Huanglong National Park

The Huanglong National Park (Yellow Dragon National Park), or Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area is famed for its colorful pools, snow-capped mountains, deep forests, valleys, waterfalls and diversified cultures. It is usually bundled with Jiuzhaigou Valley by some tour operators. It is a must-see attraction before or after a visit to Jiuzhaigou Valley. Covering about 700 sq. km in Songpan County (in northwest part of Sichuan province), Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, the park is located in the southern part of the Minshan mountain range, 370 kilometres north-northwest of the capital Chengdu.The valley is lined with snow-capped peaks which signify the easternmost of all China's glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area is also home to many endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.

Flora and Fauna

Huanglong is situated at the transition zone between the eastern damp forest zone and the mountainous coniferous woods/meadow grassland and shrub zone of Qing-Zang Plateau. It lies close to the intersection of four floral regions: Eastern Asia, Himalaya, and the subtropical and tropical zones of the northern hemisphere. Diversity of plants and animals here is high due to its location within four floral regions, its wide altitudinal range, and the extensive undisturbed forests.

From 1,700m to 2,300m, there is a belt of mixed forest dominated by Chinese hemlock, Chinese or dragon spruce and three species of maple; between 2,300m and 3,600m, the forest is largely coniferous and subalpine in character; between 3,600m and 4,200m, the forest gives way to alpine meadows dominated by shrubs and grasses. Altogether there are 101 higher plant species of interest for their rarity, endemism, and ornamental and medicinal value, including some internationally threatened species. Some 16 species of rhododendron have been recorded from the site.

As recorded in 1991, there are about 59 mammals (six orders and 18 families); 155 birds (12 orders and 29 families); five reptiles (two orders and three families); five amphibians (two orders and four families) and two fish species. A large number of the species listed are threatened at the national and international level, such as giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, brown bear, Asiatic black bear, Pallas' cat, Asiatic wild dog, Szechwan takin, Chinese monal and a number of waterfowl species.

Historic and Cultural Value

The unique scenery at Huanglong has been noted since ancient times. Tradition has it that the Zhenren (Perfect Man) of Huanglong, a Taoist immortal, meditated here. A pair of small stone pagodas is found in the Yuya or Jade-bathing ponds at the head of Huanglonggou. These are said to date from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and to mark the burial place of Cheng Shichang, grandson of the founder of the Tang Dynasty, Cheng Yaoji.

According to The Songpan County Chronicles, Huanglong's three temples, one behind the other, were built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and attracted a large number of worshipers. The front and middle temples are mostly dilapidated, but the back 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. The fairgoers offer incense, pray, sing, dance, and enjoy the scenery.

Much of the landscape of Huanglong, notably around Huanglonggou, is important in local Tibetan religion, culture and folklore. Legend has it that the Xishen Pubu, or Body Washing Waterfall here, is a place where the heavenly goddess Xuannu once bathed. It is believed to have healing properties for those who bathe in its waters, and can cure infertility. There are many other legends and stories associated with various natural physical features in the area.

Main Attractions

The Huanglong National Park is composed of the major scenic areas of Huanglong Valley, Mounigou Scenic Area, Hongxingyan Scenic Area, Xuebaoding Scenic Area, Sigou Scenic Area, Danyun Gorge Scenic Area, Red Army Long March Memorial Stele Garden, and other parts. It is a comprehensive scenic area characterized by colorful ethnic styles. The center area is adorned with over 3,000 colorful pools of various sizes.

The main landscape is concentrated in the Huanglong Valley under the Xuebaoding (the main peak of the Minshan Mountain), where milky yellow calcium carbonate deposits are scattered and arranged in a terraced pattern. The snow-water flowing from the summit converges into a stream, forming layered terraced lakes and pools in Huanglong Valley. The pool water is clear and dust-free, and the color of the water appears yellow, green, light blue, and azure due to changes in underwater sediments, trees, and mountain colors.

-Huanglong Valley

The Huanglong Valley (Yellow Dragon Valley) is the essential area of the Huanglong National Park. It  has formed more than 3,400 calcified color pools, 80,000 square meters of calcified flow beaches, 5 karst waterfalls, and 4 karst caves due to the accumulation of calcified sediment in the flowing water. The valley meaures 3.5km in length and 1-2km width, facing Yucui Mountain, surrounded by primitive forests, calcified green pools and golden flowing beaches, it looks like a yellow dragon lying in the dense forest. The pool water is clear and transparent, and under sunlight, it is colorful. Walking between them, it seems to be in the painting and is known as the "Jade Pool on Earth".

-Zhaga Waterfall

The Zhaga Waterfall Scenic Area has a total length of 2 kilometers and consists of 16 scenic spots, mainly featuring waterfalls of various shapes, sizes, heights, and widths. Each waterfall runs through the forest. Among them, the Zhaga Waterfall has a height of 104 meters and a width of 35-40 meters, making it the world's largest tufa cascade waterfall with the longest vertical drop. The upstream is a lake, and the downstream is a series of stepped riverbed. After three steps, it falls and falls, forming huge splashes of water. The sound of the waterfall is like thunder, and it can be heard from ten miles away. There is a karst cave under the waterfall, with two smaller caves on the side, resembling skylights, and a waterfall enters the cave.

-Snow Mountain Ridge

Snow Mountain Ridge (Xue Shan Liang) covers an area of more than 100 square kilometers, features snow peaks, mountains, sea of clouds, alpine plants and Tibetan villages.

-Xuebaoding

The main attractions of Xuebaoding are Xuebaoding, Modern Glacier, and Dalianhai, covering an area of 30 square kilometers. Xuebaoding is the summit  of Minshan Mountain, with an altitude of 5,588 meters and is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. It serves as both the watershed and headstreams of the Minshan River and the Fujiang River. It is the first snow-clad peak in South China, and local Tibetans revere Xuebaoding as their scared peak. The peaks are like knives cleaving and swords cutting, reciting countless shapes. It is an international mountaineering venue.

-Mouni River

The main scenic spots of the Muni River are Zhaga Waterfalls, pools, lakes, karst caves and primitive forest, covering an area of 16 square kilometers.

-Red Army Long March Monument Garden

The Red Army Long March Monument Garden is located at the foot of Yuanbao Mountain in Chuanzhusi Town, Songpan County. It is composed of the "Unity and Victory" main monument located at the top of Yuanbao Mountain, and an architectural community including group sculptures, reliefs, pavilions, exhibition halls, as well as lakes, gardens, squares, etc. In 1991, the Sichuan Provincial People's Government announced it as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit, and in 1994, it was designated as a provincial patriotic education base. 

The exhibition hall of the garden covers an area of approximately 700 square meters, including exhibition rooms, reception rooms, hallways, and office space. The exhibition room covers an area of over 140 square meters and is octagonal in shape, small and exquisite. The wall of the exhibition room is hung with the "Map of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" and nearly 40 photos, showcasing the entire process of the Red First, Second, Fourth Front Army and the Red 25th Army's Long March, including historical information on major battles, important conferences, and other aspects; There are also inscriptions from the leader of the central authorities and the old Red Army men.