4 Days Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Highlights Tour from Chengdu by Private Car
Best Jiuzhaigou Adventure
Best Jiuzhaigou Adventure
Lying on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Jiuzhaigou can also be arrived by driving from Chengdu, which is money-saving and full of surprises. The driving from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou is about 450 km, with many opportunities to make stops, rest, take photos and explore many different things as you will travel through Chengdu plain, ethnic region of Qing people to Tibetan habitants in Mingshan Mountains where Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong valley sit. So don’t have to worry getting bored during your driving in and driving out. There are many things to see.
Our 4 Days Jiuzhaigou Highlights tour picks up you at your hotel in Chengdu, then drives you northward to Songpan first where you will spend some time acclimatizing the altitude (2850 m) and stay the first night. You will then visit the World Natural Heritage Site - Huanglong Valley first, then move on to have a full day exploring the superb scenery in Jiuzhaigou. All the highlights are enjoyed by you.
High Altitude Notice: this trip includes traveling over 3500 meters above the sea level, which may cause high altitude sickness for some travelers. You can take high altitude sickness prevention medicine about 2~3 days before your tour. Or start your journey by exploring Jiuzhaigou National Park first, and save your visit to Huanglong for later days. This approach ensures you have two nights to acclimatize to the high altitudes.
Day 1 Chengdu - Chuanzhusi (L)
Driving distance: about 310 km/6 hrs
Today after breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up in your hotel, then leave the city and drive to Chuanzhusi Town, which is a beautiful small town near to Huanglong National Park. The distance between Chengdu and Chuanzhusi is about 350 kilometers, and need about 6~7 hours to drive. Before getting to Chuanzhusi Town, you will take a visit to historical Songpan Ancient City. Check in to your hotel in Chuanzhusi Town. The rest of today is free for you to acclimatize the altitude (2900 m) and relax.
Travel to Jiuzhaigou by train or flight: currently you can take a high speed train to Zhenjiangguan Station (about 1.5 hours), then travel to Jiuzhaigou via Huanglong Natoinal Park. You can also take a flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Huanglong Airport then travel to Jiuzhaigou. Both will save a day compared with tour package by driving from Chengdu.
Beautiful Chuanzhusi Town
Day 2 Chuanzhusi - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou Valley (B)
Today's highlight: Huanglong Valley
After breakfast, drive about 30 minutes from Chuanzhusi to visit Huanglong National Park. Situated in the Minshan Mountains in northwestern Sichuan Province, Huanglong Valley has one of the three most outstanding travertine lake terraces in the world, which is 3.6 Kilometers long, lying under the grandiose peak of Xuebao Peak (Snow Treasure Mountain: 5,588 meters) like a yellow dragon. This is how the valley gained the name of Huanglong (Yellow Dragon). The travertine scenery was created by the thousands years of geological evolution, including glacial revolution, terrane movement, chemical reaction, climate changing, etc. At the top (3556 m) of the valley lies the best highlight - Five-Color Ponds consisting of 693 ponds of different sizes, shapes, colors, dazzling like beautiful emeralds. Huanglong Valley is also renowned for superlative sceneries of snow mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, wild forests, etc. as well as an important habitant of Giant Pandas and Snub-nosed monkeys. All these magnificences of nature helped Huanglong gained the title of World Natural Heritage Site in 1992.
It usually takes about 6 hours to hike from the entrance to Five-Color Ponds, then return to the entrance. To save energy and time, you will take a quick cable car directly to the top, and then walk down the valley to enjoy the scenery. After about 3-hour sightseeing in the valley, you will leave the park and drive about 2 hours to Jiuzhaigou to check in your hotel.
Useful tips: 1) some attractions in Huanglong valleys are located over 3500 meters above the sea level, which may cause high altitude sickness for some travelers. You’d better walk at a slower pace. If you feel hard to breathe or headache, you can go to the Oxygen Bars to rest and take oxygen; 2) Huanglong cableway is not operational in winter; 3) there is no restaurant in the valley, you can bring some food or snacks, or have lunch after exiting the park.
Day 3 Jiuzhaigou Valley (B)
Today's highlight: Jiuzhaigou Valley
After breakfast at your hotel, set out for the full-day exploration of Jiuzhaigou National Park. Your guide will accompany you to hop on a sightseeing bus to enter the park to explore the fairyland landscape of Jiuzhaigou.
