Huanglong is most commonly visited as a day trip from Jiuzhaigou — the two parks are approximately 100 kilometres apart and tourist buses connect them directly. The drive takes about two hours and crosses the Xueshanbao Pass at 4,000 metres, which provides its own dramatic views. This is the standard approach for most visitors.
From Chengdu, direct tourist buses reach Huanglong in about eight hours via Songpan. The road north from Chengdu through Maoxian and Songpan is scenic but long. Most people combine Huanglong with Jiuzhaigou over two to three days rather than making a dedicated trip.
There is no accommodation inside the park. The nearest town with substantial accommodation is Songpan, about 60 kilometres to the south on the road to Chengdu. Several hotels and guesthouses also operate at Chuanzhusi, the crossroads town nearer the park entrance.
The park entrance is at about 3,000 metres, and buses from Jiuzhaigou typically arrive by late morning, leaving in the mid-afternoon. Timed your visit accordingly: arriving at 11 a.m. and departing at 3 p.m. gives enough time for the full circuit if you are reasonably fit, but is tight for those who take the cable car both ways and linger at the top pools.