How to Travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou by Bus

Located 475km north to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou National Park (2000m-4300m) is known worldwide for its colorful lakes and gushing waterfalls and enchanting mountains cuddled by pristine forests. Travelling from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou National Park is easy. Both tour bus and flight are readily available on a daily basis. However, to the majority of tourists, taking Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou bus is the most cost-effective and easiest way to reach Jiuzhaigou valley. The entire road trip takes about 10 hours from Chengdu.

Turquoise lake surrouned by pristine forest

Map of Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou by Bus

Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Bus Route Map

In fact, travelling to Jiuzhaigou via Songpan ancient town and Huanglong is the most popular travel route in Sichuan Province. To cover all the attractions, over 90% of the tourists would take bus from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou via this route.

Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Bus Travel Route

The bus departs from Chengdu (500m) to Dujiangyan(600m) via Duwen Express and then follows Wenchuan County(1326m), Miaoxian County(1580m) and SongpanCounty(2850m), Chuanzhusi (3100m) and further north till Jiuzhaigou Goukou Bus Staion(1990m).

Insider Tips for Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou Bus Tour

Chuanzhusi is the most important hub leading to Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou Huanlong Airport and Ruo’er Gai. There are buses running from Chuanzhusi to Jiuzhigou, Songpan, and Huanglong and Ruoer’Gai and Chengdu.

Attractions from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou

The scenic spots along the way start to unfold after Yingxiu. You will pass the former residence of Dayu, Wen Temple and Watermill ancient town. Then you will see a number of distinct villages such as Moutuo village and pass Jiuding Mountain and Pingtou village and reach Maoxian County. Next, here comes Heihu Qiang Village and Deixi scenic area on the plateau.

Ancient city wall of Songpan County

Then keep moving 80km, you will arrive at Songpan ancient city in Songpan county. 16km later, you will reach Chuanzhusi, an important hub whose left road will lead you to Ruo’ergai grassland and Langmusi and if you take the right road, you will either end up in Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong. From Chuanzhusi, you will see Shangmo village, a distinct Tibetan village, Jiafan ancient town, and pass famous “Nine Sharp Turns”, etc. Eventually, you will reach Jiuzhaigou Goukou Bus Station, 800m east to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou National Park.(Goukou literally means entrance.)

Where to Eat and Have Toilet during the 10 Hour’s Ride

During the long ride from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, normally the tour bus will stop at Mao Xian County where passengers can have lunch and get off the bus for toilet. It’s also advisable to go to toilet inside the bus station before you hit the road.

If you have a tight schedule, you may fly directly from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and the flight takes around 40mins or so. It is hard to get discounted flight ticket during the high season (April to mid-Nov) of Jiuzhiagou Tour. Another alternative is to fly from Chongqing to Jiuzhaigou. The flight takes an hour, and the benefit is you can get more chances for discounted flight tickets. There are also flights from Xi’an to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport.

Tourists landed at Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport from Chengdu.

Jiuzhaigou National Park is 88km away from Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport and 128km away from Huanglong National Park and 103km from Songpan.

3 Days Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong National Park Local Tour

Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Bus Station and Bus Schedule

Every day, a sizeable number of tourists will take a Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou tour bus to visit Jiuzhaigou National Park. Choosing the right bus station closest to your hotel can make it easier for your Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou tour. Check the two major bus stations in Chengdu below:

Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Jiuzhaigou

It is highly recommended to take a Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou bus at Xinnanmen Bus Station, which is also known as Chengdu Tourism Passenger Transport Service Center.

Xinnanmen Bus Station is located in downtown Chengdu, a vital tourist transport service center.

Bus Departure: at 8:00 and 8:20
Duration: 10 hours
Bus price: 141CNY and 158CNY (two kinds of tour bus are available at different prices)
Distance from Jiuzhaigou: 475km
Address: No.57, Linjiang Road of Wuhou District, Chengdu
Tel: 028-85433609;028-85442046

How to Get to Xinnanmen Bus Station in Chengdu

The most convenient way is to take metro line 3 to reach Xinnanmen Bus Station.

Subway to Xinnanmen Bus Station: Chengdu Metro Line3, Gate C (then walk 649m)

Bus to Xinanmen Bus Station: No.6; No.28; No. 904; No. 102; No.35; No.28; No.49; No.55; No. 301; No.82; No.21; No.335

Chadianzi Bus Station to Jiuzhaigou

Chadianzi Bus Station is situated in the west of Chengdu, close to west 3rd ring road.

