JZG, Huanglong n Chong qing

Question

Dear all,

We are a group of healthy n active seniors visiting in mid April. We need advice for our itinerary. Please help!

Day 1-5 Chengdu

Day 6-8Arrive at JZQ in the evening then next 2 days walk the national park. Stay at Steinberger hotel (ex- Sheraton) for easy access.

Day 9 Hire a car from JZQ to Huanglong in the morning.

Where to stay after Huanglong (preferably international standard hotels) or should we ask driver to wait for us for few hours in Huanglong then send us to the nearest high speed rail station to take to Chong Qing?

Day 10-14 Chong Qing then HSR to Chengdu airport. Which station to stop at Chengdu to get to the airport fastest?

Which is best part of Ching Qing to stay for shopping n restaurants?

Appreciate any info given! Thanks!

Answer

Your planned itinerary through Sichuan and Chongqing in mid-April looks very manageable for active seniors. Here are detailed recommendations for your travel questions and logistics:

Jiuzhaigou (JZG) – Days 6–8

Staying at the Steinberger Hotel (ex-Sheraton) is ideal as it provides easy access to the Jiuzhaigou National Park entrance and comfortable amenities. Two full days walking the park should allow you to cover the main scenic areas without rushing. Consider starting early each day to avoid crowds and enjoy the waterfalls, lakes, and valleys at cooler times.

Huanglong – Day 9

Huanglong National Park is a few hours’ drive from Jiuzhaigou. Options for accommodation and onward travel are:

Stay overnight near Huanglong: There are very limited hotels near the park, mostly local standards or small guesthouses. International-standard hotels are rare directly near Huanglong. Most visitors return to Jiuzhaigou or go straight to Chengdu or Chongqing after visiting Huanglong.
Hire the driver to wait: The practical option is to hire a driver to pick you up in Jiuzhaigou early morning, take you to Huanglong, allow 3–5 hours to explore the park, and then drive to the nearest high-speed rail station for onward travel to Chongqing. This is a common approach for travelers who want to avoid overnight stays in remote areas.
Nearest HSR stations: Songpan town (about 1–1.5 hrs from Huanglong) connects by bus or private car to Chengdu. For Chongqing, you could return to Chengdu East HSR station or consider Mianyang, depending on train connections.

Chongqing – Days 10–14

Chongqing is a sprawling city with multiple districts. For shopping, restaurants, and nightlife:

Jiefangbei Central Business District: The heart of downtown, pedestrianized shopping area, many restaurants, bars, and hotels. Very convenient for first-time visitors.
Hongya Cave (near Jiefangbei): Scenic riverside area with local restaurants and bars. Great for evening strolls.
Shapingba: Slightly quieter but with good local eateries and easier hotel rates.

Chongqing to Chengdu Airport – High-Speed Rail

The fastest option is to take a high-speed train from Chongqing North Station or Chongqing West Station to Chengdu East Station. Chengdu East Station has direct shuttle buses or taxi routes to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (approx. 50–60 min by car).
Book train tickets in advance, especially for mid-April which is still a popular travel period.

Summary advice

For Huanglong, it’s better to hire a driver to cover Jiuzhaigou → Huanglong → HSR station in one day rather than trying to find international-standard accommodation near Huanglong.
In Chongqing, Jiefangbei area is the best choice for shopping, dining, and convenient hotel options.
Use Chengdu East Station as your arrival point for HSR back to the airport; it minimizes transfer time.

With this approach, your itinerary balances sightseeing, comfort, and efficient travel without unnecessary overnight stays in remote areas. Mid-April should be fine weather-wise, though bring layers for higher altitudes at Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong.

JZG, Huanglong n Chong qing

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