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Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Altitude & Useful Tips against Altitude Sickness

To realize the dream tour for the magic Karst and carbonate rock strata landform, colorful waterfalls and lakes and primitive forest in the UNESCO World Natural Heritages - Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong National Parks, you may have already done many searches online for the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou, best transportation to get there and other travel topics. The altitude sickness often mentioned may be one of your concerns for a Jiuzhaigou tour, because Jiuzhaigou Valley is located in high-altitude region, northeast of south section of Min Mountains, terrain features south high and north low, elevation rises over thousands of meters sharply from lower valley. Elevation in Huanglong (National Park) is even higher than Jiuzhaigou, which is more likely to cause altitude sickness.

Due to the altitudes and own physical conditions, some tourists may suffer from slight altitude sickness in Jiuzhaigou and obvious symptoms in Huanglong. For a comfortable travel and safety, tourists should get professional advice from a doctor before traveling. And those with organic, chronic lung or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, high blood pressure, cold are not recommended to visit high-altitude places. Below are detailed elevation of main spots in Jiuzhaigou National Park and some practical precautions to avoid the sickness.

Jiuzhaigou Altitude - Elevation of Major Tourist Attractions in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude

Jiuzhaigou Altitudes Map (click to See the Full Map)

What is the altitude of Jiuzhaigou?

Inside Jiuzhaigou Valley, the elevation of park entrance is nearly 2,000 m (6,562 ft), the middle peaks has an average elevation of 4,000 m above (13,123f t) and the elevation in south mountain peaks reaches up to over 4,500 m(14,764 ft). Vegetation and temperature differ by elevation. Jiuzhaigou consists of three main valleys (Zechawa Valley, Rize Valley and Shuzheng Valley) forming a capital letter “Y”. The essences and most famous highlights are scattered in the Rize Valley, including Nuorilang Waterfall, Five Flower Lake, Panda Lake, Mirror Lake, Pearl Shoal, etc. Major scenic spots are under 3,000 m (10,000ft), so visitors normally will not suffer from altitude sickness if travel by road with elevation increase gradually and follow effective tips.

Jiuzhaigou Attractions Elevation Jiuzhaigou Attractions Elevation
Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport 3,448m/11,312ft Jiuzhaigou Park Entrance about 2,000 m/6,562 ft
Rize Valley 日则沟
Grass Lake 芳草海 2,910 m/9,547 ft Swan Lake 天鹅海 2,905m/9,531 ft
Arrow Bamboo Lake 箭竹海 2,618 m/8,589 ft Panda Lake 熊猫海 2,587 m/8,488 ft
Panda Lake Waterfall 熊猫海瀑布 2,574 m/8,445ft Five Flower Lake 五花海 2,462 m/8,077 ft
Pearl Shoal 珍珠滩 2,433m/7,982 ft Pearl Shoal Waterfall 珍珠滩瀑布 2,445m/8,022 ft
Nuorilang Waterfall 诺日朗瀑布 2,365m/7,759ft Mirror Lake 镜海 2,390m/7,841 ft
Zechawa Valley 则查洼沟
Long Lake 长海 3,060 m/10,039 ft
(the highest lake in Jiuzhaigou)
Fiver Color Pond 五彩池 2,995 m/ 9,826 ft
Shuzheng Valley 树正沟
Rhinoceros Lake 犀牛海 2,400 m/7,874 ft Shuzheng Lakes 树正群海 2,187-2,280 m/
7,175ft-7,480ft
Shuzheng Waterfall 树正瀑布 2,295 m/7,530ft Tiger Lake 老虎海 2,298 m/7,539ft
Lying Dragon Lake 卧龙海 2,215 m/7,267ft Reed Lake 芦苇海 2,140 m/7,021 ft
Sparkling Lake 火花海 2,211 m/7,254ft Double Dragon Lake 双龙海 2,200 m/7,218ft
Zharu Valley 扎如沟
Mt. Zhayizhaga 扎依扎嘎神山 4,400m-4,528m (summit)/
1,4436ft-14,856ft
Zharu Temple 扎如寺 2,433 m/7,982ft

