant here, but the price is relatively high. You can also bring your own food such as self-heating rice.
Afternoon: Go to the Changhai Sea, the Colorful Pool, then return to Norilang Central Station to enjoy the Norilang Falls, and then visit the Rhinoceros Sea, Shuzheng Waterfall and Shuzheng Waterfall.
In-depth two-day tour
Day 1: Visit Rizegou and Zechawagou. In the morning, go to Rizegou. Starting from the virgin forest, you can visit the Wuhua Sea all the way. In the afternoon, go to the Changhai and Colorful Pool of Zechawagou.
Day 2: Explore the trench. This is the unexploited secret place of Tibetan villages. You can walk on the meadow and experience Tibetan blessing rituals. You can also go to Huanglong Scenic Area (128 kilometers away from Jiuzhaigou) to enjoy the unique calcium colorful pool.
VII. Accommodation Recommendation
1. Near Goukou: such as the All Seasons Hotel and Jiuzhai Luneng Hilton Resort, you can walk to the scenic spot in about 10 minutes. It is convenient to travel, and the price ranges from 100 to 800 yuan per person per night.
2. Zhangza Town: There are many Tibetan-style homestays, such as Abuzi, who can experience Huotang culture and Tibetan food, 200-500 yuan/night per person.
3. Zhongchagou: I recommend the Ritz-Carlton Hermit Hotel in Risai Valley. You can have a panoramic view of the snowy mountains. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, but the price is relatively high.
VIII. Food Recommendation
1. Yak hot pot: You must try it when you come to Jiuzhaigou. Choose local yak. The meat is tight and chewy. With all kinds of vegetables, it is cooked in a rich soup pot. It is fresh and delicious, 60-80 yuan per person.
2. Butter tea with highland barley cake: It has strong Tibetan characteristics. The butter tea is salty and fragrant, and the highland barley cake is crispy, which can not only fill the stomach but also experience the local customs.
3. Mushroom soup pot: There are many kinds of mushrooms in Jiuzhaigou, and the cooked soup pot is delicious and nourishing.
IX. Pit Avoidance Guide
1. Ticket reservation: The scenic spot implements a real-name ticket purchase system. There is no ticket purchase window on the site. Be sure to make an appointment on Aba Tourism Network, Jiuzhaigou official WeChat official account or Ctrip and other platforms 1 day in advance.
2. Sightseeing bus seat selection: The scenery on the right line is mostly on the left. When taking the sightseeing bus, try to choose the window seat on the left to facilitate the scenery and take photos.
3. Weather and clothing: The weather in Jiuzhaigou is changeable. Don't believe the weather forecast. It may rain heavily a second after a sunny day. Submachine jackets and raincoats are must-haves, and shoe covers can also be prepared to prevent stepping on mud. You should also do a good job in sunscreen in summer. Sunglasses, masks and high-power sunscreen are indispensable.
4. Catering lightning protection: The "Tibetan family banquet" at the gate of the scenic spot is carefully selected. The price is high and the quality is uneven. It is recommended to go to Zhangza Town to taste local Sichuan cuisine.
5. Play time control: The admission time is from 7:30 to 14:00 (it is forbidden to enter the park after 14:00), and the last bus in the ditch is 19:00. Arrange the time reasonably to avoid missing the last bus.
6. Plateau reaction: Avoid strenuous exercise, rest or take oxygen in time when you feel uncomfortable.
7. Environmental protection and safety: It is forbidden to touch lake water and feed animals. The plank road is wet and slippery. Be sure to wear anti-slip shoes.
Come to Jiuzhaigou and have a romantic encounter with this fairyland on earth, leaving your own good memories.