This is the first of the large groups of ponds in the valley and are a major highlight to see in a hike or tour. The Yingbin group of 350 greenish ponds is at the 3,230 meter or 10,600 feet level.
These ponds are called Yingbin (迎宾) meaning 'welcoming guests', as they are near the entrance of the travertine pond area of the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area .
Yingbin Highlights
Some pools appear greenish and some appear aqua colored as you walk by. It is the third largest group of ponds after Zhengyan Ponds and Wucai Ponds. A viewing platform and pavilions for tourists are near it.
Plants and bushes grow in some of them. Some have a lot of vegetation growing in them, while others are clear as in the picture. During the spring, several kinds of flowers, butterflies, and birds attend to their beauty.
It is a spectrum of color. The pine trees add their dark green color, and a blue sky adds blue to this melange of greens and blues on the mirror surfaces. On good days, the reflection of light, trees, mountains, and snow is very colorful, and sometimes they are iridescent. Enjoy your walk to the welcoming ponds amid the amazing scenery.
Yingbin (welcome guests) to the park!
Travel Essentials
The Yingbin ('Welcoming Guest') PondsBest Season: In fall, the trees and bushes are the most colorful with yellow and red leaves. There is clearer lighting than in the summer. White reflections from snow contrast exquisitely with the colors in the water and trees. The color contrasts in this area are the most vivid in the fall with a dusting of snow.
Best Time: To better appreciate the sound of the water and the beautiful scenery, it is best to visit these pools in quiet solitude in the morning. So try to enter the park when it opens, and in the morning and walk the short distance to the ponds. The park gets more crowded around noon. The natural surround sound sensorama is best appreciated when it is quiet.
How to get there: You can see the ponds near the entrance about 200 meters from the main gate.
Open hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Ticket Price: High season, April 1 to November 15, 200 RMB per person. Low season, November 16 to March 31, 80 RMB per person.
Touring Huanglong
Incredible fall colors in Huanglong and JiuzhaigouTravel Season Information
High season: High season extends from April to the middle of November, and the particularly large numbers of tourists arrive around the major public holiday dates of May 1, October 1, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Students and university employees arrive when school and university vacations start in early July. Schools are in term in September, so there are less tourists in early and mid September before the October National Day holidays. It is best to try to schedule around these dates.
Plan and make trip arrangements: We can help arrange a trip according to your interests and travel constraints. We can plan a private or group tour and provide private vehicles, drivers, and guides. Tell us your desires, and we'll try to arrange the Chengdu hotel rooms, Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong flight tickets, and Chengdu train tickets that you'll appreciate.
Recommended Huanglong Tour Packages
5-Day Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou Tour: The guide will help you tour these amazing natural creations.
You can modify this tour, and go to the places you specify on your itinerary. Create your dream trip by telling us your requirements, and visit the places you specify.
See our tours of Chengdu for more regional highlights to combine with Huanglong.