Is Huanglong worth visiting? Absolutely! Huanglong is also a UNESCO site and only a 2-hour drive from Jiuzhaigou, so these two attractions are often visited together.
But wait, is Huanglong the same as Jiuzhaigou? Not quite. What makes Huanglong special is its stunning multi-colored terraced pools, or just think of it as a colorful version of Turkey’s Pamukkale. Although Jiuzhaigou has more colorful lakes, you won’t find these unique terraced pools there.
We recommend adding Huanglong to your itinerary if:
- You want to see the layered color pools
- You don’t suffer from altitude sickness (Huanglong is over 3500m)
- You have at least 2 days in Jiuzhaigou
- You’re comfortable with light hiking and climbing stairs
Huanglong is on a mountain and requires climbing many stairs. It's also more likely to encounter altitude sickness. If you're in a wheelchair or sensitive to high altitudes, it's better to skip Huanglong and just visit Jiuzhaigou.
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- What to See in Huanglong
- How Long to Spend
- What's the Visiting Route
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Get to Huanglong
- Where to Eat and Stay
What Are the Highlights of Huanglong?
The biggest highlight of Huanglong is the Five-Color Pond at the top of the valley, often called a “fairyland on earth.” It’s the most beautiful spot in Huanglong year-round, so no matter when you visit, it won’t disappoint your eyes or your camera.
Before reaching, you’ll find two trails leading to Five-Color Pond at Huanglong Ancient Temple:
- The Left Path: just beside the pools, offers a shorter distance to reach and a closer view to visit
- The Right Path: gives you a panoramic view from above
You can go up one way and come down the other to enjoy more photo spots and viewing angles.
I viewed Five-Color Pool from the Right Path Walkway in late MarchHuanglong Ancient Temple is a passed spot to the Five-Color Pond. It’s most lively during the Huanglong Temple Fair on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month. On that day, local Tibetans, Qiang, and Han people will gather to celebrate, and you can witness spectacular dragon dances here.
At other times, if you’re not interested in Taoist temples, feel free to walk past it, and the Five-Color Pond is just behind.
Huanglong Ancient TempleBesides these, Huanglong also features lush forests, clusters of travertine pools (similar to Five-Color Pool), and waterfalls, mostly along the hiking trail downhill. You may even spot playful squirrels along the way.
Downhill forest walkway in HuanglongHowever, these spots offer similar scenery and are less spectacular during the off-season, so if you prefer a shorter walk, you can skip them.
How Long to Spend in Huanglong (Itinerary)
A visit to Huanglong typically takes 3 hours to half a day. Because it doesn’t take a full day like Jiuzhaigou, it’s often scheduled on the day of arrival or departure.
- Day 1: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou by bullet train, visit Huanglong in the afternoon
- Day 2: Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, return back to Chengdu at night
This is a common itinerary that helps make the most of your time. However, if you're worried about altitude sickness, you might consider visiting Jiuzhaigou first.
Most people don’t experience altitude issues there, so it’s a good way to acclimatize before heading to the higher-altitude Huanglong.
How to Visit Huanglong: 2 Regular Visiting Routes
Classic visiting route: cable car up→take shuttle bus→climb up to the top→hike down
This option takes about 5-6 hrs, and is ideal during the peak season (autumn and summer) when the scenery is at its best. You'll get to see almost all the major highlights along the way.
Typically, when climbing up to Five-Color Pool, many visitors start to feel some mild altitude sickness symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or tinnitus. It’s best to walk slowly and take a break if your heart starts racing, and wait until it calms down before continuing the climb.
Time and physical energy friendly route: to and from by cable car and shuttle bus
With this route, you only need to walk 20-30min to visit the Five-Color Pond after getting off the shuttle bus, then return the same way to take the bus and cable car back down. The whole trip takes about 3 hours.
This option suits off-season (spring and winter) visits, or if you just want an easy way to the Five-Color Pond without much walking. Just note that cable lines can get really long in peak season (2hrs).
Notes for the cable car and shuttle bus
- Closing Time: Cable car 17:30, shuttle 17:00 in peak season (Jun-Dec 15); cable car 17:00, shuttle 16:30 in off season (Dec 16-May).
- Enter before 2pm, as the visit takes at least 3 hrs. If you enter late, you may miss the last shuttle bus to get down the mountain.
- The shuttle bus tickets are limited, only 5,000 tickets a day, so you’d better book it 5 days in advance if you don’t want to walk too much.
- Cable car and shuttle bus may be shortly closed for maintenance (typically in November or December), so during this time you can only hike up and down.
Best Time to Visit Huanglong Scenic Area
Overall Time: Autumn (Sep–Oct) > Summer (Jun–Aug) > Spring (Apr–May) > Winter (Nov–Mar).
Autumn (Sep-Oct): Most Beautiful and Photogenic Season
Temperature: 0-27°C (32-81°F)
Huanglong in autumnDuring autumn, the weather in Huanglong is cool and dry, and the water levels are full, so you can have a better viewing and photo experience.
