When planning a visit to Huanglong, one of the most critical steps is securing your ticket in advance. The park operates a real-name online reservation system with a daily visitor limit, and tickets—especially during the peak season from June to December—often sell out ahead of time. Many travelers only realize this after arriving and are forced to change their plans. Understanding how Huanglong ticket booking works, including pricing, official platforms, and entry requirements, is essential if you want a smooth and stress-free visit.
Details of Huanglong Scenic Area Ticket Prices
You need to confirm the ticket fees before visiting. The prices are divided into peak season and off season, and the specific standards are as follows:
- Peak season (June 1 to December 15): 170 CNY per person
- Off season (December 16 to May 31 of the next year): 60 CNY per person
There are cableways and sightseeing buses in the scenic area to reduce walking physical exertion, and the prices are calculated separately:
- Upbound cableway: 80 CNY per person
- Downbound cableway: 40 CNY per person
- Sightseeing bus: 20 CNY per person
The altitude of Huanglong ranges from 3,100 meters to 3,576 meters. The walking route from the scenic area entrance to the Colorful Pond is an uphill section. Most tourists choose the route of “upbound cableway + walking downhill”: take the cableway to the Colorful Pond area, then walk downhill along the plank road to enjoy scenic spots such as Zhengyan Pond and Jinsha Pudi. This plan balances physical strength and complete sightseeing.
The cableway is out of service during the off season (December 16 to March 31 of the next year). A full hike is required for visiting during this period, so please make physical preparation in advance.
Colorful Pond of Huanglong Scenic Area
Official Channels for Huanglong Scenic Area Ticket Booking
Ticket booking for Huanglong Scenic Area must be done through official channels. The scenic area implements full online real-name ticket purchasing, and there are no ticket windows on site. Tickets purchased from unofficial channels cannot be used for entry.
The officially recognized booking channels are as follows:
- Search for the official account “Huanglong”on WeChat and follow it, click the reservation entrance in the bottom menu, and operate as prompted.
- Search for the WeChat mini-program “Aba Tourism Network”, select “Huanglong Scenic Area”and fill in real-name information to buy tickets.
- Log in to the official website of Aba Tourism Network (www.abatour.com) to buy tickets directly on a computer or mobile phone.
Tickets for Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou belong to different systems, and you need to book separately if you visit both. The daily ticket quota is limited, so please buy tickets online in advance. Eligible special groups can choose the corresponding preferential ticket types.
Detailed Steps for Huanglong Scenic Area Ticket Booking
Take the official WeChat account as an example, the complete operation process of Huanglong Scenic Area ticket booking is listed below:
- Open WeChat, search for and follow the “Huanglong”official account.
- Click “Travel Tickets”in the bottom menu bar and select “Ticket Booking”.
- Select “Huanglong Scenic Area”from the scenic area list.
- Choose the travel date and entry time slot.
- Fill in the full name and document number of each visitor.
- Complete online payment.
- After successful payment, take a screenshot of the QR code on the order page. Scan the code directly to enter the scenic area upon arrival.
If you fail to buy tickets online and have arrived within 40 kilometers near Huanglong Scenic Area, you can try the official waiting list reservation function. The system automatically allocates returned tickets in the order of applications. Successful waiting list applicants can enter the scenic area, and unsuccessful applications will be fully refunded.
Ticket Booking and Entry for Visitors with Passports and Taiwan Compatriot Certificates
Visitors holding passports, Taiwan Compatriot Certificates or Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permits can select the correct document type when booking tickets for Huanglong Scenic Area. The ticketing system of Huanglong Scenic Area has been upgraded to support direct entry by swiping the above documents.
The operation requirements during booking and entry are as follows:
- The booking entrance is the same as ordinary visitors: it can be operated through the “Huanglong”WeChat official account, Aba Tourism Network mini-program and the official website www.abatour.com.
- When filling in information, select “Passport”, “Taiwan Compatriot Certificate”or “Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit”from the drop-down menu of “Document Type”, and do not select “ID Card”.
- You must carry the original document for entry. Only original documents are accepted for gate and manual verification, and screenshots or copies are invalid.
- Minors under 18 years old from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan must be accompanied by guardians when booking, and guardians need to present valid original documents for entry.
- All successfully booked visitors (including free ticket groups) must enter with their own valid original documents, one person one document, and no proxy swiping is allowed.
If the operation of the WeChat official account is inconvenient, you can choose platforms such as Ctrip, KKday and Trip.com. These platforms support credit card payments including Visa and Mastercard, without binding WeChat Wallet. After arriving at the scenic area entrance, directly submit the original document to the staff for verification, without going to the window to exchange tickets. If you forget to bring the original document, you will be denied entry only with screenshots or electronic records. Please make sure to check whether your documents are packed in your bag before departure.
Water View of Yingbin Pool in Huanglong Scenic Area
Opening Hours of Huanglong Scenic Area and Cableway Operation Hours
According to the latest notice issued by Huanglong Scenic Area Administration on April 25, 2026, the opening and closing hours of the scenic area and cableway operation hours are as follows:
- Starting from April 25, 2026, the scenic area opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m.
- Cableway ticket sales stop at 4:30 p.m., the latest upbound cableway departure is at 5:00 p.m., and the latest downbound cableway departure is at 5:30 p.m.
