Picturesque scenery of Huanglong, NW China (1/12)

Huanglong, literally "yellow dragon", is a scenic and historic interest area in the northwest part of China's Sichuan Province. (Chinapic.people.com.cn)

Huanglong, literally "yellow dragon", is a scenic and historic interest area in the northwest part of China's Sichuan Province. Covering an area of 700 square kilometers, the major scenic attractions in the area include Huanglong Valley, Danyun Gorge, Xuebaoding (Snow Mountain Peak), Xueshan Ridge (Snow Mountain Ridge), Mouni Valley, Hongxingyan (Red Star Rock), and Sigou (Fourth Gully).

Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. Located within the Minshan Mountains, the scenic area also includes spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. Its diverse forest ecosystems provide the home for a number of endangered plants and animals, including the giant panda and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.

In 1982, Huanglong was listed by the State Council as a national key scenic spot. In 1983, it was listed as a natural reserve in Sichuan Province. In 1992, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.