CN · Sichuan · 33.20°N 103.90°E

jiuzhaigou

Impossibly clear turquoise lakes and waterfalls, unreal in autumn colours.

Best time
Late September to October for autumn colours, which is also the busiest time, especially during the October Golden Week. Winter is quieter, with snow and frozen waterfalls.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Chengdu, about 4.5 hours. From there, take a 1-hour domestic flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport and a bus of about 1.5 hours to the park, or the high-speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhai station and a bus from there.
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CN · Sichuanjiuzhaigou33.20°N 103.90°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Impossibly clear turquoise lakes and waterfalls, unreal in autumn colours.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingJiuzhaigouCN, Sichuan
KLjiuzhaigou
≈ 3,350 km from KL, as the crow flies
Landscape of Five Flower Lake (pinyin: Wǔhuā Hǎi) in Rize Valley (pinyin: Rìzé Gōu), Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park, Sichuan Province, Western China (2011).

Photo: Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A long valley in northern Sichuan, on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, known for lakes so clear and blue they look edited. Boardwalks link the lakes, waterfalls and Tibetan villages, and the whole valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Makan

  1. Yak meatYak jerky and yak hotpot are common in the town and Tibetan villages around the park.Map ↗
  2. Butter teaSalty Tibetan tea churned with yak butter, warming at altitude.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Five Flower LakePatches of turquoise, green and blue over sunken tree trunks, the park's most famous lake.Map ↗
  2. Nuorilang FallsA wide waterfall spilling over a forested ledge.Map ↗
  3. Pearl Shoal WaterfallWater bubbles down a sloping shoal before tumbling over a long drop.Map ↗
  4. Long LakeThe highest and biggest lake in the park, ringed by snowy peaks.Map ↗
  5. HuanglongA separate park a few hours away, with terraced pools in yellow and blue.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Daily visitor numbers are capped. Book tickets ahead with your passport, especially in autumn.
  • The upper lakes sit around 3,000 metres. Take it easy, drink water and bring warm layers even in summer.
  • Stay on the boardwalks. Swimming and wading in the lakes are not allowed.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.