Autumn 3 Days 2 Nights Tour to Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan

📍 Destination: Jiuzhaigou, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan
📅 Time: Autumn (Mid-October to Early November)
🗓 Itinerary: 3 days 2 nights
💰 Total Budget: About 1980 RMB/person (excluding major shopping)
📌 Keywords: Autumn paradise｜Colorful forest reflections｜Tibetan culture｜High cost performance｜Off-the-beaten-path and less crowded

✅ Itinerary Overview (3 days 2 nights)

Day Itinerary
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Day 1 Depart from Chengdu → Balang Mountain → Light hiking in Bipenggou (optional) → Stay in Wenchuan/Maoxian
Day 2 Maoxian → Full-day tour of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area (Shuzheng Valley + Rize Valley + Zechawa Valley) → Stay at the valley entrance
Day 3 Light hiking in Zharu Valley or visit Tibetan village in Huanglong Township → Return to Chengdu

💰 Budget Details (approx. 1980 RMB per person)

Item Cost (RMB) Notes
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Round-trip transportation (bus + carpool) 480 From Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station, carpool round trip
Jiuzhaigou entrance ticket + shuttle bus 280 Peak season price, half price with student ID
Accommodation (2 nights) 360 Budget inn standard room, 1 night at valley entrance + 1 night in Maoxian
Meals (6 lunches/dinners + 2 breakfasts) 300 Mainly local snacks and simple meals
Local transportation & scenic area shuttle 120 Includes carpool and local transport
Emergency fund 100 Rain gear, snacks, medicine, etc.
Total ≈1640–1980 Within controllable range

✅ Actual expenses can be slightly adjusted based on meal standards, keeping it well under 2000 RMB is feasible.

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Chengdu → Light hiking in Bipenggou → Stay in Maoxian/Wenchuan
07:00 Depart from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station by bus or carpool (about 150 RMB, 4 hours)
11:30 Arrive at Bipenggou entrance (optional entry, ticket about 70 RMB including electric cart)
12:00 Lunch (bring your own or eat at restaurants near the entrance, about 30 RMB)
13:00–16:00 Light hiking in Bipenggou (recommended route: Longwang Lake → Panyang Lake), enjoy snow-capped mountains, colorful forests, and lakes in one frame
16:30 Depart for Maoxian (carpool about 80 RMB, 1.5 hours)
18:30 Check in at budget inn in Maoxian (recommended: Vienna Zhihai, Home Inn Select, double room about 160 RMB/night)
Dinner Try Tibetan yak hotpot or Qiang ethnic sauerkraut noodles (about 40 RMB per person)

✨ Tips:
If you have limited energy, you can skip Bipenggou and head straight to Maoxian to rest.
Contact drivers in advance for private or shared rides for convenience and transparent pricing.

Day 2: Full-day deep tour of Jiuzhaigou (stay at valley entrance)
07:00 After breakfast, take a car to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area (carpool about 60 RMB, 1.5 hours)
09:00 Enter the park! Start a day of highlights (bring lunch and a thermos)

🎯 Recommended route (clockwise):
Zechawa Valley (uphill)
Changhai Lake (highest altitude lake) → Five-Color Pool (autumn sapphire blue + surrounded by yellow leaves)
Rize Valley (core highlights)
Nuorilang Waterfall (filming location of "Journey to the West") → Panda Lake → Five Flower Lake (must-see! Leaves floating on water like a painting) → Mirror Lake (stunning reflections in the early morning, also good in the afternoon)
Shuzheng Valley (easy walk back)
Reed Lake → Shuzheng Group Lakes → Mill → Spark Lake ruins (newly restored attraction) → Exit

📸 Photography highlights:
Five Flower Lake: best side light in the morning
Mirror Lake: shoot reflections on windless mornings
Nuorilang Waterfall: wide-angle lens recommended
17:00 Exit the park, take a car to the valley entrance (Zhangzha Town) and check in
Accommodation Recommended "Jiuzhaigou Youth Hostel" or "Zangyun Boutique Inn," clean and affordable (about 200 RMB/night)
Dinner Try Tibetan tsampa, butter tea, and highland barley wine (within 50 RMB per person)

🌙 Evening suggestion: Join a small bonfire party (free or 30 RMB/person) to experience Tibetan Guozhuang dance.

Day 3: Light hiking in Zharu Valley or visit Tibetan village in Huanglong Township → Return to Chengdu
08:00 After breakfast, choose one of the following:

🔹 Option A: Zharu Valley ecological trail (free)
Few people, beautiful scenery, primitive forest + streams + prayer flags, perfect for a peaceful walk (2 hours)
View Benbo Mountain and feel Tibetan Buddhist nature worship

🔹 Option B: Visit Tibetan village in Huanglong Township (recommended!)
Carpool to Huanglong Township (about 40 minutes, carpool fee 30 RMB)
Visit local Tibetan homes, learn about mountain circumambulation customs and thangka painting (non-commercial village)
Optional purchase of handmade yak milk products (about 20 RMB/bottle)
11:30 Depart for Chengdu (carpool from valley entrance directly to Chadianzi, about 420 RMB, 6 hours)
18:00 Arrive in Chengdu city, end of trip

🍂 Autumn Jiuzhaigou Travel Tips

✅ Best time: October 15 – November 5 (full colorful forests, fewer tourists)
🚫 Avoid pitfalls:
Don’t trust “low-price one-day tour groups,” often shopping traps
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the park, heavy fines apply
Mild altitude sickness possible, avoid strenuous exercise
Respect religious sites, do not photograph monks without permission

🎒 Essential items list:
Warm windbreaker + fleece liner (big temperature difference morning and night)
Hiking shoes / non-slip shoes
Oxygen canisters (1–2 cans, about 15 RMB each at pharmacies)
Power bank, camera, ID, student ID (for discounts)
Snacks (chocolate, energy bars)

🍁 Deep experience recommendations (free or low cost)
Listen to a Tibetan elder tell the love story of "Dago and Semo"
Watch the misty lakes at Shuzheng Village bridge early in the morning
Collect a red leaf to press in your diary and write a monologue
Share a bowl of hot mixed noodles with fellow travelers

🌟 Conclusion: This is a soul-cleansing autumn journey

Autumn in Jiuzhaigou is not for “checking in,” but for “immersing.”
When you stand by Five Flower Lake, watching golden leaves slowly sink into the deep blue water, at that moment, you will understand—
Some scenery is worth traveling thousands of miles for just one glance.

And all this happens within a budget of 2000 RMB.

📌 This is an original in-depth travel guide suitable for independent travelers, backpackers, students, and budget luxury travelers.
📷 Suggested to pair text with real photos of colorful forests, lake reflections, and Tibetan village culture.
📍 Safety reminder: Follow park rules, respect ethnic customs, travel civilly.