Hey LeoSquad! Exploring Huanglong was unlike any trip I’ve taken before. It began on a rainy morning in Chéngdū (成都) and led us through crowded train stations, endless queues, and winding mountain roads. The challenges were real altitude sickness, two-hour waits, tired legs, but standing before Huánglóng (黄龙)’s breathtaking scenery and colorful travertine pools made every struggle worth the experience.

Before you scroll further, make sure to check out our Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide: Magical Valley article. Perfect for planning your journey to Jiǔzhàigōu (九寨沟).

👉Want to see me Exploring Huanglong? Watch my 60s short here:

Starting the Journey in Chéngdū (成都)

Our trip to Huánglóng (黄龙) started with a drizzly morning in Chéngdū (成都). The rain didn’t slow the city down one bit streets were packed, zebra crossings overflowing with umbrellas, and people rushing in every direction. We were heading the same way as thousands of others, determined to catch our train on time.

People walking in zebra cross

To make the journey easier, we left our big luggage at a hotel near Chengdu (成都) East Railway Station—thanks to a little help from my mom’s friend. Another option, is to store your bags at the Huanglong (黄龙) Tourist Center, located right at the main entrance. That way, you don’t have to haul heavy luggage up in Huanglong.

Huánglóng (黄龙) tourist center

With just our essentials, we walked through the bustling streets to the massive Chéngdū (成都) East Railway Station, one of the busiest in all of China.

Chéngdū (成都) East Railway Station

Boarding the Bullet Train

Standing inside this gigantic station, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. The high-speed train to Ābà (阿坝) Prefecture (C5792, coach 10) was already buzzing with travelers. As the doors opened, the crowd moved like ants, everyone eager to board.

Our train to Ābà (阿坝) Prefecture

At exactly 10:29, right on schedule, our train pulled out of Chengdu (成都)—336 kilometers ahead, just two hours to go. Always arrive at least an hour early for your train! The ride was ultra-smooth, with wide seats, big windows, and plenty of legroom. Mom had peeled some pomegranate for us, and we dug into the snacks we’d picked up the night before. I thought I’d grabbed an egg tart, but it turned out to be a cheesy sponge cake. At least the real egg tart didn’t disappoint! The supermarket where we run to the night before had us covered—not just for the train ride, but also for snacks to enjoy later in Jiuzhaigou.

Cheesy sponge cake

We even tried the on-train meal, stir-fried pork with beans and braised pork belly. Price start at 55 RMB, but not too bad for a speeding lunch.

As the train zoomed through Sìchuān (四川)’s hills, I thought about how incredible this was. Just a year ago, getting to Jiǔzhàigōu (九寨沟) or Huánglóng (黄龙) took hours of winding bus rides. Now, thanks to the new HuánglóngJiǔzhài (黄龙九寨) Railway Station (opened in August 2024), we could be there in a fraction of the time.

Stunning landscape view

Arrival at HuánglóngJiǔzhài (黄龙九寨) Railway Station

HuánglóngJiǔzhài (黄龙九寨) Railway Station entrance view

Two hours later, we stepped off into crisp, high-altitude air—over 3,000 meters above sea level. The station was crowded with tour groups, including ours. We had signed up for a 3-day Jiǔzhàigōu (九寨沟)–Huánglóng (黄龙) package through my mom’s tour guide. If you’re heading to Huanglong or Jiuzhaigou by shuttle bus, just take the escalator up, turn right, and you’ll see a pool of buses waiting. Ask the staff which one is heading your way.

Almost immediately, altitude sickness hit one elderly traveler in our group, and the whole bus had to wait while an ambulance came. It was a stark reminder: the thin air here is no joke.

Travelers helping an elderly man

Our bus wound through the mountains as the tour guide kept us entertained with endless stories, tips, and even Tibetan greetings. “Yashidele (བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས),” she said, was the word we’d hear everywhere: like a blessing or hello. The response, “Yashidele xiu,” meant blessings to you too 😊.

The Endless Queue to Huánglóng (黄龙)

Finally, after more than an hour’s drive, we reached Huánglóng (黄龙). We arrived in the afternoon and before the adventure began, we had to face the infamous queue for the cable car. Two hours of waiting, standing in drizzle, legs aching, people pushing.

