Jiuzhai Huanglong Stunning Route

Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture Four Days Three Nights Travel Guide (Budget 6000 RMB)
Aba Prefecture is located in northwest Sichuan and boasts world-class natural attractions such as Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Ruoergai Grassland, and Siguniang Mountain, along with unique Tibetan and Qiang cultures. This guide is ideal for travelers who love natural scenery, photography, hiking, and ethnic culture.

📅 Itinerary Overview

Duration: 4 days 3 nights
Budget: 6000 RMB (2 people traveling together, 3000 RMB per person)
Best Season: May to October (lush green grasslands in summer, colorful forests in Jiuzhaigou in autumn)
Transportation: Recommended self-driving or chartered car (public transport is inconvenient for some attractions)

🚗 Itinerary Details
Day 1: Chengdu → Wenchuan → Lixian → Hongyuan/Ruoergai

Morning: Depart from Chengdu (about 3.5 hours by car), passing by the Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Site (short stop recommended).
Noon: Taste Tibetan yak meat hotpot in Lixian (recommended restaurant: Lixian Tibetan Family).
Afternoon: Head to Hongyuan Grassland or Ruoergai Grassland (stunning flower seas in summer), experience horseback riding (about 100 RMB/person).
Evening: Stay at a Tibetan-style guesthouse in Hongyuan or Ruoergai (about 300 RMB/night), try Tibetan cuisine for dinner (butter tea, tsampa, hand-pulled mutton).

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations: Hongyuan Moon Bay Tibetan Inn / Ruoergai Grassland Starry Sky Tent

Day 2: Hongyuan/Ruoergai → First Bend of the Yellow River → Langmu Temple (Gansu) → Tangke Town

Morning: Visit the First Bend of the Yellow River (ticket 65 RMB), enjoy the magnificent winding Yellow River scenery.
Noon: Have Sichuan or Tibetan food in Tangke Town.
Afternoon: Drive to Langmu Temple (on the Sichuan/Gansu border, a Tibetan Buddhist holy site), visit the temple and sky burial platform (respect local customs).
Evening: Return to Tangke Town for accommodation (about 250 RMB/night).

📸 Photo Spots: Yellow River sunset at the First Bend, golden roof of Langmu Temple

Day 3: Tangke → Huanglong → Jiuzhaigou

Morning: Drive to Huanglong Scenic Area (ticket 170 RMB + cable car 80 RMB), admire the colorful pools, snow mountains, and forests.
Noon: Simple meal inside the scenic area or bring your own food.
Afternoon: Head to Jiuzhaigou (about 3 hours by car), check in at a hotel near the entrance (about 400 RMB/night).
Evening: Watch the "Jiuzhai Eternal Love" show (optional, ticket 280 RMB) or explore the Tibetan village night market.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations: Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou / Budget hotel near the entrance

Day 4: Jiuzhaigou One-Day Tour → Return to Chengdu

All day: Explore Jiuzhaigou (ticket + shuttle bus 259 RMB), highlights include:
- Five Flower Lake (colorful)
- Nuorilang Waterfall (filming location of "Journey to the West")
- Changhai Lake (largest lake in Jiuzhaigou)
- Shuzheng Group Lakes (Tibetan village scenery)

Afternoon: Drive back to Chengdu (about 7 hours), end of the trip.

🍜 Dinner Recommendation: Chengdu hotpot (such as Xiaolongkan, Shujiuxiang)

💰 Budget Breakdown (for 2 people)

| Item | Cost (RMB) | Notes |
|------------|------------|----------------------------------------|
| Transportation | 2000 | Car rental/charter (including fuel, tolls) |
| Accommodation | 1200 | 3 nights (300+250+400) x 2 people |
| Tickets | 1200 | Jiuzhaigou 259 + Huanglong 170 + Yellow River First Bend 65 + Langmu Temple 30 |
| Food | 800 | Tibetan food, Sichuan cuisine, snacks |
| Others | 800 | Horse riding, show, souvenirs |
| Total | 6000 | 3000 RMB per person |

⚠️ Travel Tips

Altitude Sickness: Aba Prefecture is at a high altitude (3000-4000 meters), it is recommended to prepare Rhodiola and oxygen bottles in advance.
Weather Changes: Large temperature difference between day and night, bring a windbreaker, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Respect Customs: No photography inside temples, do not touch prayer wheels casually.
Road Conditions: Some roads are winding, drive carefully if self-driving.

🌟 Optional Adjustments

If you have more time, you can add Siguniang Mountain (Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley) or Bipenggou.
For hiking enthusiasts, short hikes can be arranged at Zhagana (Gansu) or Lianbaoyeze (Aba).

Hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to Aba! If you have any other needs, feel free to ask me~ 😊