Explore the natural beauty of Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong National Park on a 3-day tour from Chengdu by return bullet train. Visit the UNESCO-listed Jiuzhaigou National Park, and admire the views from the top of the valley in Huanglong National Park.

Day 1: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou
Meet your guide in the lobby of your Chengdu hotel, then travel by a private car to Chengdu East Railway Station. Enjoy a 2-hour bullet train ride to Jiuzhaigou. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Depending on the train tickets, discuss with your tour guide what else you can do for the rest of the day.

Day 2: Jiuzhaigou National Park
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jiuzhaigou National Park, one of China’s most famous national parks. Renowned for its turquoise-blue lakes, thundering waterfalls, and lushly forested mountains, this spectacular wilderness spreads across 278 square miles (720 sq km) on the steps of the Tibetan Himalayan Plateau.

With your guide, board a hop-on hop-off bus in the park, and ride up to the highest point of Zeru Valley. Take a leisurely walk along a forest trail to see Tibetan villages, Pearl Shoals Waterfall, and lakes, including Mirror Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake, and Panda Lake.

Then return by bus to the visitor centre near Nuorilang Waterfalls, and have a boxed lunch at the dining hall. Afterwards, hop back on the bus to tour Shuzheng Valley and see some of its 40 lakes, including Long Lake and Five-Coloured Pool.

After exploring this magnificent park, return to town. You then have the option to attend a Tibetan and Qiang dance performance (at your own expense) or simply rest or explore on your own.

Day 3: Huanglong National Park to Chengdu
In the morning, leave Jiuzhaigou, and head to Huanglong National Park. Take a 10-minute cable car ride to the top of the valley (there may be a wait, depending on crowds), where you can admire the views from an altitude of 11,483 feet (3,500 metres) before hiking down a well-maintained trail, a walk that takes three to four hours.

Along the way, pass by Huanglong Temple — the park’s star attraction — a Ming-era Buddhist temple set amid dozens of travertine terraces with milky blue-and-gold-colored pools. You'll also walk next to bubbling streams, waterfalls and natural landmarks like Golden Sand, an expanse of travertine deposits that resembles a beach.

Next, make the short drive to Songpan, where you'll have a late lunch, and then tour the old town, once an important trading post on the Tea Horse Road (a historic trade route between China and Tibet). Founded during the Tang dynasty and rebuilt during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Songpan features massive stone gates and walls that protect the old town.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to the train station for the 2 hours train ride back to your hotel in Chengdu.