Jiuzhaigou National Park and Northwest Sichuan

Overview

A trip to Jiuzhaigou National Park and Northwest Sichuan can be a breathtaking experience, offering stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique local cuisine.

This travel route centers especially around Jiuzhaigou, listed in world natural heritage and the tour covers Jiuzhaigou National Park, Huanglong National Park, Ruoergai Grassland, The First Bend of Yellow River, Langmusi temple, Mt. Siguninag, Zhuokeji Tusiguan. This loop tour surrounding Jiuzhaigou features the stunning natural scenery of northwestern Sichuan province.

Overall, a trip to Jiuzhaigou National Park and Northwest Sichuan will leave you awe-inspired by the natural beauty, cultural diversity, and warm hospitality of the region. It’s a journey that combines breathtaking scenery, outdoor exploration, and cultural immersion, making it a memorable experience for any traveler.

Tour Type:

Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!

Trip Level:

Easy – suitable for all levels of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.

Season:

Spring春

Summer夏

Autumn秋

Winter冬

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Chengdu – Rilong Town

Drive from Chengdu to Rilong Town where the famous Mt. Siguniang lies. Siguniang means four sisters/girls in Chinese. Visit Mt. Balang, grassland and the yaks en route. After arriving in Rilong town, head to Shuangqiaogou.

Stay overnight in Rilong Town

Day 2: Changpinggou Horse Riding

Drive to Changpinggou valley after breakfast. Visit this valley by trekking or horse-riding. You can see the four peaks of Mt. Siguniang and virgin forest, tourists should prepare some food. The cost of horse riding depends on your riding distance, from RMB50-RMB150.

Stay overnight in Rilong Town

Changping Valley horse riding at Changping valley

Day 3: Mt. Siguniang – Danba – Maerkang

On the way, get to Dazhou mansion in Maerkang, visit Zhuokeji village (a residential house of Tibetan tribe leader), and take pictures of the great octagonal building and strong Kham men, beautiful Danba women, healthy old people, sedated abbey, and smart children.

Stay overnight in Maerkang

Zhuokeji villagezhuokeji village

Day 4: Maerkang – Rangtang

Drive from Maerkang to Rangtang, a small county in Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, nearby Qinghai province.

Stay overnight in Rangtang

Day 5: Rangtang – Aba

Drive about 165km to Aba County located deeply in the grassland. There are some Tibetan original Lamaseries in Aba.

Stay overnight in Aba

Day 6: Aba-Tangke- Ruo’ergai

Drive about 230km to Ruo’ergai via Tangka. On the way, you can see vast grassland. Tangke is the first turning of Yellow River.

Stay overnight in Ruoergai

Day 7: Ruo’ergai -Flower Lake – Langmusi

Drive about 120KM to visit the First Bend of Yellow River, which is located at the border of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai. Then visit Suoke Tibetan monastery.

After lunch, we will enjoy the charming natural landscape of Flower Lake. Then drive to Langmusi Town for accommodation.

Stay overnight in Langmusi Town

Day 8: Langmusi-Ruo’ergai

Visit two famous monasteries at Langmusi Town, Langmu monastery and Gerdi monastery. If you are interested in Sky Burial, you can also pay a visit to the sky burial site at Langmusi and may have a chance to see a sky burial ceremony. It’s the only sky burial site open to tourists. Then drive about 90Km to Ruo’ergai.

Stay overnight in Ruo’ergai

LangmusiLangmu temple

Day 9: Ruo’ergai – Jiuzhaigou

After breakfast, drive to visit the beautiful Flower Lake, then drive about 200km to Jiuzhaigou via Chuanzhusi town. On the way, enjoy sightseeing of Ruoergai grassland.

Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou

Day 10: Jiuzhaigou Sightseeing

Head to the Jiuzhaigou portal after breakfast and transfer to Jiuzhaigou non-pollution bus, visit Shuzheng, Zezawa Valley, Pearl Sands, Shuzheng Waterfall, Shuzheng, Panda, Chang, Rainbow, Tiger, Rhinoceros Lake and the Tibetan mills. In the evening, watch local Tibetan culture show.

Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou valleyjiuzhaigou

Day 11: Jiuzhaigou -Munigou – Maoxian

After breakfast, drive to Munigou valley located to the west of Songpan Ancient Town. You can enjoy charming natural scenery, rich ethnic customs and the charm of the beautiful forest. Zhaga Waterfall and Erdao Lake are the main attractions in Munigou Park. Then keep forward to Maoxian County which is home to the largest number of Qiang people.

Stay overnight in Maoxian

Day 12: Maoxian- Dujiangyan – Chengdu

After breakfast, drive to Dunjiangyan to visit the famous Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Then drive to Chengdu, an international city in west China. We will arrive in Chengdu at around 15:00pm. The rest of the time is free for you.

Dujiangyan Irrigation systemSichuan opera

Service Included:

  • Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
  • Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
  • Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
  • Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
  • All meals listed in the above itinerary;
  • Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
  • First aid kit;

Service Excluded:

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
  • Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.