The Huanglong Scenic Area undulates through the southern part of the Minshan range in the Songpan County about 155 miles away from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. It is famed for its outstanding travertine (calcium carbonate) formations. With the virgin forest as its backdrop, the travertine scenery holds colorful ponds, beaches, lakes, springs, waterfalls, caves, etc. The travertine formations scenery is No.1 in China.
Huanglong valley
Due to its layered calcium carbonated deposit patterns, the valley resembles a golden dragon winding its way through the virgin forest, stone mountains and glaciers. Along the valley are scattering numerous colorful ponds of different sizes and shapes, which are strewn with gold colored limestone deposit giving a shimmering golden hue to water, so in sunlight, a golden dragon seems to surge forth from the forest.
Colored Terrace-Ponds
Colored travertine ponds are the main landscapes in Huanglong Scenic Area. Dotted upward along the valley, the 2300 ponds come into 8 groups, such as the Guest Greeting Ponds etc. The last group, the Five-Color Ponds is the best of all.
Virgin forest
On the hillsides by the two sides of the Huanglong valley are virgin forests. Different types of flowers and plants are found in the forests. The evergreen coniferous trees and precious flowers and plants add to the beauty of Huanglong Scenic Area. According to statistics, Huanglong Scenic Area has forest coverage of 65.8 percent and vegetation coverage of 88.9 percent.
Many rare animals are also found in the forests in Huanglong Scenic Area, such as the giant panda and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. Occasionally, these lovely birds visit the colored ponds.
Getting around
Upon entering the scenic area, a group of exquisite, crystal clear ponds will immediately catch your eyes with their unparalleled and esthetic charm. These are the Yingbin (Guest-Welcoming) Colored Ponds. Along the valley, you will see many attractions including Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall), Xishen (washing body) Grotto, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, and Zhuanhua Pond (Revolving Flower Pond), etc.
Yingbin (Guest-Welcoming) Ponds
About 632 meters from the Fuyuan Bridge, the Yingbin Ponds cover an area of 9,600 square meters; it is made up of 350 delicate and peculiarly shaped small ponds. In varied sizes, these ponds overlap and join each other that seem to play welcome notes to visitors.
Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall)
About 857 meters from the Fuyuan Bridge, it is 14 meters high and 68 meters wide. Water rushes through the dense woods, pouring down to form dozens of terraces in travertine looks, golden and charming. The waterfall seems to drop from Heaven in great vigor and splendor.
The Five-Color Ponds
The ponds perch atop the highest part of the valley, at the back of the rear temple. Amid it stand a pair of stone towers, stone houses with up-curved roofs, which have been there since Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). Due to varied depth of the ponds and all kinds of mineral pigments and deposits on the bottom, the water reflects a variety of charming colors.
Xishen (Body Washing) Grotto
About 1,273 meters from the Fuyuan Bridge, it is on the second terrain of Huanglong valley. Here, rushing water climbs over the dyke, leaving an impressive travertine waterfall, right at the bottom of which is the Xishen Grotto.
It is 1 meters high and 1.5 meters wide. About 1 meter inside the grotto, one sees light-yellow and white stalactites. Even though the grotto's length is still unknown, scientists believe that it is a water outlet of an ancient glacier as old as billions of years.
The grotto entrance is screened with water vapor, a legendary place for immortals who cultivated their virtues inside the grotto. Since the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), Taoist and Buddhist monks have been visiting the grotto to fulfill their religious desires. It is said that the reverend monk Dala Menba of the Benbo Religion used to cultivate him in the grotto and eventually became immortal. So the Xishen Grotto is believed by Benbo believers as one of their sacred places.
Huanglong Temple (Yellow Dragon Temple)
The temple lies at the foot of Snow Treasure Peak, the major peak of Mt. Minshan. With a distance of about 20 miles off the entrance of the valley, it provides a retiring place for the visitors. The whole temple consists of three small ones; the front, the middle and the rear temples, which mark the head, the waist and the tail of a dragon respectively, going all the way down the valley. The front temple has almost been ruined. The middle temple has five halls remaining, to worship the Goddess of Mercy, and the 18 arhats. As for the rear temple, it enshrines the Dragon King.
Big temple fair
On the 15th of every sixth lunar month, the day when the yellow dragon was said to achieve his Buddha hood, a big temple fair is held in the rear temple. At that time, local people of different groups come to attend, praying for good fortune and bumper harvests. Young people also find it the best time to tell sweet words to their lovers.
Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave)
This huge cave, lies behind the rear temple, and is filled with stalactites. In winter, there are icicles and ice waterfalls hanging inside. Left of the hall in the cave, there are three seated Buddha statues from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Now all of them are coated with a thick layer of lime deposits.
Stone Pagoda in the Lake
Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), it stands in the Five-Colored Pond. It is said to be the tomb of some Tang Dynasty (617 - 907) general and his wife. Travertine covers the largest part of the Stone Pagoda, except two tips and eaves above the water surface, leaving a remote and mystic impression in visitors.
Zhuanhua Pond (Revolving Flower Pond)
About 10m from the Five-Colored Pond, it covers an area of 4 square meters, being tucked away in alpine shrubs. A number of fountains spring up from the limpid bottom, rippling the water surface into fine geometric patterns. The strange thing is that, if visitors throw in flowers or leaves, the ripples will revolve in different directions and at different tempos.
Two flowers, if they happen to follow the same rhythm, will revolve in the same direction, a phenomenon not yet known even today. During the Huanglong Temple Fair, young people would crowd around the pond and throw in flowers and coins to tell the fortune about their love affairs.
Something helpful
The average temperature is around 7C all the year round. It is misty in the morning and evening and rainy from May to August.
Transportation there is very good and there are many routes for you to choose from.
With good telecommunications facilities, mobile phones can be used there. There are also public payphones and internet cafes that bring you even more convenient means for communication.
When to visit
Opening Hours: 9:10a.m. - 4:40p.m.