If you’re planning to explore Jiuzhaigou, the first question you’ll have to ask is: What’s the most convenient city to start from? There’s no New York to Boston highway here, but the complex terrain of Southwest China makes choosing a starting point crucial. This article will use the logic familiar to American travelers to reveal the transportation hubs around Jiuzhaigou and help you avoid the pitfalls of “seemingly close but actually far away”!
I. Where is Jiuzhaigou? First look at the geographic location
Jiuzhaigou is located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, near the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. If we use the U.S. analogy, it’s the equivalent of deep in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado — the scenery is stunning, but transportation requires careful planning.
Key Data:
- Altitude: 2000-3100 meters (above Denver)
- Nearest Provincial Administration: Gansu Province (north)
- Climate: highland humid (average 15°C in summer, -1°C in winter)
II. Straight-line distance vs. actual transportation: don’t let the numbers fool you!
1. Nearest cities in a straight line
- Longnan, Gansu: 240 kilometers (≈ Chicago to Detroit)
- But you need to cross the Qinling Mountains, 7-8 hours driving time
- Suitable for adventurous self-drivers, with virgin forest scenery along the way
- Markang, Sichuan: 250 km (≈ Los Angeles to San Diego)
- Capital of Aba Prefecture, 2 direct buses per day (5 hours drive)
- Strong Tibetan culture, suitable for tourists who want to experience the original ecology
2. Practically the most convenient city
- Mianyang: 330 kilometers (≈ San Francisco to Los Angeles)
- Direct highway access, 6 hours drive
- Advantage: Airport has direct flights to Jiuzhai Huanglong (1 hour, from $150)
- Chengdu: 400 kilometers (≈ New York to Washington)
- International flight hub with 20+ daily direct buses/planes to Jiuzhai
- Recommended for first time travelers to China: perfect English service, panda base to visit before departure
III. Full comparison of transportation modes: time, cost, comfort
1. Airplane (fastest but most expensive)
- Departure: Chengdu/Mianyang/Chongqing
- Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH) 3448 meters above sea level, 15% of flights canceled due to weather
- Cost: $150-$400 (doubled in peak season)
- Suitable for people: tourists with less than 5 days of vacation
2. Long distance bus (economic choice)
- From Chengdu: 6 times a day from Cha Dianzi Station, $25-$40
- From Mianyang: 3 trips/day from Pingzheng Bus Station, $18-$30
- Considerate design: Luxury bus with USB charging port and English broadcasting.
3. Self-drive (free but challenging)
- Recommended route: Chengdu→Dujiangyan→Wenchuan→Songpan→Jiuzhaigou (full asphalt road)
- Car Rental: $70/day (including insurance)
- Note:
- International Driver’s License + China Temporary Driver’s License required
- In winter (December-February), some sections of the road are icy, so it is recommended to rent a 4WD vehicle.
4. High Speed Rail + Feeder Bus (New in 2024!)
- Chengdu East Station → Huanglong Jiuzhai Station (2 hours, $30)
- Transfer to Scenic Spot Through Train after leaving the station (1.5 hours, $15)
- Advantage: avoid mountain road motion sickness, compartment oxygen supply to cope with plateau reaction
IV. Exclusive advice for U.S. travelers: choose a city based on these 3 points
- Language Convenience:
- Chengdu / Mianyang hotels, car rental agencies have English services
- Malcolm/Longnan need to rely on the translation APP
2.Adaptation to plateau:
- Gradual climb from low altitude cities (e.g. Chengdu 500 meters), easier to adapt than direct flights
- It is recommended to stay one night in Mianyang (470 meters) for transition.
3.Itinerary combination:
- From Chengdu: can be combined with Panda Base, Dujiangyan
- Mianyang departure: suitable for matching Li Bai’s hometown, Sanxingdui ruins
V. Hidden Eggs: These small towns are worth a side trip to hit the card
- Songpan Ancient City (100 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou)
- Songpan Ancient Town (100 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou) is a major town on the ancient tea-horse road in the Tang Dynasty, with well-preserved walls.
- Experience horseback riding across the grassland ($20/hour).
2.Rorgai Prairie (200 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou)
- The summer flower sea is comparable to Yellowstone Park.
- Stay in a yurt and participate in the Tibetan Horse Racing Festival (July).
3.Gansu Guanqigou (280 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou)
- Known as “Little Jiuzhaigou”, the entrance fee is only $10.
- Few tourists, suitable for shooting undisturbed nature
VI, Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be quarantined after flying from Los Angeles to Chengdu?
A: Starting from 2025, quarantine is exempted with proof of vaccination, only entry nucleic acid test is required
Q: Is there a Starbucks near Jiuzhaigou?
A: There is Ruixing Coffee at the entrance of the scenic area, and the nearest Starbucks is in Mianyang City (6 hours drive)
Q: Can I bring a drone to shoot?
A: You need to apply for permission in advance on the official website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), and you will be fined up to $700 for non-compliance.
VII.Ultimate answer: Which is the nearest city to Jiuzhaigou?
- Chengdu for time constraints: many international flights, one-stop solution for all needs.
- Malcolm for in-depth experience: unveil the mystery of Tibetan culture in western Sichuan.
- Mianyang for those with a limited budget: the most cost-effective transportation combination
- Longnan for adventurers: explore the pristine scenery across Gansu and Sichuan provinces
Whichever city you choose, it is recommended to download the English version of Tencent Maps (with real-time road conditions) and the Translate Now offline translation package in advance. The blue-green lakes of Jiuzhaigou won’t disappoint – as National Geographic says: “The beauty of this place is worth crossing any distance.”
(INSIDER TIP: For those traveling from Chengdu, be sure to try train K4219! A $2.50 fare will get you to Meishan, the hometown of Dongpo, and start your Sichuan trip with a cup of milk tea money!)
