The ancient city of Songpan was builtduring the Tang dynasty and it was later rebuilt during Ming dynasty. Songpanwas an important military post. It was also an important economic and tradingcenter for horse and tea exchange between Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai and Tibet.

During Tang rule, it was the border withthe Tibetan Empire. Emperor Songtsen Gampo of Tibet tried to invade Tang Chinathrough this gate. Emperor Taizong of Tang offered him Princess Wencheng atSongzhou (now Songpan) in 641. According to Tibetan and Chinese legends,Princess Wencheng then brings with her among other things the Jowo statue tothe Tibetan Empire.

While Songpan can be a charming city in itsown right, the countryside surrounding the city offers a variety of touristattractions. The hills surrounding the city are visual delights of Tibetancattle herders leading their livestock over rolling grasses, endless valleys,and generally beautiful landscape. All of this can be seen through affordablehorseback riding outlets on the outskirts of the city.

Under the jurisdiction of Aba Tibetan andQiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, Songpan is adjacent to Pingwuon the east, Maoxian on the south, Jiuzhaigou and Ruoergai on the north. Itcovers an area of 8,486 square kilometers (3,276 square miles) and has apopulation of 76,000 people including many ethnic groups like Tibetan, Qiang,Hui and Han.

The downtown of Songpan Sichuan is 2,850meters (9,350 feet) above sea level and only 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) awayfrom the well-known Jiuzhaigou National Park. Songpan is famous for theHuanglong National Scenic Reserve with the colorful and vast calcifiedlandscape.The magnificent Songpan Ancient Town and unique ethnic-minoritycustoms are also worth your visit and experience. Visitors can spend 2-3 daysto visit Songpan and Jiuzhaigou National Park together as they are very close.As the largest trade distribution center of tea-horse trade in Sichuan, Gansuand Qinghai during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Songpan keeps being one of thebest destinations for horse trekking.

The major scenery is concentrated in the3.6-kilometer (2.2 miles) long Huanglong Valley that includes snow-clad peaksand the easternmost glaciers in China.Due to its layered calcium carbonateddeposit patterns, the valley resembles a golden dragon winding its way throughthe virgin forest, stone mountains and glaciers. Along the valley arescattering numerous colorful ponds of different sizes and shapes, which arestrewn with gold colored limestone deposit giving a shimmering golden hue towater, so in sunlight, a golden dragon seems to surge forth from the forest.Thus it was named 'Huanglong Valley' (Yellow Dragon Valley).

HuanglongNational Scenic Reserve

Huanglong National Scenic Reserve, the onlywell-protected plateau wetland in China, is world-famous for breathtakingcalcified pools, snow mountains, grand canyons and primeval forests. Beyonddispute, it is the best places to visit and top things to do in Songpan.

It is famed for its outstanding travertine(calcium carbonate) formations. With the virgin forest as its backdrop, thetravertine scenery holds colorful ponds, beaches, lakes, springs, waterfalls,caves, etc. The travertine formations scenery is No.1 in China.

Upon entering the Huanglong National ScenicReserve, a group of exquisite, crystal clear ponds will immediately catch youreyes with their unparalleled and esthetic charm. These are the Yingbin(welcoming guests) Colored Ponds. In spring, the luxuriant trees, bloomingflowers, butterflies and birdsong enhance their glamour even more. From theponds, you can see the interwoven reflection of trees, mountains, clouds andsky, which is a veritable feast to the eyes.

Along the valley, you will see manyattractions including Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall), Xishen (washing body)Cave, Penjing (miniascape) Ponds, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple, Huanglong(Yellow Dragon) Cave, Shitazhenhai and Zhuanhua (whirling flower) Pond, etc. Inthe Yellow Dragon Cave, there are three sitting Buddha figures whose bodies areencrusted with calc-sinter crystals. In winter, ice forest, bamboo shoots andwaterfalls, etc, form a magical icy scene. Shitazhenhai is the most beautifulattraction of the whole scenic area. The calcium carbonate deposits give amyriad of different hues to the water, which is truly breath-taking. ZhuanhuaPond is crystal clear and the spring water never stops welling up. If you throwflowers or leaves into the pond, they will swirl rhythmically with flow of thewater.

Huanglong National Scenic Reserve iscomposed of Huanglong Valley, Mounigou Valley, Danyun Canyon and XuebaodingSnow Mountains. Tourists should pay attention to that most spots of HuanglongScenic Area may close from December to March for the maintenance except forMounigou.

