Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, which one is more fun?

One: Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou: The top of nature, it is worth visiting at least twice in your life. Jiuzhaigou is a masterpiece of pure natural landscape-Cuihai, Diefu Waterfall, colorful forest, snow peak, Tibetan love, all five are perfect. The color of the water changes with the light, from peacock blue to emerald green, it is crystal clear and beautiful. When I first went there ten years ago, I took a bus from Chengdu. It was bumpy for two days and broke down for a few hours in the middle. It was bitter but worth it. Nowadays, transportation has been greatly upgraded, and a variety of travel methods can be flexibly selected, and the convenience has been greatly improved.

Jiuzhaigou Transportation：

• High-speed rail travel (preferred): At present, high-speed rail has been opened from Chengdu to Huanglong High-speed rail station, and the whole journey takes only about 2 hours to reach Huanglong Station; after leaving the station, you can transfer to the scenic through train, carpool or charter a car to Jiuzhaigou Visitor Center. Along the way, you will pass through some plateau sections. The road conditions are good, and the journey time is about 1.5–2 When you are young, you can also enjoy the winter scenery of the plateau Valley along the way, which is both cost-effective and comfortable.
• Bus travel: Some bus stations in Chengdu, etc., have direct long-distance buses to Jiuzhaigou every day. The whole journey takes about 8-10 hours. The fare is relatively affordable, but the journey is long and it is suitable for tourists with a limited budget and not in a hurry. It should be noted that some sections of the road may be icy in winter, and the bus will slow down appropriately. It is recommended to check the frequency in advance and reservePlenty of time.
• Airplane + car: Efficient but high-cost alternative: Suitable for passengers with tight time or sufficient budget: Itinerary composition: Chengdu Shuangliu/Tianfu Airport direct flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (flight about 1 hour, the fare is 300-500 yuan in the off-season and 800-1500 yuan in the peak season), transfer to an airport bus or taxiIt takes about 1.5-2 hours to reach the scenic area. Limitations: Flights are susceptible to weather-affected delays; the airport is 3,400 meters above sea level, and some passengers may experience altitude sickness; peak season ticket prices fluctuate greatly and the cost is low.
• Internal connection: The transportation in the scenic area is extremely convenient. Take an environmentally friendly sightseeing bus in a unified manner. The stops cover the core attractions (such as Changhai, Colorful Pond, Nuorilang Waterfall, Wuhuahai, etc.), hop on and off, no need to worry about physical exertion, the sightseeing bus master will also briefly explain the attractions along the way to help touristsQuickly understand the layout of scenic spots.

advantages：

• The scenic area has excellent management and strict environmental protection. It is almost the whole plank road + sightseeing car, which is easy and does not cost a leg.；
• Commerce is only concentrated in the ‘Norilang Center”, and the rest of the area is clean and picturesque.；
• Cool in summer (average 18-22℃), a summer resort；
• The water features are beautiful in all seasons, with the reflection of the colorful forest in autumn the most shocking, and the quiet beauty of the snow-covered lake in spring and winter.

The only shortcoming: Although the itinerary has been significantly shortened after the opening of the high-speed rail, the connection between Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou Visitor center still takes more than 1.5 hours, and the overall one-way traffic time is still slightly longer than Guilin and Zhangjiajie; in winter, some high-altitude sections need to pay attention to anti-skid, it is recommended to pay attention to the weather and road conditions in advance.

But if you pursue an original ecological, high-value, and low-interference natural experience, Jiuzhaigou is still the ceiling in China.

👉 My takeway: It is most worth revisiting, especially in autumn and summer.

Zhangjiajie

A Wonderland of Peak Formations + Diverse Surroundings for Multi-Faceted Exploration Zhangjiajie is renowned for its 3,000 quartz sandstone peaks, serving as the inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. The core scenic area (Wulingyuan) encompasses Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, Huangshizhai（Yellow Stone Village）, Golden Whip Stream（Jinbianxi River）, and the Ten-Mile Gallery, requiring at least two days for an in-depth exploration. Additionally, man-made wonders like Tianmenshan’s 99 hairpin turns, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, and the Bailong Elevator deliver maximum thrills.

advantage：

Exceptional Geographic Location & Unmatched Accessibility

• By Air: Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (IATA: DYG) offers non-stop flights to most major cities across China. It also operates international/regional routes to South Korea, multiple Southeast Asian countries, and Hong Kong SAR, enabling convenient cross-border and inter-regional travel.
• By High-Speed Rail: Direct HSR connections are available to core cities including Kowloon, Hong Kong; Shenzhen North; Guangzhou; Shanghai; and Beijing. For cities without direct services, transfers via Changsha South Railway Station are seamless (the HSR journey from Changsha to Zhangjiajie takes only 1.5-2 hours), catering to both short-distance and long-haul travelers with flexibility.

