Live Your Best Lives
Isolated from modern civilization, there's a place where, "The tangerines near the county government ripened, were picked and distributed to each household, but by the time they arrived, they were rotten," and "News from the village wouldn't reach them for half a month." It seems the place is stuck in a primitive agricultural era. But with the opening of the most beautiful Yunnan-Tibet Highway and the completion of a rural road built over 50 years through countless obstacles, it's finally connected to the outside world this year!
After 50 years of waiting, Nujiang River and Yunnan cannot live without you!
Rather than saying I don't have the chance, I'd rather just say I don't want to go. This place is exactly the backward village you imagine, impoverished and dilapidated. But strangely, the few who have set foot here are amazed by it, even moved to tears. Is it still what you imagine it to be?
Visiting Kunming and Dali doesn't fully understand Yunnan; you need to venture further west. Further west lies the Nujiang River. Flowing southward from the Tanggula Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it enters Yunnan Province and turns southward. Its most famous feature is the Nujiang Grand Canyon, which connects more than a dozen ethnic minorities in Nujiang Prefecture, Yunnan, including the Lisu, Dulong, and Nu peoples. Because it's rarely visited, the region still retains its ancient customs.
Autumn and winter are the most beautiful times of year in the Nujiang River region. Autumn is a searing crimson, while winter is a silvery white that blends the river and sky. No words would describe it enough; now is the perfect time to visit!
Bingzhongluo, where "humans and gods coexist," is an ancient and remote civilization that deserves a visit once in a lifetime. Legend has it that Bingzhongluo, where humans and gods coexist, is known as the last pure land. Life is fleeting, and memories are fleeting. In ten thousand years, humans have forgotten the days of divine coexistence, but the people here believe that the gods live and watch over them. Peach blossoms blanket the mountains, reaching the sky; the golden Puhua Temple blesses the entire town. Whether quietly meditating among the flowers or making a sincere wish within the temple, it is a wonderful experience.
The Dulong River nestled among the towering mountains is as green as emerald, and the “50-year wait to finally meet” mentioned at the beginning refers to Dulong River Township.
This is one of China's most pristine ecologically preserved areas, densely covered with vegetation, and shrouded in wisps of mist, it resembles a fairyland, a true paradise! This is an extremely rare natural treasure! To protect its pristine ecology, the government has restricted admission to only 500 people per day! This lung-clearing journey is not to be missed; missing out could be a lifelong regret.
They say, "If you've visited the Grand Canyon but haven't visited the First Bend of the Nu River, your trip to the Nujiang River is a waste." You might not have heard of this place, but you've undoubtedly seen its viral photo somewhere—the curving river curves around a horseshoe-shaped peninsula, marking the First Bend. While the uncultivated Nujiang River is rarely visited, we'll take you to an exclusive viewing platform, offering a breathtaking view of the Nujiang Gorge's most quintessential scenery.
As its name suggests, Wuli Village, nestled in the mist, is a village nestled in the clouds. It can be reached by hiking two kilometers north along a mountain path along the clear Nu River. This is the last remaining pristine village. Every villager exudes a simple, kind smile, their eyes as clear as water. To give the children more opportunities to experience the outside world, China-TravelNote has established a "Tourists' Bookstore" here, sending books every month. If you're lucky enough to visit, be sure to bring a few books with you.
Turn off the most beautiful Yunnan-Tibet Highway and go up about ten kilometers, you will reach Laomudeng on the hillside of Biluo Snow Mountain at an altitude of 1,800 meters.
Laomudeng is a Nu language word meaning "a place where everyone is especially welcome." The village is set against the backdrop of the winding Gongshan Mountains and is supported by the Nujiang River Gorge.
In this era where everyone is vying for the title of "the most beautiful town", Laomuden does not fight for it. It just sits there, waiting for the world's praise.
"Zhiziluo" is a Lisu word meaning "a good place." Indeed, in the old town of Zhiziluo, high above the Biluo Snow Mountain, silence reigns, with only the sound of footsteps to be heard. Though less prosperous than it once was, the more it weathers the vicissitudes of life, the more charming it exudes. Every broken wall and ruin holds a glimpse of the glory of time.
The new Yunnan-Tibet channel - Bingchacha. The world's most magnificent, strange and extraordinary sights are often found in dangerous and remote places where few people go.
