Qizang Valley: The Secret 3-Day Trek Near Jiuzhaigou Foreigners Don’t Know About
- DolphinUnion
- Oct 29, 2025
- 4 min read
You’ve heard of Jiuzhaigou.
But did you know just 2 hours away, hidden in the same mountains, lies Qizang Valley (Qīzàng Gōu, 七藏沟)—ranked one of China’s Top 10 hiking trails?
Most tourists stick to the paved paths of Jiuzhaigou National Park.
But one Swiss hiker told me: “Qizang Valley felt like stepping into a myth—no crowds, no fences, just raw Sichuan wilderness.”
This guide solves the #1 problem:
How to reach Qizang Valley from Chengdu without a tour, and which 3-day route actually works for foreign hikers.
I’ve walked it once.
Here’s the only realistic, safe, and stunning version—with bus times, camp spots, and gear tips that keep you alive at 4,250m.
（Best Qizang Valley hiking route in China for foreign travelers from Chengdu）
Getting to Qizang Valley from Chengdu – Step by Step
The Problem:
Qizang Valley has no official entrance, no signs, and no public transport to the trailhead.
The Reality:
You must go via Huanglong-Jiuzhai Railway Station (Huánglóng Jiǔzhài Zhàn, 黄龙九寨站)—the new high-speed rail stop near Songpan.
How to get there:
Chengdu → Huanglong-Jiuzhai Station:
Take high-speed train from Chengdu East Station (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn, 成都东站).
Duration: 1.5–2 hours.
Ticket: ¥149 one-way.
Book early—trains fill fast in summer.
Station → Aweng Valley Trailhead (Āwēng Gōu Kǒu, 阿翁沟口):
No bus.
Hire a local driver at the station (¥150–200, 1.5 hours).
Tell them: “Qizang Valley hiking start—Aweng Gou entrance.”
Save your driver’s number—you’ll need them on Day 3.
Don’t try to hitchhike.
One USA hiker waited 5 hours in rain—no cars stopped.
The 3-Day Qizang Valley Trek – Only the Best Route
Forget the “full loop”—it’s too long and risky without a guide.
Stick to this 30km essence route tested by dozens of foreign trekkers.
Day 1: Aweng Valley → Caohai Lake → Hongxinghai Camp
Distance: 10km, 5–6 hours
Trail: Gentle forest path → Caohai Zi (Cǎohǎi Zǐ, 草海子)—a golden wetland at 3,600m.
Camp: Hongxinghai Lower Camp (Hóngxīnghǎi Xiàfāng Yíngdì, 红星海下方营地) at 3,700m.
Look for yak herds—they often cross near the camp.
Day 2: Hongxinghai → Feicui Pass → Feicui Lake → Tazigou Camp
Distance: 12km, 7–8 hours
Climb to Feicui Pass (Fěicuì Yàkǒu, 翡翠海垭口)—4,250m, the highest point.
Use trekking poles—the last 200m is loose scree.
Descend to Feicui Lake (Fěicuì Hǎi, 翡翠海)—a jewel-blue alpine lake.
Camp at Tazigou (Tǎzǐ Gōu, 塔子沟)—great sunset views of snow peaks.
Day 3: Tazigou → Changgou Village → Back to Station
Distance: 8km, 4–5 hours
Easy descent through old-growth forest.
End at Changgou Village (Chánggōu Cūn, 长沟村).
Call your driver—no buses here.
Trust me:
This route gives you all the magic—lakes, clouds, forests, peaks—without getting lost.
Top 3 Must-See Spots in Qizang Valley
1. Hongxinghai (Hóngxīnghǎi, 红星海)
A sacred lake at 4,200m.
Color shifts from deep blue (sunny) to emerald green (cloudy).
Don’t touch the water—locals consider it holy.
2. Feicui Lake (Fěicuì Hǎi, 翡翠海)
Best shot: from Feicui Pass at sunrise.
Bring a wide-angle lens—the reflection of Xuebaoding Peak is unreal.
3. Caohai Wetland (Cǎohǎi Zǐ, 草海子)
June: Wild rhododendrons bloom.
October: Golden grass under snow-capped peaks.
Wear waterproof boots—the ground is spongy.
What to Pack – Don’t Skip These!
Clothing (Layer System):
Base: Quick-dry top + leggings
Mid: Fleece jacket
Outer: Windproof, waterproof shell
Down jacket for nights (can drop below 0°C)
Footwear:
Waterproof hiking boots (ankle support!)
2–3 pairs of wool socks
Gear:
Trekking poles (saves knees on descents)
Headlamp (camps have no light)
-10°C sleeping bag (rent in Chengdu if needed)
Other:
2L water/day
High-calorie snacks (chocolate, nuts, beef jerky)
Sunscreen SPF 50+, lip balm, sunglasses
Skip: Cotton clothes—they stay wet and cause hypothermia.
Safety & Respect – Non-Negotiable Rules
Altitude Sickness:
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness.
Fix: Rest, drink hot water, take glucose oral liquid.
Never hike alone above 4,000m.
Wildlife & Culture:
Yaks are not pets—keep 10m distance.
No loud noise near Hongxinghai—it’s a spiritual site.
Pack out all trash—this place is pristine.
Navigation:
Download offline maps (Maps.me or Gaode).
No cell signal in valleys.
Best Time:
June: Rhododendron flowers.
Mid-September: Autumn colors, fewer people.
Avoid October holidays—even remote trails get crowded.
Why This Beats Jiuzhaigou’s Tourist Trails
I’ve done both.
Jiuzhaigou is beautiful—but you’re walking with 10,000 people.
Qizang Valley?You might see three other hikers all day.
Just wind, water, and silence.
And yes—it’s free.
No entry fee.
No queues.
Just raw nature.
Real Stories from the Trail
“Feicui Lake at dawn looked like another planet. I cried. No joke.”— Lukas, Germany
“My knees hurt on Day 2, but the view from the pass? Worth every step.”— Sofia, France
“We saw a whole yak family crossing the trail. Felt like we’d time-traveled.”— Oliver, New Zealand
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