Chongqing, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou Independent Trip (10 Days 9 Nights)

D1 Fly from Shanghai to Chongqing, arrive at noon

#Ciqikou# The old street is lively and historic, perfect for eating and strolling. The back street hasn't finished leasing yet, not recommended.

#Hongya Cave# To capture the full view, you must go up the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge. When there's heavy foot traffic, traffic control may be in place, requiring you to walk across the bridge from south to north, while the best photo spot is on the north-to-south section.

Accommodation: Recommend the family room at #Chongqing Liangjiang Holiday Li Cheng Huating Hotel# with a duplex layout, offering space and privacy ideal for a family of three (with older children/teens).

#Dazu Rock Carvings# It takes about 2 hours to drive there. The site isn't crowded. For a guided tour, inquire at the ticket office. Once inside, you can scan a QR code for audio guide (10 yuan). Not too physically demanding; 2.5 hours is enough for the entire visit.

Tips: Discounted tickets—different online platforms offer varying discounts; some attractions give half-price tickets based on ID card. Compare before deciding whether to buy online or at the venue.

#Sichuan Fine Arts Institute# Wanted to take the kids to see Graffiti Street, but due to epidemic control, outsiders are not allowed into the campus. The art museum requires advance reservation, and entry stops at 16:30.

D3 Chongqing to Chengdu by high-speed rail

#Sichuan Museum# Free admission but requires online reservation; self-guided audio devices are available for rent, very convenient. A great way to spend an afternoon with kids.

#People's Park Nongyin Tea House# Experience the slow pace of life in Chengdu. Ear cleaning: 30 yuan per person. Tips: Wear long pants in summer; the mosquitoes here are vicious, causing unbearable itching that lasts a week.

#Jinli# Eat and stroll. Tips: Buy Mama Rabbit Head at specialty stores; the ones inside Jinli don't taste good.

D4 Drive from Chengdu to Barkam

Stopped at Miansi (si) service area and bought local cherries and bing cherries (20/jin). The cherries were the sweetest I've had in China.

Lunch at #Lixian County#, a very clean and tidy small town.

#Bipenggou# Ticket includes scenic bus. Great air and beautiful scenery. We also filled a bottle with melted snow water—crisp and sweet. Tips: Bring a fleece or windbreaker; temperature drops as altitude rises.

Accommodation in Barkam. Tips: The area is under construction; don't park where there are no parking spaces, as cameras will catch you after 3 minutes.

D5 Barkam to Zoigê

#Zhuokeji Tusi Official Village# Finished visiting in 1 hour. The Red Army passed through here during the Long March and held a standing committee meeting.

#Zoigê Grassland# Beautiful scenery on the drive; many spots for horse riding. We were lucky to capture wild vultures feeding on carrion.

#First Bend of the Yellow River# Spectacular view, but you need good stamina. Take the escalator up and walk all the way down. There are 3 parking lots; from P3 (escalator entrance) to P1 (downhill parking) is at least 1.5–2 km of walking. Tips: On sunny days, use sun protection; bring hat, sunglasses, umbrella.

Average altitude around 3,400 meters; mild altitude sickness with headache.

D6 Zoigê area

#Langmu Temple# No online ticketing on Ctrip or other apps. Only upon arrival we learned that Sichuan and Gansu sides sell tickets separately. We bought tickets from the Sichuan side (30/person). Experience was poor (no wonder Ctrip doesn't sell online); poor signage, local kids on summer break actively touting as guides. Rain made the canyon muddy with no special scenery.

#Flower Lake# Ticket 100/person. No flowers. Locals say the blooming period is very short, end of June to early July (we arrived July 13). The scenic area is huge, about 14,000 steps. Those with poor stamina should be careful.

Average altitude around 3,500 meters; altitude sickness worsened with splitting headache and reduced appetite. Suggest staying at an oxygen-supplied hotel (we stayed at Zoigê Kaide Fenghao Hotel); a good sleep can help.

D7 Zoigê via Huanglong to Jiuzhaigou

#Huanglong# Recommend taking cable car up and walking down. Highest point 3,600 meters; there are oxygen bars along the way. I brought two cans of oxygen, one for up and one for down. Lots of walking; severe altitude sickness can be overwhelming. Tips: Weather changes quickly in the mountains; bring shoe covers on rainy days (very important).

Drive to Jiuzhaigou, check into Jiuzhaigou Xintao Ge Tibetan Home Inn. The owner is Tibetan with great service. Provides pick-up/drop-off to the entrance, restaurants, and bus station. They also have barbecue at night, which is tasty.

D8 Jiuzhaigou

Ticket includes scenic bus. Average altitude 2,200 meters, highest 3,100 meters. Those with poor stamina can rent a minibus at the entrance (additional 210/person), highly recommended. Only one visitor center offers buffet; suggest bringing own food.

Jiuzhaigou: Sunny days for water, rainy days for mountains, half-sun half-rain for clouds and mist. Worth visiting! Best season is mid-to-late October to around Nov 10; I plan to visit again.

Tips: Four seasons in one day in the mountains; we repeatedly put on/take off umbrellas and clothes. Still need sun protection in summer.

Accommodation in Songpan: Recommend Songpan Zangwang Legend Resort Hotel (Tibetan-style family room). Good facilities and service; hotel offers dinner service, Tibetan hotpot, and free Tibetan costume try-on with dance activities.

D9 Songpan to Chengdu

Rainy season, road conditions complicated with subsidence, collapses, falling rocks. Many roads are single-lane alternating two-way traffic. We departed at 8:00 and arrived in Chengdu around 15:30. Bring enough food and water on the road.

D10 Chengdu fly to Shanghai

Shuangliu Airport offers self-service baggage check-in. Remember to remove all old barcode stickers from the luggage—remove them all.