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 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.

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

Huanglong Altitudes Map (click to see full map)

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.

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.

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

China Discovery Customized Jiuzhaigou Tour

Our Group Guests Visited Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu

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!