Weather: January is quite cold. Average daily low and high temperatures are a chilly -4°C (25°F) and 10°C (50°F). There is about 8 mm of total snow each January, and it snows on about 5 days of the month. You'll be more comfortable on sunny days when the temperature increases to 7°C or 8°C (47°F).
Clothing: Bring warm clothing such as down jackets, thermal underwear, sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, heat packs, and non-slip snow boots, as the walkways may be icy. And don't forget your moisturising cream.
Altitude Sickness: In January, the low temperatures and withered trees mean there's less oxygen in the air. High-altitude spots like Huanglong and Long Lake are more likely to trigger altitude sickness. If you plan to visit, take precautions in advance, or simply skip these sites.
Is Jiuzhaigou Worth Visiting in January?
If you're looking for snowy landscapes and a quieter, more budget-friendly travel season, Jiuzhaigou in January is still worth visiting.
Although the weather is cold and the forests look a bit bare, you'll still enjoy stunning water views, as well as fewer crowds and lower costs due to the off-season.
Winter Advantages: Snow, Fewer Crowds, and Cheaper Prices
This month, you'll see the spectacular frozen waterfalls, icy lakes, and snow-covered forests in Jiuzhaigou. Although it's the dry season, it's not yet at its lowest point. The lakes still hold a fair amount of water, so you can still expect a better viewing experience than in spring.
Instead of the peak season's 35,000+ daily visitors, January only sees around 5,000–10,000.
And the entrance tickets, hotels, and flights are about half the price compared to peak season.
Winter Challenges: Leafless Forests and Chilly Weather
Apart from some evergreens, most trees are bare, so you'll find the forests quite colorless.
January is also one of the coldest months in Jiuzhaigou, and some walkways may be icy and slippery. If you travel with seniors or young children, it's not the best month to go.
Sometimes, the Spring Festival may fall at the end of the month. The daily visitor numbers can match the peak season, so it's better to avoid visiting during Spring Festival.
Due to the cold weather, we recommend booking hotels with heating. If you're unsure how to plan your stay or itinerary, you can contact us or check out our Jiuzhaigou tours for inspiration.
Recommended Jiuzhaigou Tours:
Top Things to Do in Jiuzhaigou in January
In winter, Jiuzhaigou has two kinds of spots: some are always snowy or frozen, and others aren't icy but can turn into a "snowy forest" after fresh snowfall.
1. Witness Spectacular Ice Waterfalls and Frozen Lakes
Nuorilang Waterfall
Frozen Nuorilang WaterfallIt is considered the most beautiful and spectacular waterfall in Jiuzhaigou National Park, and it is the widest waterfall (300 meters wide).
In January, most part of Nuorilang Waterfall is frozen. You'll see huge icicles hanging from the cliffs, with some water still trickling down, creating a stunning mix of ice and flowing water.
You can also spot some smaller frozen waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou, such as Shuzheng Waterfall, Arrow Bamboo Waterfall, Panda Lake with blue ice waterfall, and Pearl Shoal Waterfall.
Long Lake
You can even make a tiny snowman in Long LakeBy January, Long Lake is already frozen, and it's the only fully frozen lake you can witness in Jiuzhaigou.
Long Lake is also the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou. It looks like a frozen river lying quietly among forested valleys, giving you a sense of grandeur and peaceful beauty that feels completely different from the frozen waterfalls.
But do note that Long Lake sits at a high altitude, and you may feel a bit short of breath. It's best to slow down your pace while exploring.
Huanglong National Park
Huanglong in winterMany visitors also pair Huanglong with Jiuzhaigou. With an elevation of 3,900m, it sees more and deeper snow than in Jiuzhaigou.
You'll see the terraced calcified pools covered in ice and snow, while the famous Five-Color Pond at the top is half frozen.
Unlike the rich yellows and deep blues of autumn, the soft mix of white, sky blue, and light yellow in winter makes you feel as if you've stepped into a Morandi-style painting.
On the way down from the hike, you'd normally see scenery and waterfalls similar to the Five-Color Pond. But in January, it's the dry season, so most of them aren't flowing. It's also cold, and the trails are snowy, making hiking difficult.
So if you visit Huanglong in winter, we recommend taking the cable car and shuttle buses for a round trip instead.
Jiuzhaigou Visiting Tips in January: The park opens at 8:30 am, but the sun isn't fully up yet. The boardwalks can be icy or melting, making them slippery and cold. You can consider starting your visit around 9 or 9:30 instead.
2. Admire Flowing Colorful Lakes in Winter
These lakes show their snowy beauty only when it snows, but even without snow, you can still enjoy some of Jiuzhaigou's most stunning scenery here.
Fiver Flower Lake
JiuzhaigouFive-Flower Lake remains vibrant and full even in winter. Sometimes, usually in the morning, you can even catch a thin layer of mist floating over the water.
Reed Lake
Reed LakeYou'll be captivated by the peaceful Reeds Lake in winter. In January, the reeds turn golden while the nearby forest stays green, contrasting beautifully with the pine-green water, so you can still enjoy Jiuzhaigou's layered colors even in winter.
3. Dress Up in Tibetan Outfits for a Photoshoot
Jiuzhaigou Tibetan Dress Photo ShootIf you like a portrait photo shoot, winter in Jiuzhaigou is actually great for this. The Tibetan costumes are thick and warm, and you can also capture both snowy views and beautiful lakes.
You can find photo studios or clothing rental points at Panda Lake, Five-Flower Lake, and Shuzheng Village. But I highly recommend Shuzheng Village. It has the most studios, plenty of Tibetan-style buildings and decorations, perfect for capturing more distinctive photos.
Also, Shuzheng Valley is usually the last route on your Jiuzhaigou visit, and the afternoon light here is better. You won't need to worry about wasting your sightseeing time, and can still take a variety of great photos.
See our 4-Day Jiuzhaigou Tour with Tibetan-style Photo Shoot.
Popular Jiuzhaigou Tours
If you're interested in visiting the fairyland in person, why not browse our popular tours below for inspiration?
Jiuzhaigou Weather by Month
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in January
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in February
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in March
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in April
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in May
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in June
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in July
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in August
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in September
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in October
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in November
- Jiuzhaigou Weather in December
