Huanglong is renowned for its 'four wonders' – colorful pools, snow mountains, gorges and forests. It is the only well-preserved plateau wetland in China and is hailed as the 'Earthly Fairy Pools'.
Admire a group of travertine pools rarely found anywhere in the world, experience the magical beauty of the 'Earthly Fairy Pools', and discover the unique charm of the plateau wetland ecosystem.
Huanglong is a gem of natural wonders; the scale and colors of its travertine pools are truly unique. Although the altitude is high and the hike is tiring, standing by the Five-Colored Ponds and watching the layered pools shimmer in the sunlight makes it all worthwhile.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥170
- Child ticket
- ¥85
- Free
- No
- Ticket methods
- Tickets can be purchased in advance via the scenic area's official WeChat account, Ctrip, Meituan, and other platforms, or bought on-site at the visitor center.
- Ticket notes
- During peak season (April 1 - November 15), ticket prices are higher; during the low season (November 16 - March 31 of the following year), prices are lower. Cableway tickets must be purchased separately, and advance booking is recommended.
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- 15:00
- Ticket sales end
- 16:00
- Holiday hours
- During holidays, opening hours may be extended to 18:00; please refer to the scenic area's official announcements.
- Seasonal hours
- In winter (December to March of the following year), the scenic area may close due to heavy snow, with shortened opening hours or temporary closure; please check in advance.
- Temporary closure
- In the event of extreme weather or geological disasters, the scenic area may be temporarily closed; please follow official notices.
- Opening notes
- Opening hours vary by season; it is recommended to confirm through official channels before travelling.
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- 8:00-10:00 in the morning, when the light is soft, there are fewer visitors, and the colorful pools are at their most vivid.
- Best day of week
- On weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday), there are fewer visitors and a better visiting experience.
- Best season
- Autumn (September to October), when the colorful forests and pools complement each other, offers the most beautiful scenery.
- Avoid times
- 10:00-14:00 on holidays and weekends, when there are the most visitors and long queues for the cableway.
- Avoid days
- Visitor numbers are extremely high during official long holidays such as National Day and May Day.
- Crowd level
- High
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00-14:00
Getting There
In Detail
Huanglong Scenic Area is located in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, right next to Jiuzhaigou. It is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve. The attraction is dominated by large-scale, ingeniously structured and richly colored surface travertine landforms, comprising Huanglong Gully, Danyun Gorge, Xuebaoding Peak and other scenic zones. It enjoys the reputation of being the 'Earthly Fairy Pools'. Huanglong Gully is filled with calcareous travertine deposits arranged in terraced layers, creating thousands of colorful pools. The water in these pools shifts in color with the surrounding scenery and light, making the site look like a fairyland.
Huanglong's history dates back to the Ming Dynasty, when monks built Huanglong Temple here to worship Huanglong Zhenren. Today the site preserves three temples: the Front Temple, the Middle Temple and the Rear Temple. The Rear Temple, also known as Huanglong Ancient Temple, is the best preserved, with an architectural style blending Han and Tibetan cultures, and remains an active place of worship. Every year from the 15th to the 17th day of the sixth lunar month, the Huanglong Temple Fair is held, when Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han people gather to hold blessing ceremonies, horse racing, singing and dancing and other lively activities.
The classic route around Huanglong is to take the cable car up from the entrance and then walk down, enjoying sights such as Welcome Pool, Flying Waterfall and Flowing Radiance, Body-Washing Cave, Bonsai Pool, Golden Sand on the Ground, and Five-Color Ponds along the way. The Five-Color Ponds are the largest group of pools in Huanglong Gully – stacked layer upon layer and dazzlingly colorful, they sparkle in the sunlight, making them a favorite among photographers. The scenic area is at a high altitude with thin air; visitors should be aware of altitude sickness and pace themselves.
What to expect
Visitors take a cable car or hike up the mountain, admiring thousands of travertine pools of all sizes, spectacular travertine flows and waterfalls along the way. The boardwalks in the scenic area are well maintained, but the altitude is high (3000–3600 m) and some visitors may experience altitude sickness. Autumn (September–October) is the best season to visit, when colorful forests and pools complement each other beautifully. The scenic area may close in winter due to heavy snow.
How to visit
It is recommended to depart from Chengdu via Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Maoxian and Songpan to reach Huanglong, a drive of about 6–7 hours. Alternatively, fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (about 30 km from the scenic area) and then take a vehicle from there. Arrive early at the scenic area, take the cable car up the mountain (about 10 minutes), then walk down (about 3–4 hours), for a total of about 4–5 hours.
Pros
World-class travertine landscapes, colorful pools in brilliant hues and grand scale
Well-preserved natural ecology and fresh air
In autumn, colorful forests and pools complement each other – perfect for photography
Can be combined with nearby attractions such as Jiuzhaigou and Muni Valley
Cons
High altitude, prone to altitude sickness
Crowded during peak season with long queues
May close in winter due to heavy snow, limiting visiting time
Limited and pricey dining options inside the scenic area
Highlights
- Five-Color Ponds: The largest group of pools in Huanglong Gully, dazzlingly colorful and like a fairyland
- Golden Sand on the Ground: A 1,300-meter travertine flow that glitters like gold
- Huanglong Ancient Temple: A historically significant temple blending Han and Tibetan architectural styles
- Welcome Pool: The first group of pools after entering the scenic area, small and exquisite
- Highland Wetland: China's only well-preserved highland wetland ecosystem
FAQ
What is the altitude of Huanglong Scenic Area? Is altitude sickness a concern?
The Huanglong Scenic Area has an altitude of about 3000-3600 meters, and some visitors may experience mild altitude sickness, such as headaches and shortness of breath. We recommend taking preventive measures in advance, such as bringing Rhodiola or oxygen canisters, and keeping a slow pace while touring and avoiding strenuous exercise.
When is the best season to visit Huanglong Scenic Area?
The best season is from September to October, when the autumn air is crisp and clear, and the colorful forests and pools set off each other to create the most magnificent scenery. In summer (June-August), the water flow is abundant and the pools are vividly colored; in winter (December to March of the following year), the scenic area may be closed due to heavy snow.
Can Huanglong Scenic Area and Jiuzhaigou be visited in one day?
Not recommended. The two scenic areas are about 100 kilometers apart, a drive of about 2 hours, and both require a long time to visit. We suggest arranging one full day for each, or at least two days.
Field Tips
Best photo spot 1. Five-Colored Ponds Viewing Platform: Overlook the cascading, colorful pond clusters. The best shooting time is in the morning when the light is from the front. 2. Golden Sand Paving: The travertine slope shimmers like gold, ideal for long-exposure shots of flowing water. 3. Huanglong Ancient Temple (Rear Temple): The distinctive Han-Tibetan architecture set against snow-capped mountains makes for a great blend of culture and nature. 4. Yingbin Pool (Greeting Pool): A small and exquisite cluster of pools, perfect for close-up shots. 5. Zhengyan Pool (Contending Color Pool): Richly colored waters that show shades of blue, green, and yellow in the sunlight.
Best entrance Main entrance (Visitor Center). You can take the cable car station directly up the mountain.
Best exit Main entrance (Visitor Center). After the tour, you can take the sightseeing bus back.
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Jiuzhaigou (60.2 km)
- Bailu Music Town (171.2 km)
- Haiwozi (178.6 km)
- Hongkou Scenic Area (179 km)
- Tea Creek Valley Scenic Area (185.3 km)