Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (also known as Jiuhuang Airport) is located in Chuanzhusi Town, Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. It is 88 km from Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and 43 km from Huanglong Scenic Area. At an altitude of about 3,448 meters, it is a Class I high-altitude airport in China with difficult flight conditions. There is a local saying: “Jiuhuang, Jiuhuang, nine out of ten flights are delayed or canceled”. It only takes 40 minutes to fly to Jiuzhaigou, but many tourists overlook key costs after landing: transport to scenic areas, altitude sickness prevention, and return travel arrangements. Details are explained item by item below.
Basic Information of Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport opened in 2003 and is the first civil airport in Aba Prefecture. It has a 3,400-meter runway, 2 terminals and 12 parking bays.
- The airport is located at the triangular center of Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong and Munigou Scenic Areas.
- The surrounding airspace clearance conditions are poor, with high mountains on both sides of the runway and complex meteorological conditions, making flights quite difficult.
- As a tourist feeder airport, its flight volume and tourist number fluctuate significantly with seasons.
Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
Cities with Direct Flights to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
At present, flights to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport cover Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing, Changsha, Kunming, Wuxi, Jinan and other cities.
- Chengdu: about 40 minutes’ flight, with the most frequent flights, the top transfer choice for most tourists.
- Chongqing: about 60 minutes’ flight, with many flights.
- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an and other cities also have direct flights, but with fewer frequencies.
Practical Reminder: Jiuhuang Airport is greatly affected by weather. Flights are easily delayed or temporarily canceled in case of snowfall or heavy fog in winter. It is recommended to buy travel insurance with flight delay protection and choose flights arriving between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the weather is relatively stable.
Three Transport Methods from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to Scenic Areas
The distance from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to Jiuzhaigou Entrance is about 88 kilometers, all winding mountain roads, with a driving time of about 1.5 to 2 hours. The comparison of three main methods is as follows.
Airport Shuttle Bus (45 CNY One-Way)
Airport shuttle buses have no fixed departure time and operate on a “passenger collection after landing”mode. They depart only after collecting passengers from 2 to 3 flights. The service may be suspended in low season when there are few tourists.
- Advantage: the lowest cost.
- Disadvantage: uncertain waiting time, low reliability in low season.
- Applicable Scenarios: peak season travel, sufficient time, solo or two-person trip.
Taxi / Carpool (200 to 300 CNY per Car)
- Daytime: about 200 to 260 CNY from the airport to Jiuzhaigou, about 180 to 250 CNY to Huanglong.
- Nighttime: extra 30 to 50 CNY.
- The price may rise to 300 to 400 CNY in peak season or when road conditions are poor.
Three Things to Confirm Before Getting in the Car
- Confirm the total price is for “one car”instead of “per person”.
- Ask whether all fees are included, such as highway tolls and nighttime surcharges.
- Take a photo of the license plate number with your mobile phone.
For carpooling, the per capita cost for 4 people is about 50 to 75 CNY, slightly higher than the shuttle bus but with direct service to hotel doors.
Chartered Car or Pre-Booked Pick-Up (300 to 500 CNY)
Suitable for tourists with much luggage, the elderly and children, or those unwilling to negotiate prices on site. Book via online platforms or the hotel you stay in. A 5-seat sedan costs about 300 to 400 CNY in peak season, and a 7-seat business car about 400 to 500 CNY. The driver will wait at the exit with a sign.
Driving Notes for Mountain Roads from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
The 88-kilometer road from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to the scenic entrance is full of curves. It takes at least 1.5 hours by car, and often more than 2 hours in case of road construction, rain or fog.
- If your flight lands after 4 p.m., it is recommended to take a chartered car directly. The shuttle bus may require long waiting, and mountain driving after dark is risky.
- If you already feel unwell, avoid taking the shuttle bus for two hours of bumpy rides on curves; a chartered car is safer.
- Do not look for a car temporarily for the return trip. Especially for early or late flights, you may not find an available car on the departure day. The most reliable way is to ask the hotel front desk to help book a return car on the first day of check-in, which is usually 20% to 30% cheaper than hailing a car temporarily.
