Things to do in Songpan

Huanglong: Hidden Gems of Colorful Pools Beneath Jiuzhaigou's Halo It's often said that Jiuzhaigou's fame overshadows Huanglong's stunning beauty. Having just witnessed Jiuzhaigou's turquoise waters, I initially thought Huanglong wouldn't offer much, until I saw the mountainsides ablaze with colorful pools. I realized I almost missed this fairyland because of its reputation. If driving, be wary of parking traps. Don't directly navigate to parking lots; instead, locate the ticket office and find a spot nearby to avoid unnecessary detours. There's a free shuttle bus from the ticket office to the cable car station. The electric shuttle bus up the mountain costs 15 yuan one way and 20 yuan round trip. If you're physically fit, a one-way ticket is sufficient, as most of Huanglong's most scenic spots are hidden along the downhill boardwalk. Taking the cable car up, layers of coniferous forests spread across the mountains, a tapestry of dark green and golden yellow, the air crisp and clear. Turning a corner, the Five-Colored Pools unexpectedly come into view. The entire hillside is divided into countless pools by travertine terraces, their colors gradually shifting from milky white, pale yellow, mint green, to sapphire blue. Dead trees stand in the water, sunlight filtering through, making each pool shimmer. In the distance, the Huanglong Ancient Temple lies quietly in the mountain hollow, its plaque read three times. From above, the milky-yellow travertine resembles a dragon's spine, and the colorful pools resemble dragon scales—the name "Huanglong" becomes clear. Descending the mountain along the wooden boardwalk, the scenery is breathtaking. The "Contending for Beauty" pool changes colors in layers, while the "Bonsai Pool" is naturally formed with dead trees and dwarf pines, like a bonsai sculpted by nature. The most stunning sight is the "Golden Sands"—a vast expanse of golden travertine beach washed over by flowing water, its surface shimmering like flowing gold under the sunlight. The "Washing Cave" and "Lotus Terrace Waterfall" unfold before your eyes, culminating in the "Welcoming Pool," a pool of clear water that gently concludes the journey. The entire hike takes about four hours. Although my legs were sore, the colorful pools, golden beaches, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains were all within sight. Huanglong loses out in terms of fame; if you only focus on the magnificent travertine landscape of this valley, it's truly exceptional. Scenery itself has no inherent superiority or inferiority; there's no need to rank them. I was fortunate enough to witness this vibrant pool at Huanglong, making my trip to western Sichuan worthwhile.

Returning to Chengdu from Jiuzhaigou, I took the high-speed rail in Songpan and rested for a while in the ancient city. There are many mushroom sellers in the ancient city, and they can also take you to pick mushrooms. It is a very distinctive town in western Sichuan.

After leaving the crowded Jiuzhaigou, we rested for a day in Songpan before heading to Mouni Valley, known as "Little Jiuzhaigou." We had a combined ticket and first visited Erdaohai. No tickets were needed; we just swiped our ID cards. The scenery was beautiful, with clear blue skies and fresh air. Unfortunately, the water level was low, and many lakes were almost dry, diminishing the scenic value. However, this didn't detract from the hiking and fresh air. The entire hike took 2.5 hours, with gentle, easy steps. There are no shops inside the scenic area, but there are vending machines and hot water dispensers at the entrance. Please bring enough water or snacks. After exiting, drive 30 minutes to Zhaga Waterfall. You can drive directly into the scenic area. There are two entrances, A and B, both with parking. It's a loop. We entered from entrance A at the bottom, walked uphill for 1 hour, then turned right to reach the viewing platform at the top of the waterfall. The scenery was beautiful. It took half an hour to descend and exit from entrance B. From there, it's a 10-minute walk along the boardwalk to the parking lot. If you have elderly people or children who don't want to walk, you can choose to enter from entrance B. Take photos at the top of the waterfall and return the same way. It's not tiring, but you won't see the cascading waterfalls. Overall, this season is good – not too hot, not too cold – and you can enjoy the mountains, water, and trees.

This is not only a stopover and supply station for trips to Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Hongyuan Grasslands, and Ruoergai Flower Lake, but also houses the Long March Monument, a monument unlike any other commemorative structure. The monument garden is vast, rich in content, and offers captivating scenery.

