Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Altitude – Tips Against Altitude Sickness

Written by Veronica | Updated February 14,2026

Situated in the southern section of the Minshan Mountain Range of Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou National Park has been listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site because of its breathtaking natural scenery, like calcified lakes, cascading waterfalls, and primitive forests.

Huanglong Scenic Area, about 100 kilometers south of Jiuzhaigou National Park, boasts a wide range of colorful lakes arranged in a terraced field pattern. And it is known worldwide for its colorful pools, snow mountains, narrow canyons, and mysterious forests.

Since the major sightseeing areas of both tourist attractions are located in high-altitude areas from 2,000 m (6,562 ft) to 3600 m (11,811 ft), tourists may be worried about altitude sickness. This article will have a detailed introduction to Jiuzhaigou’s height, Huanglong altitude, symptoms of altitude sickness, useful tips, and the best tour plans to help travelers acclimate to the climate and have a safe trip.

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• Overview of Jiuzhaigou Altitude – Elevation of Airport & Major Attractions
• Should I worry about the High Altitude Sickness in Jiuzhaigou & Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
• Useful Precautions & Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong Area
• What to Do if Suffer Altitude Sickness During Your Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour
• How to Plan Your Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour?
• FAQs about Altitude in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong
• Plan Your Jiuzhai and Huanglong Tour with China Xian Tour

Overview of Jiuzhaigou Altitude – Elevation of Airport & Major Attractions

Since Jiuzhaigou Valley is in a plateau area, plenty of tourists want to know “What is the altitude of Jiuzhaigou?” Actually, the elevation of Jiuzhaigou is of great height difference. The entrance is only about 2,000 m (6,562 ft) (where most hotels are located), the central peaks have an average altitude of above 4,000 m (13,123 ft) and the peaks in the southern edge is over 4,500 m(14,764 ft), but major tourists attractions are under 3,000 m (10,000ft).

The altitude of Huanglong Scenic Area is a little bit higher than Jiuzhaigou, with main scenic spots at 3,100 – 3,600 m (10,171 – 11,811 ft), the highest point is Xuebao Peak, the main peak of Minshan Mountain, which is 5,588 m (18,333 ft) above sea level.

Altitude of Jiuzhaigou Airport

Located about 12 km north of Chuanzhousi Town, Songpan County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport is a Class 1 high plateau airport with an altitude of 3447 m (11,309 ft). The distances to Jiuzhaigou National Park and Huanglong Scenic Area are 88 km (55 mi) and 43 km (27 mi) respectively.

Altitude of Jiuzhaigou Railway Station

With a height of 2977 m (9,767 ft), Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station is equipped with central air conditioning systems, underfloor heating systems and free oxygen inhalers for travelers to cope with the cold climate and high altitude sickness. The station is about 26 km (16 mi) from Huanglong Scenic Area and 90 km (56 mi) from Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Altitude of Main Scenic Areas in Jiuzhaigou Valley

• Entrance of Jiuzhaigou Valley: As the lowest point of the valley, its altitude is only about 2,000 m (6,562 ft).
• Shuzheng Valley: Located in the relatively lower section of the valley, it is at an altitude of 2,000 – 2,300 m (6,562 – 7,546 ft).
• Zharu Valley: The elevation of main scenic spots in the valley covers a range of 2400 – 3600 m (7874 – 11811 m). Mt. Zhayizhaga, the highest peak of Jiuzhaigou, is located in the valley.
• Rize Valley: The height of this middle section ranges from 2,300 m (7,546 ft) to 3,100 m (10,171 ft).
• Zechawa Valley: With a height of 3,100 m (10,171 ft) to 3,800 m (12,467 ft), this valley is the highest part of the scenic area.

Altitude of Main Scenic Areas in Huanglong Scenic Area

The lowest point of Huanglong Scenic Area is the entrance with a height of 3000 m (9843 ft). The main scenic spots such as Huanglong Temple, Guests Welcome Pond, Flamboyant Pond and Five-Color Pond reach an altitude of 3100 – 3600 m (10,171 – 11,811 ft) above sea level, so tourists may experience altitude sickness when travelling in Huanglong Scenic Area.

Should I Worry about the High Altitude Sickness in Jiuzhaigou & Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

Is altitude sickness common in Jiuzhaigou? Except for Long Lake and Five Color Lake, other attractions are below 3,000 meters. So most tourists will not suffer from altitude sickness.

Because of the higher altitude of both Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong Scenic Area, some tourists may suffer from the altitude sickness during the tour, especially those in old age, living in plain area and ascending to high altitudes too quickly. Here are some common symptoms of altitude sickness to help you determine whether you are experiencing high altitude sickness or not.

