Two Guys, One Nightmare: Our Sichuan Adventure Through Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, and Chengdu (And the Taxi Scam That Almost Ruined It All)

Meta Description: A harrowing Sichuan travel story: two friends navigate Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, and Chengdu during National Day, survive a taxi scam, altitude sickness, and food poisoning. Read their cautionary tale and travel tips.

Prologue: The Trip That Nearly Broke Us

Let me start by saying this: I've traveled to plenty of places. Hong Kong, Qingdao—each trip left me with stories to tell and photos to cherish. But this one? This one nearly broke me. I came home and spent days in a fog, unable to edit the hundreds of photos I'd taken. I'd wake up in the middle of the night, dreaming of Jiuzhaigou, and jolt awake in a cold sweat.

People ask me, "What happened out there?" So here it is—the good, the bad, and the absolutely infuriating. Grab a coffee. This is going to be a long one.

If you're planning a Sichuan travel itinerary or a Jiuzhaigou National Park visit, this story is your survival guide. Because what happened to us could happen to you—if you're not careful.

Why We Were Even Going: The Setup for Disaster

The trip wasn't exactly spontaneous. Two reasons drove us:

My sister's wedding – She was getting married in Guangyuan on October 6th, and as her brother, I was supposed to carry her out of the house on her big day.
Nicky's dream destination – He'd always said the only place in China he really wanted to see was Jiuzhaigou Valley.

So, we booked everything during the National Day holiday—the most expensive time to fly anywhere. Our flights:

Outbound: Nanjing → Xi'an (Shenzhen Airlines, booked via official site) → Jiuzhaigou (China Eastern, booked via Qunar)
Return: Chengdu → Nanjing (Chengdu Airlines, booked via Qunar)

Accommodation: We booked one night at Jiuzhaigou Minshan Hotel through Agoda (via a Taobao agent) and two more nights directly through eLong. In Chengdu, we used 7 Days Inn's special rate—2,000 points per night.

Tickets for Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong were booked online (student tickets—don't ask, just thank Taobao). And the car service? That's where the nightmare began.

[Link: How to book Jiuzhaigou tickets online safely]

Part 1: Xi'an – A City We Barely Saw

The Pre-Trip Disaster: Food Poisoning Strikes

September 29th. I'm packing. And then—boom—food poisoning. I spent the night oscillating between the bedroom and the bathroom while Nicky single-handedly packed both our bags. I was useless. And because I didn't pack myself, I spent the entire trip hunting for socks.

Travel tip: Always pack your own bag. Always.

Morning of the 30th: Delayed Before We Even Started

Our friend drove us to the airport at 5 a.m. (saved us 110 RMB on a taxi—thanks, buddy). The flight was supposed to land in Xi'an by 9 a.m. Instead, we sat on the tarmac until 11 a.m. due to "air traffic control."

Xi'an wasn't part of our original plan—we only had a layover. I'd wanted to visit the Shaanxi History Museum, but it's closed on Mondays. The Terracotta Warriors were too far from the airport. So we settled for the Muslim Quarter. Eat some street food. Kill time.

We didn't know that even that simple plan would be crushed.

Xi'an: Dirty, Dusty, and Disappointing

Xi'an is dirtier than I imagined. The sky was gray and hazy. (And I thought Nanjing was bad with its "autumn leaves and dust flying together" vibe.)

We took the airport bus—which, by the way, charges a fuel surcharge? Really?—and ended up near the Bell Tower (or Drum Tower? I don't remember). We walked into the Muslim Quarter, hungry and tired.

First stop: Lao Mi Jia Paomo (Old Mi's Bread-Soaked-in-Broth)
Nicky had been to Xi'an before and warned me I wouldn't like the bread-soaked-in-broth dish. He was right. We ordered one bowl to share. The bread was dense, the broth was heavy, and we ate the lamb and a bit of vermicelli before giving up. The locals probably laughed at us.

Bingfeng soda – Tastes like orange soda. Or Jianlibao. Same thing.

We also tried: - Fresh pomegranate juice – Pressed with the peel (they add some dry pulp to balance the bitterness). Actually pretty good. - Rose mirror cake (rose-flavored glutinous rice cake) – Way too sweet. Girls might love it. Two grown men? No thanks.

[Link: Best street food in Xi'an Muslim Quarter]

The Call That Changed Everything

We walked into Jia San Guan Tang Bao (Jia San's Soup Dumplings) for some steamed buns. Ordered beef soup buns and some cured lamb. The buns were juicy and tasty.

Then my phone rang.

It was the driver from the car service we'd booked on Taobao. And everything went to hell.

Part 2: The Car Service Scam – A Masterclass in Bad Business

How It Started

I'd booked the car service back in August—early, because I knew National Day would be crazy. Found a small shop on Taobao (not a big seller, but they showed legitimate taxi company credentials). The original plan:

Sept 30: Pick us up at Jiuzhaigou Airport → drop us at Jiuzhaigou Minshan Hotel
Oct 1: Free day (we'd explore Jiuzhaigou on our own)
Oct 2: Driver takes us to Huanglong → drops us at Chuanzhushi hotel

Price: 850 RMB. Fair for the holiday season.

