Jiuzhaigou Itinerary 14 Days: A Journey to the Valley of Nine Villages (2026)

Your adventure begins as you arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), the gateway to Sichuan province. From here, you'll take a connecting flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH), located at an altitude of over 3,400 meters. The flight itself offers a stunning introduction to the region, with breathtaking views of the Min Shan mountain range. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel near the entrance of Jiuzhaigou National Park. The drive from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 1.5 hours and offers more spectacular mountain scenery. After checking into your hotel, take some time to acclimatize to the high altitude. It's important to rest and drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness. In the evening, you can take a leisurely stroll around the hotel area and get a first taste of the local atmosphere. You'll find a variety of restaurants and shops, where you can sample some local snacks or purchase souvenirs. As night falls, the air becomes crisp and cool, and the stars shine brightly in the clear mountain sky. Get a good night's rest, as tomorrow you'll begin your exploration of the magnificent Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Today, you'll enter the magical world of Jiuzhaigou National Park and begin your exploration of the Shuzheng Valley, the main artery of the park. After an early breakfast, we'll make our way to the park entrance and board the eco-friendly sightseeing bus. The bus will take us on a scenic journey through the valley, with stops at all the major attractions. Our first stop will be the iconic Nuorilang Waterfall, one of the widest waterfalls in China. The waterfall is a spectacular sight to behold, with water cascading down a series of terraced ledges. From Nuorilang, we'll continue our journey up the valley, stopping at a series of beautiful lakes, including the Sleeping Dragon Lake, Shuzheng Lakes, and Tiger Lake. Each lake has its own unique character and charm, with crystal-clear water that reflects the surrounding mountains and forests. We'll take our time to explore each lake, walking along the wooden boardwalks and taking in the stunning scenery. In the afternoon, we'll visit a local Tibetan village, where you can learn about the traditional culture and way of life of the Tibetan people. You'll have the opportunity to see their traditional houses, try on their colorful costumes, and even sample some of their homemade barley wine.

Today, we'll explore the two other main valleys of Jiuzhaigou: the Rize Valley and the Zechawa Valley. We'll start our day by taking the sightseeing bus to the end of the Rize Valley, where we'll find the Primeval Forest. Here, you can take a peaceful walk among ancient trees and breathe in the fresh mountain air. From the Primeval Forest, we'll make our way down the valley, stopping at a series of breathtaking lakes, including the Grass Lake, Swan Lake, and Arrow Bamboo Lake. Each lake is more beautiful than the last, with vibrant colors that range from turquoise to emerald green. The highlight of the Rize Valley is the Five Flower Lake, a multi-colored lake that is considered one of the most beautiful in Jiuzhaigou. The lake's colors are created by the mineral deposits and algae on the lakebed, and they change throughout the day depending on the light. After spending some time at the Five Flower Lake, we'll continue down the valley to the Pearl Shoal Waterfall, another spectacular waterfall that is wider than Nuorilang. In the afternoon, we'll take the bus to the Zechawa Valley, the highest and longest valley in Jiuzhaigou. Here, we'll visit the Long Lake, the largest and deepest lake in the park, and the Five-Color Pond, a small but incredibly vibrant pond that is a favorite among photographers.

Today, we'll take a day trip to the nearby Huanglong National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Huanglong, which means "Yellow Dragon," is famous for its colorful travertine pools, which are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate. The park is located in a scenic valley with snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and stunning waterfalls. We'll take a cable car to the top of the valley and then walk down, admiring the thousands of colorful pools that cascade down the mountainside. The pools range in color from yellow and orange to green and blue, creating a truly surreal landscape. As we make our way down the valley, we'll also see several beautiful waterfalls, including the magnificent Huanglong Waterfall. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including the giant panda and the golden snub-nosed monkey, although they are rarely seen. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Huanglong Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple that is located at the top of the valley. The temple offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is a peaceful place to relax and reflect. After a full day of exploring Huanglong, we'll return to our hotel in Jiuzhaigou in the evening.