Bus Departure: at 8:00 and 10:00
Duration: 10 hours
Bus Price: 157CNY
Distance from Jiuzhaigou: 435km
Address: No.289, 5th Sectionof West 3rd Ring Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu (close to 3rd ring road)
Tel:028-87506610

How to Get to Chadianzi Bus Station in Chengdu

Metro Line 2 will take you right next to the Chadianzi Bus Station.

Subway to Chadianzi Bus Station: Chengdu Metro Line2, Gate D (then walk 843m)

Bus to Chadianzi Bus Station: No.4; No. 113

How to Book Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou Bus Ticket

Nowadays, you can either book the bus ticket 5 days in advance online or from the ticket office (available at 8:30) inside the bus station. Of course, you may contact us to book the bus ticket with great ease if you have language barrier.

About the long distance bus from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou

There are two kinds of long distance buses available. Large-size coach Type A (大型高一) and Large-size coach Type B(大型高二). Both are over 9 meters in length, with air conditioner. Type A bus is equipped with around 45 seats; Type B bus has 39 seats and a toilet; Overall, Type B bus is more spacious and more comfortable than Type A bus. Of course, it’s a bit more expensive.

Insider Tips

Tour buses depart from Xinnanmen Bus Station will directly take you from Chengdu to Jiuzhaiogu Goukou Bus Station, only 800m away the entrance of JIuzhaigou National Park. There is NO night bus travelling from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou. Round-way bus is also available between Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou, with some discount.

Hotels and Restaurants at Jiuzhaigou Goukou

Jiuzhaigou Goukou in Pengfeng Village of Zhangzha Town covers an area of 3km on both side of the entrance of Jiuzhiagou National Park. From dirt cheap youth hostels to 5-star luxury resorts, there are a variety of accommodations to suit different pockets.

Most of the restaurants outside Jiuzhaigou National Park offer tasty Sichuan dishes. You can find many snacks and restaurants in newly-built Cuisine Variety Street at paradise entrance. Western fast food restaurant like Dicos can also be found. Many international foodies prefer to dine in restaurants with distinct Tibetan culture and Tibetan cuisine, such as ABULUZI

Newly-built cusine street in paradise entrance of Jiuzhaigou

4 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Overland Tour

Price From: USD 490

Bus Terminal of Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou Bus in Jiuzhaigou

The Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou bus will finally stop at two bus terminals in Jiuzhaigou:

Two Bus terminals in Jiuzhaigou; Goukou Bus Station is more preferable for its closeness to the attraction.

a. Jiuzhiagou Goukou Bus Station (only 800m from the Jiuzhaigou National Park)
The majority of tourists would prefer to get off at this bus station for its proximity to the Jiuzhaigou National Park. It only takes around 10 mins’ walk to the scenic area. You can find plenty of restaurants and hotels here.

Jiuzhaigou Goukou Bus Station inside the courtyard of Jiutong Yangguang Hotel

b. Jiuzhaigou Bus Station (40km from Jiuzhaigou National Park)
After passing Jiuzhaigou Goukou Bus station, the bus will keep moving further to the Jiuzhaigou Bus Station in Jiuzhaigou County. To the elderly, some may get off here and have a good rest for a couple of days. Then they would hire a car and head back to visit Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Jiuzhaigou Bus Station, located in Jiuzhaigou County, is far away from Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Insider Tips

The long distance drive from Chengdu, esp via winding road, is likely to wear you out or trigger motion sickness. It is advisable to bring some medicines for motion sickness and cold relief. Do pay attention to the dramatic temperature change inside the scenic area. Due to high altitude and subsequent stronger sunshine, never forget to bring sunscreen, sunglass and lip balm, etc.

After your tour is done, you can take tour bus from Jiuzhaigou Goukou Bus Station to Chengdu, or hire a car to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport to fly back to Chengdu. The Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu bus fare are as follows:

Jiuzhaigou Goukou Bus Station:
Departure time: 7:05; 7:25; 7:30; 8:00; 8:10; 9:30;
Bus Price: 140CNY (mid-size tour bus); 155CNY(large tour bus)

Jiuzhiagou Bus Station:
Departure Time: 6:20; 8:30
Bus Price: 155CNY