Huanglong

Background

Huanglong lies in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, in the southern part of the Min Mountains, about 370 kilometres from Chengdu. The scenic area ranges from 1,700 to 5,588 metres in altitude and, besides the Huanglong Valley, includes the Danyun Gorge, the Muni Valley and Xuebaoding, the highest peak of the Min Mountains. The travertine of the Huanglong Valley runs for about 3.6 kilometres. From the Welcoming Pools at its northern end, at about 3,230 metres, you climb past the Flying Waterfall, the Body-Cleansing Cave, the Golden Sand Ground and the Competing Colourful Pools to the Five-Coloured Pool beside the ancient Huanglong Temple at the head of the valley. The water shows yellows, greens, blues and browns, set among snow peaks, waterfalls, hot springs and forest that are home to endangered species such as the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. This travertine landscape was created by repeated glaciation, a distinctive geological structure, carbonate rock deposition and a cold alpine climate working together. In 1992 Huanglong was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List (No. 638, criterion vii), with a property area of 60,000 hectares. Jiuzhaigou is a separate scenic area that can be combined on the same trip.

Local customs

• Follow the boardwalks of the Huanglong Valley from the bottom up or from the top down, taking in the pools section by section, such as the Welcoming Pools, the Golden Sand Ground and the Competing Colourful Pools
• take photos at the Five-Coloured Pool at the top
• with time to spare, visit the Danyun Gorge and the Muni Valley as well.

Travel tips

• The main visiting area of the Huanglong Valley lies above 3,200 metres, so watch out for altitude sickness, walk slowly and bring warm clothing and sun protection
• ticket prices and opening hours are as officially announced. From Chengdu, take a long-distance bus or drive via Dujiangyan, Wenchuan and Mao County to Songpan and then on to the scenic area
• shuttles run from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to the scenic area, and the area itself is explored mainly on foot.
• The pools' water volume and colours change with the seasons: in summer and autumn the water is plentiful and the colours at their richest
• in winter some of the water freezes and the snow scenery is striking
• in the rainy season, take care on the roads.