Jiuzhaigou Autumn Foliage Photography

Stay at the valley entrance in mid-to-late October, spend two days photographing Jiuzhaigou's lakes and autumn foliage in stages, then visit Huanglong.

Designed for autumn foliage: spend two days in Jiuzhaigou. On day one, photograph the high-altitude lakes from the Primeval Forest down to Changhai at their peak autumn colors; on day two, go early to Mirror Lake for reflections, then photograph Five-Color Pond and Fire Flower Lake. On the final day, visit Huanglong before leaving. You stay in Zhangzha Town throughout, so there is no need to change hotels, making this suitable for photographers who bring tripods and don't mind early starts. If you have more time, add a day to the less-visited Jiawu Lake or Zharu Valley.

The best autumn foliage typically runs from mid-October to early November; avoid the National Day holiday and weekends.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival at the Valley Entrance and an Evening Show

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Jiuzhai Romance Show）

After picking you up at Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, it's about 1.5 hours to Zhangzha Town; you can watch the live evening show.

The airport sits at about 3,400 m; after landing, go down to the valley entrance to rest.

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 2 · High-Altitude Lakes in Autumn Color

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Primeval Forest、Swan Lake & Fragrant Hill Lake、Arrow Bamboo Lake、Panda Lake & Panda Lake Falls、Long Lake、Five-Colour Pond）

Take the sightseeing bus to the Primeval Forest first, then photograph Swan Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake and Panda Lake on the way down; in the afternoon, transfer to Zechawa Valley.

Five-Color Pond has the best light around midday; schedule it for the last stop in Zechawa Valley.

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 3 · Mirror Lake at Dawn and Shuzheng Valley

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Mirror Lake、Five Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai)、Pearl Shoal Waterfall、Nuorilang Waterfall、Sparkling Lake、Shuzheng Lakes）

Take the first bus into the park; photograph reflections at Mirror Lake at dawn, then walk along the lower part of Rize Valley and Shuzheng Valley to photograph.

Entry on the second day requires a separate ticket and reservation; reach Mirror Lake before 8 a.m., when the air is still.

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 4 · Huanglong and Departure

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Huanglong Scenic Area）

About 2 hours from the valley entrance to Huanglong; sightsee for about 3–4 hours; then about 40 minutes to the airport.

Book an evening flight; take the cable car up to Huanglong and walk down.

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