The "Suggestion" That Was Actually a Trap

On September 5th, the driver called me. He said, "October 2nd will be super congested on the way to Huanglong. Why don't you swap your days? Go to Huanglong on the 1st, and Jiuzhaigou on the 2nd. I'll still drop you back at Jiuzhaigou after Huanglong."

Sounded reasonable. We changed our plans. Rebooked tickets online. Booked three nights at Jiuzhaigou Minshan Hotel (two nights at 600 RMB each).

The Phone Call That Ruined Xi'an

Now, on September 30th, standing in a steamed bun shop, the driver called to "confirm." But when I tried to confirm the revised itinerary, he denied everything. "No, we never agreed to that. We follow the original schedule."

I was stuck: 1. My tickets were date-specific. 2. I had three nights booked at a hotel in Jiuzhaigou, but the driver would only take us to Chuanzhushi on the 2nd. 3. Nicky was blaming me for messing up.

The driver's son (the Taobao customer service rep) also denied any changes. I had no chat record on my phone—only on my computer back home.

I tried to reason: "Look, I'll pay extra if needed. Just get us to Huanglong and back to Jiuzhaigou." But Nicky wanted to fight. He didn't understand that we were going to be in their territory—a remote area where they could do anything. I needed to keep us safe.

After a tense argument, Nicky finally backed off. We found an internet café (Ant Internet Café, hidden in an alley off the Muslim Quarter) and spent two hours negotiating. Final deal: +100 RMB, and the driver would take us to Huanglong and back to Jiuzhaigou.

We left the café at 3 p.m. Our Xi'an "adventure" was over. I didn't even touch the cured lamb.

A Brief Moment of Beauty

On the way back to the airport, we bought two bottles of juice—60% fruit content, only 5-6 RMB each. The kiwi juice was incredible. I still think about it.

And Xi'an's T2 terminal? Stunning. So big you could film a TV drama there. (Plot twist: the hero runs after the love interest but never catches up because the terminal is too damn big.)

[Link: How to avoid taxi scams in China]

Part 3: Jiuzhaigou – The Good, The Bad, and The High-Altitude Penguin

Arrival: Ten Flights, Nine Delays, One Miracle

They say: "Nine out of ten flights to Jiuzhaigou are delayed, and the tenth turns back." Our flight? On time. For once, something went right.

The sunset from the plane was breathtaking. We watched the clouds change colors every few minutes. For a moment, I forgot about the driver.

The Airport: Tiny, Cold, and Full of Surprises

Jiuzhaigou Airport is small. Really small. You could almost reach out and touch the planes from the fence. But it has changing rooms—thank God—because stepping off the plane felt like walking into a freezer.

Nicky emerged from the bathroom walking like a penguin that ate too much fish. "I have altitude sickness," he whispered. We'd taken Rhodiola rosea (a Tibetan herb for altitude adjustment) beforehand. Didn't matter.

The Driver Who Was Actually a Good Guy

The driver waiting for us wasn't the original one. (Probably had a better offer.) But this new guy? Amazing. He saw Nicky struggling and said, "Take your time." He ran through the rain to get the car and pulled it up to where we were standing under cover. I felt like I'd met a volunteer who wasn't getting paid.

On the two-hour drive to Jiuzhaigou, the scenery was stunning. Mountains draped in mist. Rivers cutting through valleys. Nicky, still in penguin mode, slept most of the way.

Jiuzhaigou Minshan Hotel: A Mixed Bag

The hotel was decent. Clean rooms, hot water, and a restaurant serving decent Sichuan food. But the price? 600 RMB per night during National Day. That's highway robbery.

Pro tip: Book early, but also check cancellation policies. We learned that the hard way.

Day 1: Huanglong – The "Yellow Dragon" That Almost Killed Us

We woke up at 5 a.m. to beat the crowds. The driver picked us up at 6 a.m., and we drove two hours to Huanglong Scenic Area.

The drive was beautiful—hairpin turns, alpine meadows, and yaks grazing by the roadside. But the altitude was brutal. At 3,500 meters, every step felt like running a marathon.

Huanglong's Five-Color Pond was worth it. Seriously. The travertine pools shimmered in shades of turquoise, emerald, and gold. It looked like a painting.

But Nicky was struggling. He sat down every 50 meters. I carried both our backpacks. We didn't finish the full loop. By noon, we were back at the parking lot, exhausted.

Altitude sickness tip: Take it slow. Bring oxygen cans. Don't be a hero.

[Link: Huanglong vs Jiuzhaigou – which is better?]

Day 2: Jiuzhaigou Valley – The Main Event

We entered Jiuzhaigou National Park at 7 a.m. The park's shuttle buses take you to the top, and you walk down. Smart system.

Highlights: - Nuorilang Waterfall – Massive. Loud. Spray hits your face from 50 meters away. - Five Flower Lake – Crystal clear. You can see fallen trees 20 meters underwater. - Mirror Lake – Perfect reflections of the surrounding mountains. - Panda Lake – Named because pandas supposedly drink here. We didn't see any.

