Jiuzhaigou National Park

Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 400 km north of Chengdu, is one of the most spectacular landscapes in China: a system of alpine valleys at 2,000-3,500 metres filled with multi-coloured lakes (turquoise, emerald, cobalt), seasonal waterfalls, and forests that turn brilliant red and gold in October. The colours come from the mineral content of the water and the algae that live in it.

Getting there requires either a 6-hour drive on winding mountain roads or a short flight from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport. A minimum of two days is needed to do justice to the three main valleys. The park is on a strict quota system; book timed entry tickets well in advance. October is the most beautiful month but also the most crowded.

things to do sight
A story
Jiuzhaigou was devastated by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake in August 2017, which damaged many of the famous travertine pools and causeways that define the park's character. It reopened partially in 2019 after extensive restoration work — some pools are as spectacular as before, others show scars. The earthquake also triggered significant changes to the water chemistry in several lakes, turning some of them opaque. The park's recovery is being closely watched as a model for natural site restoration.