Songpan Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & Travel Tips (2026/2027)

Where Is Songpan and Is It Worth Visiting?

Songpan is located in northwestern Sichuan, about 322 km from Chengdu. It is part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture and is close to both Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou. Because of its location, Songpan is often included in a trip from Chengdu to these two famous destinations.

But Songpan is more than just a stop along the way. It is worth spending some time here to explore Songpan Ancient Town, experience Tibetan and Qiang culture, and enjoy the surrounding mountains and valleys. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you can also go horse riding or trekking around Songpan.

Songpan Ancient Town is surrounded by historic city walls, with mountains rising behind the town.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Songpan?

Explore Songpan Ancient Town

Songpan Ancient Town is one of the main places to visit in Songpan. Walk through the old gates and stone walls to explore narrow streets, traditional buildings, small temples, local restaurants, and shops selling handicrafts.

A few hours are usually enough to explore the ancient town. As you walk around, you can also see how Tibetan, Qiang, and Han Chinese cultures have influenced the town over its long history.

Walk along the old city walls of Songpan Ancient Town.

Visit Huanglong Scenic Area

Huanglong Scenic Area is one of the most popular places to visit near Songpan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for its colorful travertine pools, as well as forests, waterfalls, and snow-covered mountains.

Most of the famous pools are found in Huanglong Valley. You can follow the main sightseeing route through the valley to see the different terraces and pools along the way.

Songpan is also a convenient place to stay before or after visiting Huanglong, making it easy to include both places in the same trip.

See the colorful travertine pools in Huanglong Scenic Area.

Go Trekking in Qizanggou

If you enjoy hiking, Qizanggou is one of the best places for trekking near Songpan. The area has alpine lakes, forests, grasslands, mountain passes, and quiet valleys away from the main tourist areas.

You can choose different trekking routes depending on your time and fitness level. For a deeper experience, you can join a Qizanggou trekking tour to explore farther into the valleys and camp along the route.

Qizanggou is one of the best places for trekking near Songpan.

Try Horse Trekking around Songpan

Horse riding is another way to explore the countryside around Songpan. You can ride through grasslands, valleys, and rural areas while enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery.

Short rides are suitable if you only have a few hours. If you have more time, longer horse treks can take you farther into the countryside and mountain valleys.

Our guests enjoy horse trekking in the mountains around Songpan.

Visit Tibetan and Qiang Villages

Tibetan and Qiang villages can be found throughout the countryside around Songpan. Some are located along the routes to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, while others are tucked away in the surrounding valleys.

Here, you can see traditional houses, learn about local customs, and get a closer look at daily life in the mountains. Some villages also offer opportunities to try local food or learn about traditional handicrafts.

Visit a Tibetan family and experience local life in Songpan.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Songpan?

The best time to visit Songpan is from May to October. The weather is warmer during this period, making it a good time for sightseeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

June to August is the warmest period, with daytime temperatures around 20°C. The mountains and valleys are green, making summer a good time for hiking and horse trekking. However, this is also the rainy season, so bring a light rain jacket.

September and October are cooler and drier, with clearer skies and colorful autumn scenery. This is a good time for hiking, photography, and enjoying the mountain views around Songpan.

Winter is cold, with temperatures often dropping below 0°C from December to February. Snow-covered mountains are beautiful at this time, but some high-altitude trekking routes may be inaccessible because of snow.

Check our Songpan Weather Guide for more details on monthly temperatures, rainfall, and what to expect in each season.

Autumn brings colorful mountain scenery to Songpan.

How Do You Get to Songpan?

Songpan is easy to reach from Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, and Huanglong by train, bus, or private car. The best option depends on where you are coming from.

Get from Chengdu to Songpan

The fastest way to travel from Chengdu to Songpan is by high-speed train. The journey from Chengdu East Railway Station takes around 1.5 hours. After arriving at Songpan Railway Station, it takes about 20 minutes by car to reach Songpan Ancient Town.

You can also travel by private car. The drive takes around 6-7 hours, but gives you more flexibility to stop along the way, such as at Wenchuan and Diexi Lake.

4 Days Songpan Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour with Mounigou Valley by High-Speed Train

4 Days & 3 Nights
Chengdu - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Huanglong National Park - Jiuzhaigou Valley (2N) - Mounigou Valley - Chengdu

Price From: USD 509

Get from Jiuzhaigou to Songpan

Direct buses run from Jiuzhaigou to Songpan, with services to Songzhou Bus Station and Songpan Railway Station. The journey usually takes around 2-2.5 hours.

You can also take a taxi or private car directly from Jiuzhaigou to Songpan. The trip takes around 2 hours and is more convenient if you are traveling with luggage.

