Chengdu to Lanzhou via Jiuzhaigou, Zoige & Gannan

A one-way road trip starting in Chengdu and ending in Lanzhou, covering Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Zoige Grassland, and Gannan Tibetan monasteries.

The most popular one-way self-drive route across Sichuan and Gansu provinces, linking the waterscapes of Jiuzhaigou, the wetlands of Zoige, and the Tibetan villages of Gannan. The first three days are spent in scenic areas, followed by a high-altitude grassland drive with no backtracking. This one-way trip requires a different-location car rental return. Most of the route lies above 3,000 meters in altitude, making it best suited for self-drive travelers in good physical condition. This itinerary bypasses Aba, Nianbaoyuze, and Maqu.

The grasslands are at their greenest from mid-July to mid-August. Tickets for Jiuzhaigou must be booked in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Chengdu North to Jiuzhaigou Mouth

Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong

Drive from Chengdu via the expressway and mountainous national highway to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou, about 400 km, taking up the whole day.

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 2 · Full Day in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Shuzheng Lakes、Nuorilang Waterfall、Pearl Shoal Waterfall、Five Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai)、Long Lake）

Explore the valley in sections using the sightseeing buses. It is recommended to enter as soon as the park opens; no driving is needed today.

The scenic area limits daily visitors, so tickets must be booked in advance.

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 3 · Huanglong Calc-Sinter to Chuanzhusi

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Huanglong Scenic Area）

It takes about 3 hours from Jiuzhaigou to Huanglong, and about 1 hour from Huanglong to Chuanzhusi after sightseeing, totaling about 180 km.

Huanglong is at an altitude of about 3,500 meters; avoid strenuous exercise.

Stay: Chuanzhusi Town

Day 4 · Re'er Dam to Tangke Sunset

Zoigê（Re'er Daba Grassland、First Bend of the Yellow River）

Drive from Chuanzhusi along G213 through Zoige County to Tangke, about 270 km, taking around 4 hours.

Stay: Tangke Town

Day 5 · Flower Lake Wetland to Langmusi

Zoigê（Flower Lake (Huahu)） → Langmusi & Zhagana（Taktsang Lhamo (Kirti Gompa, Sichuan side)、Langmusi (Sertri Gompa, Gansu side)）

Drive from Tangke through Zoige to Flower Lake, then take G213 to Langmusi, totaling about 240 km and taking around 4 hours.

Langmusi is at an altitude of about 3,300 meters and gets quite cold at night.

Stay: Langmusi Town

Day 6 · Namor Gorge to Zhagana

Langmusi & Zhagana（Bailong River Source & Namo Gorge、Zhagana、Xiannutan Meadow, Zhagana）

Walk through the Namor Grand Gorge in the morning, then drive for about 2 hours (120 km) to Zhagana in the afternoon.

Stay: Zhagana Village

Day 7 · Mountain Pass via Hezuo to Xiahe

Xiahe（Milarepa Palace (Hezuo)）

Drive from Zhagana through Diebu to Hezuo (about 4 hours), visit the Milarepa Buddhist Pavilion, and then drive to Xiahe (about 1 hour), totaling about 270 km.

Stay: Xiahe County Town near Labrang Monastery

Day 8 · Labrang Monastery & Bafang to Lanzhou

Xiahe（Labrang Monastery） → Linxia（Bafang Thirteen Lanes） → Lanzhou

Visit the monastery in the morning, then drive via Linxia to Lanzhou, about 230 km, taking around 3.5 hours.

It is best to visit Labrang Monastery in the morning, as most halls close to visitors after 4:00 PM.