Cultural and Natural Heritage Day | Huanglong, the World's First Abode of Immortals

In Aba Prefecture, there is a place that has been favored by God since its 'birth': snow-capped mountains, flower seas, forests, lakes, colored ponds… God has bestowed upon it the finest beauty. With every step a pond, every three steps a view, and every five steps a surprise! Atop the mountains stands Xuebaoding, the main peak of the Minshan Mountains, perpetually covered in snow. Below, rhododendrons bloom across the land. The diverse highland scenery is vividly displayed here. This is the earthly abode of immortals in our Aba Prefecture—Huanglong. With its rich flora and fauna, in December 1992, Huanglong was officially inscribed as a natural heritage site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, alpine landscapes and various forest ecosystems complement each other. Glacial landforms, flora and fauna, mineral water resources, and religious customs are breathtaking. Giant pandas, Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys… many endangered animals inhabit this area. As a World Natural Heritage site, Huanglong’s alpine rhododendrons are stunning. As June arrives, the summer atmosphere thickens; the wind turns the trees green and brings the fragrance of flowers. Huanglong has entered its annual blooming season. Entering through the scenic area gate, passing through towering dense primeval forests, the quietly blooming alpine rhododendrons appear before visitors. The rhododendron trees are covered with buds of various sizes. When the buds are about to open, they are a bright red; as they bloom, they gradually turn white. Each petal transitions from red to white, red and white contrasting, incredibly delicate. In the forests, along the roads, and beside the colored ponds, rhododendrons bloom everywhere, forming clusters and chains. The flowers vary in shape and color—some white as snow, some red as fire. Looking around, they are graceful, like rosy clouds surging, a scene of beauty. (Photo: Huanglong Administration Bureau) The rhododendrons in Huanglong come in many varieties, each with its own character. Some are luxuriant and form a forest from a single tree, some climb and twist like hedges, and some have thick trunks standing tall. (Photo: Huanglong Administration Bureau) Besides differences in color, shape, and blooming period, the rhododendron plants in Huanglong also vary in height—the shortest are only 10–20 cm tall, while the tallest can reach over 20 meters. (Photo: Huanglong Administration Bureau) Growing such gorgeous flowers in such a cold alpine environment is truly amazing. 'Heavenly abode of immortals, earthly Huanglong.' Huanglong is renowned worldwide for its 'four wonders': colored ponds, snow-capped mountains, gorges, and forests. Together with travertine flows, ancient temples, and local customs, it is called the 'seven wonders.' (Photo: Xiaxue Dong'er) What is most attractive in summer? It is the countless travertine colored ponds. These colorful ponds are the finest memories of summer. The ponds change colors with the surrounding scenery and the angle of sunlight, earning Huanglong the title 'earthly abode of immortals.' The ponds are colorful, the water clear green, as if blending blue sky, white clouds, green trees, and blooming flowers into the pools. (Photo: Xiaxue Dong'er) From the highest Five-Color Pond to the bottom of the valley, including the Abode of Immortals, waterfalls, and travertine formations, the landscapes are highly diverse. Such scenery can only be seen in Huanglong. In June, Huanglong is vivid green, full of vibrant life, even more hopeful than spring. Huanglong, World Natural Heritage. (Photo: Xiaxue Dong'er) Huanglong Scenic Area is located in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, western China, adjacent to Jiuzhaigou. It lies at the junction of three major geological tectonic units, with complex geographical conditions. The total area of the scenic area is 1,340 square kilometers, with numerous snow-capped peaks, including seven above 5,000 meters. (Photo: Huanglong Administration Bureau) Xuebaoding, the main peak of the Minshan Mountains, is 5,588 meters high. Snowmelt from the summit gathers into streams, cascading down the travertine slopes, forming numerous waterfalls and rapids. These waterfalls fall to the mountainside, dispersing and accumulating, creating over 3,000 clear and colorful travertine ponds in Huanglong Valley—the largest more than a thousand square meters, the smallest only a few square meters, in various shapes. The pond water is clear, of varying depths, and in some places brightly colored like brocade. This spectacular staircase-like group of colored ponds resembles the legendary abode of immortals. The famous Huanglong Valley, backed by Xuebaoding (the Minshan main peak) and facing the source of the Fujiang River—Fuyuan Bridge—is a gentle slope valley 7.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The valley is filled with creamy yellow rock, looking from afar like a yellow dragon winding through dense forests and deep valleys—hence the name Huanglong. During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Huanglong Temple was built here to worship the Yellow Dragon. Huanglong Valley is famous worldwide for its 'unique, extraordinary, beautiful, and secluded' natural scenery. Huanglong Scenic Area also hosts precious flora and fauna. Among over 1,500 species of higher plants, most are endemic to China, with 11 under national first- to third-class protection. Rare animals include giant pandas, golden monkeys, takins, clouded leopards, and other nationally protected species. Every spot is a painting; you can always find your perfect position. This summer, slow down and feel the awe of this World Natural Heritage!