Having been hidden as a mysterious home to nine Tibetan villages and never been bothered by outsider until the first discovery in the middle 20th century, Jiuzhaigou is a reserve of superb and diverse natural beauty of which the waterfall and plateau lakes are praised as the most stunning waterscape in the world. According to official records, there are up to 114 turquoise pools and lakes, 47 tranquil springs, 17 groups of waterfalls, 11 rapids and 5 beautiful tufa shoals scattering in the three main valleys of Jiuzhaigou, Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley and Shuzheng Valley. They present various color patterns of white, blue, green, turquoise and emerald in different seasons. The visual feast of Jiuzhaigou also expands from waterscape to spectacular jagged alpine mountains, wild forests with multi-colors and many other remarkable natural features.
Visiting Jiuzhaigou Valley is relaxing and enjoyable. There are sightseeing buses running from the entrance to the three valleys with stops near the scenic spots. Travelers hop off the bus, walk along wooden plank roads to enjoy the sights, then hop on another bus to next attractions. Our tour guide will organize your visit route according to your time, energy and crowd level, and accompany you to explore the essence of Jiuzhaigou at a comfortable pace. The classic visit route is to take tourist bus from the entrance to Nuorilang Water Fall first, then transfer to Zechawa Valley to visit the Long Lake and Five-Color Pond, then move to Rize Valley to visit the Panda Lake, Five Flowers Lake, Pearl Shoal, Mirror Lake, etc. Lastly, get back to Nuorilang, and descend along Shuzheng Valley to the park entrance and visit Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lakes, Shuzheng Waterfall, Sparkling Lake, etc. on route.
After Jiuzhaigou sightseeing, your tour guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Useful tips: 1) try to have breakfast and enter the park earlier to escape the crowds of tourist groups; 2) wear comfortable walking shoes and seasonal cloths based on your travel month; 3) Buffet lunch is provided in Nuorilang Restaurant (the only restaurant in the valley) but food options are limited. You can also bring some snacks or let your hotel prepare packed food for you if you like.
Day 4 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu (B, L)
Driving distance: 450 km/8~9 hrs
After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up in your hotel, then drive back to Chengdu. Take a strop to enjoy beautiful plateau lakeview of Diexi Lake on route.
Optional drop off at Jiuzhaigou airport or other places: 1) By Air: if you don't want to return to Chengdu, you can take flight to Xian, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, etc, from Jiuzhaigou Airport; 2) By Land: if you want to extend your trip from Jiuzhaigou, you can travel northward to Hongyuan, Ruoergai, Langmusi, even Gansu and Qinghai Province.
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Hi Jack,
My wife and I returned from our China trip yesterday. The crowds at most sites were overwhelming and something that we are not used to. However, I want to let you know that we had a wonderful time mostly due to China Discovery's wonderful tour guides!
Each guide enriched our experience with both their knowledge of the cities, sites, cultures, people, and foods. They were all prompt, patient, and engaging. They were very helpful in navigating the complexities of visiting China. My wife and I enjoyed their company and conversation greatly. I don't believe we would have had the same experience in China if we had traveled there by ourselves.
All the drivers were also very courteous, on-time, and helpful!
Unfortunately, my wife caught a respiratory illness on the Yangtze River Cruise and was quite sick at ZJJ. Our guide Tim, however, was there to assist at night and brought her to the hospital to see a doctor. Tim helped us navigate the Chinese health system, stayed with us throughout the hospital visit, and brought us back to the hotel late at night! We are very grateful to Tim's extraordinary assistance!
Although we provided a paper review at the end of each location, if China Discovery has an overall review of our trip that needs to be completed, please let me know!
Again, thank you for your assistance in all the planning prior to the trip and your quick responses to my questions during the trip. Knowing you were there to assist us throughout our journey was a great source of comfort!
Regards,
Alex
Hi Wonder,
Yes, you responded swiftly and clear. Both drivers pick up and drop off were good. Our guide, Gavin was a very good guide, and driver, he's attentive, knows history well, kind and well organized. We're very happy with him. Hotels Holiday Inn Express were OK, they served good breakfast. Location might be a bit stranded but perhaps chosen because most our trips are outskirts and not inner city.
Vivi
Hi Wonder,
Yes! The suzhou & hangzhou tour are fantastic. I will prepare the review soon when I return to Singapore tomorrow.
Shirley
Hi Wonder,
Very lucky whole journey no rain at all...The weather was good...So we can enjoy amazing view.
Stevany
Hi Reya,
Loved the entire trip planning and journey. Ms Lily our tour guide was remarkable and very informative. We had a great journey throughout the trip.
You were very responsive and what can I say, our guide Lily made the trip enriched with her hospitality. Beijing is indeed memorable.
Tqvm. This is really so kind of a 7-seat private car and thoughtful of your agency. Transportation in Beijing is so convenient and your upgrade did help. Tq again.