Physical Adaptation Methods After Landing at High-Altitude Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport is at an altitude of 3,448 meters, only about 200 meters lower than Lhasa. Flying directly here from low-altitude areas leaves no buffer time for the body, so the risk of altitude sickness is higher than that of tourists taking buses to Tibet.
Altitude data of each location:
- Airport: 3,448 meters, slow down your movements right after getting off the plane.
- Huanglong Scenic Area: 3,100 to 3,900 meters, it is recommended to visit on the second day after arrival.
- Jiuzhaigou Entrance: about 2,000 meters, low risk of altitude sickness.
- Regular scenic spots in Jiuzhaigou (Nuorilang Waterfall, Colorful Pond, etc.): below 2,700 meters, basically no need to worry.
Specific Operations After Landing
- Avoid running and jumping after getting off the plane, and do not carry heavy luggage.
- Drink plenty of warm water, avoid cold drinks.
- Do not go to sleep immediately upon arrival; lower breathing rate during sleep may worsen dizziness.
- Take a car to Jiuzhaigou Entrance (about 2,000 meters) to stay for one night first, and start sightseeing after the body adapts.
In case of severe headache or vomiting, sit down and rest immediately. Portable oxygen cylinders are sold at airport stores for about 20 to 30 CNY. In addition, you should buy travel insurance covering “altitude sickness medical treatment and emergency evacuation”before departure; ordinary accident insurance usually does not include this liability.
Departure Lounge of Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
Differences Between Low and Peak Seasons at Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
Low Season (Mid-November to End of March Next Year)
- Airfare and accommodation prices drop sharply; homestays near the scenic entrance may cost as low as 150 to 300 CNY per night.
- However, airport shuttle buses are likely to be suspended, and you can only take taxis or chartered cars after landing.
- The probability of flight cancellation or delay is high; it is recommended to buy delay insurance.
Peak Season (April to October)
- The number of flights increases with frequent schedules, and airport shuttle buses operate normally basically.
- However, transport costs from the airport to the scenic entrance may be more than twice as high as those in low season.
- Accommodation prices start from 400 to 800 CNY and are fully booked quickly.
Best Travel Period: Late September to Mid-October. The scenery is the best in autumn, the number of tourists is less than that in August, and the price is reasonable though not low. It is recommended to avoid the National Day holiday.
Return Travel Arrangements at Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
The reliability of return shuttle buses from Jiuzhaigou Entrance to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport is lower than that of outgoing trips. Suspension in low season is common, and buses often do not depart due to insufficient passengers even in peak season.
If your return flight is an early one (before 9 a.m.), it is recommended to stay in Chuanzhusi Town one night in advance. The town is only 12 kilometers from the airport, about 20 minutes by car, avoiding the long journey from the scenic entrance.
The Most Reliable Return Method
- On the first day of arriving in Jiuzhaigou, ask the hotel front desk to help book a return chartered car. Drivers cooperating with hotels offer reasonable prices, and advance booking avoids unavailable cars on the day.
- Depart from the scenic entrance at least 3 hours in advance on the return day. Mountain roads may be congested for various reasons; it is better to arrive at the airport early and wait.
Suggestions for Tourists Flying to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport
Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport is the best choice to reach Jiuzhaigou quickly, but its high altitude and feeder airport features require the following preparations:
- Flights may be delayed or canceled; buy insurance and choose flights arriving in the morning.
- Pay for transport after landing: 45 CNY for the shuttle bus with uncertain waiting time, 200 to 400 CNY for a chartered car for more convenience.
- Take altitude sickness seriously: slow down movements, drink more warm water, and stay near the scenic entrance first.
- Do not arrange return travel temporarily; book a car in advance, and stay in Chuanzhusi for early flights.
Including the above items in your pre-travel checklist can greatly reduce unexpected problems during the trip. China Dragon Travel has years of experience in tourism services in Sichuan, China, and can provide air ticket booking, airport pick-up and full itinerary arrangement services, matching suitable plans according to tourists’ time, number of people and budget. Feel free to consult before departure if needed. The autumn scenery of Jiuzhaigou is worth a special trip. Wish you a pleasant journey.