Wei Zhang
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
I’ll never forget the look on a tourist’s face when the ticket scanner beeped red — he bought from a third-party site and the QR code didn’t work. That was in the blistering heat of August, with a 2-hour wait to even reach the entrance. Getting Jiuzhaigou National Park tickets wrong can ruin your entire day.
Every season I guide groups here, and the biggest headache is always the ticket system. International credit cards? Often rejected. Official website? All in Chinese. Scalpers? They overcharge and sometimes sell fake codes. After years of navigating this chaos, I’ve distilled the exact steps to secure your ticket without stress.
Here’s the blunt truth: the only way to buy Jiuzhaigou National Park tickets is through the official WeChat mini-program or its website. No third-party agent is authorized. Prices are fixed, but the trick is knowing when to book and which time slot to pick. Scroll down for my cheat sheet.
The Real Price: Don’t Trust Old Blog Posts
Many websites still show prices. As of my last visit, here’s what you’ll actually pay:
| Category | Peak Season (Apr–Nov) | Off-Peak (Dec–Mar) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | 169 CNY | 80 CNY |
| Child (6–18 or height 1.2–1.5m) | 85 CNY | 40 CNY |
| Senior (65+) | Free (need reservation) | Free (need reservation) |
| Student (full-time, 6–25) | 85 CNY | 40 CNY |
| Disabled / Military | Free (with valid ID) | Free (with valid ID) |
My tip: Even if you qualify for a discount, you still need to reserve a ticket online. The free entry for seniors and disabled isn’t automatic — you must upload a photo of your ID during booking.
The Only Official Way to Buy Jiuzhaigou Tickets
There’s exactly one official channel: the “阿坝旅游网” (Aba Tourism) WeChat mini-program. You can also visit their website at abatour.com, but the mini-program is more stable.
Step-by-Step Booking
- Open WeChat, search for “阿坝旅游网”.
- Select “Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area” and choose your date.
- Pick a time slot: morning (7:30–12:00) or afternoon (12:00–14:00). I always recommend morning slot — the light is better and you finish before the heat hits.
- Enter passport details for each visitor (names must match exactly).
- Pay via WeChat Pay or Alipay. International cards rarely work, so ask a friend or hotel staff to help.
When to Go: Timing Your Visit to Avoid Crowds
Most guides tell you to go early — I tell you to go smart. The entrance starts letting people in at 7:30. But if you arrive at 7:15, you’ll stand in a 200-meter queue. My secret? Arrive at 8:30. The first wave has already entered, and the second wave (mostly tour groups) won’t arrive until 9:30. That gives you a 45-minute window of relatively peaceful boarding.
Another mistake: visiting during China’s Golden Week (first week of October). The park caps daily visitors at 41,000, and that cap is hit by 8 AM. Avoid October 1-7 like the plague.
5 Common Booking Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
I’ve seen these errors cost people time and money:
- Wrong personal details. Your passport number must match exactly. A typo will block entry.
- Using a VPN while booking. The official site often blocks overseas IPs. Turn off your VPN before opening the mini-program.
- Ignoring the time slot. If you book afternoon, you cannot enter before 12:00. Morning ticket holders can stay all day.
- Buying from street vendors. They may sell you a used QR code or simply take your money. Only use the official channel.
- Forgetting the park is huge. You need a separate shuttle bus ticket inside the park (90 CNY, included in most combo tickets). Don’t skip it unless you want to walk 80 km.
What to Bring (Besides Your Ticket)
Rain gear is essential — afternoon showers are common even on sunny days. The park has a strict no-drones policy, and tripods require a permit. Bring snacks because the food inside is overpriced and mediocre. My go-to is a bottle of water and some local beef jerky.
Pro tip for photographers: The classic “Five-Color Pond” is most vivid between 10 AM and 1 PM. After that, the angle of the sun creates glare. I always tell my guests to head straight there first.
Honestly? A little overhyped. The lakes are pretty but the crowds ruined the vibe. We bought tickets from a reseller because the official site was 'sold out'—turns out they had held back inventory and charged us 50% more. The park itself is nice, but the constant shoving and long queues at the shuttle stops made it stressful. If you go, do NOT buy from anywhere except the official platform. I'd rate it 3/5—good for a one-time visit, but not magical.
Great scenery but a bit crowded in late October. The park is well-organized and the shuttle system works fine. I managed to get a ticket through the official app without any issues. However, I was disappointed that the Five Flower Lake viewing platform was packed with selfie sticks—hard to enjoy the view. Also, the ticket price is a bit steep for what you get (around $30 USD). Still a solid 4/5 overall.
Worth every penny and every ounce of planning. I spent a full day hiking from Arrow Bamboo Lake to the Pearl Shoal—the reflections on Mirror Lake were perfect. The biggest trap? Some travel agencies claim they have 'guaranteed entry' but actually just use your info to grab the same free slots you could get yourself. Stick to the official channel and you'll be fine. Five stars for nature, zero for the scammers.
Hands down one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. The autumn colors were unreal! I almost fell for a 'VIP fast pass' scam online, but luckily my local friend warned me. The official tickets include the shuttle bus, which is essential because the park is huge. My only tip: book exactly at 8 AM when they release the tickets, they sell out in minutes. Totally worth the effort though!
Absolutely stunning! The turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls are even more surreal in person. I booked my ticket through the official WeChat mini-program two weeks in advance, which saved me from paying double on third-party sites. Saw so many tourists at the entrance complaining about fake QR codes they bought from scalpers. Do yourself a favor—read up on the booking traps before you go. 10/10 experience.