Jiuzhaigou Weather: Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou weather varies greatly throughout the four seasons, and each season has its own unique scenery. But when it comes to the most beautiful time, it has to be autumn. It's like a fantastic visual feast for your eyes!

Jiuzhaigou Weather by Month

In spring and autumn, the weather in Jiuzhaigou is warm and comfortable. In summer, the sunlight is strong and it can get a bit hot. When winter comes, it turns cold.

Jiuzhaigou Weather in Autumn

In September, the weather in Jiuzhaigou is warm and comfortable. In October, it becomes cool in the morning and evening, while remaining warm at noon. November is cold. September and October are the rainy seasons in Jiuzhaigou, with rainfall amounts second only to those in summer.

Autumn is one of the most beautiful and pleasant seasons in Jiuzhaigou. During this time, the leaves gradually turn red, creating a colorful autumn forest. The mountains and waters complement each other, offering a picturesque scene.

The sky is a deep blue, and the sun shines brightly, making it perfect for hiking and exploring the various attractions in Jiuzhaigou.

What to Wear in Jiuzhaigou in Autumn

In September, just wear a short-sleeved T-shirt with a fleece jacket over it, and add a thin outer jacket. For your lower segment, wear a sports pant.

By October, it gets cold in the morning and evening. Wear a trench coat, and take it off when it gets hot at noon or change into a thin jacket. Wear jeans for pants.

In November, put on a long-sleeved T-shirt, layer it with a fleece jacket, and then wrap yourself in a cotton-padded jacket. Choose fleece-lined sports pants for your legs.

Autumn is the rainy season in Jiuzhaigou, so bring a raincoat or an umbrella when going out, and it's best to wear waterproof shoes.

Jiuzhaigou Weather in Winter

Jiuzhaigou is in a plateau area, and it's cold from December to February, so there will be snaowfall. When covered with white snow, it shows a beatiful silver-coated winter scenery. 

Winnter is the off-season for tourism in Jiuzhaigou. There are fewer tourists, and you can enjoy a more peaceful environment.

What to Wear in Jiuzhaigou in Winter

Wear a thermal top on your upper body, then put on a sweater, and wrap yourself in a down jacket or a hard-shell jacket outside. For your pants, choose down pants or cotton-padded pants. It's best to wear gloves and a hat, or your hands might get frostbitten and you could catch a cold.

Winter is dry, so bring some moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. After snowfall, the sunlight reflects brightly, so take a pair of sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.

Jiuzhaigou Weather in Spring

In March, Jiuzhaigou is just entering spring, and the temperature is unstable. It's cold in the morning and evening, but becomes cool at noon. In April, it's cool in the morning and evening, and feels comfortable at noon. By May, the weather turns warm, and there's not much temperature difference between morning and evening.

Spring is the flower season in Jiuzhaigou. Flowers all over the mountains are in bloom, making it a great time for flower viewing. You can see various flowers like azaleas, cherry blossoms, and peach blossoms covering the mountains.

But spring is the dry season in Jiuzhaigou. There isn't much water in the lakes. Don't go there at this time if you want to see beautiful water scenery.

What to Wear in Jiuzhaigou in Spring

In March, you should wear a shirt, layer it with a hoodie, and then put on a down jacket on the outermost. For pants, wear cotton-padded ones.

By April, swap the down jacket for a trench coat. If it gets warmer at noon, take off the outer coat or change into a thin one. Jeans will be fine for pants.

In May, wear a short-sleeved T-shirt and sports pants, and bring along a thin outer jacket. The weather in March and April is relatively dry, so bring moisturizing products to prevent your skin from cracking. In May, the sunshine is strong, so take a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen.

Jiuzhaigou Weather in Summer

From July to September, the weather in Jiuzhaigou is warm and pleasant. The temperature doesn't change much throughout the day, making it a great place to escape the summer heat. But the sun is strong on sunny days.

There's abundant rainfall in summer, which makes it easier for you to see forests filled with green trees, lakes as clear as mirrors, and waterfalls cascading down. The scenery is incredibly beautiful.

