Things to do in Jiuzhaigou

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Jiuzhaigou National Park

Jiuzhaigou National Park features towering snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and stunningly colorful pools and shoals. Crystal-clear streams meander through the forests and shoals, complemented by traditional Tibetan wooden houses, prayer flags, and the unique traditional customs of the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups, earning it the name "beautiful fairy-tale world." Jiuzhaigou National Park is shaped like a "Y" and consists of three valleys—Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Zechawa Valley—with a total length of over 60 km. Fall is the golden season for sightseeing, as the mountain forests gradually shift in color from emerald green to golden yellow and then to fiery red, contrasting beautifully with the azure lakes and presenting an unforgettable picture.

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Jiuzhaigou

Shenxianchi Tourist Scenic Spot

In the Shenxianchi Scenic Area, you can see Alpine Haizi, a large area of calcified landscape and vast virgin forest. Shenxianchi is called "Nengen Sangcuo" in Tibetan, which means the place where fairies bathe. In the scenic area, there are lotus ponds, double dragon ponds, Qinglong sea, god frog sea, gold and silver beach and other scenic spots with their own charm. You can ride horses and raft in the scenic area. Compared with Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Scenic Area, the altitude of Shenxianchi Scenic Area is only more than 2,000 meters, and the relative drop is only more than 300 meters. Tourists are more accessible, especially suitable for some tourists with strong altitude sickness.

Forest Hiking in Jiuzhaigou

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Aba Prefecture

Jiuzhai Beautiful China Resort

China Green Development Jiuzhai Paradise Resort is located in Zhongzhagou Valley, Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, just a mountain away from the Jiuzhaigou attraction. Zhongzha, meaning "land where the divine eagle descends" in Tibetan (pronounced "Qiongqia"), is hailed as the "back garden of Jiuzhaigou." As the saying goes, "No visit to Jiuzhaigou is complete without exploring this paradise." The Jiuzhai Paradise Resort integrates outdoor adventures, luxury accommodations, family-friendly activities, commercial leisure, themed entertainment, sports wellness, and cultural arts into an eco-cultural destination. It features three core functional areas: a luxury hotel cluster, a Tibetan-Qiang intangible cultural heritage town, and Wild Word. The luxury hotel cluster brings together three major international hotel groups - Marriott, InterContinental, and Hilton - featuring properties like the Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Conrad Jiuzhaigou, Hilton Resort Jiuzhaigou, Hotel Indigo Jiuzhaigou, and Hilton Garden Inn Jiuzhaigou. Additionally, the development includes complementary facilities such as the Firefly Forest Camp and Huaili Shared Space youth hostel, further diversifying its offerings. The Tibetan and Qiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Town has introduced renowned brands like Hard Rock Cafe, KFC, Womei Cinema, and Sha Zhuangyuan. It also features the Jiuzhaigou Qiongqia Lantern World, creating a unique destination that combines Tibetan and Qiang cultural experiences with leisure activities. Wild Word has created the Jiuzhaigou Qiongqia Ice and Snow World Ski Resort, operating mountain off-road UTV projects and primitive forest hiking trails, while also establishing an outdoor research and education base. This comprehensive business layout will enhance the tourism industry in the Greater Jiuzhaigou region, fully meeting the diverse needs of people for a better life.

No. 3 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Jiuzhaigou

Zhongcha Valley

Zhongchagou is located in Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County. It is only one mountain away from Jiuzhaigou Scenic Spot. It is a canyon about 10 kilometers long and 3.5 kilometers wide. Extremely rich animal and plant resources. Zhongchagou not only has beautiful scenery, but also has ancient Tibetan villages, and its mysterious Tibetan folk customs and cultural resources are unique.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Sichuan

Nuorilang Waterfall

Nuorilang Waterfall is located at the intersection of the three valleys of Jiuzhaigou—Shu Zheng Valley, Ri Ze Valley, and Zechawa Valley—where the water spreads out and cascades down from the dense forest. The water source comes from the Nuorilang Lakes upstream, flowing over the wide travertine terrace edge and cascading down like a curtain. The sound of the water echoes through the valley, and when approaching the boardwalk, you can feel the refreshing mist on your face. A viewing platform is set up opposite the waterfall, offering a panoramic view. In the fall, the colorful forests are at their peak, and the red leaves, turquoise water, and the waterfall in the same frame create one of the iconic scenes of Jiuzhaigou's fall scenery. Once winter arrives, the water freezes into a massive ice waterfall, taking on a crystal-clear appearance.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Sichuan

Five Coloured Pool

Five Coloured Pool is hidden in the southern section of Zechawa Valley in Jiuzhaigou, downstream from Long Lake. It is a small, exceptionally colorful lake in the valley. The pool's water is supplied underground from Long Lake at a higher elevation. The water temperature remains stable year-round, and even in the depths of winter, the water remains clear and rippling, never freezing. Aquatic plant communities such as spirogyra, chara, and small ferns grow in the water, along with herbaceous plants like reeds, horsetails, and rushes, which present different colors in the calcium carbonate-rich water. In the same pool, the upper part is azure blue, the lower part is orange-red, the left side is sky blue, and the right side is olive green, creating interwoven layers and endless variations. The pool water is clear and transparent, allowing you to see the texture of the rock surface at the bottom through the water. When the sun is high overhead and the mountain breeze blows, the water surface ripples with golden-red and lilac hues.

No. 4 of Activities in Sichuan

Bonfires in Jiuzhaigou

The bonfire activities in Jiuzhaigou are a highlight of the tourism experience in the area. They combine Tibetan culture, natural scenery and tourist interaction, providing tourists with unforgettable memories. The bonfire party here adopts unique and diverse performing arts and modeling styles, reflecting the ideological tastes and aesthetic awareness of the Tibetan and Qiang people, and fully demonstrating the wisdom, natural simplicity, and optimistic and positive thoughts, personalities and temperaments of the Tibetan and Qiang people. It is also a grand event that integrates cultural heritage, tourist experience and emotional exchange.

No. 6 of Activities in Sichuan

Fall Foliage Sightseeing in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou is located in a high mountain valley area with a large altitude difference. This geographical feature makes the red leaves alternate between high and low altitudes, forming a landscape with distinct layers and patchwork. The viewing period of red leaves in Jiuzhaigou is relatively long, and the ideal viewing time is usually from October to November. Moreover, the red leaves in Jiuzhaigou cover a large area, and the red leaves and colorful forests complement each other, forming a colorful landscape. The red leaves are not a single red, but include purple, pink, orange, golden and other colors, which complement the clear lakes and green mountains and forests of Jiuzhaigou, forming a flowing picture. This rich combination of colors makes the viewing of red leaves in Jiuzhaigou extremely visually impactful. During the viewing process, tourists can feel the changes in the color and density of the red leaves from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, and experience a unique visual enjoyment.

Five Flower Lake

Five Flower Lake is located in the middle section of Ri Ze Valley, one of the three valleys in Jiuzhaigou, upstream of Peacock River. Due to the interplay of calcium carbonate deposits on the lakebed, brightly colored algae, and the reflections of the trees on the shore, the lake surface displays layered patches of goose yellow, navy blue, dark green, and sapphire blue. When the weather is clear and the lake is calm, the colorful forests, blue sky, and white clouds are all reflected in the water, creating an exceptionally clear and transparent scene. In late autumn, the forests on the shore are ablaze with color, and the colors of the lake become even more vibrant. A leisurely walk along the lakeside boardwalk is a classic way to experience Five Flower Lake. The section of the boardwalk on the west side offers excellent views and is perfect for quietly admiring the water.