The high-speed train goes straight to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station (Huanglongjiuzhai), which is really convenient, but the roughly 90 km from the station to Jiuzhaigou is still what leaves many people unsure about getting around.
On my last trip I took the train that arrived at 13:43 and left on the 20:33 train the next evening. On arrival I took it easy, just eating and resting, but on the way back I had to time things exactly so I wouldn't miss the train.
Here are the real ways to get from Huanglong Jiuzhai station to Jiuzhaigou, plus my detailed review of the experience in both directions.
This is part of theJiuzhaigou independent travel guide. If you haven't booked your train yet, read this first:high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu.
1. How to get from Huanglong Jiuzhai station to Jiuzhaigou?
At the station there are really 2 main options:
- Shared taxi / unofficial cab at the station:as soon as you step out of the station, lots of drivers are calling out to you. A shared ride costs about 60 yuan/person (about 240,000₫). The downside is that you have to haggle and wait until the car fills up. But if you're a big group, it's well worth trying: you can negotiate a price for the whole car and ask the driver to stop for photos at a few pretty spots along the way, which gives you more control and a fun experience.
- Book a car ahead on Trip.com:many types of vehicles, you control the timing, and prices are much lower. I've put the link right below for reference.
- Nanny Bus (34 – 37 seats): about 140,000 – 180,000₫/person (about 35 – 45 yuan), surprisingly cheap.
- Small shared car (5 – 9 seats): about 300,000₫/person (about 76 yuan).
I like to prepare ahead to avoid headaches, and I found a good price on Trip.com, so I booked both directions in the app. But I picked two completely different types of vehicle for the way there and the way back.
2. Going there: no rush, so I chose the 37-seat Nanny Bus
The leg from Huanglong Jiuzhai station back to Jiuzhaigou that I took37-seat Nanny Bus, about 120,000₫/person (about 30 yuan, with the code for people who book train tickets on Trip.com). Since I had plenty of time on arrival, I put saving money and a smooth ride first.
- How pickup works:before the train arrives, the operator messages through Trip.com with a photo of the bus and its plate number. Out of the station, turn right and there are 2 big parking lots, so you spot it after a short look. My train arrived at 13:43, and after exiting the station and boarding, the bus started rolling at 14:10.
- What it was really like:the bus is very roomy and clean. The 34-seat version has 2-1 seating (even roomier), while mine was the 37-seat with 2-2 seating, which was still very comfortable. A local guide kept the mood lively on board. I didn't understand a word, but the atmosphere was so "buzzing" that I felt much less tired. The driver counted everyone carefully, both at departure and after the break on the road.
- Travel time:a bit over 2 hours, because the bus drives steadily and carefully, and after about 40 minutes it stops at a rest stop.
- Downside to note:The big shuttle bus doesn't drop you at your hotel door, only at fixed lots/stops around town. It dropped me at the edge of town, and I had to drag my suitcase about 700 m to the hotel. Check the list of drop-off points in the booking link to see if any is close to your hotel.
3. Coming back: timing matters, so I chose a 5-seat car
On the way back I took a5-seat car, about 300,000₫/person (about 76 yuan). I spent the whole day in Jiuzhaigou and my legs were wrecked by the time I left the gate. The train left at 20:33 and I booked the pickup for 17:20. This time I firmly avoided the big shuttle bus for 2 reasons:
- Already tired, walking to the meeting lot would wear me out completely.
- A big bus risks waiting for late passengers or getting stuck in traffic, which could easily make you miss the night train.
- Advantages of the small car:the 5-seat car picks you up at the hotel lobby with no walking at all. With few people it leaves right on time, even earlier than planned, so you can relax about the timing.
- Travel time:Very fast, only about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the train station, in time to check in without rushing.
- The "heart-stopping" part:the trade-off for the speed is that the small-car drivers here drive pretty… fast. I sat in the front seat and didn't dare close my eyes for a minute. On mountain roads and in dark tunnels the driver kept crossing lanes to overtake, a real adventure. If you get carsick or have a weak heart, ask the driver to slow down or sit in the back for peace of mind.
In short
- Going there, no rush, want to save money and ride smoothly:just pick the 34 – 37 seat shuttle bus.
- Going back close to train time, with lots of luggage and tired legs:spend a bit more on a 5 – 9 seat car so it picks you up at the door and you control the timing.
- In a group of 3 – 4 people or more:consider negotiating a whole unofficial cab at the station, which is convenient and lets you stop for views and photos along the way.
Notes for the road
- The mountain road has lots of curves, so if you get carsick, take your pills beforehand.
- The highest pass is around 3,000+ m, and you may see the first snow of the season in late October.
- Coming back: plan your timing carefully. Leave Jiuzhaigouat least 2h30 before your trainin case of peak-season traffic.
Frequently asked questions
Can the bus stop along the way or pass bythe Huanglong scenic area?
Yes, there are shared cars that go from Huanglong Jiuzhai Station to Huanglong first and then on to Jiuzhaigou. Or you can pick local drivers and negotiate a price to charter a car to the sights you want, and stop at pretty spots along the way for photos.
If the train arrives late at night, how do you get from Huanglong Jiuzhai station to Jiuzhaigou?
Trip.com has many kinds of shared cars matched to each train, so there's no need to worry too much. Book early while there are still seats.
Can I use Didi?
Didi is still available but harder to get and pricier than usual, so book a car from the station to Jiuzhaigou in advance for peace of mind.
Once you reach Jiuzhaigou, the next thing is choosing a good place to stay. See the articlewhere to stay in Jiuzhaigouor pick quickly fromthe 6 hotels near the gate that I compared. The whole journey from A–Z is gathered in theindependent Jiuzhaigou travel guide.