It was indeed a great trip! Loved every moment of it.
Thank you and your agency have made this trip memorable. Tq China Discovery!
Dan
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There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Beautiful Chuanzhusi Town
Huanglong National Park Landscape
Huanglong National Park
Nuorilang Waterfall
Five-flower Lake in Rize Valley
Beautiful Long Lake in Autumn (November)
Jiuzhaigou in autumn - world of colors
Based in Chengdu (the most popular gateway to Jiuzhaigou) with more than 2,020+ good reviews on Tripadvisor, we always master the first-hand travel information of Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong Valley and other beautiful places in the region. We know what is the best way to visit Jiuzhaigou no matter you travel solo or with your family and friends; Our private tour packages assure you the highest standards with great flexibility, comfort and personalized arrangement. You will your personal travel consultant, professional tour guide and a private vehicle which only serve for your party - nobody else. All-inclusive tour package to let you enjoy the best of Jiuzhaigou WORRY FREE.
Jiuzhaigou is located in northern Sichuan Province in southwestern China. It is about 450 km north from Chengdu city, approximately 1.5 hours' high speed train, 1 hour’ flight or 7~8 hour’s driving. Generally speaking, if you travel solo, or travel with kids, or want a more comfortable trip, you are suggested to take train to get to Jiuzhaigou. If your time is not on budget, or want to experience more places along the road, driving is the best option for you.
A Jiuzhaigou tour usually starts from Chengdu. You can take the early high speed trains so that you have at least a half day to explore Huanglong Valley before heading to Jiuzhaigou. Stay in a hotel close to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Valley. Day 2 can be a full day exploration in Jiuzhaigou Valley. With the help of sightseeing bus, you can visit most of the beautiful attractions in the three valleys of Jiuzhaigou in a full day. Day 3 is for you to leave Jiuzhaigou. If you prefer a land-driving tour, you need 4 days. Day 1 is to drive about 7~8 hours from Chengdu to Songpan or Chuanzhusi, two towns near Huanglong Valley; Day 2 is to visit Huanglong Valley and drive about 2 hours to Jiuzhaigou for accommodation. Day 3 is a full day spent in Jiuzhaigou Valley. Day 4 is to drive back to Chengdu from Jiuzhaigou. There are some stops along the driving to take rest, sightsee and have lunch between Chengdu Jiuzhaigou driving. If you arrive at Jiuzhaigou from other cities, we can pick up you at the airport either.
Staying overnight in Jiuzhaigou Valley is not allowed due to environment protection. Travelers usually stay in the Goukou (Jiuzhaigou Valley Entrance) area where hotels options are flexible from 5 stars to 3 stars. China Discovery only uses those hotels with convenient amenities, fine services and great reputations. Most of them are 5-star and 4-star hotels located near the Goukou area where you can also get easy accesses to food street, shopping malls, banks, etc. We will also take care of the private transfers between hotel and the scenic area for you.
Some attractions in Huanglong valleys are located over 3500 meters above the sea level, which may cause high altitude sickness for some travelers. You can take high altitude sickness prevention medicine about 2~3 days before your tour. During your tour, you’d better walk at a slower pace. If you feel hard to breathe or headache, you can go to the Oxygen Bars in Huanglong Valley to rest and take oxygen; The altitudes of Jiuzhaigou valley is lower than Huanglong. The altitudes of most of the attractions in Jiuzhaigou are below 3000 m. With the help of sightseeing bus and rich oxygen density, the chance is small to get high altitude sickness.
Or start your journey by exploring Jiuzhaigou National Park first, and save your visit to Huanglong for later days. This approach ensures you have two nights to acclimatize to the high altitudes.
Jiuzhaigou is open all year around, but the best time for travel is from June to November. The most beautiful scenery comes in late September and fade in middle November when the forests turn to colorful, waters are clean and weather is most enjoyable. Winter is a good time for photography of snow world. It is also less-crowded and money-saving. March to May is not a very good time. The weather is great but some pools, lakes and waterfalls may be dried-up.
Jiuzhaigou has a plateau climate with lots of sunny days and huge temperature difference between day and night. The temperature in spring is still a little cold and you need to prepare sweater and coat to keep warm. The summer of Jiuzhaigou is cool, and wearing a T-shirt or pants is enough. But rain gear, sun-screen and moisturizer are a must-taken items with you in summer. In Autumn, You can take a long-sleeved blouse with a light coat at day time and thick clothes at night. If you plan a winter travel, you need to wear thicker clothes, like down jacket or cotton wadded jacket together with thick sweater in it. You can ask your travel consultant for more detailed weather information and tips.
Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou
Chengdu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou
Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou
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