After several days of intense exploration, today is a day for rest, relaxation, and cultural immersion. You can choose to spend the day at your leisure, perhaps revisiting a favorite spot in the park or simply relaxing at your hotel. For those interested in delving deeper into the local culture, we offer an optional visit to a traditional Tibetan family. This is a unique opportunity to experience the authentic lifestyle of the Tibetan people who have inhabited this region for centuries. You'll be welcomed into their home, where you can interact with the family, learn about their customs and traditions, and even try your hand at making some traditional Tibetan crafts. In the afternoon, you can explore the town of Jiuzhaigou, a bustling hub of activity with a variety of shops, restaurants, and teahouses. You can browse for souvenirs, sample some local delicacies, or simply relax in a teahouse and watch the world go by. In the evening, we recommend attending the "Tibetan Mystery" show, a spectacular performance that showcases the vibrant culture and history of the Tibetan people through music, dance, and acrobatics. The show is a feast for the senses and a perfect way to end a day of cultural immersion.

Today, we venture off the beaten path to explore the Zharu Valley, a pristine and undeveloped part of Jiuzhaigou that is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Unlike the other valleys in the park, the Zharu Valley is not accessible by sightseeing bus, so we'll be exploring it on foot. The valley is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and it offers a more authentic and intimate experience of Jiuzhaigou's natural beauty. We'll follow a scenic trail that winds its way through dense forests, across lush meadows, and alongside crystal-clear streams. The hike is of moderate difficulty and takes approximately 4-5 hours to complete. Along the way, we'll have plenty of opportunities to rest, take photos, and enjoy the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the valley. Our guide will point out the various plants and animals that we encounter, and we may even be lucky enough to spot some of the rare and endangered species that inhabit the area, such as the takin and the blue sheep. The hike culminates at the Zharu Monastery, a beautiful and secluded monastery that is perched on a hillside overlooking the valley. Here, we can rest and enjoy the stunning views before making our way back to the park entrance.

Today, we bid farewell to Jiuzhaigou and travel to the historic town of Songpan, an ancient walled town that was once an important stop on the Tea Horse Road. The journey from Jiuzhaigou to Songpan takes approximately 2-3 hours and offers more stunning views of the Sichuan countryside. Upon arrival in Songpan, we'll check into our hotel and then set out to explore the town's ancient city walls, which date back to the Ming Dynasty. The walls are remarkably well-preserved and offer a fascinating glimpse into the town's rich history. In the afternoon, we'll wander through the town's narrow streets, which are lined with traditional wooden houses, shops, and teahouses. Songpan is a melting pot of cultures, with a mix of Tibetan, Qiang, and Han Chinese people. You'll see this cultural diversity reflected in the town's architecture, cuisine, and customs. We'll also visit the local market, where you can find a variety of local products, including medicinal herbs, handicrafts, and souvenirs. In the evening, you can enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner at a local restaurant and soak up the unique atmosphere of this ancient town.

Today, we'll experience the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Tibetan people with a horseback riding adventure on the vast Songpan Grasslands. After breakfast, we'll drive out to the grasslands, which are located just outside of town. Here, we'll be met by our Tibetan guides and their sturdy mountain ponies. After a brief introduction to horseback riding, we'll set off on a scenic ride across the rolling green hills of the grasslands. The ride offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and is a wonderful way to experience the wide-open spaces of the Tibetan plateau. We'll ride for several hours, with plenty of opportunities to rest, take photos, and enjoy the stunning scenery. We'll also visit a local nomadic family in their traditional tent, where we can learn about their way of life and sample some of their homemade yak butter tea and tsampa (roasted barley flour). This is a unique and authentic cultural experience that you won't find in many other places. In the afternoon, we'll return to Songpan, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You can relax at your hotel, explore more of the town, or perhaps try your hand at some traditional Tibetan archery.

