4 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Tour

4 Days Independent Tour to Chengdu - Songpan - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

Day 1 Chengdu - Songpan

Songpan Ancient Town

Today you need to get up earlier and head to Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Terminal to take the long-distance bus to Songpan. Chadianzi Bus Terminal is reachable by subway line 2 or bus no. 844, 846. There are 5 buses a day and the one departing at 07:50 is recommended, which takes CNY109 and around seven hours. If you travel during the peak season, it would be better to book the bus ticket online in advance. En route, the beautiful natural scenery of the Minjiang river valley will bring you great visual enjoyment, hence the right side seat will be a better choice.

Upon arrival, you may visit the Ancient Town of Songpan. This small plateau town will give you a new experience with a unique mix of Chinese and Tibetan style. There are a lot of colorful stores in the town and you may have a dinner to taste the local specialties. Afterwards, find a clean and comfortable hostel near or in the Ancient Town of Songpan for overnight.

If you fly from Chengdu to Huanglong Airport directly, you can take the bus to Huanglong, which takes CNY22 per ticket. If you arrive late, you're suggested to go to Panzhusi by bus (CNY10) for overnight and then take the bus to Huanglong the next morning.

Our Friendly Tip:
The Huanglong Scenic Area is one of China's highest scenic spots at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters (9843 feet), so you're suggested to prepare for altitude sickness in advance.

Day 2 Songpan - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou

This morning, walk or take a taxi to Songpan Country Bus station which is only 1,200 meters (0.75 miles) far from the Ancient Town of Songpan and catch the bus departing at 07:00 to Huanglong, which takes CNY28 and around 2 hours. The entrance fee of Huanglong is CNY170 in peak season (June 1st to December 15th) and CNY60 in low season (December 16th to the next May 31st). Huanglong is famous for its colorful lakes, snow-capped mountains, valleys and virgin forests. The best way to visit this area is to take the cable car (at a fee of CNY80) to the top and then slowly descend along the wooden walkway to appreciate the beautiful sceneries and landscapes. The best time to visit is in autumn when the water is at its peak. Generally, four to six hours are enough for the tour.

In the afternoon, continue to Jiuzhaigou by bus. The last bus departs from Huanglong at 15:00. You could also carpool a car to Jiuzhaigou at a cost of approximate CNY200. After around two and a half hours, you will arrive at Jiuzhaigou valley and you can find a hotel or hostel near the entrance of the park to stay overnight. Popular hotels, hostels and inns are usually full during the peak season, so you would better book in advance.

Day 3 Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhai Valley

Today you can spend the whole day touring in Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park. Please remember wearing comfortable walking shoes with adequate warm clothes as the temperature variation is great here. Besides, you would better go to the park early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The entrance fee is CNY169 in peak season (Apr 1 to Nov 15) and CNY80 in low season (Nov 16 to Mar 31). It is advisable to take the tourist bus to visit the various peaks. The bus fee is CNY90 in peak season and CNY80 in low season. However, even by bus, there are still plenty of walks in order to see the waterfalls and blue clear pools with the snow-capped mountain as backdrops. As ascending high up, you will easily get out of breath, but the stunning scenery is sure to make it all worthwhile. There is one lunch restaurant and some food stalls inside the spot where you could enjoy today's lunch.

Autumn is the most beautiful season in Jiuzhaigou, but is also the most crowded period. When you plan your tour, you need to take both into consideration. The opening hour is 07:30 - 17:00 in peak season and 08:30 - 17:00 in low season and the latest entry time is 12:00. After finishing the tour, head to JiuTong Passenger Transport Station at the entrance to purchase the return bus ticket to Chengdu for the next day. The ticket fee is CNY155. Then go back to your hotel and have a good night.

Day 4 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

In the morning, take the bus back to Chengdu, which takes about 10-11 hours. Please kindly note that the bus is only available in the early morning from 06:30 to 08:10.

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