Huanglong 3-Day Summer Escape Guide

Sichuan · Huanglong 3 Days 2 Nights Travel Guide (Budget 5000 RMB)
— A Journey to the Heavenly Pool and Cloud Wonderland
Duration: 3 days 2 nights
Budget: 5000 RMB (comfortable solo trip)
Best Season: June to October (summer cooling, autumn colorful forests)
Transportation: Flight + private car/scenic area shuttle bus
✈️ Day 1: Chengdu → Huanglong, acclimate to the plateau
🚗 Transportation
Chengdu → Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport: early flight (1 hour, ticket about 800-1200 RMB), then private car to Huanglong Scenic Area (1.5 hours, 200-300 RMB).
Alternative: Take a bus from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station to Songpan (6 hours, 150 RMB), then transfer to Huanglong (1 hour, 50 RMB).
🏨 Accommodation
Recommended: Hotels near Huanglong Scenic Area (such as "Seruo International Hotel" or budget "Huanglong Mountain Villa"), budget 400-700 RMB/
Morning: Rest upon arrival, acclimate to altitude (Huanglong Scenic Area altitude 3000-3500 meters, avoid strenuous exercise).
Afternoon: Leisurely visit Chuanzhusi Town (free, Tibetan Buddhist temple + plateau town scenery).
Evening: Taste Tibetan yak meat hotpot (80-100 RMB per person), prepare oxygen bottle and Rhodiola.
💰 Daily expenses: Transportation 1000 RMB + Accommodation 600 RMB + Meals 150 RMB = 1750 RMB
🏔️ Day 2: In-depth tour of Huanglong core scenic area
🎫 Tickets
Huanglong ticket + uphill cable car: 250 RMB/person (peak season price), recommended to take cable car up and walk down.
Morning:
Take cable car to Wanglongping, hike 1 hour to Five-Color Pool (Huanglong’s highlight, calcified pools showing blue-green-yellow gradient under sunlight).
Along the way, photograph Huanglong Ancient Temple, Zhenyan Pool (rich color layers).
Noon: Bring your own snacks or replenish energy at scenic area shops (recommended to bring chocolate, thermos).
Afternoon:
Walk down the mountain, visit Jinsha Pudi (golden calcified beach) and Bonsai Pool (mini calcified pools).
If physically fit, detour to Feipu Liuhui to feel the coolness of the snow mountain waterfall.
📸 Photo spots: Five-Color Pool, Jinsha Pudi, Huanglong Ancient Temple (snow mountain background).
🍜 Dinner: Sichuan restaurant near hotel (50-70 RMB per person), rest early to relieve fatigue.
💰 Daily expenses: Tickets 250 RMB + Meals 120 RMB + Accommodation 600 RMB = 970 RMB
🌄 Day 3: Songpan Ancient Town / Muni Valley + Return
🚗 Transportation
Private car from Huanglong → Songpan Ancient Town (1 hour, about 150 RMB) or Muni Valley (2 hours, 200 RMB), then transfer to airport.
Songpan Ancient Town:
Free to explore Tang Dynasty ancient city walls, streets blending Tibetan and Qiang cultures, experience the history of the Tea Horse Road.
Muni Valley (ticket 70 RMB):
A lesser-known secret spot, featuring the "Erdao Sea" calcified lake and Zaga Waterfall (few people, beautiful scenery).
✈️ Return: Afternoon flight back to Chengdu (ticket 800-1200 RMB).
💰 Daily expenses: Transportation 1000 RMB + Tickets 70 RMB + Meals 100 RMB = 1170 RMB
Transportation: Round-trip airfare 2000 RMB + local private car/shuttle 800 RMB = 2800 RMB
Accommodation: 2 nights about 1200 RMB
Tickets: Huanglong 250 RMB + Muni Valley 70 RMB = 320 RMB
Meals: About 400 RMB for 3 days
Others: Oxygen bottle/medicines etc. 200 RMB
✅ Total: About 5000 RMB (±10% fluctuation)
Altitude sickness: Huanglong is high altitude, move slowly, prepare oxygen bottle (sold in scenic area for 30-50 RMB/can).
Clothing: Summer requires a windbreaker (big temperature difference morning and night), winter needs anti-slip shoes (boardwalk may have ice).
Environmental protection: Calcified pools are fragile, do not step on or litter.
🌟 Travel highlights: Huanglong’s calcification wonders rival Jiuzhaigou, combined with Songpan Ancient Town or Muni Valley, the 3-day itinerary is relaxed and suitable for travelers seeking niche and in-depth experiences! (If budget is tight, take the bus to save over 1000 RMB)
Wish you a pleasant trip!