- The operation hours of sightseeing buses are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The cableway has strict stop times. There are many people queuing during the peak season, so it is recommended to arrive at the cableway station as early as possible. The opening and closing hours may be adjusted with seasons, please check the latest announcement on the “Huanglong”WeChat official account one day before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Huanglong Scenic Area Ticket Booking
The most common questions and corresponding answers in Huanglong Scenic Area ticket booking are listed below:
Q: Can I buy tickets on site for Huanglong?
A: There are no ticket windows on site. No matter what documents you hold, you need to book online in advance. Scan the document or QR code directly to enter the scenic area after arrival, and tickets cannot be bought on site.
Q: Can I get a refund or change the ticket if I book the wrong date?
A: Changes are not allowed, but you can apply for a refund before the travel date. A small handling fee (about 5 CNY) is usually deducted for refunds. Refunds are not available on the travel date, please confirm the travel date before placing an order.
Q: What are the latest prices of tickets, sightseeing buses and cableways?
A: Adult ticket prices are divided into peak season and off season. Ticket price is 170 CNY per person in peak season (June 1 to December 15), and 60 CNY per person in off season (December 16 to May 31 of the next year). Upbound cableway is 80 CNY per person, downbound cableway is 40 CNY per person. Sightseeing bus is 20 CNY per person. The cableway is out of service during the off season.
Q: What is the price of preferential tickets?
A: The following groups enjoy half-price discounts: minors aged 7 to 18, ticket price is 85 CNY per person in peak season and 30 CNY per person in off season. Full-time undergraduate students and below, ticket price is 85 CNY per person in peak season and 30 CNY per person in off season (original student ID must be presented at the same time for entry).
Q: Who can get free tickets? What documents do I need to bring?
A: Free ticket groups and requirements are as follows:
- Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall: free tickets (free in both peak and off seasons).
- Seniors over 65 years old: free tickets (valid ID card or passport required).
- Seniors aged 60 to 64: free tickets on non-national statutory holidays; half-price tickets during statutory holidays (85 CNY per person in peak season, 30 CNY per person in off season).
- Tourists with household registration in Hangzhou, Jinhua, Shaoxing, Taizhou, Wenzhou, Huzhou and Jiaxing of Zhejiang Province: free tickets, and you must book “Zhejiang Gratitude Ticket”on the WeChat official account of Aba Tourism Network.
- Active-duty military personnel, retired military personnel and “three dependents”(dependents of martyrs, dependents of military personnel who died on duty, dependents of military personnel who died of illness): free tickets (excluding cableway tickets and sightseeing bus tickets).
- Disabled persons, retired cadres and religious personnel: implement in accordance with national and local preferential policies, book “preferential tickets”online with relevant documents and verify entry with original documents.
Free ticket visitors do not need to pay for tickets, but cableway tickets and sightseeing bus tickets need to be purchased separately: upbound cableway 80 CNY per person, downbound cableway 40 CNY per person, sightseeing bus 20 CNY per person. Visitors who apply for re-entry on the same day (such as re-entry after leaving the scenic area midway) can submit valid tickets and valid documents of the day at the walking entrance of the scenic area before 17:00 every day to go through free re-entry procedures without additional ticket payment.
Q: How can visitors without WeChat Wallet buy tickets?
A: You can buy tickets on platforms such as KKday or Trip.com, and you can also use Ctrip platform after entering the country. These platforms support credit card payments including Visa and Mastercard, and electronic tickets will be sent to your email. After successful ticket purchase, enter through the ticket gate or manual channel with your passport.
Pre-trip Preparation List for Huanglong Scenic Area
The altitude of Huanglong ranges from 3,100 meters to 3,900 meters, and the weather changes rapidly. Adequate pre-departure preparation can improve the sightseeing experience. Please be sure to bring the following items:
- Warm coat: the temperature difference between day and night on the plateau is significant, and the temperature may drop to 5 to 10 degrees Celsius even in summer. It is recommended to bring a fleece jacket or light down jacket.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: the ultraviolet intensity on the plateau is high, and lack of protection may cause sunburn.
- Non-slip and comfortable sports shoes: there are wooden plank roads throughout the scenic area, with long walking distances, and suitable shoes are crucial.
- Appropriate snacks and drinking water: there are limited catering options in the scenic area, and the prices are higher than outside.
- Common medicines: cold medicine, painkillers; visitors with weak physique or elderly can prepare Rhodiola rosea to prevent altitude sickness.
- Lip balm and hand cream: the plateau air is dry, and lips and skin are prone to chapping.
- Travel insurance: it is recommended to purchase insurance products covering altitude sickness medical expenses and emergency medical transportation.
Secure Your Huanglong Tickets Early for a Smoother Trip
Booking Huanglong tickets may seem like a small part of trip planning, but it has a direct impact on whether your itinerary runs smoothly. Once your ticket, visit date, and cable car options are arranged in advance, exploring the park becomes much more manageable, allowing you to focus on highlights like the famous Five-Color Pools. Without that preparation, however, issues like sold-out dates or long waiting times can quickly disrupt your schedule.
This is especially important during peak travel months, when demand is high and availability changes quickly. Planning tickets together with transportation and timing helps create a more seamless experience. For travelers who prefer a simpler process and fewer uncertainties, arranging Huanglong ticket bookings and travel coordination through China Dragon Travel can make the journey easier and ensure everything is set before arrival.
