The beauties of Huanglong

Categories: Asia | Nature | Travel |

Huanglong is located in the northwestern part of Sichuan Province in China, 50 km north-northwest of the provincial capital Chengdu. This picturesque area is dotted with colorful pools of limestone formations, snow-capped mountains, various forest ecosystems, as well as waterfalls and hot springs. There are also rare animals, including pandas and Roxellan rhinopithecus.

The beauties of Huanglong
The beauties of Huanglong

The main beauties of Huanglong are concentrated on a 3.6 km long segment of the valley of the same name, which includes snow-capped peaks and the easternmost glaciers in China.

The beauties of Huanglong

Because of its complex pattern of multi-layered calcium carbonate, the valley resembles a golden dragon writhing among the active forest and stone mountains.

The beauties of Huanglong

Scattered throughout the valley are numerous colorful ponds of various shapes and sizes with a golden hue that glitters in the sun.

The beauties of Huanglong

It is from this that the name of the Huanglong Valley, which translates as "Valley of the Yellow Dragon", originated.

The beauties of Huanglong

Millennia of geological evolution have shaped Huanglong and its many unique landscapes that we can observe today.

The beauties of Huanglong

The glacial revolution, the structure of the earth, a layer of stone with carbon dioxide, foda and climatic conditions such as the Arctic-Alpine sun have created this so popular landscape. One of the greatest local features is the calcite deposit.

The beauties of Huanglong

Algae and bacteria have grown in these ponds, which has led to such diverse color shades of orange, yellow, green and blue. There are also such karst formations as long limestone masses and so-called golden beaches.

The beauties of Huanglong

A layer of active limestone covers a thin layer of constantly flowing water. Huanglong has attracted people's attention since ancient times.

The beauties of Huanglong

There are two small stone pagodas in the Yuya Ponds at the entrance to the valley. During the Ming Empire (1368-1644), three temples were built here (one after the other), which attracted a large number of believers. Most of the landscape in this valley is very important for Tibetan religion, culture and folklore.

The beauties of Huanglong

There are many legends associated with the valley. Because of the diverse forest ecosystem, the Huanglong Nature Reserve appeared here, declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 1992.

Keywords: China | Landscape

     

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