Huanglong Scenic area has two parts: Huanglong and Muni Gorge. Huang Long includes Huang Long Valley, Danyun Gorge, Snow Treasure Peak, while Muni Gorge comprises two scenic spots the Zhaga Waterfall and the Erdao Lake. The special character of the area which extends over 700 square kilometers results from formations of talpatate which give a special color to ponds and beaches. With a background and of high mountains, snow covered peaks, valleys, waterfalls, lakes and forests, these talpatate scenes are quite spectacular.

The most remarkable scene in the area is the Huanglong Valley noted for its unique open karst landscape. The main attraction of the valley is the 3.6-kilometer-long and 30 to 70-meter-wide pale yellow calcareous deposits. At the end of the valley, water from melting snow mixes with limestone water from underground, flowing down the mountain terraces, depositing the calcium carbonate from the limestone water on the rocks, stones, and fallen branches in its path. The calcium carbonate, in turn, develops into solid, low travertine banks and reacts chemically with organic and inorganic substances, resulting in various kinds of calcareous deposits that reflect a golden color in the sunlight in the water that flows down the slopes just like a huge yellow dragon flying down the snow mountain. When water flows into two separate streams, it naturally turns into more colorful lakes and waterfalls, forming a ladder-shaped lake group. Altogether Huanglong has over 2,300 colored ponds in eight groups. Different layers of ponds are joined together just like terraced fields. Large ponds are dozens of square meters, and the small ones are only a few square meters. The calcium carbonate in the ponds deposited to form travertine bodies together with organic and inorganic substances. The water in the ponds is in different colors when the sun shines on it. So the ponds in Huanglong are called five-colored ponds.

The Huanglong Temple is situated on the top of the scenic area. South of the temple is Xuebaoding, the main peak of the snow-capped Minshan Mountain. Rising 5,588 meters above sea level, it is covered in snow all year round.

On the hillsides by the two sides of the Huanglong Valley are virgin forests. Different types of flowers and plants are found in the forests. The evergreen coniferous trees and precious flowers and plants add to the beauty of Huanglong. According to statistics, Huanglong has a forest coverage of 65.8% and a vegetation coverage of 88.9%.

Many rare animals are also found in the forests in Huanglong. Occasionally, these lovely birds visit the colored ponds.

The scenic area was made a world natural heritage site in 1992.