Why choose this route?
If you’re planning an epic trip across the Tibetan Plateau and Sichuan Basin, the Xining to Jiuzhaigou route is definitely worth adding to the list!
There are snowy mountains, grasslands, colorful lakes and Tibetan villages, but the transportation options may make your head spin.
Don’t worry, I’ve used my personal experience of stepping on potholes to help you compile the most complete travel options, from self-driving to moving cars, from saving money to saving your mind, there’s always one that suits you!
1. Self-driving: free but challenging
It is very challenging for foreigners who come to China for the first time, but for those who like adventure, you can give it a try.
Recommended routes
- Classic route: Xining→G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway→Lanzhou→G75 Lanhai Expressway→Rorgai Grassland→Chuanzhongsi→Jiuzhaigou, the whole journey is about 839 kilometers and takes 15-18 hours.
- Scenic Highlights: Qinghai Lake, Ruoergai Grassland (Summer Flower Sea), Songpan Ancient City (Ancient Tea-horse Road in Tang Dynasty).
Costs and Preparation
- Fuel cost: about $80 (¥570, based on 7 liters of fuel consumption per 100 kilometers)
- Road toll: about $42 (¥300)
- Necessary equipment: Anti-skid chain (in winter), offline map (poor signal in mountainous areas), oxygen tank.
- Warning: Some roads are prone to landslides during the rainy season (June-August), so newbies should be careful!
2. Movable train + connection: new in 2024 for lazy people
Latest information about moving trains
- Xining→Chengdu: 7.5 hours by high-speed train, $21-$42 (¥150-¥300).
- Chengdu→Jiuzhaigou: 2 hours by train directly to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station (opening in August 2024) (Jiuzhaigou Railway Station Detailed Analysis), $18-$20 for 2nd class seat (¥128-¥141), then transfer to 1.5 hours bus to scenic spot.
Motorized bus schedule
- Chengdu→Huanglong Jiuzhai Station: earliest departure at 6:14, latest departure at 19:03, 10+ trips per day.
- Return time: earliest 8:17 departure, latest 21:31 departure.
Advantages: Avoiding bumpy mountain roads, oxygen supply in carriages to cope with high altitude sickness.
3. Airplane: the fastest but the most expensive
Direct vs Flight.
- Direct flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH): Xining→Jiuzhaigou, $300-$500 (¥2100-¥3500) one-way, but 15% of flights are canceled due to weather.
- Transit Chengdu: Xining→Chengdu (2 hours, $70-$140/¥500-¥1000) + Chengdu→Jiuzhaigou (1 hour, $150-$250/¥1050-¥1750). Total cost savings $50-$100.
Tip: Buy delay insurance! Jiu Huang airport elevation of 3448 meters, get off the plane don’t run and jump to prevent high reflex.
4. Long-distance bus: cheapest but the most tiring
- Xining→Chengdu: 20 hours bus, $42-$56 (¥300-¥400), then 8 hours bus to Jiuzhaigou, $14-$21 (¥100-¥150) (Jiuzhaigou bus station detailed analysis).
- Total Time Taken: 28 hours +, cramped seats, WiFi is sporadic.
Suitable for people: Backpackers with a very low budget, or adventurers who want to experience a “road movie”.
5. Group Tours: Save money, but there are pitfalls.
- Price: $114-$171 (¥800-¥1200), including transportation, entrance fees, and some meals.
- Advantages: guided tours explain Tibetan culture, no need to book your own tickets.
- Avoidance Guide:
- Confirm whether hidden consumption (such as shopping stations) is included.
- Peak season (July-October) prices may double, book 2 months in advance.
Cost comparison: which is the best value?
| Methods | Time | Cost per person | For people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drive | 2-3 days | $200-$300 | Older Drivers, Family Travel |
| Movie+Bus | 1.5 days | $150-$200 | White-collar with limited time |
| Airplane+Bus | 1 day | $250-$450 | Vacation short office workers |
| Long Distance Bus | 2 Days+ | $70-$100 | Poor Student |
| Group Tours | 4-5 Days | $800-$1200 | Lazy, First-Time Travelers |
Itinerary planning: 5 days classic route
- Day1: Xining → Ruoergai (stay in Tibetan-style lodging, eat yak meat hotpot).
- Day2: Ruoergai grassland horseback riding → Huanglong Scenic Area (Calcified pools super shocking!) .
- Day3: Jiuzhaigou core scenic area (five flowers sea, pearl beach must go).
- Day4: Songpan Ancient City → Chuanzhousi (shoot Tibetan clothes blockbuster).
- Day5: return to Xining (or continue to play Chengdu).
Pre-trip must see: reminders to save your life
- Plateau reaction: take Rhodiola rosea 3 days in advance, don’t take a bath on the first day of arrival!
- Weather: 20°C temperature difference between day and night, onion-style dressing (short sleeves + down jacket).
- Payment: Scenic spots only accept WeChat/Alipay, prepare $140 (¥1000) cash for emergency.
- Environmental protection: $70 (¥500) fine for littering, bring your own water bottle for peace of mind.
Pick according to your needs!
- Time-critical: Direct flight to Jiuzhaigou ($300+), but plan for flight cancellation.
- Budget is limited: bus + coach ($150), leaving on Wednesday with the least number of people.
- In-depth experience: Self-drive ($200), stopping at grasslands along the way for photos.
Jiuzhaigou’s blue-green lakes won’t let you down – book your tickets now and start your journey to the “fairyland on earth”!
