Is Huanglong Scenic Area Worth Visiting? Don't Make the Mistakes I Made!

Huanglong Main Valley Core Attractions Colorful Pools (Elevation 3576m): The world's largest travertine colored pool cluster with 693 pools that change from blue to green, gold, and purple with the light. Recommended to photograph before 10:00 AM to capture the mirror effect with morning mist. Huanglong Ancient Temple: A Ming Dynasty Tibetan Buddhist temple with three different plaques reading "Huanglong Ancient Temple," "Flying Pavilion Flowing Cinnabar," and "Mountains Empty, Waters Blue." Backed by snow mountains and colorful pools, it's a perfect blend of cultural and natural beauty. Competing Beauty Pools: 658 colorful pools resembling a palette. Recommended to photograph in the afternoon with backlight to capture the transparent water. Flying Waterfall: A 10-meter-high travertine waterfall with water flowing like silver chains, perfect for slow shutter photography. 2. Muni Valley Secret Area Zhaga Waterfall (included in the general admission ticket): China's highest travertine waterfall (104 meters), where you can experience the spectacular "pearls falling on jade plate" water mist phenomenon up close. Erdaohai: Currently closed (under ecological conservation). 3. Red Culture Experience Red Army Long March Memorial Monument Garden: Open 9:00-17:30, featuring 3D technology to recreate Long March scenes. Recommended to visit along with Songpan Ancient Town. Driving and Transportation Guide From Chengdu (recommended route): Route: Chengdu → Du-Wen Expressway → Wenchuan → Maoxian → Songpan → Huanglong (about 8 hours, 440 kilometers) Highlights along the way: Wenchuan Earthquake Site, Maoxian Qiang Town, Songpan Ancient Town (recommended to stop and experience Tibetan and Qiang cultures) From Chongqing: 4-hour high-speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station, then transfer to direct shuttle bus to the scenic area (47 yuan one-way) Parking Recommendations: Parking Lot No. 2 (free shuttle to cable car station), walking downhill leads directly to the parking lot Plateau Survival Guide Altitude Sickness Prevention: Avoid strenuous exercise on the first day; free oxygen stations available in the scenic area (at 3500m elevation) Recommended to bring glucose oral solution and altitude sickness medication (available in Songpan County) Clothing Recommendations: Large temperature variations in April (0-24°C), use the three-layer dressing method (moisture-wicking base layer + fleece + windproof jacket) Must bring non-slip shoes (boardwalks may have residual snow) and sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness) Food and Accommodation Recommendations Special Cuisine: Butter Momo (Hongwu Restaurant): Songpan's signature snack, crispy outside and soft inside Yak Hot Pot (Tianyuankui Restaurant): Charcoal-heated copper pot with highland yak meat Hand-pulled Lamb (Songpan Ancient Town): More authentic when eaten with chili powder Accommodation Options: Seercuo International Hotel (600 meters from the cable car): Best for stargazing, low-season rates around 500 yuan per night Songpan Ancient Town Homestays: Experience Tibetan watchtower architecture, recommend "Cloud Tibetan Home" Photography and Exclusive Tips Golden Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to photograph morning mist at the Colorful Pools (requires reservation for second entry) After 4:00 PM at Hongxia Platform to capture sunset on golden mountains (framing snow mountains and colored pools together) Equipment Recommendations: Bring telephoto lens (70-200mm) to compress the space between snow mountains and colored pools Drone flying restrictions (prohibited from May to October), advance registration required