Most people see Jiuzhaigou in summer or autumn. In January the valley is a different place. Snow lies on the forest, ice forms along the edges of the waterfalls, and the lakes stay clear and bright blue under a white landscape. There are fewer visitors, and the air is sharp and cold.

This tour pairs winter Jiuzhaigou with a day in the snow. On Day 2 you see the giant pandas in Chengdu before heading north. Day 3 is the main valley: Shuzheng Valley, Nuorilang Waterfall and Five Flower Lake. Day 4 brings Munigou, a quieter valley, and Songpan Ancient Town, an old walled town on the road north. On Day 5 you stop at Zhegu Mountain Ski Resort for snow play, then end the day in the Wide and Narrow Alley in Chengdu.

This is a cold trip with long mountain drives, and the overnight flight out means your first night is on the plane. Pack real winter clothes and shoes with good grip. In return, all meals from Day 2 to Day 5 are included, and the gratuities are included too.

Quick facts

Duration: 6 days 4 nights, including a night flight to Chengdu
Route: Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Munigou, Songpan, Lixian and Zhegu Mountain
Package type: winter group tour on fixed departure dates in January
Flights: included, return from KLIA to Chengdu, with airport taxes, checked luggage and meals on board
Hotels: 2 nights in Jiuzhaigou, 1 in Lixian and 1 in Chengdu
Meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
Booking: seats are subject to availability. We confirm with the tour operator and email you once your seats are secured.

Highlights

Jiuzhaigou Valley in winter
Nuorilang Waterfall and Five Flower Lake
Snow play at Zhegu Mountain Ski Resort
Munigou and Songpan Ancient Town
The giant pandas in Chengdu

Itinerary

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu

Fly from KLIA to Chengdu.

Meals: on the flight.

Day 2: Chengdu pandas, then north to Jiuzhaigou

See the giant pandas at the Chengdu panda park, then travel north to Jiuzhaigou.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Jiuzhaigou.

Day 3: Jiuzhaigou Valley

A full day in Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow Shuzheng Valley, a chain of lakes joined by small waterfalls. See Nuorilang Waterfall, one of the widest waterfalls in China, which can be partly frozen in January, and Five Flower Lake, where the water shows several colours at once.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Jiuzhaigou.

Day 4: Munigou and Songpan to Lixian

Visit Munigou, a valley of forest, lakes and waterfalls with fewer visitors than Jiuzhaigou. Then stop at Songpan Ancient Town, an old walled town that was once a trading post between the Han Chinese and Tibetan regions. Continue to Lixian.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Lixian.

Day 5: Zhegu Mountain and Chengdu

Stop at Zhegu Mountain Ski Resort for time in the snow. Then drive back to Chengdu and walk the Wide and Narrow Alley, three old lanes of grey-brick courtyard houses from the Qing dynasty.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Chengdu.

Day 6: Chengdu to Kuala Lumpur

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: breakfast.

What's included

Return flights from KLIA to Chengdu
Airport taxes
Checked luggage
Meals on the flights
Hotels: 2 nights in Jiuzhaigou, 1 in Lixian and 1 in Chengdu
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Gratuities

Good to know

January in the Sichuan mountains is well below freezing. Bring a thick jacket, gloves, a hat and shoes with good grip.
Days 2, 4 and 5 involve long mountain drives.

FAQ

Is Jiuzhaigou worth visiting in winter?

Yes. The lakes stay clear and blue, the waterfalls can be partly frozen, and there are fewer visitors than in summer and autumn. It is very cold, so dress for it.