What to Wear in Jiuzhaigou in Summer

Wear a short-sleeved T-shirt and pair it with sports pants. It's best to put on a sun-protective jacket.Besides, bring a thin jacket in case it gets cool in the morning and evening.

Wear a hat on your head and put on a pair of sunglasses to prevent getting tanned. Or you can apply some sunscreen from time to time. You should also take an umbrella or a raincoat with you, as the rainfall is concentrated this period.

Jiuzhaigou Air Quality

The air quality in Jiuzhaigou is good from November to April, and excellent from May to October.

Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou

If you want to see colorful scenery, autumn is the best time to go. Autumn is the most beautiful season in Jiuzhaigou. The red, yellow, and green leaves on the trees set each other off, forming a beautiful colorful forest that reflects in the clear lake water. The best time to view the colorful forest is from mid-October to late October. Don't miss it!

If you want to see snowy scenery, winter is the best time to go. Jiuzhaigou is on the east side of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It has a high altitude and gets cold in winter, so it snows. Snowy peaks and blue ice are two of the six major beautiful sights in Jiuzhaigou. You can only see them in the fairy-tale-like winter.

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How Many Days is Enough for Jiuzhaigou

The recommended travel time in Jiuzhaigou is 2 to 3 days. You might not be able to enter the scenic area on the day you arrive, because the area limits the number of visitors and doesn't allow entry after14:00.

You'll probably still be on the road in the morning, so you won't have enough time. Therefore, it's better to stay near the scenic area on that day and get used to the altitude.

On the second day, enter the scenic area for sightseeing. You can arrive at the opening time to have plenty of time for viewing. Since the scenic area is large and walking takes a while, you can take the sightseeing bus inside.

When going in, remember to sit on the left side of the bus, and on the right side when coming out. These are the best spots for viewing. The ticket price already includes the cost of the sightseeing bus, and you can get on and off at any stop. On the third day, you can visit the Huanglong Scenic Area near Jiuzhaigou to see the Colorful Ponds.

How to Prevent Altitude Sickness in Jiuzhaigu

The altitude of Jiuzhaigou ranges from 2,000 meters to 3,010 meters. Some people may experience altitude sickness, especially those visiting high-altitude areas for the first time. It's recommended to avoid strenuous exercise and maintain a good sleep schedule one week before your trip.

When you first arrive in Jiuzhaigou, spend 1-2 days acclimating at lower altitude areas. Move slowly and avoid running or jumping. Keep your diet light, eat more fruits and vegetables, and drink enough water. You can also bring glucose oral solution to boost energy.

Carry some anti-altitude sickness medicine with you. If you feel symptoms like headaches or shortness of breath, rest immediately or see a doctor.

Facts on Jiuzhaigou

• Location: Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Opening Hour: From April to October, entry time is from 8:00 to 14:00, and closing time is 18:00. From November to March, entry time is from 8:30 to 14:00, and closing time is 18:00.
• Entrance Fee: From April to October, the admission fee is CNY 190. From November to March, it's CNY 80.

How to Get to Jiuzhaigou

The nearest railway station to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area is Huanglong Jiuzhai Station, which is about 90 kilometers away from the scenic area. You need to take a train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station first, and then transfer to a coach to get to the scenic area.

You can take a train from Chengdu East Railway Station or Chengdu South Railway Station to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station. The train ride takes 2 hours, and a second-class seat ticket costs USD 20/CNY 136.

After arriving at the train station, take a coach to Jiuzhaigou. The coach ride takes about 2 hours and costs CNY51. The departure times of the coaches are 8:30, 10:00, 11:20, 12:30, 13:40, 15:50, 16:55, 17:40, and 18:40.

Plan Your Jiuzhaigou Tour with Us

Getting to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area requires multiple transfers, but if you book your trip with us, we'll provide private transfer to take you directly from your hotel or railway station to the scenic area. Compared to public transportation, our pick-up is more convenient and saves time.

Our travel advisors will give you professional travel advice before departure to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable trip. Besides, we'll arrange local guides who'll take you on in-depth tours of Jiuzhaigou, helping you better understand the stories behind each attraction.

You can also book private transfer alone. Just let us know your group size and luggage quantity, and our travel advisors will arrange suitable vehicles based on your needs.

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