As the most challenging section of the Yunnan-Tibet Highway to renovate, it can truly be described as "high mountains, treacherous rivers, and a long, difficult journey." The journey from Yunnan to Tibet is an ultimate challenge. The autumn scenery along the Bingchacha route is stunning, with clear weather from October to November. However, heavy snow will block the mountains in late November, making travel impossible. Cherish this golden autumn moment!
China-TravelNote has fully upgraded the high-quality picnics at the ranches along the way, allowing you to share delicious food with nature and have a leisurely trip.
The legendary Dulong woman with a mysterious butterfly tattoo on her face has finally been found! Of the Dulong people, who number just over 7,000, only a dozen or so remain with this tattoo, the oldest 108 years old and the youngest 50.
Long ago, when Dulong girls reached the age of twelve or thirteen, elders would draw patterns on their faces using bamboo sticks dipped in pot smoke water. They would then pierce the skin with thorns and rub pot ash or grass juice into the wounds. Once the scabs formed and fell off, a blue-green pattern would form. Ancient theories suggest that the tattoos were done to ensure reunion with the soul after death, to prepare for rebirth, or to prevent being abducted and enslaved.
I was fortunate enough to meet a 93-year-old woman with face tattoos. Having heard so many stories about her, my hands were shaking with excitement when I saw her in person. The tradition of face tattoos is now obsolete, and tattooed women will eventually disappear into the passage of time. If you can still see a Dulong woman with face tattoos, it will be a precious memory.
The "bathhouse meeting" is a Lisu tradition with a history of over 400 years. During the New Year, members of the tribe, along with their children, gather at Denggen Hot Springs to take a "spring bath" in the holy water, meant to wash away impurities. Traditionally, men and women bathed together without reservation, creating a sense of detachment and a sense of transport back to a distant, more primitive era.
The "bathhouse" is actually a steaming hot open-air pool formed by gurgling spring water flowing slowly down the rocks and hillside. The natural minerals are comparable to skincare products. Become a Lisu for a while, share the gifts of nature among the mountains and rivers, and wash away your fatigue.
What I want to tell the world most is that when you come to Nujiang, you must go to Lamudeng, and when you come to Lamudeng, you must try the Nu ethnic minority pilaf here!
The most "soul" of the Nu ethnic group's pilaf is the roasted suckling pig in the middle. The elder brother of the village said that first you have to choose a two-month-old female suckling pig weighing about ten pounds, slaughter it, clean it and then marinate it. This process is very important. The taste of the suckling pig depends entirely on the marinating process. The secret recipe is unique and cannot be passed on to others!
In addition, Nujiang's other delicacies are also mouth-watering and unforgettable!
The Nujiang River Gorge is a gorge of steep cliffs and deep ravines. The surging river, like a galloping wild horse, separates the two banks. Without a bridge, how could one cross? Our ancestors devised a solution: a zipline strung between the two mountains, creating the "Nujiang Sky Bridge." This single cable connects the two banks.
Nowadays, ziplines are more than just a means of transportation; tourists also enjoy ziplining across the Nu River. Tied to a thick rope, zipping across the roaring Nu River, surrounded by the rustling wind, the thrilling experience is so breathtaking that it was even dubbed the "Bridge of Wind" in a 1996 television documentary by Japan's NHK radio station.
Nujiang, home to over ten ethnic groups and three major religions, boasts a rich variety of folk customs. In the morning, stroll along the ancient Tea-Horse Road, gently treading on paths once trodden by and engaging in conversation with past travelers. Or don new Lisu attire and dance with them, or join fellow Nu people for an evening gathering by the kang, sharing a glass of wine and conversation.
What's even more thoughtful is that in order to take care of the travel experience of every tourist, the Nujiang section does not use bus pick-ups. Instead, all buses are used and only 5 people are allowed to ride. This ensures that every tourist can enjoy the beautiful scenery from the window and have enough space to rest after playing.
In fact, the most moving part of this journey was touching something that might soon disappear. The sense of reality was profound. We often assume that feelings and scenes we haven't seen exist forever, but in reality, they too will slowly fade away in a place we haven't even reached. To borrow a quote from a tourist who visited the Nu River with us:
"We joked that if there are still bad roads, please cherish them. With the speed of road construction going on right now, in a few years, there won't be any bad roads left. Even the mysterious Nu River is no exception. I believe that in the long run, these places built along the Nu River will no longer be covered in dust and dirt, but with only clouds and moonlight."
I hope that after experiencing mountains and rivers, you will still feel that the Nujiang River is worth it!