Huanglong Scenic area,30 minute drive north of Songpan on the G213. I had heard I could visit either Huanglong or Jiuzhaigou park as they are similar,this is not true, each park has It's own beauty and they re totally different. Huanglong's calcium terraces are breath taking,iIf you have ever visited Pamukale in Turkey, Huanglong bears the beauty of the making of the natural wonder.We first climb the mountain via the cable car.🎟250 RMB including one way cable car.🚶the total hike is just over 4km. Do take it slow, the park reaches altitude of 3800m above sea level. at the beginning there is a bit of a climb using stairs, until you reach the temple and the Five colour pond (Wucai), then its all down from there ↘️ if visiting early in the morning, take a light jacket as in summer temp can start at 5-7C and reach 20-25C at midday.Just before you turn off the G213 into Huanglong Natural park, take.some.time to wander the village full of culture and history.🚗If you continue to drive down route 213 all the way to Chengdu, you will be rewarded with beautiful villages like Songpan, Mao and Wenchuan, DO NOT rush this route it is stunning

💎 Changing Color Lake: At an altitude of approximately 4200 meters, the lakes, due to varying mineral content and water depth, display different colors under the sunlight, ranging from emerald green to azure blue and jade green. In the morning, it's like a highlight; in autumn, colorful forests surround the lake, and the reflection of snow-capped mountains is like a mirror. Best viewing time: May to October; wildflowers bloom from June to August; and the colorful forests are most photogenic from September to October. 🏔️ Sacred Mountain Buff: Xuebaoding, at an altitude of 5588 meters, is known as the "Eastern Conch Mountain" in Tibetan and is one of the seven sacred mountains of the Bon religion in Tibet. The route traverses primeval forests, and with luck, you might encounter blue sheep, snow chickens, and yaks grazing on alpine pastures. 🥾 Hiking Challenge: The one-way hike from Xueshan Liangzi to the lake takes 6-8 hours, followed by a 3-4 hour loop around the lake. For those with heavy packs, the route starts at Songlinpo, crosses a 4400-meter pass, camps by the lake, and descends via pastures the next day, a total distance of approximately 20 kilometers. A guide is essential, and only those with high-altitude trekking experience should attempt this route. Pack your own tsampa and yak jerky for a hearty and authentic meal. 🐎 Horseback Riding: Worried about leg strain? Horseback riding is the way to go. A Songpan horse team carries your gear as you ride through canyons, grasslands, and forests. Camp in the valley; your guide can cook delicious meals like noodle soup, fried dough sticks, and pumpkin rice in a single pot – a truly heartwarming experience. ⛺ Stargazing Room: The lake campsite is at approximately 4300 meters, with no light pollution and crystal-clear starry skies. No open fires allowed; bring your own low-temperature gear and dry rations. 📸 Best Photo Spots: Sunrise at dawn offers the purest views of the lake, while sunset captures the golden light of the setting sun on the mountains. In winter, if you don't want to hike, a trip to Xueshan Liangzi to see the snow-capped mountains and yaks can be easily done in 2-3 hours. 🍲 Recharge with a meal: Head down to Songpan Ancient Town. Yak meat hot pot/Tibetan-style earthen hot pot is a top choice; freshly sliced ​​yak meat with wild mushrooms is a direct energy booster. On the street, try grilled yak meat skewers, potato cakes, and Tibetan yogurt. Also, enjoy butter tea with tsampa. The ancient town also offers butter lattes and barley lattes – a fun and traditional coffee experience. 🗺️ Combined itineraries: Combine Huanglong, Songpan Ancient Town, and Jiuzhaigou in a 2-3 day trip; in winter, visit Mouni Valley to see the icefalls. ⚠️ Don't rush: This isn't a quick stop; a guide is necessary. Be prepared for altitude sickness, sunburn, and bring warm clothing. The lakes are free, but guides cost approximately 300-500 yuan per day. The beauty of the Five-Colored Lake is reserved for those who truly appreciate its charm.

The Min River boasts not only magnificent natural scenery but also a profound legacy of revolutionary history. Therefore, upon reaching its source, one feels a reverence for nature and a spark of revolutionary passion. As the source of the Min River, the verdant mountains and green grasses, embracing the azure waters and blue skies, evokes a sense of urgency and a desire to forge ahead.

I think the Zhengyan Pond is more beautiful than the colorful stones because its color is pure, blue as pure as that, and gradually becomes one with the sky. It makes you feel very healed.

Although the snow has not melted in March, which is the dry season, it does not affect the beauty of Huanglong. Huanglong in winter is even more special. It is recommended to take the cable car or sightseeing bus up the mountain and walk down the mountain.

The Minjiang River source is located at a high altitude, but many people don't know about it and not many people go there. Therefore, the air quality is very good, and the mountain scenery is also nice, with blue sky, green grass and clear water. It feels very comfortable there, just like a plateau in the world. However, I don't suffer from altitude sickness, because I have lived on a plateau at an altitude of about 2,000 meters all year round, so I am more adapted to high altitudes. People in plain areas need to pay attention to preventing altitude sickness.