Huanglong (Yellow Dragon)

The national park of Huanglong (Yellow Dragon), situated north of Chengdu in the southern Mingshan mountains near the town of Songpan, was established in 1983 and declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992. The park is a high-lying valley surrounded by the snow-covered mountains of Sichuan. Its main attractions are the terraced, crystal-clear ponds that shine in amazing colored lights caused by algae, bacteria and reflections. A 9km/14mi footpath leads to the Huanglong temple after which the park has been named. The Five Color Ponds next to the temple, with their blaze of color caused by minerals, are very popular with visitors.