By long-distance bus

Although it takes a great deal longer to get to Jiuzhaigou by bus, it remains the most popular means of transport among visitors due to the reasonable price of tickets. Today you can take long-distance buses going directly to Jiuzhaigou from both Chengdu and Mianyang cities. A recently opened ring line operates between Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Area, covering a distance of about 913 kilometers (567 miles). It is an important tourist route in Sichuan Province. Consisting of the East Line and the West Line, these wide and smooth expressways have reduced the journey time to Jiuzhaigou Valley to just 9 to 10 hours. Local government management ensures that the highway can be used all year round, and even in the event of a landslide (a common occurrence during the summer rainy season), a normal service is usually resumed within just a few hours.

The East Line runs for about 520 kilometers (323 miles), passing through the cities of Guanghan, Deyang, Mianyang and Jiangyou, as well as Pingwu and Jiuzhaigou counties. Along this route it is also possible to enjoy a great number of beautiful and well preserved natural sceneries, and is the first choice for those visitors wanting to experience natural China at its magical best.

The West Line which runs along the Min River is the most popular route for long-distance buses. Passing Dujiangyan City, Wenchuan, Mao, Songpan counties and Chuanzhusi Town, the West Line also takes in a number of local tourist attractions. Not only does the route offer the chance to catch the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, Mt. Siguniangshan, Munigou Valley and Huanglong Scenic and Historic Area, but also the opportunity to witness the traditional culture of the Tibetan and Qiang people.

From Chengdu, there are two bus stations with routes to Jiuzhaigou. The first is the Chengdu Tourist Transportation and Service Center (also known as the New South Gate Bus Station), and is located at No.57 Linjiang Road of Chengdu City. Bus numbers 6, 8, 13, 28, 35, 43, 48, 49, 55, 76, 82, 110 and 301 all stop at the station. Two buses depart at 8:00 am daily to Jiuzhaigou Valley. The cost of tickets is CNY108 or CNY121 per person, depending on the grade of the bus.

The other bus station is the Chadianzi Bus Station, situated within the Second Ring Road of Chengdu City. Four long-distance buses depart from here each day to Jiuzhaigou Valley, leaving at 7:20, 8:00, 9:20 and 16:00. Tickets cost CNY77 per person. The station also runs a special tourist line that departs at 8:40 am daily. Tickets for this journey are priced at CNY91.

Travel tips:
1. Buy tickets the day before you plan to travel.
2. Make sure also that you arrive at the bus station a little earlier than your departure time.
3. Take enough food and water for the long journey. Fresh fruit is also recommended. The driver will stop the bus roughly every two hours to allow passengers to take a rest and eat at some of the nearby small restaurants- although the quality of the food is sometimes not the best. If you are traveling in the harvest season, it is easy to buy some delicious fruits from roadside vendors. If you are buying from the roadside, don’t forget to bargain for a reasonable price.

Mianyang City is located along the East Line to Jiuzhaigou Valley, and is often used as a stopping-off point for visitors. Those who make the stop can then take the special tourist line at the Pingzheng Bus Station which operates buses running directly to Jiuzhaigou Valley. The buses depart hourly between 6:00 and 12:00, and then later at 12:30 and 13:30.

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