China Travel Forum

[Dominic]

Hello fellow travelers!
I planned to travel in Lijiang I am especially interested in the planning for Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jiuzhaigou.
If I leave Lijiang early morning , can I start the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek that same day or will I need to stay overnight at one end of the trek and start the trek the next day? Then, when I finish the trek, is it possible to catch a bus that same day back to Lijiang, or will I need to stay over night at that end of the trek?
From Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou will I need to stop over at Songpan or can a bus make it there from Chengdu in one day? Also, can anyone recommend any good tours out of Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou that are 6 or 7 days long round trip? I have stayed at Sam's before and I think he's a pretty reliable guy. Has anyone else tried one of his tours? What do you think? What about tours from the Traffic Hotel?
Whenever I travel like this in China I always use a rule of thumb of about 1000RMB a week, which means that for two weeks traveling I will need about 2000RMB. Does that sound about right for this trip?
I really hope that someone can help to verify for me that my planning looks reasonable.

[Arthur]

Two week is enough for Tiger leaping Gorge trek and Jiu Zhai Gou.
You spend too much time in Lijiang. You can start you trek the same day if you leave Lijiang early morning. I remember Lijiang is pretty close to one end of the trek. I was there this March. If I can do the trek again, I will do it slowly and only walk a few hours a day. There are plenty of guesthouse along the trek. The view is just gorgeous.Spend more time along the trek unless you enjoyed the bars in Lijiang.
Jiuzhaigou, I am not sure at that time. people everywhere?! I was there in a packaged tour five years ago. I was still young. I cannot remember. But maybe you can go to Huang Long too. I think it's as good as Jiuzhaigou.
Generally two weeks is ok.
You can find information about the trek in any bar in Lijiang or guesthouse and they can find you a car and other people to share the fare.
Enjoy!