It is about 310 kilometer from Chengdu downtown to Songpan downtown. Rent a private car in Chengdu, the driving time is about 6 hours. On the way, You can visit the 2008 earthquake memorial site in Yingxiu town, Baishi Qiang Village in Maoxian, Diexi Lake. After arriving at Songpan, you can spend some time to explore the Songpan ancient town and climb up to the Songpan city wall to remember the history.
There is two bus stations: Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station and Chadianzi Bus Station in Chengdu. Chadianzi Bus Station operates the direct bus from Chengdu to Songpan downtown; and Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station operates the bus from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, you can take off the bus in Songpan, located on the way to Jiuzhaigou.
There's a bus station at the North end of town, a few blocks north of the North gate of the wall.
The bus station serves major locations in [wiki=c01eba257b2d44afb1896051da9185b4]Sichuan[/wiki], as well as locations in Qinghai, and can also connect to [wiki=894079a8f2e222efee49d213399e412c]Xiahe[/wiki] in Gansu, via [wiki=d26fb3206f67c9dc3dc6570cd5de72b6]Tongren[/wiki] and [wiki=dd2c1d2a747b466c495c2510e8e59616]Hezuo[/wiki]. There are also buses to/from [wiki=c5e1e5b095e86e0ea0640082d7dfa0c1]Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve[/wiki] and [wiki=5486003a58dc4cb5119d567ac8600cb6]Huanglong National Park[/wiki]. The place can take on a very touristic flair in the summer months overrun with bus loads of foreign and Chinese tourists arriving eager to spend their money on fake nicknacks and souveniers, give or take the odd cheesball picture.
Near Songpan downtown, there is a airport named Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, about 32 km to the downtown. There is no expresses bus there, and you have to take the taxi to Songpan.
Day 1: Tourists are transferred to Kakagoukou, via Wenchuan, Maoxian, Songpan. On the way, visit the Diexi Lake, which is a landslide dam-created lake formed in the 1933 Diexi earth quake. (Camping)
Day 2: Tourists start to trek, about 16km today from Kakagoukou to Long Lake. As the elevation increases gradually, blue sky and white cloud will bring you a very easy mood, with small wooden cottage, stunted boskage and grassland. (Camping)
Day 3: Today trek about 10km from Long Lake to Grass Lake and climb the Qizanggou Ya Kou (4200m). (Camping)
Day 4: Today trek about 15km from Grass Lake to Hongxing Lake and then back to Fish Lake. (Camping)
Day 5: Today trek about 13km from Fish Lake to Awenggou Goukou, and take car to Songpan. (Camping)
Day 6: Drive back from Songpan to Chengdu, and visit Pingtou Qiang Village and 2008 earthquake memorial site in Yingxiu town on the back way.
Good Luck Guesthouse is near the bus station. Dorm rooms should go for ¥12-20, though the owner, Huang Xin, may be reluctant to rent them. Beware of his homemade Bai Jiu. Telephone (0837) 7231556.
*Jiaotong Bingguang (交通宾馆), attached to the bus station, has single rooms without a bathroom for ¥25.
*Emma's Guesthouse - in a small street off the main road, on the left when walking from the bus station towards the center. You can see the sign from the main road. If you miss it you will pass "Emma's Kitchen" (on the main road, the traveler café/restaurant in town) which also has a sign "Emma's Guesthouse". Dorm bed is 50Y. Hot water, electric blankets, wifi. Open in winter. Curfew at 10pm. English spoken.
*Shun Jiang Guesthouse Just off the main road behind Shun Jiang happy trails horse trek company. Great little family run guesthouse. Twin rooms from 120, hot showers, check water pressure first. Heat lamps and electric blankets. Also have dorm beds. Friendly local owner with decent English and lots of local knowledge. Often times, they do not wash sheets between guests.
*Beautiful boutique type guest house in the back of the Amdo Coffee House Inn--newly opened in Songpan. Adventure Access staff office out of the coffee shop.
There are a couple of (relatively) upscale hotels in town and one or two just north of the Bus station. They are mostly aimed at Chinese tourists, but word on the street is that they're pretty nice.
*Taiyanghe International Hotel This was recommended as the best hotel in town and had a price to match. To be fair, the bed was comfortable and the room warm.
There is an internet bar located just across the southern most bridge. If your heading south the internet bar is immediately on the right after crossing the bridge down a few steps along the river. It is ¥6 for one hour.
Supposedly SongPan horse trekking now has a small internet bar. Emma's Kitchen has wifi, as well as her guesthouse nearby.