Most optimal way to travel?

Question

Hi, we are planning a trip to China this Nov or Dec and would like to visit Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Jiuzhaigou. We intend to fly into Changsha and take the train to Zhangjiajie as our starting point.

1. From Zhangjiajie, what would be the most optimal way to travel to Chongqing? Is the 6-hour slow train the only option available? Also, how difficult is it to book a soft sleeper ticket on the train? I’ve noticed that flights for this route will still require transfers, which takes up the same duration as taking the slow train (and much more expensive), which may not be ideal.

2. From Chongqing, what is the most efficient route to Jiuzhaigou? Do we need to travel to Chengdu first and then transfer to another train, or is there a more direct connection (we have yet to find one)?

Thank you very much!

Answer

Traveling between Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Jiuzhaigou requires some planning, as direct connections are limited, but it is manageable with trains and flights if timed well.

1. Zhangjiajie to Chongqing:

The most common and practical option is indeed the train. The slow train from Zhangjiajie to Chongqing takes approximately 6–7 hours. While slower trains are available, high-speed options are very limited or require multiple transfers, which can be more cumbersome and expensive.
Booking a soft sleeper ticket is generally possible through the China Railway official website, 12306.cn, or via travel agencies. Soft sleeper tickets are usually available if booked at least a few weeks in advance, especially for peak periods. Since November–December is off-peak, availability is usually easier.
Flights are an option but not necessarily convenient. Most flights require a transfer in either Changsha or Wuhan, and when considering airport transfers and check-in times, the total travel time is comparable to the train but at a higher cost.

2. Chongqing to Jiuzhaigou:

There is currently no direct train or flight from Chongqing to Jiuzhaigou. The most efficient route is to travel from Chongqing to Chengdu first, either by high-speed train (~2 hours) or flight (~1 hour).
From Chengdu, you can take either:

A direct bus to Jiuzhaigou (approximately 8–9 hours, limited schedules).
A flight to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport (about 1–1.5 hours). This is faster but subject to flight availability, especially in winter.
If you prefer scenic travel, an overnight train from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou is an option, but services are infrequent and may not be available during off-peak months.