High-Level International Services

• All on-site signages feature clear, comprehensive English annotations covering scenic spot introductions, route guidance, and safety reminders, fully addressing the concerns of international visitors.
• The destination attracts travelers from around the globe year-round, fostering a vibrant blend of diverse cultures.
• A sufficient number of professional tour guides proficient in both Chinese and English are available. They not only provide in-depth explanations of the geological wonders of quartz sandstone peaks and the cultural heritage of Tujia and Miao villages but also efficiently coordinate travel arrangements, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience for international guests.

Abundant Surrounding Attractions

Nearby highlights include Fenghuang Ancient Town (Phoenix Ancient Town), Furong Town (Hibiscus Town), Aizhai Bridge, Dehang Miao Village, and Enshi Grand Canyon. These can be combined into a 5-7 day in-depth tour of Western Hunan and Enshi, offering a rich variety of experiences in one trip.

Diverse Dining Options

Local specialties such as Tujia preserved pork, Sanxia Guo (a traditional Tujia stew with meats and vegetables), and braised pork knuckle hot pot are highly distinctive. These dishes cater to different taste preferences while allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the culinary culture of Western Hunan.

shortcoming：

• During peak season, massive crowds mean cable car and elevator lines often stretch to 1–2 hours;
• Though ropeways and escalators are available, significant walking sections remain, demanding considerable stamina;
• Some facilities feel overly commercialized and somewhat noisy.

👉My takeaway: Ideal for travelers seeking “nature + culture + light adventure.” I’d return, especially when combined with the Western Hunan Loop.

Guilin

Urban leisure + slow travel in the landscape, suitable for a relaxing vacation. The beauty of Guilin is an immersive landscape painting volume of “the city is in the scenery, the scenery is in the city”-it does not rely on a single extreme scenery to win like Jiuzhaigou, nor does it shock people with strange peaks like Zhangjiajie, but with “Shanqing’.The gentle artistic conception of ”Shuixiu, Dongqi, Shimei’ makes people indulge in the slow pace.

In the urban area, the Li River passes through the city, and the river surface in the early morning is filled with mist. When the bamboo rafts are floating, the karst peaks and forests on both sides of the river unfold slowly like ink paintings; Elephant Trunk Mountain, as the symbol of Guilin, lies close to the river, and the silhouettes in the setting sun are gentle and smart; the two rivers and four lakes connect the context of the city,When traveling at night, the lights are reflected in the water, and the pavilions and pavilions are intertwined with the shadows of the bridge. It is impossible to tell whether it is a scene or a dream; the bluestone road in Dongxixiang is winding and winding, and the old house is adjacent to the trendy shop. Around the corner, you can encounter a bowl of steaming Guilin rice noodles. The fresh fragrance of sour bamboo shoots and the mellow brine collide on the tip of the tongue., With crispy pot roast, it is the most authentic Guilin taste.

And the essence of Guilin is hidden in the surrounding slow travel time.：

Yangshuo: Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River can be called the ‘ceiling of healing’. Artificial rafts walk through the calm water surface. The idyllic scenery on both sides of the river is beautiful. The ridges, bamboo forests, and farmhouses are scattered. There is no hustle and bustle of motor boats. Only the sound of wind and water accompany; Shili Gallery is suitable for cycling, rent a carElectric vehicles, slowly along the highway, along the moon Mountain, big banyan tree, butterfly Spring, every place along the way can take a large area of scenery; the nightlife on West Street is lively but not noisy, the songs of folk bars and the aroma of roadside snacks are intertwined with fireworks full of romance.

Longji terraces: Spring and autumn are the best viewing periods. After irrigation in spring, the sky is reflected like a mirror, and the rice is golden when it matures in autumn. Even in winter and summer, there is a different charm-the terraces are stacked with green in summer, and it is like a wonderland when the clouds and mists surround it. In winter, it is occasionally covered with snow and silver.The surrounding ridge lines are even more beautiful, and the hanging foot buildings of Zhuangyao Village are scattered in the meantime, and the songs of the villagers penetrate the clouds and mist, full of life.

Xingping Ancient Town: The real scene of the background image of 20 yuan is here. Standing on the observation deck by the river, the Li River turns out a beautiful arc here. Yuanbaoshan and Jiuma Painted Mountains are lifelike. Take a bamboo raft down the river. The river is crystal clear and the bottom is clear. You can see the pebbles and swimming underwater.Xiaoyu; The old streets in the ancient town are well preserved, the fragrance of tea wafting from the old teahouse and the jingle of handmade silver jewelry shops are all telling the story of the years.

