Natural site · SICHUAN · UNESCO
Huanglong
黄龙 · Huánglóng
About
UNESCO-listed travertine-pool valley near Jiuzhaigou, but at higher altitude (3,160–3,580m). Five-Coloured Pond at the top is the headline view.
Huanglong — Yellow Dragon — is a high-altitude valley in the Min Mountains of northern Sichuan, approximately 100 kilometres from Jiuzhaigou and typically visited in combination with it. The valley floor is carpeted with travertine terrace pools formed by calcium-carbonate-rich spring water flowing down a gentle gradient from 3,580 metres at the top to 3,160 metres at the valley entrance — a sequence of roughly 3,400 pools in varying sizes, separated by low travertine lips. UNESCO listed Huanglong in 1992. The name refers to the yellow-gold travertine deposits that, seen from above, suggest the scales of a dragon descending the mountain.
The pools change colour according to depth, mineral content, algae, and the angle of light: turquoise, milky blue, golden yellow, and pale green are all present within short distances of each other. The Five-Coloured Pond (Wucaichi) at the upper end of the valley — a large pool with particularly varied colour zoning — is the headline viewpoint and the destination of the main trail. The walk from the valley entrance to the Five-Coloured Pond takes two to three hours uphill at this altitude; a cable car from the valley entrance reaches the upper section in fifteen minutes, after which a shorter walk leads to the pond. Most visitors take the cable car up and walk back down, which allows viewing the pools on the descent with the light in a more useful direction.
Altitude is the dominant practical consideration at Huanglong. The entrance sits at over 3,100 metres and the Five-Coloured Pond at 3,580 metres; visitors coming directly from lowland cities — as most do, arriving via Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport at 3,448 metres, one of the highest commercial airports in the world — should expect some degree of altitude effect. Oxygen canisters are sold at the entrance and used frequently. The valley is closed roughly October to April when snow makes the travertine paths inaccessible. The Tibetan temple complex at the upper end of the valley, Huanglong Temple, is a minor addition to the geology as the main draw.
How to get there
From Jiuzhaigou airport or Songpan; combine with Jiuzhaigou.
When to visit
May–October. Closed in winter due to snow.
UNESCO inscription
“Situated in the north-west of Sichuan Province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.”
Gallery
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does Huanglong cost to visit?
- Adult entry to Huanglong is ¥170, ¥85 for children. Plus cable car ¥80.
- When is Huanglong open?
- Huanglong opening hours: 7:30am–5pm.
- How long do you need at Huanglong?
- Allow 6–8 hours for Huanglong. Add buffer time if you plan to visit at peak season or include nearby sights in the same trip.
- When is the best time to visit Huanglong?
- May–October. Closed in winter due to snow.
- How do you get to Huanglong?
- From Jiuzhaigou airport or Songpan; combine with Jiuzhaigou.
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