Self-Guided Tour: Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, and Ruoergai by High-Speed Rail from Chengdu

Lakes, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, forests... After Jiuzhaigou, no need to see other waters. Mountains and rivers, green waters, stepping on the stone path by the river, with azure lakes all the way and waterfalls plunging down.

At sunset at the First Bend of the Yellow River, as the sun slowly turns red and sets behind the mountains, the entire valley is bathed in golden light. The banks of the Yellow River are covered with green grass and wildflowers everywhere. Lying in the grass or among the flowers gives you an unprecedented sense of liberation.

Day 1: Zhenjiangguan - Jiuzhaigou

Morning: Take the high-speed train around 7 am. From Zhenjiangguan to Jiuzhaigou takes about 3 hours by car. Note that after 2:00 pm, you cannot enter Jiuzhaigou. Make sure to manage your time well.

Noon: You can bring some snacks or self-heating meals. Today you can visit one of the valleys first (if the sightseeing bus goes to Primeval Forest, explore that valley; if it goes to Long Lake, visit Long Lake and Five-Color Pond plus some spots in Shuzheng Valley).

Afternoon: Check in at your guesthouse tonight. Check-in must be done before 6 pm. After that, you can take a walk around the village.

Day 2: Full-day tour of Jiuzhaigou (Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley, or Shuzheng Valley)

Morning: Have breakfast at the guesthouse between 8 and 9 am. Spend the whole day visiting Jiuzhaigou.

Late morning: Take the sightseeing bus from the platform to the attractions you want to see. Today, visit the remaining attractions you haven't seen.

Noon: Nuorilang Lakes Cluster → Nuorilang Center Station (the only restaurant inside Jiuzhaigou, you can have lunch and rest here). It is recommended to bring your own snacks or self-heating meals to save time waiting in line for meals, as the food may not suit your taste.

Afternoon: Gather at the Jiuzhaigou entrance around 5:30 pm and depart for Chuanzhusi. The one-way journey from Jiuzhaigou to Chuanzhusi takes about 2 hours. Stay overnight in Chuanzhusi to facilitate visiting Huanglong the next day.

Day 3: Chuanzhusi - Huanglong - Ruoergai Prairie - First Bend (sunset)

Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the Huanglong cable car station. Queue for the cable car to go up Huanglong.

Late morning: It is recommended to take the cable car to the upper station, then walk to Five-Color Pond (the elevation along this section is relatively gentle, and you can enjoy the primeval forest scenery along the way). Walk downhill to see many other attractions: Contending Colors Pond, Azalea Reflection Pond, Bright Mirror Reflection Pond, Bonsai Pond, Golden Sand Paved Place, Bathing Cave, Lotus Terrace Waterfall, Flying Waterfall Greeting Guests, and Welcome Pond.

Noon: You can have lunch in Ruoergai. The location and standard of the meal are entirely up to you. The driver will fully cooperate.

Afternoon: Stay overnight tonight at the Yellow River First Bend scenic area. After dinner, you can hike to the top of the mountain to watch the sunset. The sunset is roughly between 7:30 and 8:30 pm, offering a unique experience.

Day 4: First Bend - Waqie Tar Temple - Songpan Ancient Town - Zhenjiangguan

Morning: Get up early today to enjoy the sunrise at the First Bend of the Yellow River. Weather is important. If you want to reach the mountaintop for sunrise, allow time for climbing the boardwalk (about 15-20 minutes). Sunrise is generally around 6:00 am.

Late morning: At Waqie Tar Forest, see the 108 white pagodas and colorful prayer flags. They are photogenic. Listen to the sound of the wind blowing the prayer flags. If you happen to pass by, be sure to visit the place where the 10th Panchen Lama once chanted sutras and prayed for the well-being of Tibetans.

Noon: Lunch can be arranged according to your travel schedule and taste preferences.

Afternoon: You can stop anytime along the way to take photos of beautiful scenery. The total distance from First Bend to Zhenjiangguan is 271 km, taking about 4 hours. For your return trip, it is recommended to book the train at 17:33 or 19:15.

1. People who are not suitable for traveling to Daocheng Yading: Those with obvious conditions of the heart, lungs, brain, liver, kidneys, or severe anemia or high blood pressure should not enter the plateau. If you have never been to the plateau, it is recommended that you undergo a strict medical examination before entering. Tourists with organic diseases, severe anemia, or severe hypertension have poor adaptability to the plateau environment. During the initial stage of entering the plateau, they have a significantly higher risk of acute altitude sickness; if they stay too long on the plateau, they are also more likely to develop various chronic altitude sickness. Additionally, because the body needs to adapt to the plateau environment, the compensatory activities of important organs such as the liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys increase, placing a greater burden on these organs. Once these organs become ill, the condition will worsen. If you are unsure whether you can participate in the Huanglong and Ruoergai activities, it is recommended that you consult an experienced doctor and proceed with caution.

2. Important Notes While Entering the Plateau (Key Points)

①. Prepare oxygen and medicines for preventing acute altitude sickness, such as nifedipine (also known as Adalat) and aminophylline. Also prepare cold medicine, antibiotics, and vitamins just in case. Due to the cold plateau climate and large temperature difference between day and night, make sure to bring enough warm clothing to prevent catching a cold. Cold and respiratory infections can trigger acute altitude sickness.

②. If severe altitude sickness symptoms occur during the journey to the plateau, take immediate action, such as taking aminophylline or sublingually administering 20 mg of nifedipine. In severe cases, oxygen should be inhaled. If there is severe chest tightness, violent coughing, difficulty breathing, coughing up pink frothy sputum, or sluggishness, apathy, or even coma, in addition to the above measures, go to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment as soon as possible, or transfer to a lower altitude area for recovery.

✅ Travel Tips: At the scenic area entrance, take the sightseeing bus. To visit Shuzheng Valley and Zechawa Valley, sit on the left; to visit Rize Valley, sit on the right.

Drones are prohibited inside Jiuzhaigou. They are allowed at Huanglong.

In plateau areas, if you have mild altitude sickness symptoms, slow down your pace and avoid strenuous activities.

The driving distance is quite far. Bring some glucose or high-calorie snacks to replenish energy along the way.