Today, we make our way back to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. The journey from Songpan to Chengdu takes approximately 6-7 hours, but the time will fly by as we travel through some of the most spectacular scenery in Sichuan. We'll pass through deep gorges, cross high mountain passes, and see traditional villages clinging to the hillsides. We'll make a stop at the Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial, a poignant reminder of the devastating earthquake that struck this region in 2008. The memorial is a powerful and moving tribute to the victims of the earthquake and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. We'll also stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way, where you can sample some more delicious Sichuan cuisine. As we get closer to Chengdu, the landscape will gradually change from rugged mountains to fertile plains. We'll arrive in Chengdu in the late afternoon and check into our hotel. After a long day of traveling, you can relax and unwind at your hotel or take a stroll around the neighborhood. Chengdu is a vibrant and modern city with a rich history and culture, and there's plenty to see and do. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious Sichuan hotpot dinner, a must-try experience for any visitor to Chengdu.

Today is all about pandas! We'll spend the morning at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the most important panda conservation centers in the world. Here, you'll have the opportunity to see these adorable creatures up close in a beautiful and naturalistic setting. The base is home to dozens of pandas, from tiny newborns to playful adolescents and majestic adults. You can watch them eat, play, and sleep, and learn about the efforts being made to protect this endangered species. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the pandas are most active. In the afternoon, we'll visit the People's Park, a lively and bustling park in the heart of Chengdu. The park is a popular gathering place for locals, who come here to relax, socialize, and enjoy a variety of activities. You can see people practicing tai chi, playing mahjong, and even singing and dancing. We'll visit a traditional teahouse in the park, where you can experience the leisurely and laid-back lifestyle of Chengdu. You can sip on a cup of jasmine tea, get your ears cleaned by a traditional ear-cleaning master, and simply watch the world go by. It's a truly authentic and unforgettable Chengdu experience.

Today, we'll take a day trip to Leshan to see the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha in the world. The Buddha is carved out of a cliff face overlooking the confluence of three rivers and stands at an impressive 71 meters tall. It's a truly awe-inspiring sight and a testament to the skill and devotion of the ancient Chinese artisans who created it. We'll take a boat trip on the river to get a panoramic view of the Buddha from the water. This is the best way to appreciate the sheer size and scale of this incredible statue. After the boat trip, we'll climb the winding staircase that leads up the side of the cliff to the top of the Buddha's head. From here, you can get a close-up view of the Buddha's serene expression and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape. We'll also explore the beautiful Lingyun Temple, which is located behind the Buddha's head. The temple is a peaceful and tranquil place with beautiful gardens and ancient trees. In the afternoon, we'll return to Chengdu, where you can spend the evening at your leisure.

Today, we'll embark on a two-day excursion to Mount Emei, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. Mount Emei is a place of breathtaking natural beauty and profound spiritual significance. It's home to dozens of temples and monasteries, as well as a rich diversity of flora and fauna. We'll take a scenic bus ride to the base of the mountain and then take a cable car to the Golden Summit, which is located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. The Golden Summit is the highest peak on the mountain and is home to the magnificent Huazang Temple, a beautiful and ornate temple with a giant golden statue of the Bodhisattva Puxian. From the Golden Summit, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the "sea of clouds," a spectacular natural phenomenon that occurs when the clouds settle in the valleys below. We'll spend the night at a hotel on the Golden Summit, which will give us the opportunity to witness the magical sunrise the next morning. In the evening, you can explore the temple and soak up the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of this sacred mountain.

Today, we'll wake up early to witness the spectacular sunrise from the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. Watching the sun rise above the sea of clouds is a truly magical and unforgettable experience. After sunrise, we'll have breakfast at our hotel and then begin our descent from the mountain. We'll take the cable car back down to the base and then visit the Baoguo Temple, one of the most important temples on Mount Emei. The temple is a beautiful and sprawling complex with several halls, gardens, and a library of Buddhist scriptures. After visiting the Baoguo Temple, we'll begin our journey back to Chengdu. We'll arrive in Chengdu in the late afternoon and check into our hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to do some last-minute souvenir shopping or simply relax and reflect on your incredible journey through Sichuan. In the evening, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where you can savor the flavors of Sichuan cuisine one last time.

Your 14-day adventure in Jiuzhaigou and Sichuan comes to an end today. After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be transferred to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) for your departure flight. We hope you've had an unforgettable journey and that you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty and rich culture of this incredible region. We look forward to welcoming you back to China in the future!