Get from Huanglong to Songpan

Huanglong is about one hour from Songpan by road. Direct buses run from Huanglong Scenic Area to Songzhou Bus Station and Songpan Railway Station, with current services taking about 1-1 hour 10 minutes.

You can also take a taxi or private car from Huanglong Scenic Area directly to Songpan Ancient Town, which is more convenient if you are traveling with luggage.

You can travel from Huanglong to Songpan by bus.

How Many Days Do You Need in Songpan?

For most people, 1 to 2 days is enough to visit Songpan. If you are mainly stopping in Songpan on the way to Huanglong or Jiuzhaigou, one day is enough to explore Songpan Ancient Town, walk along the old streets and city walls, and try some local food.

With two days, you can explore the ancient town at a slower pace and spend more time outside the town. You can visit nearby Tibetan and Qiang villages, go horse riding, or take a short trip into the surrounding mountains.

If you want to trek in Qizanggou, you will need several additional days. Multi-day trekking routes take you deeper into the valleys and usually include overnight camping.

Walk along the old streets of Songpan Ancient Town.

How to Plan a Songpan, Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou Trip?

Four days is a good amount of time to visit Songpan, Huanglong, and Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu. You can spend one day in Songpan, visit Huanglong on the way to Jiuzhaigou, and leave a full day for Jiuzhaigou. Here is a simple way to plan your trip:

Day 1: Chengdu to Songpan
Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Songpan. Spend the afternoon exploring Songpan Ancient Town and stay overnight in Songpan.

Day 2: Songpan to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou
Visit Huanglong Scenic Area in the morning. After your visit, continue to Jiuzhaigou and stay overnight near the park.

Day 3: Jiuzhaigou
Spend a full day in Jiuzhaigou. The sightseeing buses inside the park make it easy to visit the main lakes, waterfalls, and valleys.

Day 4: Mounigou Valley and Chengdu
Visit Mounigou Valley before taking the high-speed train back to Chengdu.

If you only have three days, you can skip Mounigou and focus on Songpan, Huanglong, and Jiuzhaigou. If you have more time, spend another day in Jiuzhaigou or add a multi-day trek in Qizanggou.

4 Days Songpan Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour with Mounigou Valley by High-Speed Train

4 Days & 3 Nights
Chengdu - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Huanglong National Park - Jiuzhaigou Valley (2N) - Mounigou Valley - Chengdu

Price From: USD 509

Songpan Travel FAQs

How High Is Songpan? Do You Need to Worry About Altitude?

Songpan Ancient Town is about 2,850 meters above sea level. At this altitude, you may notice mild symptoms such as shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, or difficulty sleeping when you first arrive.

Take it easy on your first day, drink enough water, and avoid strenuous exercise. If you plan to visit higher-altitude areas such as Huanglong or go trekking, allow your body time to adjust.

Is Songpan the Same as Songpan Ancient Town?

No. Songpan refers to the wider county and travel area, while Songpan Ancient Town is the historic walled town and one of the main attractions in Songpan.

This difference is useful when booking hotels or transportation, as Songpan Railway Station and some attractions are outside the ancient town.

Can You Visit Songpan and Huanglong in One Day?

Yes, but it depends on where you start. If you are already staying in Songpan, you can visit Songpan Ancient Town and Huanglong in one day, as Huanglong is about an hour away by car.

If you are coming from Chengdu on the same day, the schedule will be much tighter. Staying one night in Songpan gives you more time for the ancient town before visiting Huanglong the next day.

Is Songpan Worth Visiting If I’m Going to Jiuzhaigou?

Yes. Songpan and Jiuzhaigou offer very different experiences. Songpan is known for its ancient town, Tibetan and Qiang culture, horse riding, and trekking, while Jiuzhaigou is famous for its lakes, waterfalls, forests, and valleys. If you have enough time, it is easy to include both in the same northern Sichuan trip.

Can Foreign Travelers Visit Songpan Independently?

Yes. Foreign visitors can generally travel to Songpan as part of a Sichuan trip. You can book your own train, hotel, and sightseeing arrangements. However, joining a private or organized tour can make transportation between Songpan, Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, and more remote trekking areas easier.

Conclusion

Songpan is more than a stop between Chengdu, Huanglong, and Jiuzhaigou. You can explore the historic old town, experience Tibetan and Qiang culture, and enjoy trekking and horse riding in the surrounding mountains.

Plan one or two days for Songpan, or stay longer if you want to trek in Qizanggou. You can also easily combine Songpan with Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou for a longer trip.

Planning a trip to Songpan? Based in Chengdu, our local team can help arrange high-speed train tickets, private transportation, hotels, local guides, and sightseeing for your trip. Explore our Songpan tours, or contact us to customize an itinerary around your travel dates, interests, and available time.