Does Jiuzhaigou worth visiting in December? - Detailed Jiuzhaigou Weather Condition in December

Located in the north of Sichuan province, Jiuzhaigou is famous for its natural wonders like crystal lakes, rushing waterfalls and colorful leaves. In local legend, Jiuzhaigou was created by a Tibetan goddess when a devil broke her magic mirror which was come from her lover as a gift. The mirror dropped from the sky, scattering into 114 crystal shimmering lakes. As one of the greatest attractions in China, Jiuzhaigou has welcomed more than 2 million people to visit every year.

Beautiful scenery in December

The beauty of Jiuzhaigou differs from the seasons. Normally, the scenery of Jiuzhaigou in autumn is valued as the best of 4 seasons. However, the lively fairyland turns into a pure white world without any modern interruption. When winter comes, rivers and lakes are frozen, and most of the region is covered by snow, which is as pretty as a wonderland picture and even more attractive in reality.

Wonderful sights covered by snow

Weather of Jiuzhaigou in December

Because of the high altitude, the winter in Jiuzhaigou comes earlier than in other plain cities. It starts to snow in the late November, and continues in December.

The early December

The highest temperature reaches 15°C in the early December in the daytime, and the lowest temperature comes down to -1°C in the end of the month. The average temperature is about 5°C. The temperature difference in December is very small since the whole month is cold. Anytime you come to Jiuzhaigou in December, what waits for you is a piece of white wonderland.

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From November, the amount of precipitation starts to reduce, which leads Jiuzhaigou to the dry season. The rainfall is rare in December that predictably 30 days of December are sunny and cloudy. It is not frigid because of the sunshine in the daytime. The danger of slide land is smaller. Relatively, the air would be extremely dry for people’s skin, and the possibility of mountain fire is higher than in rain seasons.

Weather forecast of Jiuzhaigou in December for reference

What to Wear When Visit Jiuzhaigou in December

In December, if you are going to visit Jiuzhaigou, the temperature is too low to wear normal autumn clothes like in Chengdu. Warm wool sweater, mitten, scarf, rash guard, thick overcoat, and down jacket are necessary against the freezing weather. Bring a hot-water bag if needed.

The temperature is very low in December

Located in more than 2000m high valleys, the UV is as strong as in summer time, or even stronger. There are less rainfall and less cloud in December, which reinforces the power of UV. Put sun cream on your skin wherever exposures under the sun. During the dry season, it is advised to take moisturizes with you as a protection.

Jiuzhaigou Altitude Sickness

The average altitude of Jiuzhaigou is about 2500m when the highest point that Virgin Forest reaches 3100m, so the oxygen levels are relatively lower than in Chengdu. In December, the plants begin to rest and save energy for the next spring, which means that their ability to create oxygen is weaker than in other season. Most of the lakes and parks lie at the altitude of 2500m, so Jiuzhaigou is not an ideal attraction for people who are suffering from hypertension, heart disease and anemia. As for normal people, you can take an oxygen bottle with you in case feeling smothered and unwell. Also the oxygen bottle is available in the scenic park. Eating Rhodiola rosea 2 weeks ago before you go to Jiuzhaigou and paying more attention on daily exercise is helpful as well. But do not exercise in high-altitude regions.

The snow under the sunshine would be too dazzling to look at. A pair of sunglasses is useful.

Does Jiuzhaigou Worth visiting in December?

Yes. You can enjoy a peaceful and quiet time with white fairyland under a limited budget and see another scenery of Jiuzhaigou. But there is no colorful foliage left in the forest.

White fairyland under a limited budget

In December, which is the low season of Jiuzhaigou, tourists can enjoy a lower price including plane ticket price, accommodation price, entrance fee and others. During winter, the flights to Jiuzhaigou reduced a lot, but those remained flights have also sell the plane tickets at a reduced price as promotion. The retrenchment of accommodation budget would save a lot for you. The price of a hotel room could cut 60% off maximally. It is achievable that spending equal money in December as in October but getting 3 times better room and service. As to the entrance fee of Jiuzhaigou, in the slack season, the ticket price drops from 220 RMB to 80 RMB, and you can even spend 20 RMB to renew your entrance ticket so you can come back to Jiuzhaigou in the next day without buying a new ticket like in peak season. Relatively, the price of food, water and manpower is also lower than in autumn.

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There would be fewer tourists in the park to destroy your photograph. You don’t have to squeeze out a way from the crowds to continue your journey to the next scenic spot. You would not experience the high price of shabby hostel room.

Jiuzhaigou in December is totally different from in October. It is quiet with peaceful snow scenery. There is no red foliage left in the forest, but what greets you is a serene fairyland.

Peaceful snow scenery

What to See in Jiuzhaigou in December

Jiuzhaigou in winter is extremely quiet, serene and poetic like a wonderland. White snow covers the mountains and forests while the waterfall and the surfaces of lakes are as crystal as jades. The different grains of the ice on the surface of lakes would change according to the sunshine within one day.

Jiuzhaigou in December is serene and poetic like a wonderland

The views differ from the altitude. In early December, the lakes in lower altitude like Shuzheng Lakes are still blue and green. Actually originating in glacial activity, the colorful lakes were dammed by rock falls and other natural phenomena, and then solidified by processes of carbonate deposition. Shuzheng Lakes have a high concentration of calcium carbonate, which makes the water very clear and the bottoms are visible in more than 10m. Irregular bottoms create different depth which leads to different colors co-existing in one lake.

Shuzheng Lakes are still blue and green

In December, some lakes in higher altitude represented by Long Lake shows a significant view that half of the lakes are freezed and half of the lake is still flowing. You can witness the floating white ice looking like sponges on the surface of lakes. It is recommended to enjoy a hot spring spa in Guergou near Jiuzhaigou when you are immersing in the warm water and embracing the cold silver world. Guergou produces natural hot spring, which is called GOD WATER thousands years ago, located 232 km away from Chengdu. The temperature is about 60°C and the daily flow of Guergou is more than 2000 ton. The mineral hot spring is beneficial for human body as well as the skin. The Hot Spring Town is newly finished in 2016 with several honorable private villas.

Natural hot spring in Guergou

Also, Zhegu shan Ski Resort, situated at an altitude of about 3000m, is recommended to ski amateurs in December when the snow is fresh, soft and clean. It is also called the nearest ski resort to the sky.

Zhegu shan Ski Resort

Accommodation in Jiuzhaigou

In December, some accommodations in Jiuzhaigou stop their business for the lower tourist’s traffic. But some high-class hotels are still running, which offers a good for travelers who have limited budget yearning for great hotel services.

High-class hotels in December