3-Day Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong High-Speed Train Tour

The Experience

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your Chengdu hotel and transfer you to Chengdu East Railway Station.

From here, take the high-speed train to Huanglongjiuzhai Station, the fastest and most convenient way to reach the Jiuzhaigou region nowadays.

Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you through scenic mountain valleys to your hotel near the entrance of Jiuzhaigou National Park.

In the afternoon, you can relax at the hotel or take a gentle walk through Zhangzha Town, the small service town located just outside the park gate. Surrounded by forests and mountain air, it’s a pleasant place to stretch your legs and adjust to the altitude.

Because Jiuzhaigou sits at around 2,000 meters above sea level, taking it easy on the first day helps your body acclimate before exploring the park.

Spend the evening resting and preparing for tomorrow’s full day inside Jiuzhaigou.

Highlights

• Scenic high-speed train journey from Chengdu to northern Sichuan
• First views of the mountains of the Aba Tibetan Prefecture
• Relaxed evening in Zhangzha Town near Jiuzhaigou

Tips

• Bring a light jacket.
• Temperatures are cooler in the mountains.
• Take a short walk in Zhangzha Town to help your body adjust to the altitude.

The Experience

Today is dedicated to exploring Jiuzhaigou Valley, one of China’s most spectacular national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The valley follows a Y-shaped layout, with scenic areas branching into three different valleys. Inside the park, an efficient eco-bus system transports visitors between major stops, while wooden boardwalks allow you to walk through forests, lakes, and waterfalls at your own pace.

Throughout the day, you will discover Jiuzhaigou’s most iconic landscapes.

At Mirror Lake, the still water perfectly reflects the surrounding mountains and forests.

At Pearl Shoal Waterfall, thousands of streams cascade across a wide limestone shelf, creating one of the park’s most dramatic views.

At Five Flower Lake, vibrant turquoise, emerald, and golden colors blend beneath crystal-clear water.

The unique colors of Jiuzhaigou’s lakes come from mineral deposits and submerged tree trunks, which create the valley’s famous palette of blues and greens.

After a full day of exploring, return to your hotel near the park entrance in the late afternoon.

Highlights

• Five Flower Lake – the most colorful lake in Jiuzhaigou
• Pearl Shoal Waterfall – the park’s most powerful cascade
• Mirror Lake – famous for its perfect reflections
• Long Lake – dramatic alpine scenery at the top of the valley

Tips

• Enter the park as early as possible to avoid peak crowds.
• Expect 8–12 km of walking during the day, even with the shuttle buses.

The Experience

After breakfast, travel south to Huanglong Scenic Area, another UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its extraordinary limestone terraces.

To make the visit easier, you’ll first take the cable car up the mountain, then explore the scenic area by walking along the wooden boardwalk downhill.

The highlight of Huanglong is the famous Five-Color Ponds, a surreal collection of hundreds of turquoise pools layered like golden steps down the mountainside. The mineral-rich water creates vibrant shades of blue, green, and yellow that change with the sunlight.

As you walk along the boardwalk, you’ll pass forests, streams, and travertine formations, a landscape unlike anywhere else in China.

After visiting Huanglong, transfer to Huanglongjiuzhai Station and take the high-speed train back to Chengdu.

After arrival, transfer to your hotel in Chengdu by a private car.

Highlights

• Huanglong Five-Color Ponds
• Unique limestone terrace formations
• Stunning alpine landscapes of the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Tips

• Huanglong reaches about 3,500 meters in altitude, so walk slowly and stay hydrated.
• Taking the cable car up and walking down is the easiest way to explore the park.