The crowds were insane. National Day in China is like Black Friday at Walmart. But the beauty of Jiuzhaigou transcends the chaos.

Pro tip: Take the shuttle to the highest point first (Primeval Forest), then walk down. Avoid the crowds.

The Second Nightmare: The Driver Disappears

After two amazing days, we called our driver to confirm the pickup for our return to Jiuzhaigou Airport. No answer. Called again. No answer.

Panic set in. We were stuck in a remote mountain town with no ride to the airport. Nicky started pacing. I called the Taobao shop. The son answered: "Driver's phone is dead. He'll be there."

He wasn't.

We waited two hours. Finally, the driver showed up—with a different car. "Sorry, sorry, had an emergency." I didn't believe him. But we had no choice.

We made it to the airport with 30 minutes to spare.

Part 4: Chengdu – Pandas, Spice, and Relief

Arrival in Chengdu: Civilization at Last

Chengdu felt like a different world. Clean streets. Polite people. And the air didn't hurt to breathe.

We checked into 7 Days Inn (2,000 points per night—thank you, loyalty program). The room was small but clean. Hot water worked. We slept for 12 hours.

Panda Base: The Reason We Came

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a must-visit. We went at 7 a.m. to see the pandas during feeding time.

What we saw: - Baby pandas sleeping in baskets (too cute to handle) - Adult pandas eating bamboo (they chew for hours) - Red pandas climbing trees (they're more like raccoons)

Tip: Go early. By 10 a.m., the pandas are sleeping, and the crowds are insane.

Sichuan Food: Spicy, Numbing, and Addictive

We ate at Chen Mapo Tofu (the original location). Ordered: - Mapo tofu (obviously) - Dan dan noodles - Kung pao chicken - Boiled fish in chili oil

Everything was incredible. The Sichuan peppercorns give you that numbing sensation (málà) that keeps you eating even when your mouth is on fire.

Pro tip: Order a bottle of soy milk to cool down. Beer doesn't help.

[Link: Best Sichuan food in Chengdu]

Jinli Ancient Street: Tourist Trap or Worth It?

Jinli Ancient Street is a restored historical street with shops, snacks, and souvenirs. It's touristy, but the atmosphere is fun. We bought: - Panda keychains (for my sister) - Sichuan pepper (for home cooking) - A hand-painted mask (for decoration)

Verdict: Worth an hour. Not worth more.

Part 5: The Wedding – Why We Came

My sister's wedding in Guangyuan was beautiful. Traditional Chinese ceremony. Red dresses. Firecrackers. I carried her out of the house (as planned), and she cried. I almost cried.

Nicky took photos. He's a good friend.

The wedding made everything worth it. The scams, the altitude sickness, the lost socks—all of it faded away when I saw my sister happy.

FAQ: Your Sichuan Travel Questions Answered

1. Is Jiuzhaigou worth visiting during National Day?

Yes, but prepare for crowds. Book everything months in advance. Expect long lines and high prices. The beauty is worth the hassle, but only if you're mentally prepared.

2. How do I avoid taxi scams in Sichuan?

Book through reputable platforms (Didi, official Taobao shops with reviews).
Screenshot all chat records.
Never pay the full amount upfront.
Have a backup plan (bus schedules, hotel shuttle numbers).

3. What should I pack for Jiuzhaigou in October?

Warm layers (it's cold at high altitude)
Comfortable walking shoes
Rain jacket (weather changes fast)
Sunscreen (the sun is strong at altitude)
Oxygen cans (available at the airport)
Snacks (food inside the park is expensive)

4. How do I prevent altitude sickness?

Take Rhodiola rosea 3 days before.
Stay hydrated.
Avoid alcohol.
Walk slowly.
Use oxygen cans if needed.
Descend if symptoms worsen.

5. Can I visit Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong in one trip?

Yes, but plan carefully. Most people spend 2 days at Jiuzhaigou and 1 day at Huanglong. Book a driver or join a tour group. Don't try to do both in one day.

Conclusion: Would We Do It Again?

Yes. But differently.

We'd book a reputable tour company. We'd avoid National Day. We'd pack our own socks.

But the memories—the turquoise lakes, the misty mountains, the spicy noodles, my sister's smile—are priceless.

If you're planning a Sichuan travel itinerary, learn from our mistakes. Be smart. Be prepared. And don't trust a driver who changes the plan over the phone.

Your turn: Have you been to Jiuzhaigou? Share your story in the comments below. And if you're planning a trip, save this article. You'll thank me later.

[Link: Complete Sichuan travel guide for first-timers]

P.S. To the driver who almost ruined our trip: I hope your phone battery dies forever.

P.P.S. To the driver who saved our trip: Thank you. You're a good man.

Planning a trip to Sichuan? Download our free checklist: "10 Things to Know Before Visiting Jiuzhaigou" [Link: Free download]

Follow us on Instagram for more travel stories: @TwoGuysOneNightmare