The Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area is hosting its third orchid festival in Songpan county, Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture, from June 10 to July 30.

Surrounded by the rolling Minshan Mountains, Huanglong has been known to nature lovers for unspoiled natural environment and travertine pools of rainbow colors, it also provides rich varieties of rare orchid species.

A total of 34 varieties of beautiful orchids grow in the 3.6 meters long Huanglong Valley, including the famous ones such as cypripedium flavum, or slipper orchid, and Calanthe discolor.

This year’s orchid festival offers the opportunity to admire the dazzling array of various orchid species in the surroundings of the breathtaking alpine sceneries and unique local culture, also provides a site for discussions of environment protection issues.