Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, China has been voted on the internet by all Chinese tourists as the (or one of the) most beautiful and popular scenic area in China for several years, despite that Xi'an (terracotta Warriors) and Guilin and Yangshuo are more known for foreign tourists.

Jiuzhaigou (literally Nine Stockade Gulliess) offers spectacular landscapes with alpine features: crystal clear and serene lakes, snow-capped mountains, countless waterfalls and lush forests. The natural reserve is home to more than 140 species of birds and numerous endangered animals, including the giant panda (Pandas have been moved to Wolong in 1990's).

Its patchwork of shimmering lakes was discovered when scientist trailing some pandas, observing their habitat and migratory patterns, followed the pandas into this scenic wonderland. Scientists believe the lakes were formed because of the calcium carbonate in the following water when the earth was between ice ages. When the global climate warmed up, the calcium carbonate became active and attached itself to obstacles in the water, forming the milky white, lunar shapes in Jiuzhaigou's lake water. The scenery in the area leaves most breathless as the sheer beauty of the lakes and the vibrancy of the colors defy explanation.

Huanglong, which means Yellow Dragon Mountain, is a valley studded with spectacular multicolored limestone ponds in every imaginable shade of blue and green. Situated in the northwest of Sichuan Province and 128 km south of Jiuzhaigou, the Huanglong Valley is edged by snow-capped peaks and glaciers. An incredible bio-diversity of flora and fauna thrives here alongside spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed Monkey.

Best time to visit

Peak season is from May to October. The best season to visit is from August to October. The best month is October when tree leaves and mountains turn their colors and are reflected in the lakes.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 Fly in Jiuzhaigou
Fly from Beijing or Shanghai to Chengdu and connect flight to Jiuzhaigou, then transfer to a hotel near the scenic areas. If you go from other locale, we will check the available flights from your locale to Chengdu.

Day 2-3 Jiuzhaigou
We will spend two days exploring scenic areas of Jiuzhaigou. Drive into Jiuzhaigou valley, head first for the Mirror Lake located at the mouth of Ri Tse Valley. The mirror-like flat surface reflects all the flowers, grasslands, forests and behind mountains. It proves a local saying that birds fly in water while fish swim in the sky. Then walk to The Pearl Shoal Waterfall, which creates beads of pearl-like water drops from 1.2 km up the mountain down the valley. Afterwards we move onto the enchanting Five Colored Pond, where the water presents a hazy blue color from dead tree branches and leaves underneath its surface in some parts, while it gets darker in some other parts surrounded by trees and mountains.

After visiting the Panda Lake, the Primeval Forest and countless other waterfalls and lakes in Jiuzhaigou, one cannot agree more with the old Chinese saying, which goes: 'just as one will find it worthless seeing a mountain after he has already visited the Yellow Mountain he will also come to the conclusion that every lake is dull after he has seen the lakes in Jiuzhaigou'. Jiuzhaigou to Songpan

Day 4 Jiuzhangou via Shuzheng to Huanglong
A moderately short drive from Songpan will take us into the Tibetan area. Driving beyond several imposing mountains, you will reach the valleys of Huanglong, a scenic area through which a stretch of river from the summit of Minjiang Mountain flows down like a yellow dragon. Small ponds, waterfalls and dense forests scatter in a spectacular canyon, which is between 3,000 m-3,500 m above sea level and interspersed with colorful flowers.

Day 5 Huanglong to Chengdu
We will fly back from Songpan to Chengdu and connect flight to Beijing or Shanghai.
Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Beijing (arrival around 4-5pm)
Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Shanghai Hongqiao (arrival around 4pm)