Huanglong Scenic Area
Location: Sichuan Province
Transportation: Bus service
Culture/History Rating: 2.5/5
Scenery Rating: 5/5
Hotels: N/A
Summary: Situated in the north-west of Sichaun Province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese 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 also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. - UNESCO
Description:
| Situated on the middle of Minshan Mountain ranges northeast of Songpan County, Sichuan Province, Huanglong Scenic Area is a state first-class scenic zone, reputed as "Jasper Lake on Earth". Colorful Lakes Reflecting azalea flowers: They are groups of colorful lakes surrounded by azalea shrubs. Innumerable red and green exotic azalea blossoms sparkle lustrously upon the surface of the lakes. Designated a national park in 1983, Huanglong is an isolated valley of snow-capped peaks, limestone formations, terraced ponds and waterfalls. Covering an area of 700 square-kilometers, the park is inhabited by endangered species including the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey. Because of its inaccessibility and its significance in local culture and Tibetan religion, the area has been relatively protected from human encroachment for thousands of years. Legend has it that Huanglong derives its name from a hermit sage who retreated here and lived in a cave in the area. |  |
 | The park is divided into two areas: The Huanglong subdivision, northeast of the town of Songpan, which represents the entire Fujiang Gully area above the village of Shijiabao; and the Mouni Gully subdivision, 15km southwest of Songpan, which includes Zhaga and Erdaohai gullies. Honglong is in the northwest part of Sichuan province, about 150km northwest of Chengdu. You can get here by bus from Songpan or Chengdu, although most travelers join a tour from here that also includes nearby Jiuzhaigou National Park. |
| Back Temple of Huanglong: In Huanglong, there are three temples: the front, middle and back, at an interval of 2500 meters. The Back Temple, basically in good shape was constructed at the end of the Huanglong Gully, with Yucui Peak at back, encompassing 2100 square meters. The buildings, simple and in good taste are of wooden structure with a courtyard and green-tiled roofs. On the lintel of the entrance gate are hung two parallel boards. The upper board is inscribed with the Chinese characters of "Huanglong Ancient Temple", on the middle, "Flying Pavilion Glowing Vermilion" on the right, and "Clear Mountain and Blue Water" on the left. The lower board is inscribed with "Distant Bosom Hearts are Linked" in vigorous and simple calligraphy. One of the two antithetical couplets in the Temple goes: "The Howling of Wind, Pitter-pattering of Rain, and Chiming of Bells, Every Sound is Real; The color of Mountain, The Color of Lake and the Color of Sunrays, All Colors are Illusory." The Grand Hall houses a statue of the True Man of Huanglong in the center. The Temple is encircled by broad lawns. |  |
 | Huanglong Cave: The Cave entrance is surrounded by azalea shrubs. 10 meters from the entrance, the Cave broadens into a spacious hall, 20 meters high and 50 meters wide. The Cave contains numerous minor caves of various size and shape, which are hard to explore. There are three life-size stalactites resembling seated statues of Buddha. Zhengyanchi (Lakes Vying with One Another for Beauty): It's the largest group of Huanglong colorful lakes. They vary with one another in size, shape and color. Under the brilliant sunlight from different angles, the Lakes glow alternately with a variety of color: light blue, dark green, light yellow, bluish green, dark blue etc. Viewed from afar, they resemble a spread tail of a peacock. |