For the best scenery and pleasant weather, autumn is the best time. The views in Jiuzhaigou are at their brightest, and the skies are mostly clear. But if you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, spring and winter are good options too.
Peak season (April 1 to Nov. 15): The scenery gets more stunning as the season progresses, but so do the crowds and hotel prices. Water levels are relatively low from April to June, while July to November offer the most abundant water views.
Off season (Nov. 16 to Mar. 31): While water levels are lower and some spots may be closed. The upside is fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and a chance to see snowy landscapes.
Content Preview
- Jiuzhaigou Weather and Temperatures
- Jiuzhaigou in Autumn
- Jiuzhaigou in Spring
- Jiuzhaigou in Summer
- Jiuzhaigou in Winter
What's the Weather Like in Jiuzhaigou
Autumn, especially from mid-October to early November, is the best times to visit Jiuzhaigou. The climate is mild, and there are more clear days and less rain, perfect for sightseeing and photos.
Spring (March to May) is warmer, but with more cloudy days, light rain and lower water levels. Summer (June to August) sees more showers, but the weather is pleasantly cool. While winter is cold, and it may snow from late November to early March.
| Month | Ave. Max. Temp | Ave. Min. Temp | Rainy Days | Snowy Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C (50°F) | -4°C (25°F) | 5 | 4 |
| February | 10°C (50°F) | -5°C (23°F) | 6 | 8 |
| March | 16°C (61°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 15 | 1 |
| April | 24°C (75°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 20 | 0 |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 22 | 0 |
| June | 27°C (80°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 21 | 0 |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 | 0 |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 26 | 0 |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 20 | 0 |
| October | 19°C (66°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 22 | 0 |
| November | 15°C (59°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 5 | 1 |
| December | 9°C (48°F) | -3°C (27°F) | 4 | 5 |
What is the Best Time for the Most Stunning Scenery?
Jiuzhaigou in autumnAutumn (September to November) is Jiuzhaigou's most stunning season for the autumn leaves.
The best time to see autumn foliage is from Oct. 20–Nov. 10. The colors are at their richest. September is too early with more green. In late November, some leaves may have already fallen.
Weather: Temperatures range from 3-29°C (37-86°F). From late October, you might even catch the first snowfall or frost-covered forests.
Autumn Travel Tips
Make sure to book your trip in advance.
Autumn is also absolutely the peak season. With 40,000 visitors a day, tickets and hotels can sell out fast, and prices climb. If you're planning a trip, booking 2 months early can save a lot of stress.
What Are the Recommended Spots in Autumn?
Five Flower Lake is a must. It's big and offers most layered forest colors and photo spots. Other spots like Nuorilang Waterfall, Shuzheng Lakes, Pearl Shoal Mirror Lake and Reed Lake are also the best spots to capture Jiuzhaigou's autumn beauty.
Although autumn is busy, your guide can adjust the route to take you on some less crowded paths. Also, he/she can help you know when and where to stop for the perfect photo spots.
Autumn Clothing Suggestion
Early autumn is mild, so a T-shirt with a jacket is usually enough. Late autumn gets much colder, a down jacket or windproof coat over a sweater or long sleeves is recommended. Also, bring non-slip shoes, as you might meet light snow or icy paths from late October.
If I want to see the most stunning scenery and don't like the crowds, how should I choose?
October, especially the 20th-31st, is Jiuzhaigou's most beautiful, but also the most crowded season, with over 3,5000 visitors a day. The National Day holiday (Oct 1–7) is just as busy. Crowds are hard to avoid, but entering early and leaving late is relatively less crowded.
For example, the park opens at 7:30am, and you can queue by 6:30 or 7:00am. It closes at 6pm, but from 17:30 to 18:30 it's much quieter. It's okay to leave a bit late, as shuttles are still available.
If you come in this peak season but want to avoid the large crowds, consider Oct 7-10 (right after the holiday) or Nov 1–10. You'll still catch the autumn colors, and the daily visitor number is around 15,000–25,000.
Keep in mind that Jiuzhaigou is crowded throughout October, and these recommended dates are just a bit better than the peak.
Recommended Tour: 3-Day Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Highlights Tour
What is the Best Time for Less Crowds?
Jiuzhaigou in springIf you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy moderate prices, spring (March to May) is a great time. Daily entry is around 5000 to 15000 visitors.
