A nature reserve and national park located in the north Chinese province of Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou is known for fabulous scenery such as multi-level waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Though perhaps the parks best-known feature is its dozens of blue, green and turquoise-colored lakes. The saying that “no more water worthy of appreciating after those of in Jiuzhaigou” can be the true interpretation of its scenery.

But for such wonderful attraction, why do so many tourists miss it? Most simply don’t know how to get there. As the largest city in the southwest China, Chengdu is only about 400 kilometers away, and is your best gateway. From here you have the option of daily flights and buses to Jiuzhaigou.

The difference between choosing a bus or a plane comes down to both time and price. Most of time, taking bus from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou will take 9 to 10 hours, as opposed to the 40 minutes to 1 hour for the journey on a plane. Use the following information to help guide your choice.

The Best Way to Travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou – by Bus or by Plane?

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Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu by Bus

Bus is the most common way to get to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu because it’s the cheapest option. There are two main bus stations in Chengdu that offer long-distance tourist buses, namely Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station and Chadianzi Bus Station. No matter which bus station you depart from, the bus fare is no more than 200 RMB and it takes about 9 to 10 hours.

The advantage of taking a bus is that you can go directly to Jiuzhaigou goukou or Jiuzhaigou Town. The scenery along the road is quite beautiful. You will pass by Wenchuan, Yingxiu and Maoxian County to explore the local Tibetan and Qiang culture. However, the long distance journey is not as comfortable as it would be if you were on a flight.

Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu by Flight

The quickest way to get to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu is by flight. For those considering a flight in for a Jiuzhaigou tour, a 3-day holiday is enough.

There are several daily non-stop flights to choose from. The flight only takes an hour, but keep in mind that Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport is located an approximate 88 km away from Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve and 50 km away from Huanglong National Park, which means you’ll likely spend another hour and a half to get to the national park or scenic area by car.

The price of flights tends to fluctuate throughout the year. In low season (winter), you can expect to pay around 600 RMB, while in peak season, (late September to October is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou) and autumn, this can increase to around 1600 RMB. So we suggest to book your flights in advance, otherwise your only option may be to purchase a ticket in first class, which is usually over 5000 RMB.

Tips for Visiting Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou is at a high altitude area, so keep in mind that strenuous exercise is inappropriate. When you’re there, make a conscious effort to eat more vegetables and fruits to prevent altitude sickness.

Inside the Jiuzhaigou scenic area, there are eco-shuttle buses taking you to the major attractions. You can also do a short trek along walkways.

Autumn is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou for the foliage color. But it is suggested to avoid visit Jiuzhaigou in early October, when there are too many Chinese domestic tourists in the National Holiday.

There are also many attractions near Jiuzhaigou Valley, like Huanglong National Park, Songpan Ancient Town, Munigou Valley, Huahu Lake and Langmusi. If you have enough time, don’t miss the change to travel around Jiuzhaigou.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; a website dedicated to opening your eyes to the wild & natural world.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

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