Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong & Songpan: The Perfect 24h–72h Itinerary from Chengdu for Foreign Travelers
- DolphinUnion
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
You’ve seen the photos: electric-blue lakes, snow-white terraces, ancient stone walls.But here’s the real question: Can you do Jiuzhaigou in one day? Two? Or should you add Songpan Ancient Town?
Most blogs say “just go.” But they don’t tell you this:The bus inside Jiuzhaigou drops you randomly.Huanglong’s trail is steep—and has no English signs. And Songpan? Most tourists skip it… but it’s the soul of this region.
Last spring, a Brazilian couple asked me: “We only have 48 hours. Should we rush Jiuzhaigou—or skip it?”I gave them a plan. They texted back: “Best decision ever. We saw everything—no stress.”
This guide gives you three clear options: 24h, 48h, or 72h. All include exact train times, shuttle costs, and where to drink yak butter tea like a local. No guesswork. Just real advice from someone who’s done it dozens of times.
Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong & Songpan: The Perfect 24h–72h Itinerary from Chengdu for Foreign Travelers
24 Hours: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and Back
Yes—it’s possible. But only if you take the first train.High-speed trains leave Chengdu East Station (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn, 成都东站) as early as 6:45 AM.Arrive at Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station (Huánglóng Jiǔzhàigōu Zhàn, 黄龙九寨站) by 8:24 AM. Ticket: ¥141.
From the station, take the official shuttle bus (¥51, 2 hours) straight to Jiuzhaigou Valley (Jiǔzhàigōu, 九寨沟).
Entry fee: ¥190, Sightseeing Bus: ¥90 (peak season). The park cloese at 6:00 PM, last entry at 2:00 PM—so you have just 7 hours inside.
A UK traveler told me: “We ran to Five-Color Pond, caught Nuorilang Falls at 11 AM (perfect light!), and were back on the 7 PM train. Exhausting—but worth it.”
Tip: Book train tickets 14 days early on Trip.com or China Railway app. Trains sell out fast.
Don’t waste time on松潘站 (Sōngpān Zhàn, Songpan Station)—it’s farther and has fewer shuttles.
48 Hours: Huanglong + Full-Day Jiuzhaigou
Day 1: Take the 7:00 AM train to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station. Go straight to Huanglong Scenic Area (Huánglóng, 黄龙)—famous for its snow-white calcified pools.
Entry: ¥170. Hike the 3.5 km trail (2–3 hours). Bring water—it’s 3,200m high!
Stay overnight near the main gate of Jiuzhanggou Valley Scenic Area, walking 5 minutes from Jiuzhaigou gate. Hotels start at ¥500. Try Tibetan Flavor House for yak stew and butter tea.
Day 2: Enter Jiuzhaigou at 8:00 AM. The park bus will drop you at Shuzheng (Shùzhèng, 树正), Rize (Rìzé, 日则), or Zechawa (Zécháwā, 则查洼)—randomly.Our trick: Start at the top (if dropped at Rize) to avoid crowds at Five-Color Pond.
A Canadian hiker said: “We saw Huanglong’s Mirror Pool at sunrise, then spent all day in Jiuzhaigou. Felt like two different planets.”
Tip: Pack lunch. Food inside Jiuzhaigou costs ¥60–80 and isn’t great.
72 Hours: Add Songpan Ancient Town for Culture & History
Now you’re doing it right.
Day 1: Same as 48h—Huanglong in the morning, stay near Jiuzhaigou.
Day 2: Full day in Jiuzhaigou. In the evening, take a taxi (¥120, 1.5 hours) to Songpan Ancient Town (Sōngpān Gǔchéng, 松潘古城).This 1,300-year-old walled city blends Han, Tibetan, Qiang, and Hui cultures. Walk the Ming Dynasty stone walls (1379 AD). Free entry.
Stay at Young Yak Guesthouse—run by a Tibetan family. Rooms: ¥180. They’ll cook you tsampa porridge for breakfast.
Day 3: Explore Songpan’s Tibetan markets, Guangfa Temple (Guǎngfǎ Sì, 广法寺), and hike the East Gate trail for mountain views.Take the 3:00 PM train from Songpan Station back to Chengdu. Arrive by 7:00 PM.
A Swiss couple wrote: “Songpan was our favorite. Quiet, real, and full of stories. We bought handmade prayer flags from a grandma in the square.”
Tip: Don’t miss the Songpan Drum Tower (Gǔ Lóu, 鼓楼) at sunrise. The light on the stone walls is golden.
Why This Works—And What’s Next
I’ve taken every route myself—by train, by bus, even by local minivan.I know the bus drop-off strategy, which hotels have hot water (not all!), and where to find authentic Tibetan food—not “tourist yak.”
And if you want every detail mapped out, I made a Jiuzhaigou Adventure Guide just for foreign travelers.
It includes:
✅ 24h/48h/72h itineraries with exact train + shuttle times
✅ AMap links for every stop—even the yak butter tea shop
✅ Bus drop-off strategy so you don’t waste hours walking the wrong branch
✅ Post-hike eats: Tibetan Flavor House (10 mins from Jiuzhaigou gate) and Young Yak in Songpan
Last month, a New Zealand family used it. They said: “We saw Huanglong’s ivory terraces, swam in Jiuzhaigou’s turquoise lakes (okay, just dipped our toes!), and drank butter tea with monks in Songpan. Magic.”
Ready for the real Sichuan mountains?
Don’t risk missing the last train or getting lost in the park.
Grab the Jiuzhaigou Adventure Guide today.Your journey to China’s most colorful valley starts now. 🏔️💧
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