Huanglong National Park is one of the sites with amazing views that became the pride of China. According to the website Atlas of Wonders, Huanglong is located between Sichuan, mountain Minshan, and Chengdu.
The natural beauty of Huanglong National Park includes terraced pool of warm water with a yellow, green, blue, and brown. Reported by Amusing Planet, the pools are composed of the travertine terraces of precipitated calcium carbonate derived from hot springs in the mountains.
The Calcium deposits were also made terraces in Huanglong looks like a golden dragon scale. When seen from a distance, Huanglong National Park looks like a golden dragon winding down through mountains and dense forests. That’s why people around named Huanglong, which means ‘golden dragon’.
ot only beautiful travertine terraces that make Huanglong name became famous around the world. This place was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 because of outstanding natural beauty.
Huanglong is home to a diverse forest ecosystems, mountain peaks are always covered with snow, waterfalls and hot springs.
Not quite up there, Huanglong National Park is also a habitat for several species of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the golden snub-nosed monkey, Sichuan.
History
Huanglong National Park’s main scenic spot Huanglong Valley is like a "dragon" in the eyes of the Chinese, therefore it has traditionally been described as "the world jade pool" and "Chinese symbol". In the local, it was worshiped by villagers. Tibetans call it "East Day · Seerjun", meaning the Hailuo Mountain in the east (refers to the Xuebao Mountain), golden sea (refers to Huanglong Valley).
Development and Construction
• In October 1982, Huanglong became the national key scenic spot exanimated and approved by State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
• In December 1992, Huanglong formally listed in the "world heritage list" by UNESCO as a natural heritage.
• In 1997, it was listed by the United Nations as the world's man and biosphere reserve.
• In February 2001, Huanglong got the "Green Globe 21" certificate, and it has become a world-class scenic area with the three crown of laurels.
Location
Huanglong Scenic Area is located in the Minshan Mountain southern section, in northern Sichuan province within the territory of Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, which belong to the transition zone between Sichuan basin and the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Scenic area range is for the east longitude 103 ° 25 '59 "8' ~ 104 ° 45 ', north latitude 32 ° 30 '53" ~ 32 ° 54' 17 ". The highest mountain is the main peak of Minshan Mountain Xuebao Peak, with an elevation of 5588 meters, which is covered with snow all the year around and it is the easternmost spot where the entities of modern glacier in China. It has a total area of 700 square kilometers and perimeter protection zone covers an area of 640 square kilometers.
Climate
Huanglong Scenic Area belongs to plateau temperate subfrigid zone monsoon climate types. Its climate features are: cold and moist, long winter in the year and short summer day, the spring and autumn is similar. It has an average annual temperature of 7 ℃ and it has adequate sunlight, mist in the morning and evening, rainfall concentrated in May to August each year. The hottest month in Huanglong Scenic Spot is July, with average temperature of 17 ℃, the coldest month is January, with average temperature of 3 ℃. From April to November each year is the best time to visit Huanglong.
What to See
Holding the primary area of virgin forest in Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, the Muni Valley comprises Erdao Lake and Zhaga Waterfall which is the biggest calcified waterfall in all China. Located in the northern part of Muni Valley, Erdao Lake is the largest in the area and around the lake are many underground limestone caves which connect Erdao Lake with other lakes in the area. The color of Erdao Lake varies with the seasons, harmoniously complementing the lake with its surrounding of colored limestone. When standing by the lake, it seems very tranquil and calm; this belies a strong undercurrent that is very active. Erdao Lake holds attractions such as Swan Lake, Baihua Lake, etc. Beside the Baihua Lake, there is a mysterious cave which embraces wonderful and magnificent naturally-formed stalactites. Zhaga Waterfall scenic spot stretches for about 5 kilometers (3 miles), where water flows around trees and trees grow in water and this scenic spot boasts many attractions. At the bottom of Zhaga Waterfall, there is a round-shaped stone onto which the waterfall cascades. In the sunlight, the spattering water is like jade, exhibiting wonderful colors. This is the Jianyu Tai (spattering jade platform).Guhuashi (ancient fossils) is the place where a number of prehistoric, fossilized animals, plants and fish are well preserved and remain intact. Feicui (Emerald) Spring is one of the ten most famous springs in China due to its water's medicinal value, and many have recovered from stomach sickness and arthritis after drinking or bathing in its water. The local population considers Feicui spring divine and allows nobody to cause damage.