CITY · SICHUAN
Jiuzhaigou region
九寨沟 · Jiǔzhàigōu
Overview
UNESCO-listed alpine valley in northern Sichuan with multi-coloured travertine pools and waterfalls. Reopened progressively after the 2017 earthquake. Combine with Huanglong.
Jiuzhaigou ('Nine Village Valley', UNESCO) is a Y-shaped alpine valley at 2,000–4,000m on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, in northern Sichuan. The valley contains around 100 travertine-bottomed pools and lakes, ranging in colour from emerald green to turquoise to sapphire, plus waterfalls and old-growth forest. The 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake (M7.0) severely damaged sections of the valley; restoration is largely complete and most areas are now reopened. Huanglong, 130 km south, is a separate UNESCO travertine-pool site at higher altitude. Both are remote — fly in, drive in, or take the new HSR via Chengdu.
What to see
- Jiuzhaigou Valley (UNESCO)
- Huanglong Scenic Area (UNESCO)
- Mounigou Valley
- Tibetan villages along the route
What to eat
- Tibetan and Qiang minority cooking
- Yak meat
- Highland barley wine
Getting there
Jiuzhai Huanglong (JZH) airport (3,400m, weather-prone). Long bus from Chengdu (9–10 hours) or new HSR Chengdu–Jiuzhai under construction.
Getting around
In-park shuttle bus (mandatory).
Where to stay
Jiuzhaigou-area hotels at the entrance gate.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
June–November. The autumn colour in late October is the postcard view.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥400 |
| Mid-range | ¥800 |
| Comfortable | ¥1800 |
Safety notes
Altitude 2,000m+ in the valley; Huanglong above 3,000m. The airport is at 3,400m and weather-prone — flight delays are common.
Nearby attractions
Huanglong 黄龙
UNESCO-listed travertine-pool valley near Jiuzhaigou, but at higher altitude (3,160–3,580m). Five-Coloured Pond at the top is the headline view.
Jiuzhaigou Valley 九寨沟
UNESCO-listed Y-shaped alpine valley with 100+ travertine pools and lakes ranging emerald to turquoise to sapphire. Reopened progressively after 2017 quake.
Itineraries visiting Jiuzhaigou region
Food of Southwestern China
- Baba Flatbread粑粑
Yunnan's daily flatbread — a thick wheat or rice-flour round cooked on a griddle and eaten plain or stuffed.
- Bang Bang Chicken棒棒鸡
Cold poached chicken shredded by hand, dressed in chilli oil, sesame paste and Sichuan peppercorn.
- Boiled Fish in Chilli Oil水煮鱼
Fish slices submerged in a deep pool of chilli oil and Sichuan peppercorns. Served bubbling.
- Chongqing Hotpot重庆火锅
The original mala hotpot — a simmering cauldron of beef tallow, Pixian doubanjiang and Sichuan peppercorn for communal dipping.
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