Brief Introduction
This mountainous landscape is famed for its colorfulpools, snow-capped mountains, deep forests, waterfalls and diversifiedcultures.
Covering about 700 sq. km in the northwest part ofSichuan province, the Huanglong valley is lined with snow-capped peakswhich signify the easternmost of all China's glaciers. In addition toits mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as wellas spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. Thearea is also home to many endangered animals, including the giant pandaand the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.
Physical Features
Located in Songpan County, Sichuan Province, the Huanglong Area is a rare site of limestone landscapes.
The 7.5-km Huanglong Valley is located at the foot ofsnow-capped mountains, near the source of the Fujiang River. At the endof the valley, near the foot of Green Jade Peak, water from meltingsnow mixes with limestone water from underground, flowing down themountain terraces, depositing calcium carbonate from the limestonewater on the rocks, stones and fallen branches in its path. The calciumcarbonate, in turn, reacts chemically with organic and inorganicsubstances, resulting in various kinds of calcareous deposits thatshine golden in the sunlight, just like a huge yellow dragon flyingdown from the snow-capped mountain, hence the name of the place.
When the water flows into two separate streams, itturns into more colorful ponds and waterfalls. At the end of thegold-reflecting river is the Bathing Cave Waterfall, plunging 7 m downa cliff to turn into a water curtain. Nearby, the Brilliant FlyingWaterfall, fed by the ponds on the upper reaches, cascades 10 mdownward, with a width of 60 m. The jigsaw-like cliffs at the top ofthe waterfall split the water into small streams or curtains of water,creating a most fantastic sight. Of all the colorful pools, eight aremost famous, i.e. the Flower-washing Pool, Bonsai Pool, Mirror Pool,Rhododendron Pool, Jade Plants Pool, Riot of Color Pool in the south,the Stone Pagoda Village Sea Pool and the Turning Flower Pool in thenorth.
Flora and Fauna
Huanglong is situated at the transition zone betweenthe eastern damp forest zone and the mountainous coniferouswoods/meadow grassland and shrub zone of Qing-Zang Plateau. It liesclose to the intersection of four floral regions: Eastern Asia,Himalaya, and the subtropical and tropical zones of the northernhemisphere. Diversity of plants and animals here is high due to itslocation within four floral regions, its wide altitudinal range, andthe extensive undisturbed forests.
From 1,700m to 2,300m, there is a belt of mixed forestdominated by Chinese hemlock, Chinese or dragon spruce and threespecies of maple; between 2,300m and 3,600m, the forest is largelyconiferous and subalpine in character; between 3,600m and 4,200m, theforest gives way to alpine meadows dominated by shrubs and grasses.Altogether there are 101 higher plant species of interest for theirrarity, endemism, and ornamental and medicinal value, including someinternationally threatened species. Some 16 species of rhododendronhave been recorded from the site.
As recorded in 1991, there are about 59 mammals (sixorders and 18 families); 155 birds (12 orders and 29 families); fivereptiles (two orders and three families); five amphibians (two ordersand four families) and two fish species. A large number of the specieslisted are threatened at the national and international level, such asgiant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, brown bear, Asiatic black bear,Pallas' cat, Asiatic wild dog, Szechwan takin, Chinese monal and anumber of waterfowl species.
Historic and Cultural Value
The unique scenery at Huanglong has been noted sinceancient times. Tradition has it that the Zhenren (Perfect Man) ofHuanglong, a Taoist immortal, meditated here. A pair of small stonepagodas is found in the Yuya or Jade-bathing ponds at the head ofHuanglonggou. These are said to date from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644AD) and to mark the burial place of Cheng Shichang, grandson of thefounder of the Tang Dynasty, Cheng Yaoji.
According to The Songpan County Chronicles,Huanglong's three temples, one behind the other, were built in the MingDynasty (1368-1644), and attracted a large number of worshipers. Thefront and middle temples are mostly dilapidated, but the back temple,at the end of Huanglong Ravine, and the Hall of the Goddess of Mercy inthe middle temple are well preserved. The back temple contains a statueof the Perfect Man of Huanglong. In the middle of the sixth lunar montheach year, a temple fair at Huanglong attracts local people from theTibetan, Qiang, Hui, and Han ethnic groups. The fairgoers offerincense, pray, sing, dance, and enjoy the scenery.
Much of the landscape of Huanglong, notably aroundHuanglonggou, is important in local Tibetan religion, culture andfolklore. Legend has it that the Xishen Pubu, or Body Washing Waterfallhere, is a place where the heavenly goddess Xuannu once bathed. It isbelieved to have healing properties for those who bathe in its waters,and can cure infertility. There are many other legends and storiesassociated with various natural physical features in the area.
