Located in the northwest of Sichaun Province (Sichuan), Huanglong Valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and is the easternmost of all Chinese glaciers. In addition to the mountain scenery, visitors can also find diverse forest ecosystems, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has populations of endangered animals, including giant pandas and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys.
Accreditation year: 1992
Criteria: (vii)
Area: 60,000 ha
Tung Phan District, Sichuan Province
Outstanding global value
Located in the northwest of Sichuan province, Huanglong valley with its series of limestone lakes, waterfalls, forests and mountain scenery is a top natural asset. Topped by the permanent snow-capped peaks rising from 1,700 m up to 5,588 m, they include the easternmost glacier in China. Covering an area of 60,000 hectares, this area located in the Minshan Mountains also includes spectacular limestone formations and hot springs. Its diverse forest ecosystem provides habitat for a number of endangered plant and animal species, including giant pandas and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys.
Criterion (vii): Hoang Long is famous for its beautiful mountain scenery, with relatively intact and very diverse forest ecosystems, combined with more spectacular local karst formations, such as rock pools. limestone, waterfalls and limestone shoals. Its terraces and limestone pools are certainly unique throughout Asia and rank among the three most striking examples in the world.
Integrity
Hoang Long valley is relatively compact and surrounded on three sides by steep mountain peaks. An entry station at the entrance of the valley controls access. Outside the buffer zone there are herds grazing seasonally by nomadic Tibetan herders but the impact is limited.
The estate has all the elements needed to justify its aesthetic importance, especially the limestone formations, waterfalls and limestone formations. The impacts of tourism are controlled through strict management through the zoning system, ensuring that the forest ecosystem and mountain landscape are well protected. The wildlife is in a healthy state with increasing numbers and the vegetation is recovering well.
Requirements for protection and management
As a national park, Hoang Long is protected by national and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations include Environmental Protection Law, China Law on Wildlife Protection, National Park Regulations in China, Sichuan Province Regulation on World Heritage Protection, promulgated in 2004, and the Regulation on Implementation of the Sichuan Provincial Regulation on World Heritage Protection issued by the Aba Autonomous County. These ensure long-term asset management and preservation.
In 2006, the administrative structure of Hoang Long World Heritage site was established, consisting of more than 20 departments including Nature Protection, Scientific Research, Planning and others. A substantial budget is provided to ensure the protection of assets. From 2004 to 2007, the Sichuan provincial government organized the Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou World Heritage Water Circulation System Survey and the Fragile Ecosystem Survey in Scenic Areas. They provide a comprehensive database for protection and management activities.
The main management problem is the increasing number of tourists. Other potential problems requiring effective action include natural wildfires and pollution. The property benefits from the Huanglong Master Plan, along with the Scenic Landscape Planning Standard, for better protection, performance, use and management of the property. The plan promotes environmentally, socially and economically sustainable development through strict legal compliance and effective science-based management.
Map of Hoang Long Historic and Scenic Area
Video about Hoang Long Scenic and Historical Area
See also: UNESCO World Cultural/Natural Heritage Sites
