Jiuzhaigou Weather in September 2025

Weather: The weather starts to cool down in September. Average daily low and high temperatures are 16°C (61°F) and 29°C (84°F) in September. There is about 90 millimeters of total rainfall each September, and precipitation falls on about 20 days of the month. The ultraviolet radiation (UV index) is very high.

Clothing: The sunny days are warm, so you can wear light autumn wear like long-sleeved tops, slacks, or hoodies. Mornings, evenings, and rainy days can be chilly, so it's best to bring a rainproof jacket or a slightly thicker coat, as well as long johns for extra warmth.

Altitude Sickness: The altitude of Jiuzhaigou ranges from roughly 2,000 to 3,000 meters, but some sections of the road into the scenic area can reach about 3,500 meters.

You may experience mild altitude sickness or not on the road. Most visitors, however, have no major issues when touring in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.

Is September a Good Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou?

My answer is yes. September is a less crowded month during the peak season, as you skip the summer holiday crowds, and get there just before the National Day and autumn foliage rush.

So while hotel and flight prices are still higher than in the low season, there are far fewer people. You won't have to wait in long lines or wake up super early to grab tickets, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along with the cool, pleasant weather.

The crowds cut down from around 35,000 to 15,000

In September, the daily visitors to Jiuzhaigou are around 15,000-20,000. That means you can usually board the shuttle bus after around a 10-minute wait, based on my visiting experience.

Even at hotspots like Five Flower Lake, Five Color Pool, and Nuorilang Center, you won't feel really crowded.

More friendly time for family tour with the elderly and kids

As Jiuzhaigou is less crowded in this month, you can slow down your travel pace and start your visit around 8-9am (typically 6-7 am to avoid the long queues during peak month), which is more acceptable for the elderly and kids.

It's also easier to book entry tickets, bullet train, and your preferred hotel rooms, like family suites.

You Can Enjoy Cooler and Comfortable Walks

Even with the shuttle bus, you'll still walk at least 20,000 steps if you want to visit most of the spots in Jiuzhaigou. And September is cooler, making hiking around much more comfortable, not too hot or cold.

Can I See Fall Color in Jiuzhaigou in September?

No. In September, Jiuzhaigou still mostly showcases lush summer greenery with full water.

If you want to see autumn foliage, mid to late October is a better choice.

Jiuzhaigou is still green but beautiful in September

Must-Visit Spots in Jiuzhaigou in September

1. Five Flower Lakes

If you're a photography enthusiast or prefer not to visit too many spots but still want to see and capture the most scenery, Five Flower Lake is your top choice.

Five Flower Lake

It's one of Jiuzhaigou's largest and most beautiful lakes, with the most viewing platforms (9 in total). You can enjoy a different perspective from a different platform, and even different colors of water.

You'll also see the most diverse scenery here, from forests, aquatic plants, fish, reeds, to sunken logs and more. All of which will delight both your eyes and your camera.

Without large crowds in September, whether you're shooting landscapes or portraits, you can easily find a good spot without squeezing into crowds like in peak months.

2. Five Color Pool

Although relatively small, Five Color Pool is one of the lakes with the richest and most vibrant colors. You can capture the entire lake in your photos along the boardwalk.

Five Color Pool in Jiuzhaigou

In September, the water level is just right, not too full or too low, so you can clearly see the layered colors within the pool.

3. Reed Lake

In September, you'll see the reeds at Reed Lake turn golden, standing out beautifully against the blue water.

Reed Lake in Jiuzhaigou

If you enjoy hiking, you can start from Shuanglong Lake and follow the wooden boardwalk all the way to Reed Lake, about 2.8 km (40 minutes).

This stretch is one of Jiuzhaigou's most beautiful hiking trails. With ample water and fewer crowds in September, it's also the best time for you to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

4. Huanglong

Huanglong is about 1.5 hours by car from Jiuzhaigou. In September, its terraced pools are full and glow in rich, layered yellows. These are the views and colors you won't see in Jiuzhaigou.

Huanglong

In September, there are also fewer visitors in Huanglong, so you won't need to wait long. In just about 5-15 minutes, you can get on the cable car or shuttle bus.

The boardwalk trails are quieter, so even on the narrower sections, you can still enjoy a smoother and more relaxed walking pace.

Popular Jiuzhaigou Tours

If you're interested in visiting the fairyland in person, why not browse our popular tours below for inspiration?

• 2-Day Peak Season Deal for Jiuzhai Valley and Huanglong
• 7-Day Chengdu and Jiuzhai Valley Fairyland Tour
• More Jiuzhai Valley tours

Jiuzhaigou Weather 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