Huanglong National Park

China's Colorful Terraced Wonderland

Huanglong National Park in China features limestone terraces shaped by mineral-rich waters that create striking blue pools and cascading waterfalls. The landscape includes snow-capped peaks, dense forests and rare wildlife such as giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys. Trails wind through valleys where visitors can see natural hot springs and observe seasonal changes across different elevations. The park’s diverse ecosystems support plant life found nowhere else in the region making it a place for both scientific study and quiet outdoor exploration.

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National Park in China

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.4

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

While Mandarin is predominant, some staff in tourist areas and hotels may speak basic English. Learning a few Mandarin phrases or having a translation app can enhance your experience.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Huanglong National Park Summary

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Famous for colorful terraces and alpine nature. Walk wooden boardwalks, photograph turquoise pools, hike mountain trails and enjoy scenic viewpoints.

Place score

7.0

Best at:

Natural sites

Mountains

Spotless

Waterfalls

Wildlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

♻️ 9

Sustainability

❤️ 8

Couples

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Huanglong National Park, China

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

❄️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

❄️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Chinese National Day holiday, October 1 to 7: park extremely crowded, daily visitor cap often reached, book ahead

Winter snow and summer landslides can close the road from Chengdu and the Songpan area for a day or more

Park ticket high season April to mid-November, low season mid-November to March with lower prices

Don't miss

🏞️ Marvel at the colorful travertine pools terrace formations
🥾 Walk the scenic boardwalk to Wucai Pond viewpoint
🏯 Admire Huanglong Temple set amid alpine landscapes
🐒 Spot golden snub-nosed monkeys in the forested valleys
📸 Capture reflections of snow-capped peaks in crystal pools

You've been here?

Why travel to Huanglong National Park?

Huanglong's unique landscape boasts vibrant calcite pools that shimmer in hues of blue, yellow and green. Beyond its visual splendor, the park is home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered giant panda, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Xuebaoding
2 Huanglong Valley

🎡Places for activities

1 Colorful Pond
2 Huanglong Temple

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Xuebaoding
2 Red Star Rock

🎈Events

Huanglong Temple Fair
Songpan Horse Racing Festival
Jiuzhaigou Folk Culture Festival
Sichuan International Tourism Festival
Tibetan New Year Celebrations
Munigou Valley Flower Festival
Local Harvest Festivals
Traditional Music Performances
Ethnic Dance Showcases
Photography Competitions

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Prepare for altitude; hike slowly and stay well hydrated.
Take the cable car up, then walk downhill on boardwalks for easier sightseeing.
Arrive early and enter before mid-afternoon to avoid missing last shuttles down.
Bring snacks and water; food options inside are limited and walking distances feel longer at altitude.

How to travel to Huanglong National Park

The nearest major city is Chengdu. From there, travelers can take a flight to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, followed by a scenic drive to the park. Alternatively, long-distance buses connect Chengdu to Songpan County, close to Huanglong.

Access summary

From Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport (JZH): shuttle bus or taxi, about 1–1.5 hours.
From Chengdu: direct flights to JZH, then road transfer to Huanglong.
From Jiuzhaigou Valley: scenic mountain road by bus or car, roughly 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Huanglong National Park

Accommodations range from guesthouses in nearby towns like Songpan to more upscale hotels in Jiuzhaigou. Staying in these areas provides convenient access to the park and other regional attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.

How to get around Huanglong National Park

Exploring Huanglong is best done on foot to fully appreciate its natural beauty. Well-marked trails guide visitors through the park's highlights. A cable car is available for those wishing to bypass steep sections, offering panoramic views of the landscape.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-72 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 72% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Jiangyou, China - 137 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£35	£75	£178
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£53	£113
🍝 Food per day	£11	£20	£59
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£6

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.40
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.90
☕ Cappuccino	£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.25

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.24
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.40
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.40
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£2.90
💇 Basic haircut	£4.30

Safety information overview

General safety

Huanglong is generally safe for tourists. However, always stay on designated trails and be cautious of slippery areas, especially after rain.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are limited in the immediate vicinity. It's advisable to carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medications. Altitude sickness can be a concern; acclimatize appropriately.

Accessibility

The park's terrain can be challenging for those with mobility issues. While the cable car aids access, many attractions require walking on uneven paths.

Tap water

It's recommended to drink bottled or purified water. While tap water is available, its safety for consumption varies.