Huanglong, Aba Tibetan-Qiang autonomous prefecture

Huanglong, Aba Tibetan-Qiang autonomous prefecture

四川省阿坝州黄龙景区 （sì chuān ā bà zhōu huáng lóng jǐng qū）

Situated in Songpan county, in northwest Sichuan province in the southern part of the Minshan Mountains and southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and China’s eastern-most glaciers.

In addition to its mountain landscape, the area has diverse forest ecosystems, spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. Huanglong National Nature Reserve is 31.5 kilometers long, 28.4 kilometers wide and covers 55,000 hectares. Its main targets for protection are natural scenery and rare wildlife.

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

Huanglong is noted for its beautiful mountainous scenery with relatively undisturbed and highly diverse forest ecosystems, combined with the more spectacular localized karst formations, such as travertine pools, waterfalls and limestone shoals. Its travertine terraces and lakes are unique in all of Asia and rate among the three most outstanding examples in the world.

When water flows into two separate streams, it forms colorful ponds and waterfalls. At the end of the gold-reflecting river is Bathing Cave Waterfall. Plunging 7 meters off a cliff, it creates a curtain of water. Nearby, Brilliant Flying Waterfall, fed by the ponds in the upper reaches, cascades 10 meters down, with a width of 60 meters. The jigsaw-like cliffs at the top of the waterfall split the water into small streams, creating a most fantastic sight. Of all the colorful pools, eight are famous: Flower-washing Pool, Bonsai Pool, Mirror Pool, Rhododendron Pool, Jade Plants Pool, Riot of Color Pool in the south, Stone Pagoda Village Sea Pool and Turning Flower Pool in the north.

According to The Songpan County Chronicles, Huanglong's three temples, set one behind the other, were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when they attracted large numbers of worshippers. The front and middle temples now are mostly dilapidated, but the rear temple, at the end of Huanglong Ravine, and the Hall of the Goddess of Mercy in the middle temple are well preserved. The back temple contains a statue of the Perfect Man of Huanglong. In the middle of the sixth lunar month each year, a temple fair at Huanglong attracts local people from the Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, and Han ethnic groups. Festival goers offer incense, pray, sing, dance and enjoy the scenery.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: September and October

Opening Hours: 8 am-5 pm

Ticket Price:

      170 yuan ($24.50) in peak season

       60 yuan in off season

Address: Huanglong village, Songpan county, Aba Tibetan-Qiang autonomous prefecture

Note:
1. Wear comfortable clothes when climbing the mountains.