Late Sep-Early Oct is the best time for autumn foliage
If you want to see golden forests and pools, this is the most beautiful time in Huanglong, echoing its name, Yellow Dragon.
In early September, the forest is still green, while by late October, some trees may have withered.
Due to the higher altitude, the foliage season here starts earlier than Jiuzhaigou (late Oct-early Nov).
September is cool, but October is a bit cold in Huanglong
September is cool, ranging around 8-23°C (46-73°F), suitable for light jackets.
In October, the temperature drops around 7-8°C (45-46°F). You may encounter snowy days this month, so a waterproof jacket or a thick coat is needed.
Crowded due to the peak season
This is also the peak season in Huanglong, with visitor numbers reaching up to 20,000 per day, so you may need to wait 1-2 hours for the ascending cable car. Entering early around 8-9am can avoid some queues.
The shuttle tickets are often sold out fast, too. Remember to book it in advance. If you prefer a hassle-free tour, you might consider a private tour. We’ll take care of everything for you, including transport, tickets, and a guide.
Summer (Jun-Aug): Lush and Refreshing but Wet
Temperature: 7-24°C (45-75°F)
Huanglong in summerHuanglong is ideal to avoid summer heat
If you visit Huanglong in summer, you’ll embrace lush forests, abundant water, and pleasant alpine cool. Wearing a T-shirt and a light waterproof jacket is suitable.
Expect summer crowds and possible severe weather
June to August is also the rainy season, so you’re more likely to encounter rainy days. When it rains, it’s a bit cold, and the scenery is not so good. Flash floods or falling rocks may also occur on the way to the scenic area, so it’s not recommended to visit on rainy days.
Also, July and August are summer holidays in China, so there are more tourists and queues for the cable car.
Spring (Apr-May): Dry Season but Budget-Friendly
Temperature: 1-16°C (34-61°F)
The only worth visiting spot in spring is Five-Color Pool
April and May are the snow-melting period and dry season. You’ll see little or no water in most pools, only exposed yellow travertine. However, the Five-Color Pool remains stunning, and you’ll witness some alpine azalea blooming along the uphill way.
If you feel it’s not worth spending half a day just to see this one spot, we recommend visiting Jiuzhaigou only and skipping Huanglong, as Jiuzhaigou has more attractions to see this season.
Good for budget and low-crowd travel
Spring is a more affordable season with fewer tourists compared to summer and autumn. Shuttle tickets are easier to get, and the weather is not as harsh as winter. Still, you’ll need to wear a warm outer layer.
Winter (Nov-Mar): Snowy Scenes and Few Crowds, but Chilly
Temperature: -13-11°C (9-52°F)
Huanglong in winterFrequent snow and frozen pools view
In Huanglong, snow is quite likely in winter due to the high elevation. The travertine shoal and forests are snow-covered, and half of the Five-Color Pool is iced over. But you’ll still catch a Morandi tone of the pool, with a muted palette of blue, white, and pale yellow.
On snowless days, the mountain may look a bit bare with just dry branches. But it’s also quiet with fewer visitors, and the travel budget is also cost-effective.
It’s also really cold in winter
Huanglong is much colder than Jiuzhaigou, especially in December and January, when temperatures can drop below –10°C (14°F). You’ll need thick down jackets or professional outerwear.
Snow also makes the path slippery and harder to walk on, and you’re more likely to have altitude sickness in the cold weather. If you travel with the elderly or kids, winter is not a good option.
If you want to see some snowscape but don’t want to experience the hard cold, November and March are better for mild cold.
The icy walkway is not suitable for hiking in winterHow Do I Go from Chengdu to Huanglong?
The bullet train is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Huanglong, taking about 2-2.5hrs. The nearest station is Huanglong-Jiuzhai Station. Most trains depart from Chengdu Dong Station or Chengdu South Station.
After getting out of the station, it takes about 30 minutes drive to Huanglong Scenic Area. You can choose a shuttle bus, taxi, or book a private tour. Since the mountain road is winding and may cause car sickness, a private car is more comfortable than a bus.
If you're coming from Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, there are direct shuttle buses to Huanglong near the entrance. The ride takes about 2.5 hours. You can also take a taxi, about a 2-hour drive.
Travel Tips for Visiting Huanglong National Park
Can I Find Food Inside the Scenic Area?
There are no restaurants inside the scenic area, so it’s best to bring some snacks with you. Near the travertine shoal, there is a small shop selling water, sausages, oxygen canisters, and other basics, and prices are relatively reasonable for a tourist spot.
Since the full visit only takes half a day, you can eat before entering or have a meal afterwards outside the park.
Is It Necessary to Stay Overnight Near Huanglong?
For most travelers, the answer is no. Most people choose to stay near Jiuzhaigou instead, as there are more hotels, better accommodation options, and more dining choices.
That said, if you want to enter Huanglong early in the morning, especially during the peak season to avoid long queues, staying a night nearby (such as in Chuanzhusi Town) can be a smart choice.