Golden snub-nosed monkeys have a striking appearance. Their most distinctive feature is their unique upturned or “flat” nose, with a flattened shape and forward-facing nostrils. This flat nose is believed to protect the delicate nasal area from frostbite in their cold high-altitude habitat.

Their fur displays a vibrant golden-orange hue, especially on the forehead, neck and belly, forming a warm contrast with the darker markings on the top of the head, nape, outer arms, thighs and tail. Adult males have long, flowing golden and black hair on their back, reaching up to 55 cm in length.

Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys also have pale blue facial skin without fur, creating a strong visual contrast with their colorful coats. They have a sturdy body, black almond-shaped eyes, and a thick, protruding upper lip.Males are generally larger than females: males weigh about 19.8 kg and measure 58–68 cm in body length, while females weigh about 12.4 kg and measure 47–52 cm.

They are folivores, but also feed on seeds, fruits, lichen, bark, insects and small vertebrates (including birds and their eggs).

hey live in single-male multi-female groups or all-male groups. Group size changes with seasons: smaller groups of around 20–30 individuals in winter often gather into larger units; in summer, groups can be as large as 200 individuals. Multiple troops occasionally unite to form super-groups of up to 600.