Get Around in Jiuzhaigou

Since been declared as one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992, Jiuzhaigou had welcomed millions of tourists to visit every year.

It is located at the northwestern Sichuan and 150 km away from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, which makes Chengdu an inevitable junction connecting the outside world and Jiuzhaigou.

Jiuzhaigou Valley, being regarded as the Heaven on the Earth, is famous for its well-preserved natural sceneries like crystal lakes, silver waterfalls, colorful foliage, various kinds of animals and mysterious mountains. The more beautiful the views are, the more inadequate the transportation is.

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Transportation in Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park

There are 2 kinds of transportations inside Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park that taking the tour bus and trekking by yourself, between which the first one saves more energy and trekking is more exhausted as well as excited. Jiuzhaigou is too huge to trek through within one day; so many tourists choose to combine these two ways together to fully explore Jiuzhaigou.

1. Visit Jiuzhaigou Valley by Shuttle Bus

The ticket price for the Shuttle bus is 90 RMB which is already paid when you bought the ticket in the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park. Unlike the entrance ticket, the price of tour bus doesn’t change in the slack season.

Jiuzhaigou shuttle bus

In winter, some scenery spots located at higher altitude that from the Arrow Bamboo Lake to the Primitive Forest closed when other spots are still open to the tourists who can take the tour bus to these spots.

3 Days Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong National Park Local Tour

The shuttle bus is just like the public circulatory bus in city that tourists can get off and get up at the according stops with bus ticket holding in hand. Tourists should pay more attention to the stops because some stops are for up bus and some are for down bus and these stops are not at the same places. In the peak season, there are more than 200 buses running inside the park every day. it is convenient, clean and fast.

The shuttle bus is just like the public circulatory bus in city

It is highly suggested to set at the front of the bus to listen to the Intelligent Guide System (located by the GPS) explaining the scenery spots. Tourists should tell the staff where to get off or it may not stop. Especially in the early morning, the default destination is Primitive Forest.

Running time of Jiuzhaigou Shuttle Bus

- The first bus departs at 7:00am every day.

- The last bus from Nuorilang leaving Jiuzhaigou departs at 19:00.

- The last bus from Long Lake to Nuorilang departs at 16:30.

- The last bus from the Primitive Forest to Nuorilang departs at 18:00.

- From 15:00, Nuorilang center stops departing buses up to Long Lake and Primitive Forest, from where there is only down bus to Nuorilang.

Routes:

- The entrance of Jiuzhaigou National Park-Shuzheng Valley- Rhinoceros Lake- Nuorilang Center- Zezhawa Valley- Long Lake- back to the entrance.

- The entrance of Jiuzhaigou National Park-Shuzheng Valley- Rhinoceros Lake- Nuorilang Center-Rize Valley (the Panda Lake, Pearl Beach Shoal, etc.)-back to the entrance.

2. Visit Jiuzhaigou by Trekking

Jiuzhaigou is a perfect start for tourists to feel the excitement of trekking. Consisting of 3 valleys, Jiuzhaigou forms a Y shape with Rize Valley on the right section, Zechawa Valley on the left section and Shuzheng Valley at the lower section. Most visitors prefer to start Jiuzhaigou National Park hiking by taking bus to the highest point of Rize Valley, then hike downhill along the wooden boardwalks.

Map of Jiuzhaigou National Park

Here are some recommended Jiuzhaigou trekking routes for reference:

1. Entrance - (bus) - Mirror Lake - (bus) - Arrow Bamboo Lake - (trek) - Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall - (trek) - Panda Lake - (Trek) - Panda Lake Waterfall - (trek) - Five Flower Lakee - (bus) - Primitive Forest - (trek) - Swan Lake - (trek) - Grass Lake - (bus) - Primitive Forest - (bus) - Pearl Shoal - (trek) - Mirror Lake - (bus) - Nuorilang Waterfall

2. Nuorilang Waterfall - (bus) - Long Lake - (trek) - Five Color Lake - (bus) - Upper Seasonal Lake - (bus) - Lower Seasonal Lake - (bus) - Nuorilang 3. Entrance - (bus) - Rhinoceros Lake - (trek) - Tiger Lake - (trek) - Shuzheng Lake - (trek) - Sparkle Lake - (bus) - Sleeping Dragon Lake - (trek) - Reed Lake - (trek) - Bonsai Shoal - (bus) - Entrance

Jiuzhaigou to Nearby Attractions

Near Jiuzhaigou, there are many attractions that you should not miss as long as you have enough time. For instance, Huanglong is famous for its calcified land scape, Songpan is famous for its ancient history, and Ruoergai is famous for its natural grass land view.

Jiuzhaigu to Huanglong

Huanglong National Park is located 120 km away from Jiuzhaigou.

Huanglong National Park

There is a public bus commuting Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong every day in 7:00am which costs you 50 RMB and 3 hours. You can buy a ticket at Jiutong Bus Station in Jiuzhaigou in advance to make sure there is a seat for you. You can go back to Jiuzhaigou in 15:00pm by taking the same bus.

Jiutong Bus Station in Jiuzhaigou

Another choice is booking a private car. The price for a car is about 450 RMB and you can share with other tourists. Some hotels and hostels offer this kind of service. In this way, you can manage your own time instead of getting up early to catch the bus.

Jiuzhaigou to Songpan

Songpan Ancient Town is situated 147 km away from Jiuzhaigou.

Songpan Ancient Town

There are normally 3-5 buses commuting Jiuzhaigou Bus Station (not Jiutong Bus Station) and Songpan. The earliest one departs at 07:40 in the morning. The ticket price is 25 RMB.

In peak seasons, there would be more buses.

Also you can book a car to Songpan. The price is about 150 RMB for one way per car.

NOTES:

Booking a car from local reputable agency or hotel is safer.

Jiuzhaigou to Chuanzhusi

Chuanzhusi, which is an essential junction in Aba, is 88km away from Jiuzhaigou.

Chuanzhusi Town

There is a public bus connecting Jiuzhaigou and Chuanzhusi every day which depart in the morning. The ticket price is 20 RMB and this ride takes you 2 hours.

Booking a car to Chuanzhusi is about 100 RMB for one way.

Jiuzhaigou to Ruoergai Prairie

Ruoergai is a grass land located in northwestern Sichuan with majestic view where magnificent rivers start from. There are ONE bus starting from Jiuzhaigou Bus Station to Ruoergai in every morning at 7:00. The ticket price is about 90 RMB and the journey takes you 6 hours.

Ruoergai Prairie

Taking a chartered car to Ruoergai is a better choice. The price for ONE car is about 2000 RMB for one way, and sharing with other tourists would not only reduce your cost but also be a good chance to meet friends. You can stop wherever you want and fully enjoy the beauty along the way.

Jiuzhaigou to MounigouValley

Mounigou, also known as Munigou, is located at 121 km away from Jiuzhaigou.

Mounigou Valley

There is no direct bus commuting between Jiuzhaigou and Mounigou, tourists can choose to take the public bus to Songpan and then transfer to Mounigou.

Taking a chartered car to Mounigou is the most convenient way with a cost about 500 RMB for one way per car.

NOTES:

The best way to immerse in Mounigou is riding a horse from Songpan to Mounigou, which would cost you 2 days for a round-trip but it totally worth it. You can feel the natural lifestyle of local ethnic nations, camping in the forest, and experience an unforgettable journey. The total cost is about 900 RMB.