Jiuzhaigou Huanglong

Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, located in the mountainous region of northern Sichuan, offer some of the most enchanting alpine landscapes in the world. Jiuzhaigou, the 'Valley of Nine Villages', is famed for its crystal-clear turquoise lakes, terraced waterfalls, and primeval forests. Just a short journey away lies Huanglong, known for its extensive calcified pools that shimmer in brilliant shades of yellow, blue, and green, resembling a golden dragon winding through the valley. Visitors travel here to witness nature's pristine beauty and experience the rich Tibetan and Qiang cultures that inhabit the valleys. The impressive Nuorilang Waterfall and Five Flower Lake are absolute must-sees. Local cuisine heavily features Tibetan influences, including yak meat, butter tea, and highland barley. The altitude is high, so visitors should prepare for cooler temperatures and acclimatize slowly. Access is typically via flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport or by bus from Chengdu. The absolute best time to visit is autumn (September and October) when the forests explode in spirited shades of red, gold, and orange, contrasting perfectly with the blue lakes. Spring and summer are lush and green, though summer can bring rain. Winter turns the parks into a frozen wonderland with fewer crowds.

Nearby cities

Chengdu

Chengdu is a relaxed metropolis famous as the home of giant pandas and the incredibly spicy, numbing Sichuan cuisine.

Wuhan

Wuhan is a bustling metropolis divided by the Yangtze River, famous for its historic Yellow Crane Tower and vibrant cherry blossoms.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a sprawling megacity in southwest China, famous for its hilly terrain, vibrant night views, and spicy hotpot.

Zhengzhou

The capital of Henan province and one of the ancient capitals of China.

Luoyang

One of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, located in Henan province.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie fascinates its visitors with gigantic, towering sandstone pillars that famously inspired the blockbuster movie Avatar.

Shangri-La

Shangri-La offers a truly mystical atmosphere with authentic Tibetan monasteries and spectacular mountain scenery.

Wulong

Wulong is renowned for its spectacular karst landscapes, including giant sinkholes, natural bridges, and underground caves.

Wulingyuan

Wulingyuan is famous for its thousands of towering quartzite sandstone pillars, which inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

Emeishan

One of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, famous for its Golden Summit, misty forests, and mischievous wild monkeys.

Qinghai Lake

The largest inland and saltwater lake in China, surrounded by stunning mountains and bright yellow rapeseed flowers.

History & landmarks

Leshan

Home to the world's largest stone Buddha statue, carved directly into a red sandstone cliff at the confluence of three rivers.

Dengfeng / Shaolin

Dengfeng is the spiritual home of martial arts, famous worldwide for the legendary Shaolin Temple and Zen Buddhism.

More places

Longmen Grottoes

Tens of thousands of statues of Buddhist figures and their disciples, carved into the limestone cliffs of the Xiangshan and Longmenshan m…

Kaifeng Dragon Pavilion

A park built on the site of the imperial palaces of several dynasties when Kaifeng was the capital of China.