Deep in the Canyon|From Shiyueliang to Bingzhongluo.

From Shiyueliang to Bingzhongluo. Fortunately, the beautiful Nujiang Highway, which is the Nujiang section of the new National Highway 219, connects Bingzhongluo with the upstream and downstream destinations of the river. The road to Bingzhongluo has never been so smooth.
Starting from Baoshan, a major town in western Yunnan, and heading upstream along the Nujiang Grand Canyon, the Gaoligong Mountains that accompany you all the way become increasingly magnificent.
Awakening from the amazement of the 'high mountains and deep valleys,' a moon that will never set has already risen on the horizon—Shiyueliang Viewing Platform, a marble perforation on the cliff.
It stands guard at an altitude of more than 3,300 meters in the Gaoligong Mountains, looming in the mist, waxing and waning with the distance.
Shiyueliang is also a sacred place for the main ethnic group of Nujiang, the Lisu people. They believe that during the ancient great flood, their ancestors drew their bows and shot the Shiyueliang from the top of the mountains, causing the flood to recede.
Since then, the Lisu people have had a home to settle down, and later generations respectfully call Shiyueliang the 'Root of the Lisu.'
Regardless of the truth of such a Genesis-like legend, the majestic Gaoligong Mountains are indeed a sanctuary for countless living beings.
In the many days of exploring Shiyueliang, you can follow Songtsam into the hidden Yapin Nature Reserve, strolling through the primeval forests of the Gaoligong Mountains.
Yapin, meaning 'cliff' in Lisu language, is rarely visited, mysterious, and serene, with 'four seasons in one mountain, different weather every ten miles.' While encountering the four seasons of Nujiang, countless rare flora and fauna await your discovery.
You can also visit Laomudeng, a Nu village. Laomudeng means 'a place people like to come' in Nu language. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, you can enter the church to listen to the locals' hymns.
The four-part harmony, akin to the sound of nature, drifts through the valley, and newcomers to Nujiang are invariably moved by these devout and beautiful hymns.
Continuing along the beautiful highway, the Nujiang River rushes before you. After a quiet and elegant big bend, the Nujiang River is no longer 'angry.' When a vast rice field appears in front of you, you have arrived at Songtsam Bingzhongluo Lodge.
You can use the lodge as a starting point to continue northward, exploring the hidden depths of Bingzhongluo.

Post by SONGTSAM | May 29, 2024