National park · China
Huanglongsi National ParkVườn quốc gia Hoàng Long
Visit Huanglongsi in a day: take the boardwalk to the colored pools (4 h round‑trip) for ¥40 entry, or use the seasonal cable car (check) for a quicker ascent.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
- Area is small (≈12 km²) covering the mountain and its mineral pools; figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Hoàng Long National Park protects a limestone mountain with colorful mineral pools, waterfalls and a summit temple, offering an easy boardwalk hike and a seasonal cable car.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²) · national park since 1992
Area is small (≈12 km²) covering the mountain and its mineral pools; figures may vary by source.
Why go
- Boardwalk through colorful mineral pools and limestone formations.
- Temple at the summit with panoramic views.
- Seasonal cable car reduces climb time.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear.
- FebCold, fewer tourists.
- MarSpring thaw, trails open.
- AprPeak season, cable car runs.
- MayWarm, good visibility.
- JunRain possible, trails muddy.
- JulSummer heat, occasional storms.
- AugHot, occasional rain.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctAutumn colors, still cable car.
- NovCool, early snow possible.
- DecCold, snow may limit views.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SquirrelsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Ticket office, visitor centre, start of boardwalk. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Boardwalk trail | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) wooden path to colored pools and summit temple.2.6 mi (4.2 km) wooden path to colored pools and summit temple. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cable car station | Operates Apr–Nov, lifts visitors to high point. | Ticketed separately. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (boardwalk) | CNY 40 (≈ US$6) | person | Includes boardwalk; cable car extra (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Camping
- Not permitted; day‑use only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Jiuzhaigou town
Hotels, hostels, guesthouses.
Safety
Altitude medium
Slippery boardwalk low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boardwalk is level but wooden; not wheelchair‑friendly.
- Cable car provides easier access for limited mobility (check).
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile limestone formations.
- Bring reusable water bottle; buy food in Jiuzhaigou, not at summit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Huanglongsi National Park?
Entry to the boardwalk costs ¥40 per person; the cable car is extra and runs seasonally.
What are the best hikes in Huanglongsi National Park?
The 4.2 km boardwalk to the colored pools and summit temple is the main trail; a seasonal cable car shortens the ascent.
When is the best time to visit Huanglongsi National Park?
April to October offers mild weather and the cable car service; winter is cold but still accessible.
Can I stay overnight in the park?
No; the park is day‑use only. Stay in nearby Jiuzhaigou town.
Is a guide required?
No, the boardwalk is self‑guided; a guide is only needed for off‑trail activities (none offered).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Huanglongsi National Park
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