Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong by High-Speed Rail, First Visit
Take the high-speed train to Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Station, spend a full day in Jiuzhaigou, visit Huanglong's travertine pools, then return to the station.
The most common weekend itinerary: on day one, arrive at the valley entrance and settle in to acclimatize to the altitude; on day two, ride the sightseeing bus to link the highlights of Jiuzhaigou's three Y-shaped valleys; on day three, visit the higher-altitude Huanglong, take the cable car up, walk down, and return to Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Station in the afternoon. Visiting Jiuzhaigou before Huanglong helps reduce altitude sickness. The route does not include Songpan or Muni Valley, making it suitable for first-time visitors with limited time.
Peak-season entry requires advance real-name reservations; from mid-November, some boardwalks close during the off-season.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival at the Valley Entrance and Acclimatization
Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（The Mystery of Tibet）
Take a high-speed train from Chengdu East Station, about 1.5 hours to Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Station, then transfer to a direct scenic shuttle, about 2 hours to Zhangzha Town.
Avoid strenuous activity on arrival day, and buy return shuttle tickets in advance.
Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)
Day 2 · Jiuzhaigou's Three Valleys in One Day
Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Long Lake、Five-Colour Pond、Five Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai)、Pearl Shoal Waterfall、Nuorilang Waterfall、Shuzheng Lakes）
Enter the park in the morning, take the sightseeing bus to Changhai first, then head downhill, getting off at each stop to explore on foot; about 8 hours for the full day.
Entry closes after 14:00. Book both entry tickets and the sightseeing bus in advance.
Stay: Zhangzha Town (Jiuzhaigou Entrance)
Day 3 · Huanglong's Travertine Pools and Return
Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong（Huanglong Scenic Area）
Share a car from the valley entrance, about 2 hours to Huanglong; spend 3–4 hours sightseeing, then about 30 minutes to Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Station.
Take the uphill cable car and walk down, which is easier on the body. Walk slowly above 3,500 m.