Huanglong Waterfalls (黄龙的瀑布 [Huánglóng de Pùbù])

The Huanglong Waterfalls (黄龙的瀑布 [Huánglóng de Pùbù]; Yellow Dragon Waterfalls) are the waterfalls I'm putting into this page to highlight the sloping nature of the yellow terraces and mounds that give rise to not only some waterfalls but also glorious pools. Huanglong means "Yellow Dragon" and if you were to see the landscape from the cable car here under decent weather, you could easily envision why this park was so named. This is really a side attraction (though it's kind of a bit out of the way) for those who visit the more spectacular Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve.

We showed up at the wrong time of the year (in early May). That was because the snowmelt here was not substantial enough at this time of year, and it further required the aid of the Summer rains to make this a really worthwhile park for both waterfalls and for terraces reminiscent of those found in the northwestern part of Yellowstone National Park.

Among the names of the falls that would've been here were the Lotus Waterfall, the Marvelous Flying Waterfall, and the Golden Wall Waterfall among others. From looking at the pics on this page, you'll have to use a bit of imagination to see how they came up with those names.

Speaking of side attractions, I'd argue that the waterfalls here would've taken a back seat to the terraces and pools comprising Huanglong anyways. The creme de la creme was at the very top of the strenuous high-altitude walk (would've been less strenuous had we shelled out money for the cable car ride to the top). That was where we saw gorgeous light blue and yellow pools every bit as reminiscent of the Minerva Terrace in its prime in Yellowstone's northeast.

Since we didn't take the cable car up, we can say that it took us about 4 hours to hike up to the pools at the very top and then come back. We were fighting the thin air on the way up, and we got caught in a bit of a snowstorm on the return, but somehow we managed to make it out safely.

View Larger Map

TRIP REPORTS

• May 2, 2009

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

Have You Been To This Waterfall?

Share your experience!

Click here to see visitor comments for this waterfall

Click here to see visitor comments for other waterfalls that we've visited in this region

Click here to go to the Comments Main Page