Wuliang Mountain in Yunnan

Wuliangshan Mountain

Wuliang Mountain, formerly known as Mengle mountain (蒙乐山), is located in the west of Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, between 23 ° 57 '- 24 ° 44' n and 100 ° 22 '- 101 ° 04' E. Jingdong Yi Autonomous County covers an area of 2581 square kilometers. Wuliang Shan starts from Nanjian Yi Autonomous County in the northwest and extends to Zhenyuan (镇沅), Jinggu (景谷)and other places in the southwest, Lancang River in the West and Chuanhe River (川河) in the East.
Wuliang Mountain, known as Mengle mountain in ancient times, is named after the meaning of "towering into the clouds, immeasurable in the area". The mountain branches extend to the East and West and area in the shape of a fan. The geological structure includes limestone, sandstone, shale, low valley, flat dam and hills. Coniferous, broad-leaved and mixed forests grow here. Except growing the Widely distributed Simao Pine, rare and precious trees also grow here. There are tigers, leopards, bears, deer, boars, monkeys, donkeys, rock sheep, water deer, peacocks, silver pheasants and other animals in the primitive forest.

Introduction of Wuliangshan Mountain

Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve is located in the southeast of Nanjian County, in the middle and upper part of Wuliangshan Mountain. The west part is the Lancang River Valley. It is a narrow strip with a length of 33 kilometers from north to south and 6 kilometers from east to west. The total area of the reserve is 7583 hectares.

Reserve covers an area of 230 square kilometers, stretching 50 kilometers from north to south and 7 kilometers from east to west. At the joint of Hengduan Mountain Ranges and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Wuliang Mountain Nature Reserve is included in the sub-valley area of the south part of Hengduan Mountain Ranges.

Climate

The climate zone here is between mid subtropical and south subtropical zones.

Rare Plants

Over 1,500 species of higher plants can be found in the nature reserve and the natural conditions are quite variable. The vegetation exhibits a coverage percentage of 91 and boasts flora families such as Fagaceae, Theaceae, Lauraceae and Magnoliaceae etc, including Pinus kesiya (Simao pine), Pinus yunnanensis (Yunnan pine or Burma pine), dumosa, Tetracentraceae, Alcimandra cathcartii (long-pistil magnolia), red magnolia, Pterospermum kingtungense, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Mangifera sylvatica, longan, red Chinese toon, Rhododendron, Chinese torreya, tree fern, Michelia floribunda (multi-flower michelia) and Chinese yew etc. Complicated but favorable natural conditions have created cozy shelters and habitats for wild lives.

Rare Animals

Protected rare animals in Wuliang Mountain Nature Reserve include black gibbon, slow Loris, tiger, leopard, golden cat, zibet, sambar deer, musk deer, goral, mandarin duck, and green peacock etc. There are approximately 271 species of birds, accounting for 23 percent in China and 35 percent in Yunnan Province.

Cherry Blossoms Valley

Cherry Blossoms Valley of Wuliangshan is in the tea plantation of Huaqing Tea Company of Dali. Many Taiwanese merchants rented this tea garden many years ago. Because of the growth of tea trees, they planted winter cherry blossoms in the tea garden. A few years later, as the cherry tree grows up, the gorgeous photos have brought a considerable tourism industry to the local area, and it has become a popular tourist destination favored by many people in a short time.

They are open from late November to mid-December every winter, and the flowering period lasts for about 25 days. Therefore, people who want to see the cherry blossom valley style must confirm the flowering period.

Wuliang Mountain, also known historically as Mengle Mountain, is the western branch of the Yunling Range in the Hengduan Mountains. It is located in Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, China, between 100°03' ~ 101°07' E longitude and 23°20' ~ 25°34' N latitude. The mountain range runs in a northwest-southeast direction. The ridge line is around 2500 meters in elevation, with deep valleys on both the east and west sides, and a relative height of over 1500 meters. The main peak, Bijiashan, has an elevation of 3370 meters.

