Huanglong or Yellow Dragon Valley, in the Songpan County of Sichuan Province is a world Heritage Site which is so beautiful that it is known as "Fairyland on Earth''. This valley resembles a yellow dragon winding its way out of the forest, when seen from an aerial view.
When we were in Huanglong it was mid Autumn, but it might as well have been mid winter! From the plane, we could see the snow-capped mountains piercing through the clouds.That was a spectacular sight, and many of the passengers had their cameras out. There was excitement in the air!
The beauty of the mountains, the brilliant colours of the ponds and the splendour of the luxuriant forests are the inspiration for the songwriters in this region, we are told. Most of the songs they write are not love songs, but are tributes to the scenic beauty.
It was a winter wonderland that greeted us as we climbed higher up. Huanglong Valley is 3,000 metres above sea level, you see. The mountains are 5,000 metres!
Despite the snow on the ground, the sky was blue, the sun was shining.
It was all in all, a lovely place to visit. We were riding on the back of the Yellow Dragon...how much better could it get?
Linking to:
Outdoor Wednesday
Watery Wednesday
Share The Joy Thursday
Skywatch Friday
Sensational Haiku Wednesday (Prompt : Resolve)
Poetry Picnic (Week 20)
Poets Rally (Week 59)
Weekend Reflections
Haiku Heights (Prompt: Travel)
Haiku My Heart
Scenic Sunday
Shadow Shot
When we were in Huanglong it was mid Autumn, but it might as well have been mid winter! From the plane, we could see the snow-capped mountains piercing through the clouds.That was a spectacular sight, and many of the passengers had their cameras out. There was excitement in the air!
The beauty of the mountains, the brilliant colours of the ponds and the splendour of the luxuriant forests are the inspiration for the songwriters in this region, we are told. Most of the songs they write are not love songs, but are tributes to the scenic beauty.
 |
| This is Flying Waterfall on Lotus Platform. |
It was a winter wonderland that greeted us as we climbed higher up. Huanglong Valley is 3,000 metres above sea level, you see. The mountains are 5,000 metres!
 |
| The wooden walkways were covered with frozen ice... |
It was all in all, a lovely place to visit. We were riding on the back of the Yellow Dragon...how much better could it get?
A Fairyland
from the forests dark
Yellow dragon surges forth
creates the River Min
to stop the disastrous floods
for this gracious deed
Emperor is beholden
the valley is blessed
a fairyland that dazzles
ponds' shimmering hues
beckon and bewitch our minds
what sorcery is this
that led my wanderings here
what alchemy seeks
to overwhelm my senses
I gazed, succumbed to its spell
(a choka form of the waka)
Travel-inspired-Tales
tales of legends, myths
from places where I travel
I resolve to tell
the tales manifest
the secrets of ancient times
of beings mystic
smell the ambience
taste the local colour
sense the history
(haiku set)
from the forests dark
Yellow dragon surges forth
creates the River Min
to stop the disastrous floods
for this gracious deed
Emperor is beholden
the valley is blessed
a fairyland that dazzles
ponds' shimmering hues
beckon and bewitch our minds
what sorcery is this
that led my wanderings here
what alchemy seeks
to overwhelm my senses
I gazed, succumbed to its spell
(a choka form of the waka)
Travel-inspired-Tales
tales of legends, myths
from places where I travel
I resolve to tell
the tales manifest
the secrets of ancient times
of beings mystic
smell the ambience
taste the local colour
sense the history
(haiku set)
Outdoor Wednesday
Watery Wednesday
Share The Joy Thursday
Skywatch Friday
Sensational Haiku Wednesday (Prompt : Resolve)
Poetry Picnic (Week 20)
Poets Rally (Week 59)
Weekend Reflections
Haiku Heights (Prompt: Travel)
Haiku My Heart
Scenic Sunday
Shadow Shot
wow! amazing pics :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures! Loved the haikus as well :)
ReplyDeleteloved everything, from the pictures, the free verse poem, and the haiku set. but wait, no panda? isn't Sichuan the land of panda bears? anyway, travelling does seem to bring out the whole artistic side of an artist, which can be seen on this page. nice work!
ReplyDeletegorgeous! fairyland indeed!
ReplyDeletebreathtaking, how can we describe such beauty?
Spectacular Pics...
ReplyDeleteLoved your Haikus
Awesome photos ... enjoyed reading your poem as well ... all ties up nicely. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking pictures!
ReplyDeletemagical fairyland in your words.
ReplyDeletethe imagery of winter is breath taking.
The view of the snowy mountains is stunning! Thanks for sharing it with us:)
ReplyDelete2012, huh? Ok, new resolution to reply to comments as often as I can. I shall still be making visits to your posts after I read your comments and reply, of course.
ReplyDelete@ Tina´s PicStory, Mama Zen, jeannete, Jenn and Tara Tyler - glad you enjoyed the scenery, it was just heavenly for a traveler from the tropics like me to catch both autumn and winter at the same venue and time!
@ Taylor Boomer, becca givens,G-Man, shail - thank you for your feedback on my poems. I do so appreciate what poets and writers like you, have to say.
@ Olive Tree - thank you so much for recognizing what travel does to me (and others, of course).Am following your journey in your blog, as well.
How very lovely! In some ways it reminds me of Yellowstone Park!!! The falls and the grandeur of the mountains!! Have wonderful day!!! Cathy
ReplyDeleteyou have taken remarkable photographs that all sing out to the magnificence of this glorious earth! thank you for taking us along for an adventure of a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteA fairyland indeed -- wow! You've taken us on a beautiful adventure to a faraway land.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely views that inspire songs. Amazing photography.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Gorgeous pictures!!
ReplyDeletei am Here
ReplyDeletetasting ""the local color ""
and it is Yummy!
from my florida
home
i enjoy the snow you share
as i have none!
the brightness
of it all
amazes...
how fun to see Winter
briefly
in mid-august!
♥
Amazing photos of an awesome location ~ lovely poetry ~~ thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor)linked w/HMH
ReplyDeleteof beings mystic...love that...fantastic photos
ReplyDeletethank you for my awesome friday viewing!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBreath-taking!
ReplyDelete♥♥♥
I am becoming a better and better taster of the local color--and sweet it is!
ReplyDeleteTen Thousand Rooftops
So perfectly written...and so ambitious...you have a way with language♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteWhat stunning photographs! Lovely indeed. Great haiku, too.
ReplyDelete