Huanglong Altitudes - Elevation of Main Tourists Spots in Huanglong National Park

Located about 110 kmsouth of Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong Scenic Area(or called Huanglong National Park) is another UNESCO World Natural Heritage tourists love to visit with Jiuzhaigou Valley. The park also has superb travertine Karst formations, spectacular waterfalls and lakes surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains. Huanglong altitude ranges from 1,700m (5,577ft) to 5,588m (18,333ft) and the average elevation is 3,300 m (10,827 ft)~3,500 m (11,483 ft), mountains around are over 5,000 m (16,404ft) at sea level. Therefore, some tourists possibly suffer from altitude sickness in Huanglong than in Jiuzhaigou.

Jiuzhaigou Altitude - Elevation of Major Tourist Attractions in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude

Huanglong Altitudes Map (click to see full map)

Huanglong Attractions Elevation Huanglong Attractions Elevation
Huanglong National Park Entrance 3,198 m/10,492ft Ropeway Upper Station 3,473 m/11,394 ft
Looking Dragon Platform 望龙坪 3,530 m/11,581 ft Huanglong Cave 黄龙洞 3,568 m/11,706 ft
Five-Color Pond (Wucai Pond) 五彩池 3,576 m/11,732 ft Huanglong Ancient Temple 3,568 m/11,706 ft
Huanglong Middle Temple 黄龙中寺 3,470 m/11,385 ft Snow Treasure Peak 雪宝顶 5,588 m/18,333 ft
Azalea Pond 娑萝映彩池 3,415 m/11,204 ft Flamboyant Pond 争艳池 3,454 m/11,332 ft
Bonsai Pond 盆景池 3,320 m/10,892 ft Mirror Pond 明镜倒影池 3,400 m/11,155 ft
Guests Welcome Pond 迎宾池 3,230 m/10,597 ft Lianyan Lake 潋滟湖 3,251 m/10,666 ft
Flying Waterfall on Lotus Platform 莲台飞瀑 3,260 m/10,696 ft Golden Sand Pavement 金沙铺地 3,305 m/10,943 ft
Washing Cave 洗身洞 3,280 m/10,761 ft Marvellous Flying Waterfall 飞瀑流辉 3,245 m/10,646 ft
Primitive Forest 原始森林 3,000 m-3,500 m/9,843 ft-11,483ft

Useful Precautions & Tips against High Altitude Sickness in Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong Area

Have a thorough medical check-up prior to departure

If you have never been traveled to high altitude areas, you’re suggested to get a health check and consult a doctor for professional advice based on your physical condition. It wouldn’t be a big problem if you once traveled to Tibet, alpine or plateau areas. Prepare some medicine to ease symptoms just in case.

Relax yourself during the trip

Good rest and relaxation with a great mentality are very favorable and positive for your body.

About Diet

Don’t eat too full, better eat small amounts several times a day and high in carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetable. Drink more water and not drink alcohol. Eat eat rhodiola (Hongjingtian) at least 1 week in advance if you want to.

Avoid Strenuous Exercises

During the park tour, climb up and ascend slowly along the path to make sure your body adapt to the high elevation step by step. Walk slowly, do not jump, run and do other strenuous activities at high altitudes and avoid over exhaustion.

Other Suggestions

Avoid take shower in the arrical day, and shower less in high-altitude areas, especially during the first 1-2 arrival days; always keep warm; prepare glucose and oxygen tank if you’re really worried.

Packing Ideas: comfortable shoes, several suits of clothes, sun glasses, umbrella, sunblock, lip balm, medicine for colds, aspirin, etc.

Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Have Check-up and Get Advice from Doctor
Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Prepare Medicine and Eat Fruit
Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Walk Slowly in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong

What to Do if Has Altitude Sickness During Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour

Altitude sickness affects people differently. For most people, it’s not a big problem touring Jiuzhaigou National Park, but, some tourists, the old especially often suffer from altitude sickness when visiting Huanglong. High altitude sickness comes quickly, and you need to pay a lot of attention once you have the following symptoms, including headache, feeling dizzy, nauseous and short of breath, having slight diarrhoea, insomnia and a racing heartbeat. Some uncomfortableness are mild and can be relieved with more time of acclimatization and good rest. You may buy pills and oxygen tanks in Chengdu or near the scenic area in case. Other severe illness like high altitude pulmonary edema, high altitude cerebral edema, cardiac failure and even unconsciousness must get treatment immediately.

Measures Take when Suffering from High-altitude:

1.Stop go up to higher altitudes once comes some altitude sickness symptoms. Stay and rest at the same elevation until they disappear. Descend to lower altitudes if remains unwell.

2.There are many public Oxygen Stations inside Huanglong Park. Inhale oxygen and rest for a while.

3.Contact the park tourist center, ask for aid service and help from a doctor. Patients then will get emergency treatment and be transferred to lower altitudes properly.

Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Five-Color Pond (the highest spot in Huanglong)
Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Oxygen Bar in Huanglong National Park

How to Plan Your Jiuzhaigou Tour

Your Jiuzhaigou tour can be flexible depending on your itinerary and budget. Jiuzhaigou National Park is the top highlights on your bucket list and visiting Huanglong with Jiuzhaigou is a good idea for nature lovers, if your physical condition and time permits. Except above mentioned measures, China Discovery offers for planning your Jiuzhaigou tour, to avoid the altitude sickness. One is to travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhiagou by bus or private driving, with elevation increase slowly, instead of taking a flight directly from Chengdu plain to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (3,448m/11,312ft). Better spend 2 days more to acclimatize the riding altitude and visit Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Songpan on the driving journey. The second is first visiting Jiuzhaigou National Park and later go to Huanglong National Park, avoid rapid rise of elevation within a short time.

If you have experience in altitude sickness and a tight schedule, the Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou flight (1 hour) is very convenient and fast. Also, you can visit Jiuzhaigou after Huanglong which is closer to the airport and right located on the driving way to Jiuzhaigou. 1 day is enough for a classic Jiuzhaigou tour and 2 days are suitable for an in-depth walking tour by twice entries. 1 extra day is needed for tour nearby Huanglong National Park.

Here are our Most Popular Jiuzhaigou Tours:

√ 3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour (Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Flight Covered)

√ 4 Days Jiuzhaigou Private Tour from Chengdu by Private Car

√ 5 Days Classic Chengdu & Jiuzhaigou Tour

√ 6 Days Chengdu & Jiuzhaigou In-depth Tour

Travel Jiuzhaigou with China Discovery

As an experienced, professional and reliable travel agency based in Chengdu, China Discovery are trying our best to make every clients’ tour in China interesting, unique and memorable, and at the best value. Travel with us, you can enjoy a worry-free tour covering airport/train station pick-up services, knowledgeable tour guide and safe private transfer, accommodation and ticket booking help, visa application assistance and other needed services. We will offer one-to-one consultation before your travel and practical tour service during your whole trip. Just contact us, tell your schedule and travel ideas, we will do the rest to tailor-make a wonderful China tour with Jiuzhaigou for you!

Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Beautiful Sparkling Lake in Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude China Discovery Customized Jiuzhaigou Tour
Jiuzhaigou Altitude and Huanglong Altitude Our Group Guests Visited Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu

Recommended Jiuzhaigou Tours

Top 3 Jiuzhaigou tours chosen by most customers to explore Jiuzhaigou in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

Nuorilang Waterfall is the most magnificent waterfall in Jiuzhaigou
3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour (Flight Arrival)

Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou

Five-flower Lake in Rize Valley
5 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Comfortable Tour

Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou

Winter landscape of Long Lake in Zechawa Valley of Jiuzhaigou
3 Days Jiuzhaigou Winter Tour

Jiuzhaigou Valley

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