Jiuzhaigou–Huanglong Loop
A classic tourist loop from Chengdu via Dujiangyan, Maoxian and Songpan to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, returning through Pingwu and Jiangyou.
The Jiuzhai–Huanglong Loop is a circular road built in the 1990s to serve tourism to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong. The western leg runs from Chengdu through Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Maoxian, Diexi and Songpan, then Chuanzhusi to Jiuzhaigou, about 450 kilometers. The eastern leg runs from Jiuzhaigou through Pingwu, Jiangyou and Mianyang back to Chengdu. The total distance is about 1,000 kilometers.
The western leg follows the Min River upstream through Qiang ethnic areas. Highlights include the China Ancient Qiang City and Pingtou Qiang Village in Maoxian, the lake formed by the Diexi earthquake, the city walls of ancient Songpan, and the Red Army Long March monument near Chuanzhusi. East of Chuanzhusi, the road climbs past the foot of Xuebaoding to Huanglong, where travertine pools and Huanglong Temple lie above 3,500 meters, with the pass nearby at about 4,000 meters. Accommodation is concentrated near the Jiuzhaigou entrance. The eastern leg passes the White Horse Tibetan villages and the Wanglang Nature Reserve in Pingwu, descends to Li Bai's hometown in Jiangyou, and returns to Chengdu via the Beichuan earthquake ruins.
Allow 4–7 days, with at least one full day for Jiuzhaigou and half a day for Huanglong. If you have extra time, you can head north from Chuanzhusi to the Zoige Grassland, or west from Maoxian to the Dagu Glacier in Heishui. Although the Chenglan Railway and Jiuhuang Airport have led many people to use public transport, a self-drive loop lets you link the Qiang villages, ancient towns and gorges along the way. Note that Huanglong is at high altitude, and rockfalls sometimes occur in the Min River valley during the rainy season.