Self-Guided Tour from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou by High-Speed Rail: Second Entry to the Valley, Huanglong, and Ruoergai

Lakes, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, forests... After visiting Jiuzhaigou, no other waters can compare. Mountains upon mountains, rivers winding, green waters shimmering. Walking along the stone paths by the river, you encounter azure lakes and cascading waterfalls.

At the First Bend of the Yellow River, during sunset, as the sun gradually turns red and descends toward the mountains, the entire valley is bathed in golden light. Green grass and wildflowers cover the banks of the Yellow River. Lying in the grass or among the flowers, you can experience an unprecedented sense of liberation for both body and mind.

Day 1: Zhenjiangguan → Jiuzhaigou

Morning: Take the high-speed train around 7 a.m. The drive from Zhenjiangguan to Jiuzhaigou takes about 3 hours. Note that after 2:00 p.m., you cannot enter Jiuzhaigou Valley. Be sure to manage your time.

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

Afternoon: Check into your homestay tonight. Check-in must be done before 6:00 p.m. After checking in, you can take a stroll around the village.

Day 2: Full day at Jiuzhaigou (Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley, or Shuzheng Valley)

Morning: Have breakfast at your homestay between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Today, spend a whole day exploring Jiuzhaigou. Take the sightseeing bus from the platform to your desired spots, visiting the areas you haven't seen yet.

Lunch: Nuorilang Lakes → Nuorilang Center (the only restaurant in Jiuzhaigou, where you can eat and rest). It is recommended to bring your own snacks or self-heating meals to save time queuing, as the food may not suit your taste.

Afternoon: Around 5:30 p.m., gather at the Jiuzhaigou entrance and depart for Chuanzhusi. The one-way drive from Jiuzhaigou to Chuanzhusi takes over 2 hours. Stay overnight in Chuanzhusi for convenience to visit Huanglong the next day.

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

Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the Huanglong cable car entrance. Queue to take the cable car up to Huanglong. 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). Walking downhill, you will pass many attractions: Competing Colors Pond → Azalea Reflection Pond → Mirror Reflection Pond → Bonsai Pond → Golden Sand Ground → Bathing Body Cave → Lotus Terrace Waterfall → Flying Waterfall Reflecting Rainbow → Welcome Pond.

Lunch: You can have lunch in Ruoergai, and the location and standard are entirely up to you. The driver will accommodate your requests.

Afternoon: Stay overnight in the First Bend of the Yellow River scenic area tonight. After dinner, you can hike to the top of the mountain to watch the sunset, which usually occurs between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. The view is truly special.

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

Morning: Get up early today to enjoy the sunrise over the First Bend of the Yellow River. Weather is crucial. If you want to watch the sunrise from the mountaintop, allow time for the boardwalk climb (about 15-20 minutes). Sunrise is generally around 6:00 a.m.

Late Morning: At Waqie Stupa Grove, experience 108 white stupas. The colorful prayer flags make for great photos. Listen to the sound of the wind blowing through 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 the Tibetan people.

Lunch: You can arrange lunch based on your travel schedule along the way, choosing according to your taste.

Afternoon: You can stop anytime to photograph beautiful scenery along the route. The entire journey from First Bend to Zhenjiangguan is 271 kilometers and takes over 4 hours by car. For the return trip, it is recommended to book the 17:33 or 19:15 train.

1. People unsuitable for traveling to Daocheng Yading: Those with significant heart, lung, brain, liver, or kidney disorders, as well as those with severe anemia or hypertension, should not enter high-altitude areas blindly. If you have never been to high altitudes, it is recommended to have a thorough medical check-up before entering. Tourists with organic diseases, severe anemia, or severe hypertension have poor adaptability to high-altitude environments. Their risk of acute altitude sickness is significantly higher than that of others during the initial stage of entering high altitudes; if they stay at high altitudes for a long time, they are also more prone to various chronic altitude diseases. Meanwhile, as the body adapts to the high-altitude environment, the compensatory activities of vital organs such as the liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys increase, placing extra burden on these organs. If any of these organs are already diseased, the condition may worsen. If you are unsure whether you are fit for the Huanglong and Ruoergai activities, consult an experienced doctor and proceed with caution.

2. Precautions during the journey to high altitudes (key points)

①. Prepare oxygen and medications for acute altitude sickness, such as nifedipine (Adalat) or aminophylline. Also bring cold remedies, antibiotics, and vitamins, just in case. Due to the cold climate and large temperature difference between day and night at high altitudes, 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, take immediate action. Take aminophylline or place 20 mg of nifedipine under the tongue. In severe cases, inhale oxygen. If symptoms include severe chest tightness, violent coughing, difficulty breathing, pink frothy sputum, slow reactions, apathy, or even coma, in addition to the above measures, seek medical help at the nearest hospital as soon as possible, or quickly move to a lower altitude area for recovery.

✅ Travel tips: When taking the sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance, sit on the left side for Shuzheng Valley and Zechawa Valley, and always sit on the right side for Rize Valley. Drone flying is prohibited within Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, but allowed in Huanglong. In high-altitude areas, if you experience mild altitude sickness symptoms, slow down your pace and avoid strenuous exercise. Since the driving distances are long, bring some glucose or high-calorie foods to replenish energy along the way.