Meishan to Jiuzhaigou Road Trip: Scenic Drive Guide

This drive begins in Meishan, birthplace of the famed Tang Dynasty poet Su Shi, and ends at Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route leverages the G93 Chengdu–Leshan Expressway and the G213 National Highway, covering approximately 700 kilometers.

Along the way, you’ll traverse the Min River valley and cross the Minshan Mountains, offering a dramatic gradient from the Sichuan Basin to the Tibetan Plateau. The total driving time typically ranges from 9 to 11 hours, excluding stops.

The roads are well-maintained but twisty; avalanche or landslide debris can occur after heavy rain. Keep an eye out for livestock. Rest every two hours at designated parking areas like the one at Songpan ancient town.

For families, the Huanglong Scenic Area offers cable car access and easy walking trails; strollers can be used on some paved paths. Pet-friendly hotels are common in Jiuzhaigou but rare in rural sections—check ahead. For more ideas, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The route passes the Diexi Lake, a seismogenic lake formed by the 1933 Diexi earthquake, and offers views of the Qionglai Mountains. For best stops Meishan to Jiuzhaigou, consider the Lianghekou Grasslands near Hongyuan for their sweeping vistas.

Local commerce thrives in towns like Maoxian, where you can buy fresh apples and Tibetan butter tea. At Jiuzhaigou, the gateway town of Zhangzha has a night market with yak meat skewers and handmade crafts.

Fuel stops are frequent along the G213, but after Maoxian they thin out; fill up there. Expect gas prices around ¥8.50/L as of 2025. The road is a mix of multi-lane expressways and two-lane mountain highways, with sustained grades near the Diexi Lake area.

Restrooms and convenience stores are available at most service areas, though not all are marked. Download offline maps: some river valleys block 4G signals between Songpan and Jiuzhaigou.