Jiuzhaigou National Park in Sichuan, China
Japan and Korea are always at the top of our list when planning our next holiday, but why not switch it up this time and hop on a flight to visit some of the most beautiful places in China? Dubbed a fairyland, the Jiuzhaigou National Park is a dream for all nature lovers, offering spectacular views of crystal-clear lakes and waterfalls.
All you need to know about Jiuzhaigou National Park
The Jiuzhaigou National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the province of Sichuan, China. The park is home to picture-perfect views of cascading waterfalls, clear blue lakes and lush greenery, making it a must-visit travel spot for many tourists. “Jiu” translates to nine in Chinese, representing the nine Tibetan villages at Jiuzhaigou.
During the peak period, adult tickets cost RMB220 (~S$40), and students and seniors can get them for RMB110 (~S$20). For the off-peak season, tickets are priced at RMB80 (~S$15) for adults and RMB40 (~S$7) for students and seniors. Seniors over the age of 70 can enter for free.
Note that the peak season is from 1st April to 15th November, and the off-peak period is from 16th November to 31st March.
Because of the sheer size of the national park, we recommend spending at least 1-2 days here. If you’re looking to stay the night, there’s a business area near the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Valley peppered with luxury hotels like Sanroyal International Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn Jiuzhaigou. That way, you can reduce travelling time and start your exploration bright and early.
How do I get to Jiuzhaigou National Park?
Image credit: @zhoujie0810 via Instagram
The nearest city to Jiuzhaigou is Chengdu. You can board a 4-hour 40-minute direct flight to Chengdu, and China Airlines has tickets for as low as S$417.
There are a few ways to get to Jiuzhaigou. The first is to take a 1-hour domestic flight to Sichuan Jiuzhai Huanglong airport and drive 2.5 hours down to the valley. The other way is via the high-speed train. We recommend sitting to Jiuzhai Huanglong station as it’s the fastest, with a 2-hour train ride and then a 1.5-hour drive to reach the national park.
We know that driving for long distances may not be ideal, especially on a relaxing holiday, so you can call a taxi to take you to the park, which will set you back around RMB200 (~S$37). Or, if you’re arriving from the airport, the shuttle buses cost RMB45 (~$8) and will take you directly to the scenic areas.
Alternatively, book a Jiangzhou 3-Day tour.
Shuzheng Valley
Most visitors kickstart their exploration journey in Shuzheng Valley. It is the first valley from the national park’s entrance, and the 14km-long stretch is home to more than 40 lakes. Ensure your cameras are fully charged as you walk through scenic attractions like the Shuzheng Lakes, Rhinoceros Lake, Sparkling Lake, and Nuorilang Waterfall.
Image credit: @discoverbeautifulchina via Instagram
Dubbed the most beautiful waterfall in Jiuzhaigou, the Nuorilang Waterfall spans 270m-long and is one of the biggest travertine waterfalls in China. In fact, in Tibetan words, “Nuorilang” literally translates to a god who stands majestically tall.
Fun fact: scenes in the famous Chinese mythology movie Journey To The West were filmed here. You might even spot people dressed up as characters like Zhu Bajie and Tan Sanzang casually walking around.
Rize Valley
Rize Valley is the next in line and is dotted with a plethora of picturesque sites. The ocean-blue lakes, forests, and waterfalls make this area the highlight of Jiuzhaigou. Panda Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Mirror Lake, and Five Flower Lake are among the many landscapes where you can stop and marvel at nature’s beauty.
Five Flower Lake
Image credit: @mu_nammon via Instagram
A trip to Jiuzhaigou means stopping by Five Flower Lake; it isn’t the pride of the national park for nothing. The clear turquoise waters and lush green backdrop make this lake look straight out of a fairytale.
Pearl Shoal Waterfall
Image credit: @nthm.perth via Instagram
Just a short walk away from Five Flower Lake, you’ll be met with the stunning view of Pearl Shoal Waterfall. Similar to Nuorilang, the waterfall runs down rocks and cliffs, creating reflections that resemble shiny pearls, which is how the name came about.
Zechawa Valley
Spanning 18km-long, Zechawa Valley is the longest and highest route in Jiuzhaigou. It features the Long Lake, Five Coloured Pool, and Seasonal Lakes.
Five Coloured Pool
Image credit: Jean-Marie Hullot via Flickr
Although the tiniest, the Five Coloured Pool doesn’t lose in beauty against its other pals. On sunnier days, the lake presents itself to visitors in various vibrant colours. Shades of blue, green, yellow, you name it.
Take IG pics in traditional costumes
Image credit: @mcfleryee via Instagram
Decking out in Chinese costumes for a photo shoot is a trendy activity that many tourists have on their itinerary these days, and you get to do the same at Jiuzhaigou. The clothing can be rented on site, so dress in traditional Tibetan costumes, hair and makeup just like the locals. You’ll get the ultimate vibes of living in an ancient Chinese film.
Visit Jiuzhaigou National Park on your next trip
We’ll surely get lost in the mesmerising beauty of Jiuzhaigou, but we aren’t complaining. Save this spot the next time you’re in China for a break from all the frenzy of your shopping sprees.
Find out more about Jiuzhaigou National Park
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Timings: 1st May-15th November 7am-7pm | 16th November – 30th April 8am-6pm
Image credit: @discoverbeautifulchina & @zhoujie0810 via Instagram