This guide focuses on how many days are ideal for visiting Jiuzhaigou while incorporating popular surrounding attractions into the itinerary. Since Jiuzhaigou is rich in tourism resources, it is often paired with nearby destinations like Huanglong Scenic Area, Dujiangyan, and other popular spots in Sichuan, such as Seda, Daocheng Yading, Dagu Glacier, Hailuogou, and Danba. Northern routes may even include attractions in Gannan and Qinghai.
Travelers with ample time can customize their routes based on personal interests, creating unique DIY itineraries. Many tour operators also design routes around these surrounding highlights. Below are some recommended itineraries for inspiration.
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1 : Chengdu → Diexi Lake → Jiuzhaigou Entrance
Day 2 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 3 : Huanglong Scenic Area → Chengdu
Day 2 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 3 : Huanglong Scenic Area → Chengdu
Highlights :
This itinerary focuses on Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, perfect for travelers with limited time who want to directly visit these key attractions.
This itinerary focuses on Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, perfect for travelers with limited time who want to directly visit these key attractions.
Read Next: Want more Jiuzhaigou intel? Our Top Jiuzhaigou Activities covers culture and food, and A Detailed Guide to Jiuzhaigou has scenic spot details.
4-Day Itinerary
Day 1 : Chengdu → Bipenggou or Zhegu Mountain → Heishui County
Day 2 : Dagu Glacier → Songpan County
Day 3 : Songpan → Gonggang Ridge → Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 4 : Huanglong Scenic Area → Chengdu
Day 2 : Dagu Glacier → Songpan County
Day 3 : Songpan → Gonggang Ridge → Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 4 : Huanglong Scenic Area → Chengdu
Highlights :
In addition to Jiuzhaigou, this itinerary includes stops at Bipenggou/Zhegu Mountain, Dagu Glacier, and Huanglong, offering an in-depth exploration of Aba Prefecture in western Sichuan.
In addition to Jiuzhaigou, this itinerary includes stops at Bipenggou/Zhegu Mountain, Dagu Glacier, and Huanglong, offering an in-depth exploration of Aba Prefecture in western Sichuan.
5-Day Itineraries
Route 1 :
Day 1 : Chengdu → Zhegu Mountain → Gulgou
Day 2 : Bipenggou Scenic Area → Heishui County
Day 3 : Dagu Glacier → Songpan County
Day 4 : Songpan → Gonggang Ridge → Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 5 : Huanglong Scenic Area → Chengdu
Day 2 : Bipenggou Scenic Area → Heishui County
Day 3 : Dagu Glacier → Songpan County
Day 4 : Songpan → Gonggang Ridge → Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 5 : Huanglong Scenic Area → Chengdu
Highlights :
A relaxed pace for exploring the Aba Prefecture, ideal for those with more time.
A relaxed pace for exploring the Aba Prefecture, ideal for those with more time.
Route 2 :
Day 1 : Chengdu → Yingxiu Earthquake Site → Hongyuan Grassland → First Bend of the Yellow River → Tangke Town
Day 2 : Tangke Town → Ruoergai → Flower Lake → Chuanzhusi
Day 3 : Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 4 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 5 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Chengdu
Day 2 : Tangke Town → Ruoergai → Flower Lake → Chuanzhusi
Day 3 : Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 4 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 5 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Chengdu
Highlights :
This itinerary showcases the breathtaking northern grasslands and diverse landscapes of northern Sichuan.
This itinerary showcases the breathtaking northern grasslands and diverse landscapes of northern Sichuan.
6-Day Itineraries
Route 1 :
Day 1 : Chengdu → Yingxiu Earthquake Site → Hongyuan Grassland → First Bend of the Yellow River → Tangke Town
Day 2 : Tangke Town → Ruoergai Flower Lake → Zhagana
Day 3 : Zhagana → Langmusi → Ruoergai
Day 4 : Ruoergai → Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 5 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 6 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Chengdu
Day 2 : Tangke Town → Ruoergai Flower Lake → Zhagana
Day 3 : Zhagana → Langmusi → Ruoergai
Day 4 : Ruoergai → Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 5 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 6 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Chengdu
Highlights :
This itinerary includes the hidden gem of Zhagana, a serene destination with unique peaks, sunrise views, and charming sunsets.
This itinerary includes the hidden gem of Zhagana, a serene destination with unique peaks, sunrise views, and charming sunsets.
Route 2 :
Day 1 : Chengdu → Yingxiu → Wolong → Shuangqiao Valley (Four Sisters Mountain)
Day 2 : Horseback riding or hiking in Changping Valley → Dreaming Pen Mountain → Barkam (Zhuokeji Fortress)
Day 3 : Barkam → Red Prairie → First Bend of the Yellow River → Flower Lake in Ruoergai
Day 4 : Ruoergai → Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 5 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 6 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Wenchuan → Chengdu
Day 2 : Horseback riding or hiking in Changping Valley → Dreaming Pen Mountain → Barkam (Zhuokeji Fortress)
Day 3 : Barkam → Red Prairie → First Bend of the Yellow River → Flower Lake in Ruoergai
Day 4 : Ruoergai → Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 5 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 6 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Wenchuan → Chengdu
Highlights :
Covers Aba Prefecture's most iconic attractions with an unforgettable journey into the heart of its natural beauty.
Covers Aba Prefecture's most iconic attractions with an unforgettable journey into the heart of its natural beauty.
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1 : Chengdu → Wenchuan → Taoping Qiang Village → Miyaluo → Aba County
Day 2 : Aba County → Lianbaoyeze → Aba County
Day 3 : Morning mist in Aba → Shenzuo → Moon Bay (or Ermutang) → First Bend of the Yellow River → Tangke Town
Day 4 : Tangke Town → Ruoergai → Flower Lake → Chuanzhusi
Day 5 : Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 6 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 7 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Chengdu
Day 2 : Aba County → Lianbaoyeze → Aba County
Day 3 : Morning mist in Aba → Shenzuo → Moon Bay (or Ermutang) → First Bend of the Yellow River → Tangke Town
Day 4 : Tangke Town → Ruoergai → Flower Lake → Chuanzhusi
Day 5 : Chuanzhusi → Huanglong Scenic Area → Jiuzhaigou
Day 6 : Full day in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Day 7 : Jiuzhaigou → Songpan Ancient Town → Mao County → Chengdu
Highlights :
Dive deep into Tibetan areas and explore pristine, untouched landscapes in both Sichuan and Tibetan regions.
Dive deep into Tibetan areas and explore pristine, untouched landscapes in both Sichuan and Tibetan regions.