Despite fewer water in some spots, the overall scenery remains beautiful, and you can also catch snow-capped peaks as well as seasonal peach blossoms.
Weather: The temperature is around 3–25°C (37-77°F), with occasional snow and some rain. However, the spring light rain usually doesn't spoil the views or photography.
Spring Travel Tips
What Are the Recommended Spots in Spring?
Changhai, Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, Rhinoceros Lake, Mirror Lake, and Reed Lake all stay picturesque and are top photo spots in spring.
In March, you can still see Long Lake frozen over. While from late March to early April, peach blossoms bloom near Reed Lake and Shuzheng Lakes are ideal to admire.
Rhinoceros Lake in peach blossomsSome spots look repetitive or less impressive in the off-season. That's where a guide comes in handy. They'll help you smartly skip those to save your time and avoid scenery fatigue.
Spring Clothing Suggestion
Wear in layers, thick coats like a down jacket on the outside, with sweaters, long or short sleeves underneath. But it gets warmer when the sun is out, so you can take off your outerwear.
What is the Best Time for Comfortable Weather to Avoid Heat
Jiuzhaigou in summerSummer (June to August) is the lushest and most water-filled season in Jiuzhaigou. It's best to enjoy the waterfalls, verdant valleys and cool highland weather (14-30°C/57-86°F).
The scenery is more impressive in July and August compared to the drier June, though rainfall also increases. But it's mostly short showers, and the sun often comes out quickly after.
Summer Travel Tips
Summer is the peak season.
July and August are when the summer holiday falls in China, so you can expect there to be more travelers (20,000 to 3,8000 visitors a day) and high prices, so you'd better plan your trip 1-3 months ahead.
What Are the Recommended Spots in Summer?
Pearl Shoal Waterfall and Nuorilang Waterfall are the best waterfall viewing spots.
The Primeval Forest and Grass Lake are at their most beautiful during the open season. They're quiet and vibrant green, perfect for peaceful walks or short hikes.
Summer Clothing Suggestion
A light jacket or windbreaker is useful for the cool mornings and evenings. Daytime is warm enough for short sleeves. And don't forget a raincoat or umbrella for sudden showers.
What is the Best Time for Snow Scenery
Jiuzhaigou, Long Lake in winterJiuzhaigou in winter (December to February) is cold (-5-10°C/23-50°F), with occasional snow.
The lakes stay full of water and are worth seeing. Rime forests and frozen waterfalls are amazing to see during snowy days. However, even when it's not snowing, you can still spot snow and snowy mountains in some areas.
Winter Travel Tips
Winter is a cost-effective travel season.
It's the low season, so flights, hotels, and tickets are cheaper. Daily visitors drop to around 10,000 or less. So, it can be a quieter and more budget-friendly time for you to visit.
What Are the Recommended Spots in Winter?
Long Lake is fully frozen. You'll see snowy views whether it snows or not. Nuorilang and Pearl Shoal Waterfalls are great for seeing frozen falls, but they're not always completely frozen (with some flowing water sometimes).
Pearl Shoal Waterfalls, JiuzhaigouArrow Bamboo Lake, Mirror Lake, Five-Color Pond, and Five Flower Lake still hold enough water. And when it snows, you get the dreamy mix of icy forest and vibrant waters.
Reed Lake is lined with golden reeds. It's perfect for taking a peaceful winter walk.
Our guides often recommend entering later in winter (around 10 or 10:30am). It helps you avoid the freezing early hours. Also, the lake's colors are more beautiful as the sun rises.
Winter Clothing Suggestion
You'll need a warm coat (like a down jacket or a thick windproof). Also, gloves, hats, body warmer patches, scarves, and boots can also help you get warm.
When can I catch Jiuzhaigou's snowy views without the extreme cold?
Typically, it may snow from late October to March in Jiuzhaigou. You can see frozen waterfalls and several frozen lakes during the coldest months, from late December to February not matter it snows or not.
But at most spots, snow scenes appear only if it snows, so it depends on luck. If you want to see snow without the extreme cold, try going in November or March. Just keep an eye on the weather and head there when it snows.
Jiuzhaigou Climate Information by Month
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in January
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in February
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in March
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in April
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in May
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in June
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in July
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in August
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in September
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in October
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in November
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in December