Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
The Huanglong Scenic Area in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province is one of China's highest elevations among the scenic areas. It has a height of over 3000 m above sea level and an area of 700 sq. km. The Huanglong Scenic Area consists of a landscape zone and Muni Valley scenic spot. The Huanglong's travertine surface is the most significant feature in the area. Trenches of calcium carbonate deposition and a terrace-like arrangement is like a golden dragon are mainly concentrated in the landscape of about 3.6 km-length in the Huanglong Valley, accompanied by snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, forest and valleys. Huanglong Scenic Area is not only famous for its unique karst landscape, but also the richness in resources of animals and plants. The Huanglong Valley, located between 2000 m above sea level and the peak at elevation 3,800 m there are forests such as subtropical evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest, sub-alpine forest and highland shrub, as well as more than 10 species of rare animals including giant panda and golden monkey.
The snowy peak Baoding of the Mount Minshan is located at the back of the Huanglong Valley and facing to the origin of the Fujiang River. At the top of the verdant valley, the water from the melted ice is flowing down and the larva going up from the underground. These kinds of liquid blend together and pass through many stones and forests, and then the calcium carbonate in the liquid becomes condensed thus a tough travertine is made. By this special substance, the lake there is called "The Five-Colored Pool". The pool is not the only one place which has such a eye-catching scene, the Golden Sand Land is made of travertine also, in the place where the water flowing speed is slow and the sun is bright, the illuminated substance displays gold color. It looks like a giant yellow dragon !
The Guhuashi (ancient fossils) area is the place where a number fossilized animals, plants and fish are remained intact. The Emerald Spring is one of the ten most famous springs in China because of its medical value, from which many people have recovered from stomach illness and arthritis after drinking or bathing in it.
Sichuan Huanglong Scenic Area was included in the "World Heritage List" by UNESCO in December 1992.