Cave wonders: The “three Wonders” of Guanyinyan (snow-capped waterfall, musical stone screen, Yaochi Wonderland) and the “three Treasures” (Buddha’s Sutra, Mingyuan Pearl umbrella, One-pillar Optimus Prime), stalactites are crystal clear under the light, as if they are in a fantasy palace; Guanyan is named after “land and water’.’Sky’ is famous for its three ways of touring. By taking a small train, taking a cruise ship, and walking a plank road, you can feel the grandeur and subtlety of the cave from different angles.

Guilin’s transportation convenience is particularly prominent among the three, whether it is arrival or travel, it can meet the needs of different tourists.：

 External traffic

• By plane: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport has access to major cities across the country, and the flight from Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou takes about 1.5-2.5 hours.
• High-speed rail: Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North Railway Station, and Guilin West Railway Station are the three major hubs. Changsha, Guangzhou, and Guiyang have direct access in 1-3 hours, and many places across the country can be reached by high–speed rail transit.

Flexible and easy travel in and around the city

• Play in the city: bus, subway Line 1, online taxi, and shared bicycles are fully covered; it takes only 10-15 minutes to take a taxi from the railway station to Elephant Trunk Mountain, Liangjiang and Sihu Lakes.
• Special recommendation:Electric bicycle rental is super convenient! Car rental spots can be seen everywhere in the city, about 50 yuan/day, which is light and free. It has an excellent experience of walking through the streets and alleys and riding along the river. It is the preferred way to roam Guilin in depth.
• Yangshuo: High-speed rail direct access in 20 minutes; you can also take the tourist line (1.5 hours) or the Li River cruise (4 hours, beautiful scenery).
• Longji Terraces: There are multiple through trains to scenic spots every day (about 2 hours), and you can also carpool/charter.
• Xingping Ancient Town: 15 minutes by high-speed rail to Xingping Station, and then 10 minutes by shuttle bus.

Summary: Guilin is the destination with the most convenient transportation and the most flexible gameplay among the threeplaces-it can not only check in efficiently, but also ride slowly and taste carefully, and get a full score of friendliness for free travel.

advantages：

• The city’s supporting facilities are mature, from budget hotels to high-end holiday homes, from street snacks to star-rated restaurants, there are many accommodation and dining options to meet different budget needs.；
• Tourists are scattered in the city and surrounding attractions, which are not as crowded as a single scenic spot, and the playing experience is more comfortable.；
• The tourism service is complete, the scenic spots are clearly identified, and the chartered, carpool, and tour guide services are convenient, suitable for family tours, couple tours, or free travel.

Insufficient：

• The degree of commercialization is high. Popular areas such as West Street and Xingping Ancient Town have the situation of promoting specialty products and soliciting customers for consumption, which needs to be rationally screened.；
• Most of the attractions charge independently. In addition to experience items such as bamboo rafting and cycling, the overall consumption has not been low, and the feeling of ”asking for money everywhere’ is relatively obvious.；
• The climate in summer is hot and humid, with high temperature and high humidity, which makes the body uncomfortable; although the winter is warm (average temperature is 10-15℃), it may be rainy in some mountainous areas, so you need to pay attention to keeping warm and moisture-proof.

👉 My takeaway: Guilin is suitable for travelers who pursue “relaxing leisure and slow travel in the landscape”, especially for family trips, couples vacations or tourists who experience karst terrain for the first time; it does not have the extreme purity of Jiuzhaigou, nor the majestic and steepness of Zhangjiajie, but it can make people relax in the fireworks and natural beauty.Physically and mentally, it is suitable for the travel rhythm of “no need to rush, stroll slowly”.

Ultimate suggestion: choose according to demand

You want……	Recommended destinations
Ultimate natural scenery + spiritual healing	Jiuzhaigou (autumn and summer are preferred)
Qifeng Adventure + Culture + Exciting Experience	Zhangjiajie + Xiangxi Ring Road
Combination of relaxation and leisure + city + landscape	Guilin + Yangshuo + Longji

❤️ The last word of truth: If you ask me “Which place is the most worth going again”? I will not hesitate to choose Jiuzhaigou-because its beauty is not a repetition that is tired of looking at it at a glance, but every time the light and shadow flow, it is like getting to know the world again.

And Zhangjiajie, I will take my friends to see their amazement when they look up at Yuan Jiajie for the first time.；

Guilin is reserved for the afternoon when you want to slow down and have a cup of Lijiang Tea.

Three places, three kinds of life rhythm-which one is more suitable for you?

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