CHINA 5A TRAVEL
Take the cable up, walk the ridge to Five-Color Pond, then descend the full boardwalk past every terrace - 4-5 km downhill total, saving the climb and ending at the Welcome Pools near the exit.
Suggested Itinerary
- First cable up
Beat the midday tour groups to the summit pools; the ridge path from the top station is flat spruce shade. - Five-Color Pond & Huanglong Temple
The valley's climax at 3,576 m - linger while the morning light is low and the colors saturate. - Descend the Pool Terraces
Boardwalk down past the Competing-Colors cascade and Bathing Cave - the busiest, most photogenic stretch. - Gold Sand Shoal
The golden slope section; rivulets cross underfoot on stone stepping points. - Welcome Pools & exit
The lowest terraces by the gate - bus back to Chuanzhusi or on to Jiuzhaigou.
What to See
Five-Color Pond from the temple terrace
The overview of the summit cluster - the classic postcard.
Competing-Colors cascade
Terrace on terrace of gold-green water spilling stair-step downward.
Gold Sand Shoal at noon
Direct overhead light sets the whole slope glowing.
Huanglong Middle Temple
A smaller, quieter temple mid-valley under old pines.
Ridge forest walk
Moss, spruce and gentian along the cable-side trail - the valley's green counterpoint.
Xuebaoding snow dome
The 5,588 m summit looming over the upper valley on clear days.
Photo Gallery
Tips from Real Travelers
Food & Drink
Songpan yak meat
Dried and braised yak from the old garrison town nearby.
Tibetan butter tea
The valley gates' standard warmth at 3,000 m.
Chuanzhusi town hotpot
The rail-station town's evening default before the return train.
Songpan street lamb
The old garrison town's Tibetan-Hui food streets grill lamb skewers and ladle soups late into the evening.
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