Huanglong scenic area visits

Hello, I'd Like to ask,
I saw the map and read some of the preview, that wrote down it's better to use cable car to go up and walk down. from the map I don't see the entrance, from where we start the tour. do we have to walk down first, or go up first. and how long the distance from up to walk down in km? is it fine? because the weather now it's kind of rainy everyday, we got so many elderly in our group. we plan to visit there this 11aug. thanks!