Huanglong Valley highlights the large-scaleand colorful calcified pools. From a distance, the pools are like pieces ofjade plates laid out neatly and can change into different colors under thesunlight. The best time to visit Huanglong scenic area is in summer and autumnwhen the pools are more beautiful due to its abundant water supply.

Mounigou Valley holds the primary area ofvirgin forest in Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, the MounigouValley comprises Erdao Lake and Zhaga Waterfall which is the biggest calcifiedwaterfall in all China.The scenery of Mounigou Valley is mainly characterizedby primeval forests, alpine lakes, hot springs and waterfalls. The scenic spotincludes two parts: Zhaga Waterfall and Erdaohai Lake. Zhaga Waterfall islocated at an altitude of 3,270 meters (10,728 feet), with a height of 93.2meters (305.8 feet) and a width of 35 meters (115 feet). It is far less crowdedthan Jiuzhaigou but is definitely the most spectacular calcified waterfall inChina. Erdaohai Lake is named after the Xiaohaizi Lake and Dahaizi Lake. Theclear and crystal lakes are dotted in primeval forests and a leisurely strollaround them will make you enjoyable and refreshing. Mounigou Valley is also aplace in which you can see Tibetan Buddhism temples like Xiaobao Temple, addingmore religious charm to the valley.

Erdao Lake locates in the northern part ofMounigou Valley, Erdao Lake is the largest in the area and around the lake aremany underground limestone caves which connect Erdao Lake with other lakes inthe area. The color of Erdao Lake varies with the seasons, harmoniouslycomplementing the lake with its surrounding of colored limestone. When standingby the lake, it seems very tranquil and calm; this belies a strong undercurrentthat is very active. Erdao Lake holds attractions such as Swan Lake, Baihua Lake,etc. Beside the Baihua Lake, there is a mysterious cave which embraceswonderful and magnificent naturally-formed stalactites.

Zhaga Waterfall scenic spot stretches forabout 5 kilometers (3 miles), where water flows around trees and trees grow inwater and this scenic spot boasts many attractions. At the bottom of ZhagaWaterfall, there is a round-shaped stone onto which the waterfall cascades. Inthe sunlight, the spattering water is like jade, exhibiting wonderful colors.This is the Jianyu Tai (spattering jade platform).Guhuashi (ancient fossils) isthe place where a number of prehistoric, fossilized animals, plants and fishare well preserved and remain intact. Feicui (Emerald) Spring is one of the tenmost famous springs in China due to its water's medicinal value, and many haverecovered from stomach sickness and arthritis after drinking or bathing in itswater. The local population considers Feicui spring divine and allows nobody tocause damage.

The Huanglong National Scenic Reservegained its fame for its magical landscape of limestone formations, as well asthe forest ecosystems and animals on the brink of extinction, such as the giantpanda and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.

SongpanAncient Town

Songpan Ancient Town was not only animportant military fortress in the northwest of Sichuan, but also a major poststation for the tea-horse trade of the Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han people. Itis still well preserved and you can see the 6.2 km (3.9 mi) long old city wall.The Min River flows through the city from east to west and there are manyantique buildings and two old mosques. Tourists can stroll around the city bytaking a rickshaw or climb up the wall to enjoy the magnificent scenery. 

Takea Horse Trekking Tour

The special horse trekking tour is alsoworthy of trying in Songpan. It takes 1-2 days for a short trip to MunigouValley or 5-7 days to Mount Xuebaoding. You can enjoy the stunning scenery andhave a glimpse of the local nomadic life. It is better to bring enough warmclothing and snacks as well as a sleeping bag. It costs CNY 300/day per personand the best time to visit is from May to September.

BestTime to Visit Songpan

The best time to visit Songpan Sichuan isfrom May to October, the rainy season when the Huanglong Valley and MounigouValley is more beautiful. Because of a variety of terrain and altitude, theclimate in Songpan Sichuan has obvious regional differences. From November toMarch, the weather is dry and windy and the temperature is below 0℃ (32℉). Theannual extreme minimum temperature is - 21℃ (70℉). From Mayto September, the average temperature is above 10 ℃ (50℉). Songpanweather also has the characteristics of large daily temperature differences.

BestSongpan Food to Try

The best Songpan foods to try are TibetanHot Pot, Stewed Chicken with Fritillary, Beef Offal Soup, Mash Soup, Fried Leekdumpling.