Huanglong — Attraction in Sichuan

For me, this place was a let down after you’ve been to Jiu Zhai Gou. As we have time to while away in Huanglong before our train ride (6:15pm) to Chengdu, this venue was inserted into our programme. Nobody told us what to expect so we took a wrong route. Upon reaching the peak via cable car, our instant reaction was to go to the observation deck. Yes, the view of the snow capped mountain was fabulous and we took several nice photos. Then we made the mistake of walking towards the Zheng Yan pond (争艳池）and Multi coloured pond (五彩池）One “helpful” soul had told us to proceed as it was a down slope walk. Yes, but this was also at a 3800m altitude where it’s hard to breathe. Do pay attention here! Do a back track to the cable car entrance and take a bus/ tram to the Ropeway Upper station. This will save you a lot of energy to walk towards these 2 ponds. And so we walk and walk until there was a diversion towards these 2 ponds. As we could see Zheng Yan pond from a height during the walk, we decided to simply head towards the multi coloured pond instead. From there, the walk was just terrible. No cover from the trees and it was just upwards climbing. It seemed never ending but we pushed on until Huanglong Ancient temple. And from there, more climb which was a 30 min (approx) loop to see the pond. Embarrassing to say, we gave up at the temple. (Actually there was a similarly named multi coloured pond at Jiu Zhai Gou and it was quite disappointing) We were also afraid we were running out of time to get back to the train station. I would also advise you to take the tram back to the cable car and don’t be a hero walking back 😂. They said one hour walk but I doubt so. I hope you’ll enjoy this place learning from...

At the Huang Long lunch stop from 12 to 1:30pm, the food was ok but the restaurant itself was spacious and we were able to see scenic views to the mountains. Thereafter, it was time to get our tickets…

Inside the ticketing office, we had to queue for our tickets. The tickets for adults were 170RMB during peak season as well as 80RMB for return cable car tickets (or a total of 250RMB aka ~$50 SGD). Thereafter, it was time to join ANOTHER queue to take the cable car ride up…

The queue this time to take the cable car ride took about 45 minutes for a 5 minutes ride up. At the top, there was another electric tram that took us to the start of the walk that costs 20RMB for a return trip. While queuing, there were also touts that sold disposable oxygen tanks for 15RMB which was cheaper than when you reach the top. So if you are feeling altitude sickness, it would be a good idea to get one here. For the rest of us, just take things slowly. Climb and ascend slowly and don’t over-exert yourself and you’ll be fine.

After alighting from the tram, it was about 1.5 hours for a round trip up to Huang Long and back to the tram station. Besides the tram, there is also a walking option from the cable car station that would take about 3.2km to the start of this hike. For large groups like ours, especially with older folks like us, it is definitely recommended to take the tram and leave the energy for this final 1.5 hours hike.

For the full details of our trip to Huang Long, visit...

Huanglong, located in the Minshan Mountains of Sichuan Province, is a stunning natural wonder renowned for its colorful travertine pools, snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and rich biodiversity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Huanglong means “Yellow Dragon,” named after the golden-colored calcite deposits that resemble a dragon winding through the valley.

The highlight of Huanglong is its terraced limestone pools, filled with crystal-clear, turquoise waters that shift colors with sunlight and minerals. These surreal pools, set against a backdrop of lush greenery and towering mountains, create a breathtaking landscape that looks almost otherworldly.

Beyond the pools, visitors can explore ancient temples, serene hiking trails, and witness rare wildlife like the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey in the surrounding forests. The altitude here is over 3,000 meters, so visitors should be prepared for the thinner air and walk slowly to acclimate.

Accessible from Jiuzhaigou or Chengdu, Huanglong is best visited in spring or autumn when the colors are most vibrant. The area is well-preserved, with a focus on sustainability and respect for its sacred Tibetan heritage.

Huanglong is truly a hidden gem — a peaceful, magical place that captivates nature lovers, photographers, and spiritual...