Huanglong National Scenic Area earns International Dark Sky Park designation

Huanglong National Scenic Area (Xueshanliang), Sichuan Province, China  

Huanglong National Scenic Area (Xueshanliang) has been officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International. This prestigious designation recognizes the site’s outstanding natural darkness, comprehensive lighting management, and innovative public outreach programs. Huanglong is now the first International Dark Sky Park in mainland China.

Dan Oakley, representative of DarkSky International, said, “it’s great that Huanglong has been certified as a Dark Sky Park and adds to the number of growing places in China.  The Dark Sky Park is valuable to visitors to experience and understand the protection of the night sky.  Hopefully, the efforts of Huanglong should inspire nearby facilities and communities to join in and support their work”.

Situated in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Sichuan Province, Huanglong was designated as a National Scenic Area in 1982 and is internationally renowned for its unique travertine formations, snow-capped peaks, alpine valleys, and cultural landmarks such as Huanglong Temple. It is also recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, home to 2,645 species of higher vascular plants, including nationally protected species such as the dove tree, Chinese yew, and Changnienia amoena, as well as 60 species of nationally protected animals including the giant panda and Sichuan golden monkey.

The certified dark sky core is located in the Xueshanliang area, a secluded high-elevation zone ranging from 3,900 to 4,000 meters above sea level. Thanks to its low humidity, absence of permanent artificial light, and natural topographic shielding, Xueshanliang boasts exceptional night sky quality, with frequent zenith measurements exceeding 21.4 mag/arcsec². Under moonless conditions, the Milky Way, zodiacal light, and meteor showers are vividly visible to the naked eye. This makes it one of the darkest and most stable astronomical environments in the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

To achieve IDSP certification, the Huanglong Scenic Area Administration developed a comprehensive Lighting Management Plan, conducted a full inventory of existing fixtures, and implemented strict lighting controls across both the park and its surrounding areas. The core dark sky zone at Xueshanliang remains entirely free of permanent artificial lighting, preserving a naturally pristine nocturnal environment. In the surrounding buffer zone, all lighting installations—including those at hotels, roadways, trailheads, and support facilities—have been assessed and formally incorporated into a phased retrofit plan aligned with dark-sky standards. This unified approach ensures that both current and potential sources of light pollution are systematically addressed, minimizing skyglow and preserving the integrity of the dark sky experience throughout the broader landscape.

“Becoming an International Dark Sky Park is not only a recognition of Huanglong’s pristine night skies but also a shared achievement of local communities who deeply value their ecological and cultural heritage,” said Mr. Ronglin Xu, Director of the Huanglong National Scenic Area Administration.

Looking ahead, Huanglong National Scenic Area will continue to enhance its dark sky conservation efforts through expanded public outreach, sustainable tourism development, and integration of local cultural elements. Future programming will focus on enriching nighttime visitor experiences, deepening environmental education, and strengthening community engagement. These initiatives aim to solidify Huanglong’s role as a national leader in dark sky protection and a model for eco-cultural innovation.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program:

Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, including wildlife habitat, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Huanglong National Scenic Area (Xueshanliang) now joins over 250 Places striving to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/

About DarkSky International:

The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.

Contacts

Tel: +86 (837) 724 9958
[email protected]

Tel: +86 (837) 724 9646
[email protected]

Dan Oakley
Policy and Destination Senior Manager, DarkSky International
+44 780 357 0818
[email protected]