December 13, 2017

Sichuan Province, China: Huanglong National Scenic Reserve (Yellow Dragon)/Huanglong Scenic Area; things to do

Huanglong National Scenic Reserve (Yellow Dragon)/Huanglong Scenic Area 


In Songpan County.  Daily 8am-5pm.  60-200 yuen; tram 80 yuen up, 40 down.  

Situated at 10,000 to 14,000 feet, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for spectacular scenery featuring colorful, crystal-clear travertine (calcium carbonate, also called talpatate) ponds and streams.  All 693 ponds (another estimate is 3,400!) are different sizes, shapes, and colors.  The valley’s name translates as “yellow dragon” because the path of golden-colored ponds look like a golden dragon is winding its way through the valley. 

A visit begins with an enclosed tram ride to the top of a mountain, where an oxygen hut is available, followed by a long walk downhill via a wood boardwalk with thousands of steps.  It can take 4 to 5 hours to do properly.  The park’s most distinctive feature is the terraced limestone pools filled with water in varied hues that cascades from ledge to ledge.  An abandoned Buddhist temple with Tibetan characteristics is one of the sights along the route; another smaller temple can be seen from the outside only.  The virgin forest of this area is home to Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys and giant pandas, but they are rarely seen.

rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


snowman at rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
snowman at rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


offering at rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
offering at rest stop on way to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


map of Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
map of Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China


gondola at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
gondola at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China


at the top at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
at the top at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China


oxygen hut at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
oxygen hut at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China


view down at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
view down at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China


stairway boardwalk at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
stairway boardwalk at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


rest area at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
rest area at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China


taking a selfie in front of temple at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
taking a selfie in front of temple at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


travertine ponds at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
travertine ponds at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China






travertine ponds at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
travertine ponds at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China


travertine ponds at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve in Sichuan Province, China
travertine ponds at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve
in Sichuan Province, China



More Jiuzhaigou Valley Area Sights.

Things to do in nearby Chengdu.

Best souvenirs of China.

More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.

images and video ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


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