Jiuzhaigou High-Speed Train Tickets: Why You Can’t Book 14 Days Ahead (And How to Still Get a Seat)
- cometodolphinunion
- Oct 27, 2025
- 4 min read
You’ve heard: “Take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou—it’s fast, cheap, and easy.”
But here’s the problem: many trains now only open for booking 3–5 days before departure.
A Brazilian traveler messaged me last week:
“I booked on Trip.com 10 days early. No confirmation for days. I panicked—thought I’d miss autumn colors!”
This guide explains:
✅ Why some Jiuzhaigou trains changed their booking window
✅ How to still secure your seat (even with the new rule)
✅ What to do if Trip.com hasn’t confirmed your ticket yet
So you don’t waste time refreshing apps—or end up on an 8-hour bus.
Why Can’t You Book 14 Days Early Anymore?
Jiuzhaigou Railway Station (Jiǔzhàigōu Zhàn, 九寨沟站) is part of the Chuan-Qing Railway (Chuān-Qīng Tiělù, 川青铁路).
On October 22, 2025, the station started capacity expansion work.
The station still runs trains—but ticket sales for some trains now open only 3–5 days ahead.
This affects direct trains from Chengdu East Station (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn, 成都东站) to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station (Huánglóng Jiǔzhàigōu Zhàn, 黄龙九寨站).
Important:
Not all trains are affected—only some departures
Trip.com and 12306 app will accept your request early, but won’t buy the ticket until it goes on sale
You’ll get a confirmation only when the train opens for booking
（How to book Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou high-speed train tickets for foreign travelers）
How to Actually Get a Ticket (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Book multiple trains on your travel dateDon’t just pick one. Choose 2–3 different departures on Trip.com or 12306.
Why?
Because if only one train opens early, you’ll get that seat.If all open late, you’ll have backups.
Step 2: Wait for confirmationTrip.com will auto-buy when tickets go on sale (3–5 days before).
Check your email 48 hours before departure—that’s when most confirmations arrive.
Step 3: Cancel extras (yes, there’s a fee)If you get more than one ticket, cancel the ones you don’t need.
Cancellation fees:
8+ days before: Free
48 hours–7 days: 5% of ticket price
24–48 hours: 10%
<24 hours: 20%
Trust me: Paying 5% (¥8 on a ¥160 ticket) is better than no seat at all.
Real Story: How a Canadian Traveler Saved Her Trip
Sarah planned a November trip to see Jiuzhaigou’s golden forests.
She booked three trains on October 20 for a October 27 departure.
On October 25, two tickets confirmed.
She canceled one—paid ¥8 fee.
Result?
She rode the 9:15 a.m. train, arrived by 2 p.m., and saw lakes at sunset.
Her words:“I almost gave up. But booking extra trains worked!”
What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes)
❌ Book only one train 14 days early→ You might get nothing if that train opens late.
❌ Assume no confirmation = no ticket→ Wait until 3 days before. Many tickets confirm last-minute.
❌ Skip travel insurance→ If you miss your train, buses cost ¥200+ and take 8–9 hours.
✅ Do this instead:
Book multiple options
Set a phone reminder for 4 days before travel
Keep ¥200 cash as backup for bus (just in case)
Train vs. Bus vs. Private Car: What’s Best Now?
High-speed train:
Time: 4.5 hours
Price: ¥160
Pros: Fast, scenic, comfortable
Cons: Limited seats during peak season
Tourist bus:
Time: 8–9 hours
Price: ¥180
Pros: Daily departures
Cons: Mountain roads = motion sickness risk
Private car:
Time: 6–7 hours
Price: ¥1,200+
Pros: Door-to-door
Cons: Expensive, driver fatigue on curves
My advice:Try the train first.
Use the “book multiple” trick.Only fall back to bus if all trains fail 2 days before.
Pro Tips for Foreign Travelers
Use Trip.com—it supports passport booking and English interface
Download 12306 app as backup (use passport + manual verification)
Save station names in Chinese:
Chengdu East = 成都东站 (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn)
Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station = 黄龙九寨站 (Huánglóng Jiǔzhàigōu Zhàn)
Bring your passport—required for boarding
Note:
Jiuzhaigou Park entry also requires ID.
Keep it handy!
Foreign Travelers Say…
“I booked three trains. Got two tickets. Canceled one for ¥7. Worth every cent.”— Mark, UK
“The train cuts through mountains like a dream. So much better than a bumpy bus.”— Chloe, France
“I almost missed autumn colors. This trick saved my trip.”— Diego, Mexico
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