Nujiang Grand Canyon in Yunnan

Why is Nujiang Grand Canyon So Special?

Nujiang Grand Canyon is the longest and most mysterious, precipitous and unsophisticated canyon in the world, which goes southeast from Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in south-north trend. The part in Yunnan reaches a length of more than 300 kilometers and a average depth of 2000 meters. The deepest part is located in Bingzhongluo, known as 'Grand Canyon of the East'. The spectacular Nujiang Grand Canyon and the roaring Nujiang River thrill and shock the travelers.

Nujiang Grand Canyon

Where is Nujiang Grand Canyon - Location

Nujiang Grand Canyon is located Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, northwest of Yunnan province. From the point of view of China map, it is just at the position of “chicken ass”. Nujiang river originated in the foothill of the Mount tunggula in Qinghai-Tibet plateau, via Yunnan, from north to south and then go into Burma (called the Salween river in Burma), then enter into the Indian Ocean, the whole length is more than 1540 km.

How is the Nujiang Grand Canyon formed?

The Nujiang River surges forward between Gaoligong Mountain and Biluo Mountain. The altitudes of all the mountains beside the two banks are over 3,000 meters. As the drop height of the river is high, the river water is rapidly rushing and the wave is high, forming a very spectacular sight. There are many steep cliffs at both banks. Flowing toward the south with an annual water amount of 1.6 times that of the Yellow River, the river is impinging against the banks and thus forms the steep Nujiang Grand Canyon.

History and Culture

Along the Nujiang Grand Canyon, there are a few minorities live in Hushui County, Gongshan County and Fugong County, such as Lisu nationality, Nu nationality, Dulong Nationality and Zang nationality. One cannot imagine people living on such steep inclines. Most mountain inhabitants live in wooden sheds and huts built on the side or even the top of the mountain.Villages on the other bank of the river are accessed either by narrow hanging bridges constructed with small wooden planks strung together with rattan tied to trees; or by sliding on overhead cables that span the river. The cables are tied to trees on either side of the river and to cross, one is suspended from a rope loop attached to a harness worn around the waist.

Nujiang Grand Canyon

Special Climate

As affected by the southwestern monsoon climate of the Indian Ocean, Nujiang Grand Canyon forms a special climate that there are four seasons in a same mountain and the weathers are different within five kilometers. It is a common phenomenon that the trees are verdant and green in the river valley that is sweltering as in summer, the flowers are in full bloom and the grasses become yellow on the sidehill, and the mountaintop is the world of ice and snow as in winter.

Nujiang Grand Canyon

Features

Nujiang river within the territory of Nujiang county is more than 310 km, due to river east has Biluo snow mountain (has more than 20 peaks are 4000 meters above the peak), river west has Gaoligong mountains (also has more than more than 20 peaks which are 4000 meters), Nujiang river flowing between these two mountains, on both sides of the mountain is magnificent, all in the 3000 meters above sea level, deep valleys, big river fall, and the rapid water form a 310 km long, 2000-3000 meters deep canyon area. On upper Nujiang grand canyon--Qinatongnakaluo, the snow mountain in the both side is 5000-6000 meters high, the river at an altitude of 2000 meters high, 3000-4000 m elevation difference, because the mountain bold, river rushing, sparsely populated, this section of the canyon appear depth, become the perfect place for adventure tourism.

The scenery is magnificent. Almost too good to be true. But there it is before your eyes: overwhelming memories of other beautiful places you have seen with its colour, scale and grandeur. Farms and villages mottling this riverine wonderland which is home to Nu, Lisu, Drung, and Tibetan minority people. Forests, streams and waterfalls adding their particular features to the bigger picture.

How to Get there

By Bus

There are a few alternatives to get to Nujiang Grand Canyon. From Kunming, one can catch a bus to various places in the Gorge.

Kunming - Fugong:

At least one sleeper bus winding all the way to Fugong in the middle of the gorge. The trip is about 14 hours(710km).

Kuming to Liuku:

It's 580km. Express and sleeper buses leaving from Kunming daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, 13hrs ride. There are also buses from Dali(8hrs) and Baoshan(4hrs) to Liuku.

Kunming to Gongshan:

A sleeper bus departing from Xiyuan Bus Station at 18:00 daily, 830km/ 18hrs.

By Car-rental

Renting a car to visit Nujiang Grand Canyon is more convenient. Yunnan Exploration Travel can provide the service for our clients with the good vehicle and skilled driver.

Best Time to Visit

From October to April is the best seasons to visit Nujiang Grand Canyon, especially in the spring time when the mountain flowers are in bloom. The Nujiang river in Spring Festival is the most beautiful season when the Biluo Snow Mountain is covered with white snow, and the water of the Nujiang river is gentle whose color is like jasper. Summer is hot and rainy.

Recommended Visiting Route

The principal towns in the Nujiang Grand Ganyon include Liuku, Fugong, Gongshan and Bingzhongluo. The most beautiful part of the Canyon starts from Bingzhongluo. Liuku is an unpleasant town with ugly concrete buildings can definitely be ignored. Fugong is mainly populated by the Lisu tribe. The scenery between Fugong and Gongshan is fabulous with lots of steep slopes and waterfalls.

Accommodate at Nujiang Grand Canyon

Liuku is the capital of Nujiang Prefecture. There are many guesthouses and the accommodation conditions are quite good. Fugong county and Gongshan county also can provide accommodation for tourists. Or you can live in the farmer’s house.

Attractions Nearby

Biluo Snow Mountain
Biluo Snow mountain is one of the major mountain ranges in Hengduan Mountain in Yunnan. It faces Lan Cang River on the east, and stops at Nujiang River ­on the west. Biluo Snow mountain is also called the “Mountain of thousands of Waterfalls and lakes”, indicating the rich in the beautiful landscapes.

Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve
It runs through the southern section of Hengduan Mountains from south to north. Covering a total area of 120,000 hectares with forest coverage of 85%. It is characterized by its natural landscape of biological and climate vertical belts, various types of vegetation, and a great variety of plants and animals.

The First Gulf of Nujiang River(怒江第一湾)
When Nujiang River flows through Ridan Village of Bingzhongluo, it is obstructed by Wangqing Grand Cliff so that Nujiang River is forced to flow in east-west trend instead of north-south trend. After running 300 meters, Nujiang River is cut off by Danla Mountain so it turn round from west to east. Hence the half-round gulf of Nujiang River.

Bingzhongluo
Bingzhongluo, which is called 'A Heaven of Peace and Happiness', is the most beautiful place in Nujiang Grand Canyon. It represents the southernmost extent of the Tibetan culture, and the northernmost extent of Han Chinese influence in the valley.

Mt. Gaoligong on the west bank of the grand Nujiang Canyon

Useful Travel Tips

Due to the inconvenience of transportation, the best traveling way is car-rental.

If you go to visit the Dulong river or Qiunatong village, prepare walking shoes.

Tours including Nujiang Grand Canyon

6 Days Nujiang Grand Canyon Adventure with Bingzhongluo Hiking Tour

9 Days Nujiang Grand Canyon Tour with Dulongjiang River Valley Hiking Adventure

12 Days Yunnan Three Parallel Rivers Overland Tour with Biluo and Meili Snow Mountains

15 Days Three Parallel Rivers Overland Adventure with Dulongjiang River Valley and Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking

39 Days Yunnan 25 Ethnic Minorities Discovery and Photography Tour