Itinerary : Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

Supernatural Jiuzhaigou, Chengdu

This is another hiking tour, called the East Line, from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou. Take a regular bus from the Chengdu Chengbei bus station to Jiangyou. Buses depart between 9:00 and 16:30 and the ticket costs CNY15.00. The trip only takes about three hours and travels up the Peijiang River, where you will pass Mianyang, the second largest city in Chengdu and enjoy the picturesque scenery.

When you arrive in Jiangyou city, visit the Former Residence of Libai, the famous poet from the Tang Dynasty. The entrance fee is CNY40.00. If time permits, also take a look at Doutuan Mountain, which is famous for its unique scenery. The national paragliding championships are held there every year.

Take the bus from the Jiangyou bus station to Pingwu where you can stay for the night. Our recommendation is to stay at the Pingwu Hotel, which is the best hotel for foreigners in the small city. (The contact phone number is 0816 - 8822022). Pingwu city has the best preserved royal Buddhist temples from the Ming Dynasty, Bao'en Temple and historic relics from the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280).

Next day, take the bus to Huanglong, 120 km from Pingwu. The bus tickets is CNY20.00. It only takes about 2 hours to arrive at one of the world's most naturally stunning locations - the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area.  The entrance fee is CNY200.00 and the cable car fee is CNY80.00 each way. Upon entering the scenic area, a group of exquisite, crystal clear ponds, the Yingbin (welcoming guests) Colored Ponds will immediately catch your eye with their unparalleled charm. Along the valley, you will also see many other attractions including Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall), Xishen (washing body) Cave, Penjing (miniascape) Ponds, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple and Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave. If you visit there in the high season, you should get up earlier to avoid the crowds. This way, you can catch the real beauty of Huanglong.

Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Chengdu

In the afternoon, take the regular bus to Chuanzhusi and stay at the Family hostel. It should cost CNY50.00 for the night. Staying in this hostel, you can also personally experience the local people's life.

It is easy to find the bus from Chuanzhusi to Jiuzhaigou. The travel time is 1.5 hours. We would recommend a hotel in Jiuzhaigou for you, the Jiuzhai Mofang Hotel. With its good service and pleasant surroundings, this hotel is another best choice for hiking travelers. The contact number is 0837-7764926. Two days in Jiuzhaigou Valley should give you enough time to explore. You may need to pay an additional fee for entering the valley twice. 

Take the bus back to Chengdu from Jiuzhaigou Bus Station. It is suggested that you purchase the tickets the day before you travel so you can get good seats and enjoy the scenery on the 10 hour journey.

(If you are pressed for time, an alternative is to catch a bus from Chengdu to Mianyang. From the Mianyang Pingzheng bus station, there are direct buses to Jiuzhaigou departing between 6:30 to 13:30. The one way ticket is about CNY86.00. If you take this option, you do not stop at Jiangyou and Pingwu).