6 Days Nujiang Grand Canyon Adventure with Bingzhongluo Hiking Tour

Nujiang is the only autonomous prefecture for Lisu ethnic minority. Nu and Dulong are minority groups unique to this region. Nujiang Grand Canyon is located throughout southwest China’s Yunnan Province and flows into Myanmar, where it joins the Salween River and ends its journey at the India Ocean. The Nujiang Gorge running from northwest Yunnan to Tibet lies in a narrow strip of land bordering Myanmar, sandwiched to the west by Gaoligong Mountain range and the Biluo Mountain range on the east. 

Highlights:

  • Sightsee the Nujiang Grand Canyon and feel the true charm of nature.
  • Hike in Bingzhongluo and explore ethnic villages there.
  • Experience the ethnic culture of Lisu, Nu and Dulong minorities.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Liuku Arrival
  • Day 2: Liuku-Gongshan
  • Day 3: Gongshan-Bingzhongluo
  • Day 4: Bingzhongluo
  • Day 5: Bingzhongluo-Liuku
  • Day 6: Liuku Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Liuku Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Nujiang River, Nujiang River Bridge
Accommodation: Liuku
Meals: Lunch

Arrive at Liuku Town, visit Nujiang River and Nujiang River Bridge.

The Nujiang River is China’s important river flowing from north to south. It has its source on the southern slope of the Tanggula Mountain Range in Tibet Autonomous Region, flowing across the Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, with a total length of 2,816 kilometers and a drainage area of 324,000 square kilometers.

The name of the river is changed into the Salween River after flowing into Burma from China, and it finally empties into the Andaman Sea of Indian Ocean at the Moulmein. The upper reaches of the river are known as the Naqu River in Tibetan. The river is called Anurimei by the Nu ethic minority, Anu is the name of the Nu people called by themselves, the Rimei means the river, so Anurimei means the river dwelled by the Nu people.

Day 2 Liuku-Gongshan

Sightseeing and Activities: the Nujiang Grand Canyon
Accommodation: Gongshan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Nujiang Grand Canyon

Drive from Liuku to Gongshan. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Nujiang Grand Canyon with Tiger Leaping Gorge, the Flying Stones and the Stone Moon. 
 
The 247-kilometer-long Nujiang River Gorge is flanked by two 4,000-meter-high mountains. The mountain peaks on the two sides have an average altitude of over 3,000 kilometers. The gorge is located in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, an area rich in ethnic minority culture. It is now a first choice for many domestic and foreign travelers.

The Dulong (also known as Drung) ethnic group is one of the smallest ethnic groups in China. With a total population of about 5,816 (data from the census in 2000), the Dulong people mainly live in the Dulong River Valley in the Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County in north-western Yunnan Province. 

Day 3 Gongshan-Bingzhongluo

Sightseeing and Activities: the First Bend of Nujiang River, the Stone House of the Nu Minority, Peach Island, the Tibetan Puhua Temple
Accommodation: Bingzhongluo
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

One full day excursion to Bingzhongluo, sightseeing includes the First Bend of Nujiang River(Salween River), the stone house of the Nu Nationality, Peach Island, the Tibetan Puhua Temple. You will then have the chance to visit a minority household and experience the life of the local people. 

Day 4 Binzhongluo

Sightseeing and Activities: Nujiang Gorge, Zhongding Catholic Church
Accommodation: Bingzhongluo
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

There are easy and beautiful walks to nearby villages along the Nujiang. A few kilometers outside of town, the river widens and cuts through very deep and dramatic gorges. The road hugs the Nujiang and landslides occur from time to time along the way. It is said that the scenery is especially spectacular after rain, however this also increases potential delays and exacerbates the danger from landslides.

The most beautiful part of Nujiang Gorge starts from Binzhongluo, the northernmost town of the Gorge, where the essential attractions of the Nujiang Gorge are located. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the landscape and an average of 2.5 hours is needed for most tourists to reach the famous “Tea Horse Caravan Route.” Renting a mini bus at Bingzhongluo town is an alternative for the less adventurous sightseers.

On the way to the “Tea-Horse Caravan Route”, you can see the 100-year-old Zhongding Catholic Church built and founded by a French missionary. Shimen Pass is another fantastic section of the gorge along with Wengli (also called Wuli), another stunning landscape lying on a beautiful slope along the river bank. Very near to the Wengli, a carved path is seen on the other bank cliff, so-called “Tea-Horse Caravan Route”, a path used by traders ferrying their goods between Yunnan and Tibet. At the end of the trekking road, an old hanging bridge and a new bridge swing side-by-side.

Day 5 Bingzhongluo-Liuku

Sightseeing and Activities: Laomudeng Village
Accommodation: Liuku
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Laomudeng Village in Fugong County, Nujiang

Leave Gongshan and drive 110km through the fascinating mountain areas to Fugong. Sightseeing includes a visit to a suspension bridge and a glide cable. Special Lisu food will be served during dinner. In the evening you will take part in a party with the local people. 

Return to Liuku. Enjoy your last day at Nujiang Grand canyon and visit Laomudeng Village and the bathhouse of Lisu minority. It is a tradition to welcome new year that all people take a bath together in the open hot springs by the banks of the river. 

Day 6 Departure from Liuku

Sightseeing and Activities: Departure from Liuku
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast

End the wonderful adventure tour of Nujiang Grand Canyon. Transfer back to Kunming. Service ends. 

Recommended Hotels

Destination 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star Hostel
Liuku / / Shengshi Hongbang Hotel /
Bingzhongluo / / Nu Xia Hotel Fusheng Manor Inn
Gongshan / / Nu Xia Hotel Fusheng Manor Inn

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels.

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Chinese visa fees;
  • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.