• Headache: one of the most common symptoms, usually presents as a persistent or paroxysmal headache, with the pain area mainly concentrated on the forehead and temples, sometimes spreading to the entire head.
• Dizziness: feel dizzy and blurred vision, sometimes accompanied by a feeling of rotation, and even feel unstable when standing.
• Shortness of breath: feel breathless even at rest, need to take a deep breath or speed up the breathing rate, and in severe cases, may cause breathing difficulties.
• Palpitations: rapid heartbeat, sometimes accompanied by chest tightness and chest pain.
• Fatigue and sleepiness: feel physically weak and easily fatigued, and have difficulty recovering even after resting.

Useful Precautions & Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong Area

• Keep moving slowly during the trip:do not walk rapidly or run, do not do physical labor, and spend half a day resting completely before the trip.
• Diet and sleep:do not overeat, drink, or smoke. Eat more vegetables, fruits, and other foods rich in vitamins, and drink more water to enhance the body’s resistance. Rest early at night to ensure enough sleep.
• Take necessary clothes and medicines:take warm clothes with you to prevent catching a cold, and take some commonly used drugs, rhodiola rosea, inosine tablets, and glucose to relieve altitude sickness.
• Arrange the tour properly:Since the height of Jiuzhaigou Valley is lower than that of Huanglong Scenic Area, it is advised to visit Jiuzhaigou first and then go to Huanglong for first-time visitors to adapt to the altitude gradually.
• Utilize cable cars and shuttle buses in the scenic areas:To reduce hiking and save energy, taking the cable car and shuttle bus to ascend slowly can help you acclimate gradually.
• Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou:Staying overnight at a lower altitude will give you more time to have enough rest, recover energy, adapt to the new altitude before the tour, and avoid severe sickness.
• Take a high-speed train instead of a flight: The airport is located at a higher altitude than the train station, so travelling by train will allow more time to acclimate to the altitude rather than reach the high-altitude region quickly.

What to Do if Suffer Altitude Sickness During Your Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour

• The symptoms vary among tourists, and the measures taken are also different according to the reactions, so don’t panic and stay calm.
• If it is general dizziness and pain or other mild symptoms, drinking some glucose water will be helpful.
• If the symptoms are more serious, such as breathing difficulties, the first thing is to rest on the spot immediately, do not continue to higher altitude areas, and inhale oxygen as soon as possible.
• If the situation gets worse, take some medicine, descend to the low altitude area (lower than 2,500 meters ), and ask for help from the tourist center.

How to Plan Your Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour?

Jiuzhaigou Huanglong tour ranks among the most popular Chengdu side trips. The best time to visit Jiuzhaigou is autumn and spring. For travelers seeking a deep tour, this 3-day classic Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong tour will be a perfect choice. To acclimate to the altitude, after check-in on the first day, you can have a rest during the rest time. And then we will spend one day to tour Jiuzhaigou and one day to tour Huanglong.

If you want to plan a Chengdu Jiuzhaigou tour, we would like to recommend the 7 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tour by High-speed Train. During this tour, you will spend one day in Jiuzhaigou, one day in Huanglong, and the rest of the days in Chengdu.

Also, we provide customized services for the Jiuzhaigou itinerary. The local guides will ensure your experience and safety, and arrange transportation and accommodation according to your needs. Just contact us to talk more about your Jiuzhaigou tour plans.

Related Reading:

Best Time to Visit Jiuzhaigou

FAQs about Altitude in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong

What is the altitude of the highest point in Jiuzhaigou?

Mt. Zhayizhaga is the highest point in Jiuzhaigou with an altitude of 4,528 meters.

What is the highest point one visits in Huanglong?

It is the Five-Color Pond with an elevation of 3,530 meters.

Is it better to visit Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong first for acclimatization?

It is advised to visit Jiuzhaigou first, because its altitude is lower. Stay one night at least before heading to Huanglong.

Should I take medication like Diamox (Acetazolamide) before my trip?

Yes, but be sure to ask the advice of a doctor. The doctor will recommend appropriate medicines, dosages, and administration time based on your body condition and itinerary. It is more reliable. Do not take the medicine blindly.

Plan Your Jiuzhai and Huanglong Tour with China Xian Tour

During a tour in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, joining our tour group can ensure your safety to the greatest extent. If you suffer from altitude sickness, unfortunately, our local guide will provide immediate support and call for help. Also, he can describe your condition to the doctor accurately, so that you can receive effective treatment. Besides, we will arrange a bus to escort you to travel between the scattered scenic spots. Our customized trip will also meet all your other demands and is reasonably designed to leave enough time for you to acclimate to the altitude. Just contact China Xian Tour now to enjoy your carefree tour.