China is home to many beautiful tourist attractions, but currently, the travertine pools of Huanglong are ruling the world of Instagram. Located in the Minshan mountain range, Huanglong is around 370 km north-northwest of the capital Chengdu. This scenic area of Huanglong was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.
Get dazzled with colorful terraced pools of Huanglong
Thousands of years of geological evolution has created unique landscapes in Huanglong. Glacial revolution, terrane structure, a stratum of carbonic acid rock, tufa water and climatic conditions such as Arctic-alpine sunlight have contributed to this picturesque creation.
The 3.6 km stretch of long limestone shoals in the Huanglong valley takes the lion’s share of popularity that this site has. A variety of algae and bacteria proliferate in the pools giving rise to characteristic orange, yellow, blue, and green colors to the water.
The multi-colored pools set in the rugged snow-clad mountains, deep valleys, and lush green trees look like a dragon swiveling, hence, earning a moniker of ‘Yellow Dragon.’
This heritage site is also home to endangered species of animals like giant panda and Sichuan gold snub-nosed monkey. The main water body starts from ‘Benbo temple’ and ends at the ‘Guests Welcome Pond.’
Huanglong also has a rich and long-standing history. Yuya ponds at the head of Huanglong Valley consists of a pair of small stone pagodas. The Songpan County Chronicles have recorded that Huanglong’s three temples built during the Ming Dynasty drew a large number of worshippers.
The pools are on top of a small mountain so you can choose to climb stairs or take a cable car ride.
Other scenic spots in Huanglong valley are Marvellous Flying Waterfall, Washing Cave, Bonsai Pond, Mirror Pond, the fabled temples, Flying Waterfall on Lotus Platform, Seven Mile Golden Sand and so on.