The Wuliang Mountain area consists primarily of Mesozoic red lacustrine sandstone and shale, with a small amount of intrusive igneous rock. It is an erosional block mountain range. The climate varies horizontally, with the southern part experiencing a northern tropical and southern subtropical plateau monsoon climate, the central part a mid-subtropical plateau monsoon climate, and the northern part a mid-subtropical and northern subtropical plateau monsoon climate. The vertical climate bands are well-developed, and the region is rich in plant and animal resources.

Formation and Evolution

Wuliang Mountain was formed after the uplift of the plateau, cut into deep canyons by the Lancang and Yuan Rivers and their tributaries. The top is relatively flat, with a significant plateau surface and several collapsed basins.

Location and Extent

Wuliang Mountain, historically known as Mengle Mountain, is located in Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, between 100°03' ~ 101°07' E longitude and 23°20' ~ 25°34' N latitude. The main ridge stands between the Yangbi River, Heihui River, Lancang River, and the Xihe River, Weishan River, and Bayanjing. It stretches from the Zijin Mountain and Wuyin Mountain in Weishan County, south of the Xier River, east-southeast through Nanjiang, Jingdong, and Zhenyuan counties, reaching the Ganbazi Mountain near the border of Ning'er and Jinggu counties. The range is approximately 260 kilometers long in a northwest-southeast direction. The main part extends about 80 kilometers from south of Yangjie River in Nanjiang to the border of Jingdong and Zhenyuan, with a width of 10 to 15 kilometers.

Geographical Environment

Geology:
Wuliang Mountain is a tectonic erosional mountain range, part of the southern branch of the Yunling Range. Most of the mountain is composed of Mesozoic Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary red lacustrine strata, with limestone, sandstone, and shale exposed. It is characterized by Mesozoic red lacustrine sandstone and shale, with some intrusive igneous rocks.

Topography:
The terrain of Wuliang Mountain is higher in the north and lower in the south, with an average elevation of 1800 meters. The ridge line is around 2500 meters, with deep valleys on the east and west sides and a relative height of over 1500 meters.

Climate:
Wuliang Mountain has a subtropical monsoon climate, with significant variations in climate zones and natural zones. Horizontally, the southern part has a northern tropical and southern subtropical plateau monsoon climate, the central part a mid-subtropical plateau monsoon climate, and the northern part a mid-subtropical and northern subtropical plateau monsoon climate.

Hydrology:
The Lancang River and Lixian River (the upper reaches of Bayanjing River) flow from northwest to south and southeast along the mountain range, with upstream tributaries forming a feather-like network and downstream tributaries branching out.

Vegetation:
The vegetation of Wuliang Mountain is characterized by significant horizontal zonation due to the cutting action of the Lancang River. The area has well-developed vertical vegetation zones.

Mountain Relations

Belonging Mountain Range:

Wuliang Mountain is part of the Yunling Range's western branch in the Hengduan Mountains. It extends south from the Diancang Mountain. The range’s secondary ridges spread out in a fan shape. The western and eastern branches of the Yunling Range extend south to Weishan County and Midu County, gradually widening and lowering, with elevations generally below 3000 meters. This region is referred to as the residual Yunling Range, with the eastern branch being Ailao Mountain and the western branch being Wuliang Mountain.

Major Peaks:

• Bijiashan: The main peak of Wuliang Mountain, with an elevation of 3370 meters.

Resources

Plant Resources:
Wuliang Mountain is home to over 1500 species of higher plants, with a forest coverage rate of 91%.

Historical and Cultural

Origin of the Name:
Wuliang Mountain is named for its grand and expansive mountain structure.

Conservation and Research

Ecological Protection:
In 1986, the Wuliang Mountain National Nature Reserve was established. It was upgraded to a national nature reserve in 2000. The reserve covers 309.38 square kilometers and primarily protects endangered wildlife resources, including the black-crowned gibbon, gray langur, and black-necked long-tailed pheasant, as well as the subtropical montane moist evergreen broadleaf forest ecosystem.

Nearby Attractions

• Wuliangshan Mountain in Nanjian County
• The Confucian Temple in Jingdong
• Tianxin Village of Dajie Town 
• Yubishan Mountain Forest Park

Edited by  Lynette Fu/付云锐