Huanglong Scenic Area, also known as Yellow Dragon Scenic Area, is located in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is the only well preserved plateau wetland in China, situated on a ridge that gradually rises from south to north Huanglong Scenic Area covers an area of 700 square kilometers, 100 kilometers away from Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, and 1700~5588 meters above sea level.
What to see
The core area of Huanglong Scenic Area is dotted with over 3000 colorful pools. The main scenery is the intricately structured and colorful surface calcareous landscape, consisting of Huanglonggou, Danyunxia, Munigou, Xuebao Peak, and the Red Army Long March Memorial Monument Garden.
The main landscape is concentrated in Huanglong Gully under Xuebao Peak, which is covered with milky yellow carbonate deposits arranged in terraced fields. The snow water flowing down from the peak converges into a stream, forming layered ladder like lakes and ponds in Huanglong Valley. The pond water is clear and dust-free, and the color of the water varies from yellow to green, light blue, and azure due to changes in sediment, trees, and mountain colors.
Huanglong Valley
Huanglong Valley has formed over 3400 calcified pools, 80000 square meters of calcified mudflats, 5 karst waterfalls, and 4 karst caves due to the accumulation of calcified sediment in the flowing water.
In the Huanglong Valley, which is 3.5 kilometers long and 1-2 kilometers wide in Five-colored Pools, facing Yucui Mountain, the surrounding primitive forests are dense, with calcified emerald pools and golden flowing beaches, like a yellow giant dragon lying prone in the dense forest. The pool water is clear and transparent, and under sunlight, it is colorful. Walking among them, it is like being in a painting and is known as the "Jade Pool of the Human World".
Five-colored Pools
The Five-colred Pools Spot covers an area of 21000 square meters and has 693 colorful pools. It is the largest group of colorful pools in Huanglonggou and also the largest and highest altitude open-air calcareous colorful pool group in the world today.
The colorful pond embankment is low and staggered, with overflowing water. From a distance, the colorful ponds look like pieces of blue jade plates. Under the sunlight, they are white, purple, blue, and green, with varying shades and colors. Due to various changes in light exposure, a colorful "colorful scene" is formed where the pool water flows together, becoming a major beautiful landscape in Huanglong Scenic Area.
Huanglong Middle Temple
Covered an area of about 500 square meters, the temple was founded in the Ming Dynasty(1368-1645). it belongs to the Bon religion of Tibetan Buddhism.
The architecture is ancient and magnificent, and the statues inside the hall are exquisitely crafted, reflecting the cultural characteristics of the integration of Tibetan and Han ethnic religions in Huanglong Scenic Area. Zhongsi Temple is located between Zhengyan Pool and Wucai, with coniferous forests such as red pine trees and rhododendron forests covering the mountains, creating an elegant environment.
Xueshan Ridge & Xuebao Peak
It mainly features snow capped peaks, mountains, and sea of clouds, as well as vertical distribution of alpine plant communities and visits to Tibetan villages, covering an area of over 100 square kilometers.
The main attractions of Xuebao Peak are modern glaciers and connected seas, covering an area of 30 square kilometers. Xuebaoding is the main peak of Minshan Mountain, with an altitude of 5588 meters, covered by clouds and fog all year round.
The mountain peaks are as sharp as knives, carving and carving, and reciting countless forms. It is an international mountaineering activity venue.
Zhaga Waterfall
Zhaga Waterfall Scenic Area has a total length of 2 kilometers and 16 scenic spots, mainly featuring waterfall clusters of various shapes, sizes, heights, and widths, with each waterfall cascading through the forest. Among them, Zhaga Waterfall has a drop height of 104 meters and a width of 35-40 meters, making it the world's largest waterfall with a calcium carbonate layer drop.
The upstream is a lake, and the downstream is a series of stepped riverbeds, which rise and fall through three steps, forming huge splashes of water. The sound of the waterfall is like thunder, heard from ten miles away. There is a cave under the waterfall, and two smaller caves on the side, shaped like skylights, with a waterfall entering the cave.
In 1982, the Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area was listed in the first batch of national key scenic spots approved and announced by the State Council of China. In 1992, Huanglong Scenic Area was listed on the World Natural Heritage List and is a national AAAAA level tourist attraction and scenic area. In May 2023, Huanglong Scenic Area was listed as one of the 10 national level tourist routes with the theme of the Yangtze River by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.
Travel Tips
Add: Chuanzhusi Town, Songpan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
Entrance Fees: CNY 200