What to prepare for Jiuzhaigou? A detailed A–Z checklist

Preparing for Jiuzhaigou isn't hard, but forgetting a few things can ruin the whole trip: forgetting to link your card to Alipay, forgetting to download offline maps, or simply packing too few layers. If you're wondering what to prepare for Jiuzhaigou, this is the list I used, split into groups, plus a few things I wish I had prepared better.

1. Documents

• Passportvalid for more than 6 months – needed for trains, park tickets and hotels. Always keep it on you.
• Chinese visa
• Photos of your passport + visa saved on your phone and in your email.
• Travel insurance (a good idea, since you're going to high altitude).

2. Internet & apps

Install the China travel apps and sign up forbefore leaving Vietnam, because some apps need SMS verification.

eSIM or local SIM?I useda China eSIM from Trip.com, a 100GB/day plan that works with ChatGPT too. I used it freely for 8 days in China and it only cost about 300,000₫ (about 76 yuan). The roaming eSIM can reach Google, Facebook and Zalo without a VPN.

3. Money

• Link an international card to Alipay/WeChat Pay and try a small payment first.
• Bring extra cash300 yuan(about 1,190,000₫) as a backup – for small shops, shared rides, and when you lose signal.
• Prepare an extra backup way to pay in case Alipay gets locked:ZaloPay, MoMo, or the Visa cards of some banks that can be tapped directly.
• Tell your bank if your card often gets blocked for overseas transactions.

4. Jiuzhaigou altitude sickness: should you worry?

Jiuzhaigou sits at about2,000 – 3,100 m. Most people feel nothing or are just a little short of breath on slopes. But people in poor health are more likely to get altitude sickness. What I learned: go slowly, learn to breathe steadily and slowly, and don't run around or pant when walking for a long time or climbing.

Places where it's more likely areHuanglong (~3,500 m)andJiuhuang Airport (~3,400 m). If you plan to add Huanglong, read more inshould you combine Huanglong with Jiuzhaigou.

What to do:

• Get enough sleep the night before going up, and don't drink alcohol on the first day.
• Walk slowly, don't run around– especially when walking uphill at Long Lake.
• Drink lots of water, and bring something sweet (chocolate, candy).
• A small oxygen canisteris sold at grocery shops near the gate for about 20–30 yuan (about 79,000–120,000₫) – bring one for peace of mind.
• Some people takerhodiola (红景天)a few days beforehand – ask a doctor before using it.
• If you havea severe headache, trouble breathing, or constant vomiting: stop, breathe oxygen, go down to lower ground, and find a medical station.

Note: If you have pre-existing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, blood pressure or respiratory problems, consult a doctor before the trip.

5. Clothing

The rule:several thin layers, because autumn mornings are close to 0°C but walking at noon gets warm.

• Thermal top + sweater/fleece + light down jacket
• Long pants (with a thermal layer underneath for the morning)
• Wool hat, scarf, touchscreen gloves
• Walking shoes with good grip– the wooden boardwalks are very slippery with early morning frost
• Thin rain jacket / folding umbrella

What to wear by season, with the temperature each month:Jiuzhaigou weather by month and what to wear.

6. What to carry into the park on your visit day

In one day in the park you'll walk about20,000 steps (about 15 km), so the lighter your backpack the better:

• Passport (to scan your ticket and board the bus)
• Water + a thermos of hot tea
• Lunch/snacks (Tibetan flatbread, eggs, fruit, chocolate)
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm
• Power bank – batteries drain very fast in the cold
• Wet wipes, a small trash bag
• A jacket (even if it's sunny at noon) – the wind at Long Lake is very cold

The day's route, so you know when to take layers off and when to add some:Jiuzhaigou 1-day itinerary.

7. Medicine & personal items

• Motion sickness pills (the mountain road from the station has lots of curves)
• Medicine for headaches, fever and upset stomach
• Moisturizer, facial mist – the air at altitude is very dry
• Heat patches (late autumn and winter)

What to prepare for Jiuzhaigou: a condensed checklist to screenshot

• Passport + visa
• Alipay with a linked card
• eSIM
• Apps: Trip.com/Alipay/WeChat/Amap/translation
• Train tickets
• Entry ticket + bus
• Hotel near the gate
• Layers + grippy shoes
• Power bank
• Motion sickness pills + oxygen canister

Frequently asked questions

What to prepare for Jiuzhaigou if you go in autumn?

Thin layers: thermal underwear, a sweater or fleece, a light down jacket, because autumn mornings are close to 0°C while walking at noon gets hot. Add a wool hat, gloves and grippy-soled shoes for the dewy boardwalks.

Do I need a VPN?

Not if you use a roaming eSIM like I did: you can access Google, Facebook and Zalo without a VPN.

How much cash should I bring?

About 300 yuan (about 1,190,000₫) as a backup for small restaurants, shared rides or when the signal drops. Pay the rest with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card.

Do I need to buy an oxygen canister?

Bring 1 for peace of mind. Small oxygen canisters are sold at grocery shops near the gate, about 20–30 yuan (about 79,000–120,000₫).

How much walking is there in a day inside the park?

About 20,000 steps (about 15 km), so the lighter your backpack the better, and remember to wear cushioned shoes with good grip.

Once you've prepared for Jiuzhaigou, the rest – trains, tickets, accommodation, itinerary – is inJiuzhaigou independent travel guide 2026.