The Huanglong Scenic Area is located in Songpan County in Sichuan Province. The Huanglong Valley lies about 3,000 meters above sea level and extends 8 kilometers in a north-south direction. The valley owes its characteristic geomorphology to calcium carbonate deposits.
The Huanglong Scenic Area remains largely pristine, making it of great scientific interest due to its ecological integrity. It is renowned for its mountain lakes, snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, and untouched forests.
The uneven terrain has resulted in numerous waterfalls and closely clustered mountain lakes of varying sizes in the canyon.
Within an approximately four-kilometer section of the valley, there are a total of eight groups of lakes, consisting of over 3,400 mountain lakes connected by waterfalls and streams. The largest is the Zhengyan Lake Group, comprising about 700 lakes.
According to the annals of Songpan County, three Taoist temples were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), attracting numerous pilgrims. Today, only the Huanglong Temple remains. In front of the temple, there is a karst cave. Long ago, Taoists lived in this cave, seeking to perfect themselves according to Taoist doctrines. The main hall of the Huanglong Temple is 15 meters high and covers an area of 2,100 square meters.
With its dense forests, waterfalls, and numerous ponds, the Huanglong Valley and its surroundings are a worthwhile destination for any nature enthusiast. In the forests live giant pandas, takins, pheasants, and other rare animals.
Since 1992, Huanglong has been listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
