Jiuzhaigou East Loop & Zoigê-Hongyuan Grassland

Enter Jiuzhaigou from the east via the Jiumian Expressway, and return to Chengdu via Huanglong, Zoigê, Hongyuan, and Dagu Glacier.

The East Loop starts with Li Bai's hometown, Pingwu Bao'en Temple, and Baima Tibetan Village. After Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, head north to the Zoigê Grassland, then pass through Tangke and Hongyuan to Dagu Glacier, returning to Chengdu via Wenchuan. This loop combines water landscapes, grasslands, and glaciers, with extended stays at high altitudes. Best for flowers in summer and autumn colors in September and October, this route adds grassland and Baima culture to a standard Jiuzhaigou trip.

The grassland flower season is in July–August, while the autumn colors of Jiuzhaigou and Dagu peak around October.

Day by day

Day 1 · Li Bai's Hometown to Pingwu

Jiangyou & Beichuan（Li Bai's Hometown (Qinglian)） → Pingwu, Baima & Wanglang（Pingwu Bao'en Temple）

Drive from Chengdu along the expressway to Jiangyou (approx. 2 hours), then take the Jiumian Expressway to Pingwu (approx. 1.5 hours), totaling about 260 km.

Stay: Pingwu County Town

Day 2 · Wanglang Forest & Baima Tibetan Village

Pingwu, Baima & Wanglang（Wanglang National Nature Reserve、Baima Tibetan Township & Erli Village）

Drive from Pingwu along the Jiumian Expressway to Baima (approx. 1 hour), spend about half a day sightseeing in Wanglang Valley, and return to the village in the evening.

Wanglang is a nature reserve; verify its opening status before visiting.

Stay: Baima Tibetan Village

Day 3 · Jiumian Expressway to Jiuzhaigou Entrance

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Jiawu Lake、Zharu Valley & Zharu Monastery）

Drive from Baima along the Jiumian Expressway to Jiuzhaigou County, then transfer to Highway G544 to the valley entrance (approx. 2 hours).

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 4 · Full-Day Tour of Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Five-Colour Pond、Long Lake、Arrow Bamboo Lake、Five Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai)、Nuorilang Waterfall、Shuzheng Lakes）

Walk into the park from the entrance, take the scenic area sightseeing bus to the top of the valley, and hop off at different sections to explore for about 8 hours.

Tickets must be booked in advance with real-name registration; no tickets are sold on-site. Book two weeks in advance during peak season.

Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)

Day 5 · Huanglong Travertine Pools

Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Huanglong Scenic Area）

Drive south from the valley entrance to Huanglong (approx. 130 km, 2 to 2.5 hours), and continue to Chuanzhusi (approx. 30 minutes) after sightseeing.

It is recommended to take the cable car up and walk down. Walk slowly throughout the visit.

Stay: Chuanzhusi Town

Day 6 · North to Flower Lake & Re'er Prairie

Zoigê（Re'er Daba Grassland、Flower Lake (Huahu)、Dazha Monastery）

Drive north from Chuanzhusi to Zoigê County (approx. 190 km, 3 hours of driving). The round trip to Flower Lake takes about 1.5 hours.

Flower Lake is best visited in summer. Grassland temperatures are low in the morning and evening.

Stay: Zoige County Town

Day 7 · First Bend of the Yellow River Sunset

Zoigê（Suokezang Monastery、First Bend of the Yellow River）

Drive from Zoigê County to Tangke Town (approx. 70 km, 1.5 hours of driving), and head up to the viewing platform in the evening.

Stay: Tangke Town

Day 8 · Waqie Talin to Moon Bay

Hongyuan（Waqie Stupa Forest、Riganqiao Marsh、Hongyuan Moon Bay）

Drive east from Tangke through Waqie to Hongyuan County (approx. 120 km, 2 hours of driving). Moon Bay is about 3 km from the county seat.

Stay: Hongyuan County Town

Day 9 · Hongyuan South to Dagu Glacier

Heishui（Dagu Glacier Viewing Platform、Dagu Lake）

Drive from Hongyuan through Rangkou to Dagu Glacier (approx. 70 km, 1.5 hours of driving), and transfer to the scenic area bus and cable car to the viewing platform.

The cable car goes straight up to about 4,800 meters; keep your stay short. Fill up your gas tank before heading up the mountain.

Stay: Dagu Glacier Scenic Area Vicinity

Day 10 · Se'ergu through Wenchuan to Chengdu

Heishui（Se'ergu Tibetan Village） → Chengdu

Drive east from Heishui through Se'ergu Tibetan Village to Maoxian, then transfer to Wenchuan and pass Dujiangyan back to Chengdu (approx. 270 km, 5 hours of driving).