Snacks saved us. We ate cassava, boiled eggs, sausage, and corn while waiting. By the time we finally reached the cable car, it felt like finishing a marathon. Eight people crammed into one cabin and then like magic, we rose into misty mountains, surrounded by drizzle and pine-covered slopes.

Cable car ride

A Dreamlike Landscape

Observation Deck

At the top, Huánglóng (黄龙) revealed itself in fog and mystery. Pines disappeared into thick mist, squirrels darted between trees (beware, they bite!), and beard lichens known as “old man’s beard” hung from branches, it’s an indicator of the region’s pristine air.

Beard lichens

Walking further, the sound of rushing water led us to Huánglóng (黄龙)’s famous travertine pools. It was surreal. Turquoise and golden basins shimmered in the fading light, formed over thousands of years by mineral deposits. The clarity of the water, the reflections of the surrounding nature. It looked like glass painted by sunlight.

🎫 Want to see these magical travertine pools in real life?

We didn’t have time to see everything but our guide urged us to skip the Five-Color Pool at the very top to save energy for Jiǔzhàigōu (九寨沟) the next day. If you want to see the FIve Color Pool , you can book the shuttle bus via wechat. Still, the pools we did see were worth every step.

Five-color pools view; Source: asiaodysseytravel

Huánglóng (黄龙) Map

The cable car ride up costs 80 RMB per person, and you can buy the tickets on-site.
But for the scenic shuttle bus in Huanglong, it’s only available on WeChat — so make sure to book early.

After getting off the cable car, you’ll find the shuttle bus station nearby. The scenic bus takes you closer to the Five-Color Pond, turning a 2 km walk into a quick 5-minute ride.

To hike down, it’s about 3.7 km, taking roughly 1.5 hours on foot.

Tibetan Dinner and a Well-Earned Rest

By evening, darkness was falling as we rushed back to the bus. Our last stop was dinner at a Tibetan restaurant: steaming hotpot, potatoes, and meat-based soups to warm us up. Locals broke into song and dance, filling the room with music and joy. Even though it was part of the “tour package,” the atmosphere felt genuine, Tibetan culture woven into every moment.

People singing in Tibetan Restaurant

Exhausted, we finally checked into our hotel. The room was simple but cozy, and after a long day of walking more than 10,000 steps at high altitude, the bed felt like pure luxury.

Howard Johnson Tianyuan Resort entrance view

Just me and this comfy bed

💼 Book your stay here — safe, simple, and flexible with free cancellation.

Reflections and Takeaways

Looking back, Huánglóng (黄龙) was breathtaking but demanding. Here are my takeaways for anyone planning a trip:

🌅 Visit Huánglóng (黄龙) & Jiǔzhàigōu (九寨沟) in the morning for the best sunlight, the colors look most vivid!
🎒 Pack Light: Seriously, you don’t want to be lugging around a heavy backpack.
👟 Comfy Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must!
🚶 If you miss the scenic bus in Huánglóng (黄龙), be ready for a steep 3 km uphill hike
⛰️ Altitude can be tough so pace yourself and stay hydrated.
🏨 Accommodation: For convenience, stay around Zhāngzhā (漳扎镇) Town. Taxis are readily available and affordable (20-30 RMB) for getting around.

If you’re young, fit, and adventurous, you might prefer traveling independently buying your train and entrance tickets online, staying in Zhāngzhā (漳扎镇) Town, and setting your own pace. But for me, traveling with my mom, the tour was the best option.

Despite the challenges, Huánglóng (黄龙)’s travertine pools were one of the most magical sights I’ve ever seen. A reminder that nature, patience, and resilience create the most unforgettable journeys.

Travertine pools

Me posing at the travertine pools

Would I do it again? Maybe with an oxygen pump and an earlier start.

That’s it for this blog post! If you found this helpful, give it a thumbs up! See you in the next post! Love you all! Thank you!

Travel Deeper, Eat Bolder, Live the Moments, and Follow the Trails.

Bye Bye!

👉Watch The Full Video Here: