Original source
Our FIRST ROAD TRIP in CHINA… WHAT COULD GO WRONG?! 🇨🇳
Jiuzhaigou National Park Lakes and Sichuan Road Trip
Our first road trip in China is about to begin! We've hired a car and are setting off on an unforgettable China road trip through the mountains of Sichuan, but we're not quite sure what we've got ourselves into!
We've heard plenty of stories about China's challenging mountain roads and crazy...
Our first road trip in China is about to begin! We've hired a car and are setting off on an unforgettable China road trip through the mountains of Sichuan, but we're not quite sure what we've got ourselves into!
We've heard plenty of stories about China's challenging mountain roads and crazy traffic, so naturally, we're a little nervous. What could possibly go wrong?!
Join us as we hit the road and discover a different side of China!
🧳 *Travel products we recommend*
- Use our *Klook* Code *TAZANDLIBBY* to Enjoy Discounted Activities
The creators begin a road trip from Chengdu through Sichuan in a domestic-market Lynk & Co SUV whose controls are in Chinese. After a roadside meal, they drive through mountain tunnels and arrive near Jiuzhaigou later than expected. The next morning they explore Jiuzhaigou National Park by shuttle bus, visiting Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, and Five-Color Pond. They describe the park's Y-shaped valleys, walking routes, crowds, food options, and frequent buses.
Our first road trip in China is about to begin! We've hired a car and are setting off on an unforgettable China road trip through the mountains of Sichuan, but we're not quite sure what we've got ourselves into!
We've heard plenty of stories about China's challenging mountain roads and crazy traffic, so naturally, we're a little nervous. What could possibly go wrong?!
Join us as we hit the road and discover a different side of China!
🧳 *Travel products we recommend*
- Use our *Klook* Code *TAZANDLIBBY* to Enjoy Discounted Activities
The creators set off from Chengdu on their first China road trip, collecting a domestic-market Lynk & Co SUV. They say its infotainment cannot be changed to English, then stop at a highway service area for noodles and snacks. They estimate about 400 km remains that day and hope to reach their destination before dark. After driving through mountain scenery and tunnels, they arrive near Jiuzhaigou after a drive they say took more than six hours, although they had expected roughly four to four and a half. The following morning they have breakfast and enter Jiuzhaigou National Park, where they describe the park as a Y-shaped valley and explain a route that goes to the right side first, returns to the central point, then visits the left side before coming back down. They take park buses, get off at Arrow Bamboo Lake, and walk about 600 m to Panda Lake. Along the way they see clear turquoise lakes, including Five Flower Lake, and Pearl Shoal Waterfall, then stop for noodles and other food in the park. They continue by shuttle to Zechawa Valley and visit Five-Color Pond before leaving. They say buses run frequently, roughly every five to ten minutes, and advise visitors not to feed the fish or swim in the water.
The creators begin a road trip from Chengdu through Sichuan in a domestic-market Lynk & Co SUV whose controls are in Chinese. After a roadside meal, they drive through mountain tunnels and arrive near Jiuzhaigou later than expected. The next morning they explore Jiuzhaigou National Park by shuttle bus, visiting Arrow Bamboo Lake, Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, and Five-Color Pond. They describe the park's Y-shaped valleys, walking routes, crowds, food options, and frequent buses.
A Chengdu road trip leads to Jiuzhaigou, where the creators explore its lakes, waterfalls, shuttle routes, and Y-shaped valleys.
Jiuzhaigou National Park Lakes and Sichuan Road Trip
03:01 Ask the rental company about the car's interface language before setting off. The creators learned that their domestic-market Lynk & Co could not switch its controls to English, so navigation and other menus remained in Chinese.
05:21 Allow time for a meal stop and avoid planning to finish a long mountain drive after dark. The creators said they still had about 400 km to go and hoped to reach their destination by around 6 p.m. before sunset.
11:42 Expect queues even if you arrive early. The creators reached the park before its stated 8 a.m. opening time, but still saw a very long line and said entry could take about an hour.
10:56 Plan the park as a bus-based route through its Y-shaped valleys: the creators describe visiting the right side first, returning to the central point, then taking the left side before coming back down.
13:30 At Arrow Bamboo Lake, the creators chose to walk to Panda Lake because the distance was about 600 m; they note visitors can also take a bus between stops.
18:09 Follow the park's water-protection rules: the creators remind visitors not to feed the fish or contaminate the water.
33:59 Follow the rules at Five-Color Pond; the creators say visitors cannot swim there, even though the water may look inviting.
24:19 Food is available inside the park, including noodles, fast food, a halal restaurant, vending machines, and a large food-court area.
24:52 The creators say park buses came roughly every five to ten minutes during their visit, so visitors did not have to wait long between stops.
03:01 Ask the rental company about the car's interface language before setting off. The creators learned that their domestic-market Lynk & Co could not switch its controls to English, so navigation and other menus remained in Chinese.
05:21 Allow time for a meal stop and avoid planning to finish a long mountain drive after dark. The creators said they still had about 400 km to go and hoped to reach their destination by around 6 p.m. before sunset.
11:42 Expect queues even if you arrive early. The creators reached the park before its stated 8 a.m. opening time, but still saw a very long line and said entry could take about an hour.
10:56 Plan the park as a bus-based route through its Y-shaped valleys: the creators describe visiting the right side first, returning to the central point, then taking the left side before coming back down.
13:30 At Arrow Bamboo Lake, the creators chose to walk to Panda Lake because the distance was about 600 m; they note visitors can also take a bus between stops.
18:09 Follow the park's water-protection rules: the creators remind visitors not to feed the fish or contaminate the water.
33:59 Follow the rules at Five-Color Pond; the creators say visitors cannot swim there, even though the water may look inviting.
24:19 Food is available inside the park, including noodles, fast food, a halal restaurant, vending machines, and a large food-court area.
24:52 The creators say park buses came roughly every five to ten minutes during their visit, so visitors did not have to wait long between stops.
00:00 First China road trip
01:59 Picking up the rental car
04:08 Roadside service stop
05:44 Driving through Sichuan mountains
07:06 Arriving near Jiuzhaigou
10:10 Entering Jiuzhaigou National Park
13:04 Arrow Bamboo Lake and Panda Lake
19:35 Five Flower Lake and waterfall
22:45 Park food and shuttle buses
27:55 Zechawa Valley and Five-Color Pond
34:30 Leaving the scenic area
00:00 First China road trip
01:59 Picking up the rental car
04:08 Roadside service stop
05:44 Driving through Sichuan mountains
07:06 Arriving near Jiuzhaigou
10:10 Entering Jiuzhaigou National Park
13:04 Arrow Bamboo Lake and Panda Lake
19:35 Five Flower Lake and waterfall
22:45 Park food and shuttle buses
27:55 Zechawa Valley and Five-Color Pond
34:30 Leaving the scenic area
How is Jiuzhaigou National Park laid out?
The creators describe its valleys as forming a Y shape, with a right side, a left side, and a central point. They say they visited the right side first, returned to the center, then went to the left side.
Can visitors walk between stops in Jiuzhaigou?
Yes. The creators walked from Arrow Bamboo Lake to Panda Lake, a distance they describe as about 600 m, and say visitors can also take a bus.
How often do the park buses run?
The creators say buses came roughly every five to ten minutes during their visit.
Can visitors feed the fish or swim in the lakes?
The creators say not to feed the fish or contaminate the water, and that swimming is not allowed at Five-Color Pond.
What food is available inside the park?
The creators describe noodles, fast food, a halal restaurant, vending machines, and a large food-court area.
