Three Days Two Nights: A Beginner's Travel Guide to Jiuzhaigou

Preface

In one's life, one must visit the dreamlike Jiuzhaigou, otherwise how would you know that there is a true paradise on earth?

Here, there are dreamlike lakes, blue skies, white snow-capped mountains, and forest secrets enjoyed by countless people.

This trip to Jiuzhaigou was not only smooth and visually satisfying, but also exceeded our expectations.

Our trip took 3 days and 2 nights, with the itinerary roughly as follows:

Accommodation: Jiuzhai Luneng Resort · Jiuzhai Indigo Hotel

Detailed Address: Langzhai Village, Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan

1) Fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport. The hotel offers free airport transfer service; it takes about 1.5 hours by car to reach the hotel.

2) Drive from Chengdu to the hotel—404 km, about 7 hours by car, which is relatively fast.

3) Take a bus from Chengdu to the hotel; depart around 8 a.m. and arrive around 5 p.m.

For safety reasons, friends traveling by bus or car from Chengdu are advised to stay an extra night at the hotel before returning.

Day 1: Arrival at the Hotel

Left Chengdu at 9 a.m. to avoid peak traffic, driving to the hotel—404 km, arriving at 4 p.m. The route passed through Pixian, Dujiangyan, Wenchuan County, Mao County, Diexi Town, Songpan, and then the hotel (it is recommended to make brief stops in Mao County, Diexi Town, or Songpan to experience the cultural atmosphere of different areas of Aba Prefecture and to let the driver rest).

Zhongcha Gully · Luneng Meilihui Town

The hotel where we stayed is very well located in Zhongcha Gully's Luneng Meilihui Town.

The Tibetan name for Zhongcha Gully is “Qiongqia,” meaning the place where the sacred eagle descends. It is a quiet hidden valley in a Tibetan settlement, with a beautiful environment surrounded by green mountains and distant snow-capped peaks.

We arrived at the town at 4 p.m., tired but immediately invigorated upon stepping into the hotel—the unique design was completely different from the uniformity of traditional hotels, and the staff's warm welcome had a ceremonial feel.

After checking in and resting briefly, we headed to the restaurant for dinner and toured the entire hotel.

A neighborhood culture runs through the hotel's design expression. Soft lighting combined with colorful Tibetan and Qiang cultural elements perfectly blends the two, giving a warm feeling without lacking elegance.

The hotel skillfully integrates local culture into its design. Totems and ornaments with Tibetan and Qiang characteristics can be seen everywhere. What left a deep impression was the inspiration theme of the sacred eagle's resting place, with details reflecting a noble temperament, interpreting the traditional noble aura of the Tibetan and Qiang people while maintaining a modern style.

When in Jiuzhaigou, you must try the local specialties, such as the hotel's signature beef hot pot, which cannot be found elsewhere. Made with local yak tail, it is very fresh, and the stewed hot pot looks very nourishing.

After a full meal, we returned to our room, tidied up, and prepared for a good night's sleep to recharge for the next day.

It is worth mentioning that the hotel room gave a warm and cozy feeling. The warm tones, paired with Tibetan and Qiang decorations everywhere, made the body and mind feel completely enveloped in a dreamy folk myth. The bedding was also of good quality, making for a very comfortable sleep.

Before sleeping, we also received a carefully designed Delefu Masala Hot Milk Tea from the hotel—such a thoughtful touch.

Day 2: Full-day Tour of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area

In the morning, we went to the restaurant for breakfast. The buffet was very abundant, with Western-style pastries, yak yogurt, pan-seared fish fillet, various fruits, etc. We also specially tasted the local specialty butter tea of Jiuzhaigou, which had a strong cheese flavor and tasted pure and delicious.

Later, we took the hotel's dedicated shuttle bus to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou, and then transferred to the scenic area's tour bus to start a full day of exploring the attractions. We chose the best conventional route for a one-day tour of Jiuzhaigou:

Primitive Forest – Grass Sea – Swan Lake – Arrow Bamboo Lake – Panda Lake, Panda Lake Waterfall – Five Flowers Lake – Pearl Shoal, Pearl Shoal Waterfall – Mirror Lake – Nuorilang Center Station

Around 12:30 p.m., we arrived at Nuorilang Visitor Center for lunch.

After leaving the scenic area on the bus back to the hotel, we kept replaying what we had seen and felt that day. The beautiful scenery made us linger and feel energized. It wasn't until we returned to the hotel that we felt the fatigue from the trip. We were grateful for the hotel's thoughtful arrangement, which provided us with a welcome tea. Tonight, we would fully enjoy the hotel's specialty, Motuo Stone Pot Chicken.

Day 3: Tour of Luneng Town · UTV Outdoor Experience · Zhongcha Luneng Resort Green No.7 Park

In the morning, we went to the hotel's gym for some fasted cardio to welcome a vibrant day. The gym was quite spacious and well-equipped. However, exercise at high altitude should be moderate—health and safety come first.

After breakfast, we visited the Jiuzhai Luneng Resort Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. The museum houses many Tibetan cultural relics and artworks. The mandala handcrafted with vajra sand was particularly stunning. Here, we could learn about the evolution of Tibetan culture over thousands of years and experience an immersive holographic projection of Tibetan cultural life.

At noon, we strolled through Meilihui Town, exploring the shops around the hotel. There were many stores selling traditional local specialties. Here, we could personally experience the making of thousand-year-old Tibetan paper and the famous Shilun Tibetan incense, with kind Tibetan artisans teaching hand in hand—absolutely an unforgettable experience on this Jiuzhaigou Tibetan village trip.

(Tibetan paper rubbing tools)

In addition, the town also has international dining and retail brands like Watsons, KFC, and Starbucks, making Luneng Meilihui Town vibrant with its rich supporting businesses.

Green No.7 Park was the last stop of the trip. The best way to get to the park was by driving a UTV, which also provided an exciting outdoor off-road driving experience. Upon arriving at Green No.7 Park, we could fully enjoy more activities, including a yak park parent-child experience, a forest adventure exploration challenge, and more.

As the sun set, this wonderful trip to Jiuzhaigou came to an end. Following the return journey, there was a sense of lingering regret. This trip to Jiuzhaigou not only offered beautiful scenery but also allowed us to experience the charm of Tibetan and Qiang culture, along with unforgettable outdoor exploration. The rich experiences made this “scenic spot” tour truly special.

Notes/Suggestions

1. Prepare motion sickness medication before the trip to relieve any discomfort from possible carsickness.

2. If you need the hotel to arrange a car for airport pickup, call the hotel in advance to inform them.

3. The itinerary within Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area is relatively compact. Some scenic spots require walking. Sunscreen and an umbrella are necessary preparations.

4. During the pandemic, visitors must provide a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours to enter Aba Prefecture.