5 Days Ruoergai and Jiuzhaigou Nature Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu to Ruoergai
   Witness Sacred Tibetan Pagodas and the Yellow River's Grand Turn

   In the morning, your driver will take you to the airport for a flight to Aba Hongyuan Airport. It takes about an hour to arrive, and the local guide and the driver will pick you up and drive for 3 hours to Ruoergai County. Along the way, you will visit Waqie Pagodas. In Tibetan, Waqie Pagodas means 'big tents', and it commemorates the 10th Panchen Lama. Surrounding Pagoda Forest is a magnificent stretch of prayer flags. There are prayer wheels next to the flags.

   Continue driving to reach the First Bend of the Yellow River. The mother river of China has made a 180 degree turn here. You can see natural and cultural landscapes such as grasslands, meandering streams, a sea of flowers, cattle and sheep. After the visit, drive to Ruoergai County for an overnight stay.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: in Ruoergai County

   

2. Day 2: Ruoergai to Chuanzhusi Town
   Discover Why the Blossom Wetland Earns 'China's Most Beautiful'

   The Ruoergai Grassland, with an altitude between 3,300 and 3,600 meters, is the most important ecological functional area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, consisting of meadows and swamps. Summer is the best season for sightseeing when you can see flowers blooming and lush green grass. It is perfect for camping and hiking.

   After breakfast today, we will go to Huahu Lake, the most essence of the grassland. Between May and July, the lake is filled with flowers, and the blue sky and white clouds are reflected on the surface of the lake, forming a beautiful picture. The boardwalks lead to the center of the wetland, where you can enjoy some colorful wildflowers up close. The beautiful scenery here does not disappoint its title - the most beautiful wetland in China.

   In the afternoon, we drive for 3 hours to check into a hotel in Chuanzhusi Town (at an altitude of 2,980 meters).

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Chuanzhusi Town

   

3. Day 3: Chuanzhusi to Huanglong National Park
   Enjoy Earth's Palette in 693 Colorful Pools

   Today you will be led to explore the amazing Huanglong Scenic Area. Huanglong is the only well-preserved plateau wetland in China, located on a ridge that gradually rises from south to north. The altitude of this scenic spot is between 1,700 and 5,588 meters. Therefore, you may experience altitude sickness when visiting some attractions. You are strongly advised not to walk too fast!

   After arriving, the tour guide takes you up the mountain by cable car (to save energy and time). Then we hike for 40 minutes to at the essence of Huanglong - Wucai Pool, also called Five-Colored Pond. 693 colorful pools are surrounded by mountains. They are formed by natural calcification, with ups and downs and staggered patterns. From above, it looks like a huge color palette on the earth. Spend more time taking photos here.

   

   Continuing forward, you will visit other highlights such as Huanglong Ancient Temple and Golden Sand Pavement. Huanglong Temple is a Buddhist temple, quite magnificent. There were five halls here. Now you can only see the Guanyin Hall and the eighteen statues of Arhat. The Golden Sand Pavement is also a popular attraction. It is the largest, longest, and most colorful calcareous beach current of its kind discovered in the world.

   After the tour, you will be transferred to the hotel near Jiuzhaigou Valley to check in. Rest and relax well tonight.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: near Jiuzhaigou Valley

4. Day 4: Jiuzhaigou Valley
   Explore Dazzling Lakes, Mighty Falls, and Mirror-like Ponds

   Today you will spend a whole day exploring Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area Scenic Area. The scenic area covers an area of 720 square kilometers, with most of it covered by forests. The attractions we are going to visit are located in three main Y-shaped ravines: Shuzheng, Rize, and Zechawa.

   Arriving at the Tourist Center, transfer to a sightseeing bus directly to Rizegou Valley, located between the Nuorilang Waterfall and the primeval forest. This is the best part of a tour to Jiuzhaigou Valley. The lakes are colorful, with large waterfalls and towering ancient trees. You can visit landscapes such as Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, and Pearl Beach Waterfall.

   

   The bus will then take you to Norilang Center Station, where you can enjoy lunch. Continue your visit to Zechawa Valley. The highlights here are Changhai Lake and Wucaichi Ponds. The ponds are exceptionally clear, and through the water, visitors can see the patterns on the rock at the pond bottom. Due to the color difference of sediment and plants on the banks, the originally blue lake surface has become colorful.

   Finally, we visit Shuzheng Valley, near the entrance of the scenic area. The Nuorilang Waterfall is the most stunning. The waterfall is 270 meters wide and 24.5 meters high. It is one of the large calcified waterfalls in China and also the widest waterfall in China. There is an observation deck built across from the waterfall, from where you can capture the panoramic view of the waterfall. Autumn is the best time to visit. In addition, Shuzheng Lakes (树正群海), Spark Lake, and Bonsai Beach are also worth a visit.

   After the exploration, you will be sent back to the hotel to rest well.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: near Jiuzhaigou Valley

5. Day 5: Departure from Jiuzhaigou

   You have free morning to explore at your leisure today until your driver transfers you to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station / Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport for your scheduled departure to your next destination. Our service on the 5-day Ruoergai and Jiuzhaigou tour ends here.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A