National 4A scenic area, known as 'Tianfu's No.1 Ancient Town.' With over 1,700 years of history, it features a unique layout of one street, three temples, and a yamen shared by three counties. The Fu River encircles the town, ancient docks line the shore, and the Spring Festival Fire Dragon Lantern Dance is a celebrated folk custom.
The closest water town to Chengdu, hugely popular for water play in summer, and a classic weekend spot for locals to take their kids.
Huanglongxi is the most representative water-town ancient town around Chengdu, with both historical heritage and leisure appeal, especially suitable for summer escapes and family trips. Though commercialization is inevitable, the overall experience is worth recommending.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥0
- Child ticket
- ¥0
- Free
- Yes
- Reservation required
- No
- Ticket methods
- No ticket required, free entry; some internal attractions require on-site tickets.
- Ticket notes
- The ancient town streets are free; individual attractions such as the ancient temple and the Three-County Government Office, as well as boat rides, are separately charged.
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- Open all day
- Opening notes
- Open all day; during peak seasons/holidays, entry may require time-slot reservations (via the "Huanglongxi Tourism" WeChat official account, with three slots daily: 9:00/14:00/19:00).
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Summer afternoons for water play; evening dining by the river
- Best day of week
- Weekdays
- Best season
- Summer (for water activities) and Chinese New Year (for the fire dragon lantern dance)
- Avoid times
- Afternoons on summer weekends and public holidays are extremely crowded
- Avoid days
- Public holidays
- Crowd level
- Very High
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00-16:00 on holidays and weekends
Getting There
- Metro station
- Huilong Station (Line 5, transfer to buses S18/S541 etc. to Huanglongxi Passenger Station)
- Metro line
- Line 5
- Metro exit
- Exit A
- Metro distance
- Approximately 12 km
- Metro walk
- Requires bus transfer or taxi
In Detail
Huanglongxi was known as Chishui in ancient times. The Fu River and Luxi River meet here, and the thousand-year-old water wharf and Ming-Qing streets and alleys are well preserved. In summer, wading and playing in the water along the Fu River is a classic Chengdu pastime, and the Fire Dragon Lantern Dance during the Spring Festival is a national intangible cultural heritage.
What to expect
Visitors can stroll along the ancient bluestone streets, visit Gulong Temple, Chaoyin Temple, and Zhenjiang Temple, take a boat at the Fu River wharf or wade in the water; sample local specialties such as "one-noodle" and crispy pork elbow, and admire western Sichuan folk architecture and handicraft displays. On holidays, expect folk performances and large crowds.
How to visit
Plan for half a day to a full day. From downtown Chengdu, take Metro Line 5 to Huilong Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi; alternatively, drive via the Huanglongxi exit on the Chengdu-Ya'an Expressway. In the morning, explore the ancient streets and temples; at noon, rest and dine at a riverside teahouse; in the afternoon, wade in the water or take a boat ride; in the evening, enjoy the night views of the ancient town.
Pros
The ancient town is free to enter, offering great value; unique water-town scenery with cool and pleasant summers; convenient transportation, suitable for a day trip; rich food options and wonderful folk activities.
Cons
It gets extremely crowded on holidays, which detracts from the experience; commercialization is noticeable and some goods are overpriced; mosquitoes are common in summer, so bring repellent.
Highlights
- Thousand-year-old water wharf and ancient Ming-Qing streets and alleys
- The historic pattern of one street, three temples, and one yamen serving three counties
- The summer fun of wading and playing in the water by the Fu River
- National intangible cultural heritage: Fire Dragon Lantern Dance (Spring Festival)
- Western Sichuan stilted folk houses and century-old teahouses
FAQ
Does Huanglongxi Ancient Town require an entry ticket?
The ancient town itself is free to enter, but some small attractions or activities may charge separately; please refer to on-site notices.
How do I get to Huanglongxi from downtown Chengdu?
Take Metro Line 5 to Huilong Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi; you can also take a direct bus from the tourist distribution center; driving takes about 40 minutes.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn are pleasant; summer is great for water activities, but use sun protection. During Spring Festival, the fire dragon lantern dance makes it the liveliest time.
Field Tips
Best photo spot 1. Front square of Gulong Temple: ancient temple red walls and old trees complement each other, great for capturing temple architecture and incense. 2. Fu River Wharf: moored awning boats and river reflections, with excellent light in the evening. 3. Zhenlong Street Ancient Alley: bluestone pavement and stilted buildings, ideal for humanistic street scenes. 4. Covered bridge observation deck: overlooks the full view of the ancient town and the bend of the Fu River, most beautiful when the night lights are on.
Best entrance Main gate of the ancient town (archway entrance), leading directly to the main street.
Best exit Exit via the covered bridge, then walk along the river to the bus stop.
Scores
Facilities
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Dalin Emerald Lake Pear Township (11.1 km)
- Yong'an Lake (11.6 km)
- Tianfu Weibo Village (11.7 km)
- Tianfu Guantang Scenic Area (12.1 km)
- Baihetan National Wetland Park (14 km)