Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area

{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site

| image = 1 huanglong pools aerial 2011.jpg

| image_upright = 1.2

| caption =

| official_name =

| location = Songpan County, Sichuan, People's Republic of China

| criteria = {{UNESCO WHS type|(vii)}}(vii)

| ID = 638

| coordinates = {{coord|32.7432|N|103.8330|E|type:landmark_region:CN-51_source:Gaode|format=dms|display=it}}

| year = 1992

| area = {{convert|60,000|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| buffer_zone =

| locmapin = Sichuan

| map_caption =

}}

Huanglong ({{zh|s=黄龙 |t=黃龍 |p=Huánglóng |l=yellow dragon}}) is a scenic and historic interest area in the northwest part of Sichuan, China. It is located in the southern part of the Minshan mountain range, {{convert|370|km}} north-northwest of the capital Chengdu.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=638|title=Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area}} This area is known for its colorful travertine pools formed by calcite deposits, especially in Huanglonggou (Yellow Dragon Gully), as well as diverse forest ecosystems, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. In addition, a large population of the endemic orchid species 'Cypripedium plectrochilum' was discovered at the site.{{cite journal |last1= Li |first1= P. |last2= Luo |first2= Y. |last3 = Bernhardt |first3 = P. |last4 = Kou |first4 = Y. |last5 = Perner |first5 = H. |date= 27 February 2008 |title= Pollination of Cypripedium plectrochilum (Orchidaceae) by Lasioglossum spp. (Halictidae): the roles of generalist attractants versus restrictive floral architecture |journal= Plant Biology |volume= 10 |issue= 2 |pages= 220–230 |doi=10.1111/j.1438-8677.2007.00020.x|pmid= 18304196 }} Huanglong was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 because of its outstanding travertine formations, waterfalls and limestone formations as well as its travertine terraces and lakes rating among the three most outstanding examples in the world.{{Cite web|title=Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/638/|access-date=2021-04-22|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}

Description

File:HuangLong World Heritage Natural Site.png

Repeated glaciation events, the unique terrane structure, the formation of tufa, the stratum of carbonic acid rock, and climatic conditions such as Arctic-alpine sunlight have created this world-famous travertine landscape. Huanglong covers an area of 700 km2 at an altitude between 1700m and 5588m. Major scenic areas include:

  • Huanglong Valley ({{lang|zh-hans|黄龙沟}})
  • Danyun Gorge ({{zh|links=no|s=丹云峽 |l=red cloud gorge}}): A canyon more than 1,000 meters in depth. The snow melt from the nearby Mount Xuebaoding travels through this canyon, providing much of the water for the region.{{cite book |last= Huadong |first= Guo |date= 2013 |title= Atlas of Remote Sensing for World Heritage: China |publisher= Springer |pages= 282–287 |isbn= 978-3-642-32823-7}}
  • Muni Valley ({{lang|zh-hans|牟尼沟}})
  • Xuebaoding ({{zh|labels=no|s=雪宝顶 |l=snow treasure peak}}) – {{convert|5588|m|abbr=on}}. The highest peak in the Min Mountains
  • Xueshan Ridge ({{zh|labels=no|c=雪山梁 |l=snow mountain ridge}}) – {{convert|4007|m|abbr=on}}, the highest point on the road from Jiuhuang Airport to Huanglong Valley.
  • Red Star Rock ({{lang|zh-hans|红星岩}})
  • Sigou ({{zh|labels=no|s=四沟 |l=fourth gully}})

=Huanglong Valley=

The total length of the travertine in Huanglong Valley is 3.6 km and it is thought to look like a huge golden dragon wheeling through the snow-capped mountains of the valley. The main landscapes are travertine banks, colorful ponds and travertine waterfalls and caves. The main body of water starts from the ancient Buddhist/Benbo temple at the top of the valley and ends at the Guests Welcome Pond in the north with a length of 2.5 km and a width of 30–170m. The colours of Huanglong's waters consist of yellows, greens, blues and browns.

File:Map of Huanglong Scenic Spots.png

File:1_huanglong_aerial_pano_2023.jpg

class="wikitable"

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!| !! Scenic spots in Huanglong Valley !! Sea level !! Remarks !!

1Guests Welcome Pond 迎宾池3230m350 pools170px
2Marvelous Flying Waterfall 飛瀑流輝3245m14m tall 68m wide170px
3Lianyan Pond 瀲灩湖3251m2000sq.m170px
4Flying Waterfall on Lotus Platform 蓮台飛瀑3260m45m tall 19m wide170px
5Washing Cave 洗身洞3280m10m tall 40m wide170px
6Golden Sand Pavement 金沙鋪地3305m1300m long170px
7Seven Mile Golden Sand 七里金沙3400m170px
8Bonsai Pond 盆景池3320m330 pools170px
9Mirror Pond 明鏡倒映池3400m180 pools170px
10Azalea Pond 娑蘿映彩池3415m400 pools170px
11Flamboyant Pond 爭豔池3414m658 pools170px
12Huanglong Middle Temple 黃龍中寺3470m170px
13Huanglong Ancient Temple 黃龍古寺3568m170px
14Multi-Colored Pond 五彩池3576m693 pools170px

Gallery

File:1 huanglong 2011x.jpg

Image:HuangLong 2002-09-12 19.jpg

File:Huanglong-calcific-ponds.jpg

File:Water-of-Five-colored-Pond Huanglong Sichuan China.jpg

See also

References

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