3 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train Tour

Nihao! Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas. Your private driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore on your own.Arrival Ideas:Chengdu has two airports - Shuangliu (CTU) and Tianfu (TFU) - with flights from most major cities in China and Asia. High-speed trains connect Chengdu to Xi'an (3-4 hours), Chongqing (1.5-2 hours), Guiyang (3.5-4.5 hours), Kunming (6-6.5 hours), and Shanghai (12.5-14.5 hours).Free Time Ideas:If you arrive early, ask your guide for recommendations. They might suggest a walk through People's Park, a visit to Wenshu Monastery, or an evening stroll along Jinli Old Street to try Sichuan snacks.

Chengdu Panda BaseMeet your guide early in the hotel lobby. Pandas are most active in the cool morning hours, so an early start is worth it.The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is home to over 100 pandas of all ages. Watch them climb, eat bamboo, nap, and play. In autumn, you might spot pink newborn cubs in the nursery houses.Look for famous pandas like Hua Hua, the nation's favorite, and Zhi Ma, the mascot of the World University Games. Red pandas roam nearby—smaller, rarer, and just as charming. The base has also become a spot for urban birding.If you're interested, visit the Panda Museum (free, reservation needed, closed Mondays) to learn more about these animals.Wenshu MonasteryNext, visit Wenshu Monastery, a 1,400-year-old Buddhist temple dedicated to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. It's one of China's four great Zen Buddhist temples.Stop for a photo at the Red Wall before entering. Inside, walk through the Qing Dynasty-style buildings in order: Heavenly Kings Hall, Three Saints Hall, Grand Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall, and Scripture Library. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet.Afternoon: People's Park (Renmin Park)After lunch, head to People's Park to see Chengdu's slow side. Watch locals square dance, practice tai chi, sing folk songs, or boat on the lake.Don't miss the blind date corner—a marriage market where parents gather to find partners for their adult children. It's a real Chengdu tradition.Sit at Heming Tea House, a century-old teahouse. Order a cup of jasmine green tea, a local favorite. Chat with friends, try an ear cleaning session, and watch people play mahjong nearby.Evening: Jinli Old StreetAs night falls, explore Jinli Old Street. CNN Travel ranked it one of the world's most beautiful streets in 2021. First built during the Three Kingdoms Period, it's now lined with Qing Dynasty-style buildings.Browse shops selling Shu embroidery, lacquerware, folk crafts, and calligraphy. Try local snacks like dan dan noodles, egg pancakes, bon bon chicken, and spicy tofu pudding. Watch artisans create sugar paintings or shadow puppets.If you're interested, your guide can help you find a teahouse with Sichuan Opera performances later in the evening. iOptional Evening Activities: Sichuan Opera Show (8:00-9:30 PM)—face changing, fire spitting, puppetry, and acrobaticsJinjiang River Night Cruise (30 minutes, 6:00-11:30 PM)—see the city lights from the waterAfter the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel in downtown Chengdu.

Your driver will escort you to Chengdu East Railway Station for a high-speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station. The scenic rail journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.Upon arrival, our team will meet you for a 40-minute drive to Huanglong National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its colorful limestone terraces.The park is named "Yellow Dragon" because its golden travertine formations look like a massive dragon winding through the snowy peaks. It features vibrant ponds in shades of blue, green, and gold.To save time and energy, we recommend taking the cable car to the top and walking down the valley. The descent takes about 3 to 4 hours, allowing you to fully enjoy the alpine scenery.The top highlight is the Five-Color Ponds (五彩池) at 3,556 meters. This cluster of nearly 700 ponds is famous for its clear, multi-colored water that looks like green jade from a distance.As you walk down, you will pass the Honglong Monastery, Mirror Ponds, and Welcoming Guest Ponds. The trail also features waterfalls, ancient temples, and hidden caves.After sightseeing, you will drive about 2 hours (104km) to Jiuzhaigou. Your guide will help you check into your hotel so you can rest for the next day's adventure.Useful Tips for Huanglong:The altitude here ranges from 3,200 to 3,600 meters (10,500 to 11,800 feet). We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise to prevent altitude sickness. Oxygen bottles and stations are available throughout the park. i Note The Huanglong cable car is closed during the winter season. If visiting in winter, please consult your travel consultant for the updated hiking route.

After breakfast, head to Jiuzhaigou National Park (九寨沟) for a full day of exploration. Your guide will help you board the park's sightseeing bus to enter this stunning landscape at a comfortable pace.Jiuzhaigou is a UNESCO World Heritage site that translates to "Nine Settlement Valley," named after the nine Tibetan villages found here. It is famous for its crystal-clear blue lakes, multi-level waterfalls, and colorful forests.The park is shaped like a "Y" with three main sections: Zechawa, Rize, and Shuzheng valleys. To maximize your time, you will use the sightseeing bus to move between the most scenic spots.You can hop off the bus at various stations and walk along the wooden plank paths to take photos. Your guide will design a smart route based on your energy levels and the current crowd density.A typical route starts with the Nuorilang Waterfall (诺日朗瀑布) before heading to the high-altitude Zechawa Valley. From there, move to the Rize Valley to see Panda Lake, Five-Flower Lake (五花海), and Mirror Lake.Take a rest at the Nuorilang Tourist Center, located at the junction of the three valleys. This is the only major dining and service hub inside the park.In the afternoon, descend through the Shuzheng Valley. This route offers beautiful natural scenery interspersed with traditional Tibetan villages and unique lakeside views as you head back toward the park entrance. iUseful Tips for Jiuzhaigou: Arrive Early: We recommend an early start to beat the large tour groups and enjoy the most popular lakes in a quieter atmosphere.Footwear: Wear comfortable, sturdy walking or hiking shoes, as you will be spending most of the day on boardwalks and trails.Dining: Restaurant options are limited and can be expensive. We suggest bringing your own snacks or a packed lunch to enjoy a picnic away from the crowded dining areas.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the train station or airport for your onward journey.Trip Extension Ideas:If you'd like to explore more of Sichuan, other parts of China, or destinations in Asia, we can help arrange an extension. Just share your ideas with us.Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour. We're always here to help and hope to see you again on your next trip. Safe travels!