Wow, this is truly a photographer's paradise!

Huanglong Travel Guide:

✅ How to Get There
✈️(1) By Air
- Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH): About 1 hour drive to Huanglong, limited flights (direct flights from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, etc.)
- Airport → Huanglong: Private car (approx. CNY 300-400) or shared car (approx. CNY 100/person)

(2) By Bus
- Chengdu → Huanglong:
- Bus: Chadianzi Station → Songpan/Chuanzhusi (about 6-7 hours), then transfer to Huanglong
- Self-driving: Chengdu → Wenchuan → Maoxian → Songpan → Huanglong (about 6-7 hours, good road conditions)
- Jiuzhaigou → Huanglong: About 2-3 hours by car (shared or private car available)

(3) Group Tour
- 2-3 day tours from Chengdu/Jiuzhaigou (includes transportation and accommodation, perfect for convenience)

✅ Must-See Attractions
(1) Five-Colored Pool (Huanglong's core attraction)
- Altitude 3,900m, hundreds of travertine pools, displaying blue, green, yellow colors in sunlight
- Best photo time: Before 10am (soft light, fewer tourists)

(2) Huanglong Temple
- Ming Dynasty temple, backed by snow mountains, overlooks Five-Colored Pool

(3) Zhengyan Pool
- Second largest after Five-Colored Pool, rich in pool colors, perfect for leisurely viewing

(4) Golden Sand Floor
- Golden travertine beach flows like "dragon scales," glittering in sunlight

(5) Mouni Valley (optional)
- Hidden gem near Huanglong, less crowded, features waterfalls and pristine forest

✅ Recommended Routes
(1) Easy Version (cable car + walking)
1. Cable car up (CNY 80) → 2km walk to Five-Colored Pool → Huanglong Temple → walk down (about 4km, 3 hours)
2. Suitable for those with average fitness or altitude sickness

(2) Full Hiking Version (challenging)
- Entrance → Five-Colored Pool → Huanglong Temple → Exit (about 7km, 4-5 hours)
- Perfect for photographers, allows in-depth appreciation of travertine pools

✅ Altitude Sickness Prevention
- Preparation: Rhodiola (take 1 week in advance), oxygen bottles (available at scenic area, CNY 20-30/bottle)
- Tips:
- Walk slowly, avoid strenuous exercise
- Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol
- Bring chocolate and glucose for energy
- Emergency: If severe dizziness or vomiting occurs, descend immediately or seek medical help

✅ Accommodation Recommendations
- Chuanzhusi Town (30 minutes from Huanglong): Good value, convenient dining (Recommended: Minjiang Haoting Hotel)
- Songpan County (1 hour from Huanglong): Rich in Tibetan and Qiang culture (Recommended: Songpan Ancient Town Inn)
- Jiuzhaigou (2 hours from Huanglong): Good for combined trips (Recommended: InterContinental Resort Jiuzhai Paradise)

✅ Food Recommendations
- Yak meat hotpot: Local specialty, helps warm up and combat altitude sickness
- Butter tea/highland barley wine: Tibetan flavors
- Songpan yogurt: Rich taste, great for cleansing the palate

Classic Itinerary Suggestion
Day 1: Chengdu → Songpan (stay in Chuanzhusi)
Day 2: Huanglong day tour → Jiuzhaigou (stay at entrance)
Day 3: Jiuzhaigou tour → Return

Huanglong is nature's masterpiece, whether it's the dreamlike colors of the pools or the majestic snow mountains, it's worth experiencing in person. 🏔️✨