Weather: In Jiuzhai Valley National Park, average daily low and high temperatures are 17°C (63°F) and 30°C (86°C) in August. Although it's the warmest month here, it's still cooler than many other parts of China.
But you may still feel hot under the sun, 30-35°C (86-95 °F). While in the morning or in shaded areas, it's relatively cool around 20+°C (68+°F), and a bit cold on rainy days (15°C/59°F).
Rainfall: August is the rainy season, with about 26 rainy days in Jiuzhaigou. Usually, the rain is a light shower, so it won't affect your viewing experience so much. But sometimes the heavy rain can cause mudslides, and you might get stuck in traffic for 1 to 3 hours.
Clothing: You can wear short sleeves, lightweight breathable pants, sun-protective shirts, and a thin windbreaker to handle both warm and cool weather. For rainy days, bring a raincoat, umbrella, non-slip shoes, and a waterproof cover for your camera.
Is August a Good Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou?
If you consider travel costs, crowds, and weather, August might not be the best time to visit.
But if you're looking for a cool place to escape the heat, Jiuzhaigou is definitely a good choice. The temperatures remain comfortable in August, cooler than downtown Chengdu (34°C/93°F).
And the scenery in August is still quite nice. You can admire fuller and more vibrant lakes than during the dry season, lush and green forests, and more spectacular waterfalls.
Jiuzhaigou's Five Flower Lake in summer| Advantages | Disadvantages |
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If you visit Jiuzhaigou in August, you'll find the most crowded spots are the entrance waiting area for the shuttle bus, Five Flower Lake and Five Color Pond, and the Nuorilang Center.
At other spots in Jiuzhaigou, crowds are more spread out, so it's not crowded all the time. Overall, you can still enjoy a better experience than many other scenic spots in China.
Even though the crowds can reach up to 40,000 visitors, Jiuzhaigou can manage to complete ticket checks and board the shuttle buses within half an hour, so you won't have to wait in long lines.
August Travel Tips for Jiuzhaigou
The first sightseeing route in Jiuzhaigou is assigned by the park on the shuttle bus based on visitor flow, so you can't decide your touring order at the start.
But you can use these tips to handle common summer travel issues.
1. Start Early at 6 pm or Enter Late at 9 pm
If you can get up early, it's best to arrive at the park entrance by 6:30 am to start queuing. This way, you can be among the first to enter or cut your waiting time in half, and enjoy the park before the peak crowds arrive.
We recommend staying near the park so you don't have to wake up too early. If you stay farther away, you might need to leave your hotel around 6 am.
Jiuzhaigou opens at 7:30 am in August. If you leave at 7 am, you'll likely run into traffic on the way, which will cut into your visiting time.
If you're travelling with elderly people or children and don't want to wake up early, you can enter the park after 9 am.
Although your visiting time will be shorter by 1–2 hours and you may miss some sights, there will be fewer visitors. You'll only need to wait about 10 minutes to get on the bus, and it's easier to find a seat.
2. Bring Your Own Lunch
Jiuzhaigou has only one dining area, the Nuorilang Center. From around 12 noon, it gets crowded with long queues for food, and you may have to wait a long time with no seats available.
You can bring your own sandwiches, self-heating meal boxes, or snacks for a picnic.
This also gives you more time to explore, as attractions are usually less crowded when most visitors are having lunch in the center.
Prepare a simple meal while visiting Jiuzhaigou in August3. Travel after August 20th
Based on past years, visitor numbers in early August are usually around 30,000–40,000, and the wait for the shuttle bus is about 25 minutes.
But after August 20, the number drops to around 10,000–30,000, so it's much less crowded, and ticket checks plus shuttle bus waits take only about 10 minutes.
It's more likely to find a photo spot without large crowds after August 20th4. Choose Flexible Train Station
High-speed train tickets from Chengdu to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station (the nearest and most popular station) often sell out within seconds in early to mid-August.
If you can't get one, you can book tickets to Huangshengguan or Songpan stations instead. They're also about 1 to 2.5 hours' drive from Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong.
Jiuzhaigou Best Spots to See in August
In August, with full water and lush greenery, you'll find that almost every spot in Jiuzhaiou is beautiful.
But besides the must-visit popular sights like Five Flower Lake and Five Color Pond, I also recommend the following places:
1. Primeval Forest, Grass Lake, and Swan Lake
These spots open only during peak season, and August is one of their most beautiful months. If you enjoy hiking, green scenery, and quieter areas, this 3 km trail is perfect for you.
Grass Lake in Jiuzhaigou2. Shuzheng Lakes
You'll see a stunning mix of green trees and blue lakes in Shuzheng Lakes. There is a big viewing platform, and you can get an overlook of the lakes.
What's more, it's also one of the best photo spots in Jiuzhaigou.
Huanglong of Jiuzhaigou3. Pearl Shoal Waterfall
With abundant summer water, this filming location from Journey to the West is more spectacular now, so you can capture the most beautiful views and photos of it.
Pearl Shoal WaterfallYou can also explore other nearby attractions outside Jiuzhaigou:
- Huanglong National Park: it's great for summer hiking. You can admire the colorful tiered travertine pools that Jiuzhaigou doesn't have.
- Zhongcha Valley: Here, you can enjoy green meadows in August, with horses, yaks, and sheep, and experience Tibetan home visits to learn about their culture and lifestyle.
Huanglong National Park in summerPopular Jiuzhaigou Tours
If you're interested in visiting the fairyland in person, why not browse our popular tours below for inspiration?
- 8-Day Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Chongqing Tour
- 4-Day Fairyland Tour to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong
- More Jiuzhai Valley tours
Jiuzhaigou Weather by Month
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