Climate
Winter in Mount Siguniang is cold and relatively dry, with night-time temperatures dropping to as low as -15ËC regularly in Rilong, and to even colder temperatures in the mountains. Daytime temperatures hover around 0ËC, however the conditions are often sunny, with little snowfall.Spring brings milder temperatures, with both snow and rain becoming more frequent. Summer's weather is unpredictable, but can get as high as 30ËC during the day. Night time is generally cool, however, regardless of the daytime heat. Thunderstorms are also common.Autumn sees less precipitation, with sunnier weather and lower night-time temperatures that often drop below freezing.
Understand
Mount Siguniang National Park lies 220km west of Chengdu, in the Qionglai Mountains of western Sichuan in China. The park is comprised of Mount Siguniang itself and the three most accessible valleys surrounding it. The nearest town is Rilong æ¥éé. The three valleys are called Changping Valley é¿åªæ², Haizi Valley æµ·åæ² and Shuangqiao Valley åæ¡¥æ². The first two lie adjacent to Siguniangshan, whilst the Shuangqiao Valley is 7km west of Rilong. The Changping and Haizi Valleys are accessable only by non-motorized transport while the third valley has a paved road and is where most of the tourists visit. The Shuangqiao Valley also has 28km of boardwalk extending to the valley's end, whilst the first 3km of the Changping Valley is equipped with a boardwalk.
Flora and fauna
Because of its geographical location and diversified landforms, Siguniang Mountain is home to a diversity of animals, many of which are rated in China as first-class protected species. Its mammals include the Sichuan golden monkey, white-lipped deer, clouded leopard, snow leopard and occasional giant panda. It is also home to a number of iconic birds, such as the Chinese monal pheasant, Chinese hazel grouse, bearded vulture, Sichuan pheasant partridge, Tibetan snow-cock, and blood pheasant.Over 1000 plant species have been recorded in the national park.
History
Mount Siguniang National Park was approved for establishment in 1994 by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. An application for World Heritage status as part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary: Wolong, Mt. Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains was submitted to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature IUCN, leading to its inscription as a World Heritage site in 2006. The National Park is a category II national park under the IUCNâs Management Categories of Protected Areas.