Jiuzhaigou

Sichuan-jiuzhaigou01 : 7 Days Chengdu - Songpan - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou - Maoxian County - Chengdu

Sichuan-jiuzhaigou02 : 8 Days Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Songpan - Huanglong - Songpan - Chengdu

Sichuan-jiuzhaigou03 : 15 Days Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Songpan - Zoige - Langmusi - Tangke - Hongyuan - Maerkang - Miyaluo - Bipenggou - Taoping - Wenchuan - Chengdu

Day 01: Arrival in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu and get prepared. Stay overnight at the local hotel.

 
Day 02: Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou
Take a Jiuzhaigou-bound bus from either Chengdu Xinnanmen or Chadianzi Bus Station. The journey takes 9~12 hours, arriving in the evening or night. 

 
Day 03-04: Jiuzhiagou Nature Reserve
It takes 2 full days to explore all the water sights inside the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. Try to avoid the crowd in those hot spots like Changhai, Wuhuahai, Panda Sea...by either getting there before 9:30 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Walking along the plank road on the mountain side is amazingly pleasant experience. 

 
Day 05: Jiuzhaigou - Songpan
After Jiuzhaigou, move to Huanglong, another park 2 hours away at a turning direction on the way back to Songpan.

 
Day 06: Songpan
Songpan is a very historical and multi-cultural city, with one street stretching from the main road to the old city. You can spend half a day to explore around. The weather in Songpan changes frequently. Horse trekking is the most famous and welcome activity in Songpan, which shouldn't be missed.

 
Day 07: Songpan - Zoige - Langmusi
Take an early morning bus to Zoige, an ugly stopover. Try not to stay if you can catch a connection bus to either Langmusi in the north or Tangke in the south. If you come in summer, the grassland around Zoige is worth a few days' wandering. A horseback gallop over the blossoming world is fantastic.
 

Day 08: Langmusi
Langmusi is a remote Tibetan village straddling the Sichuan-Gansu border with 2 gompas nestled in a valley of alpine scenery and meadows. 

 
Day 09: Langmusi - Tangke
Tangke hosts the First Bend of the Yellow River and the fabulous Tibetan monastery Suokezang Si, which faces exactly the first bend. An overnight stay will offer you the opportunity to enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the spectacular site.

 
Day 10: Tangke - Hongyuan - Maerkang
It takes around 2hrs to arrive at Hongyuan, a dusty concrete town which is also frequented as a must stopover, just like Zoige. Buses to Maerkang depart 8:30am and 12:30 noon. The grassland dotted by groups of flocks and herds along the road from Hongyuan offers great view, with clear blue sky on top and snow-capped ranges shiny in a touchable distance in the sun.

 
Day 11: Maerkang
Maerkang, the county seat of Aba Autonomous Prefecture, is a beautiful and peaceful town along the Suomo River Valley, and also an important stop on highway G317, which extends to Tibet westwards. The Zhuokeji Tibetan Mansion is a treasurable piece in oriental architecture history. Jiarong Tibetan Village and Zhibo Watch towers are worth a visit. 

 
Day 12: Maerkang - Miyaluo
Miyaluo's charm lies in its autumn color. Red leaves spreads all over the mountains and plains. The town itself is not interesting at all, and a few hours walk to the valleys around is not a bad choice.

 
Day 13: Miyaluo - Bipenggou - Taoping
Bipenggou is still an intact eco-system, housing non-polluted virgin forests, alpine lakes, valleys and snow-capped mountains. A trek through the gully to Siguniang Shan is adored by Chinese outdoor enthusiasts these years. But there is no public transportation to ferry people there, the only possibility is to charter a van from Miyaluo Town to Bipenggou for around Y300/day. The driver can take you at Taoping Qiang Village after, unless you want to return to Miyaluo. Same price, wherever you end the trip.

 
Day 14: Taoping - Wenchuan - Chengdu
Taoping Qiang Village is home to the nomadic Qiang ethnic minority, known as the "Ancient Oriental Fortress" for its aged stone houses and watchtowers, which amazingly survived weather erosion, wars and frequent earthquakes for centuries. Quite different with the colorful Tibetan buildings, the Qiang built their houses without any painting on the outside wall, though also with stone, timber and mud. After an overnight and half day random walk in the village, it's time to leave now. Buses from north to Chengdu pass by Taoping, but there are more choices in Wenchuan, a fairly mordern city half an hour ride away. Legions of good restaurants are along the Wenchuan Street. Dining is cheaper and tasty than that of Taoping Qing families.

 
Day 15: Departure from Chengdu
Leave Chengdu according to your schedule.