7 Days Tour to Nujiang – The Last Pure Land in Yunnan Province

7 Days, 6 Nights

Geographically, northwest Yunnan is one of the most diverse and alluring destinations in China. And Yunnan has such well-known places like Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la, but here we'd like to recommend you a special area where less foreign visitors go there but it's really an amazing place for visiting, that's Nujiang River (Salween River in Burma) Area.

Nujiang River literally called Angry River in Chinese, is a part of the Three Parallel Rivers Area, it origins from Tanggula Mountain Range on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is the only river in China without building any hydroelectric station on it. Nujiang is one of the two free-flowing rivers in China and also known as one of the world's most beautiful rivers. Flowing nearly 1,800 miles from the Tibetan plateau through southwestern Yunnan Province into Thailand and Myanmar — where it's known as the Salween — the Nujiang supports an estimated 25 percent of China's plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Near the Burmese border, the Nujiang slices a 13,000 foot-deep gorge through some of the world's most dramatic mountain landscapes.

Nujiang is the only one Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of China, but here lives Lisu, Drung, Nu and other ten more ethnic groups. The Nu is one of the country's most remote and fascinating regions, with unrivaled scenery and a diverse ecosystem of 7,000 species of plants and 80 rare or endangered animals and fish. This area was uncharted on the map till 1930s, so the ethnic groups live here still keep relative primitive custom. The mysterious history also brings more curiosity to the tourists, as the road was recently repaired in Dec,2019, traveling Nujiang is not difficult anymore. And this new opened road is boasted as the most beautiful road in Yunnan Province with scenic landscapes, endless mountains, deep valleys and steep cliffs. Nujiang Grand Canyon is a main part of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture for adventure. It is a world heritage recognized by UNESCO, and also one of the most spectacular gorges in the world. The other two famous grand canyons are Brahmaputra waters canyon in China and of the Colorado Grand Canyon in US. The main character of Nujiang Grand Canyon is that snow mountain with rushing river and deep gorge.

The Nujiang Valley lies at the joint of Indo-China Plate and Eurasian Plate. The special location and its plate tectonic result in the unique landscape in the Nujiang Valley. High mountains tower above deep gorges. The view is gorgeous and magnificent. Three rivers flowing side by side, they are Dulong River, the Nujiang River and the Lanchang River. The three rivers look together like three strokes one the map, they are not far from each other, but never meet, that's what we called Three Parallel Rivers Area. The rush through mountains like Dalika Mountain, Gaoligong Mountain and Biluo Snow Mountains and have formed an extremely deep, long and mysterious canyon. The canyon is well-known as the Nujiang Great Canyon, or the Grand Canyon of the Orient.

The new road to enter Nujiang Area was recently completed at the end of 2019 like what is showed in the picture. So there is no need to worry the road condition when traveling Nujiang Area. Nujiang Area is not been artificially, mountains, green waters and the sea of clouds, all are natural beauty.

It is the holy place for photographers as well.

We would follow the route as showed in the map:

The highlights we would pass：

Bingzhongluo --- So called the heaven of Human and God coexistence, here you can experience special ethnic group's culture and custom, meanwhile appreciate the fantastic natural view.

Dulongjiang --- One of the best well-kept eco-environment areas in China. We called it The natural museum of plants.

The first bend of Nujiang ---The south running Nujiang River suddenly change the shape because of the surrounding mountains. The result is a magnificent U-shaped bend. You would appreciate the tremendous river at the viewing plat form.

Wuli, Qiunatong --- Explore the hidden world on the old tea horse road.

Zhiziluo-- A small city hidden in mountain, was the capital of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan 40 years ago. You would see the trail of before prosperous here.

The facial tattoo woman of Durong Ethnic Group --- Pay a visit to the primitive villages and the facial tattoo woman of Durong Ethnic Group whom is going to disappear soon.

Zipline on Nujiang River --- The primitive way to cross the river for the people live in the tribes at the bank side of Nujiang River.

Additional Info

LocationThailand
Duration4 Days
Min Age12+
Max People05

LandingThailand
Check In15/05/2019
Check Out15/06/2019

Day01 Dali-Lushui-Laomudeng Village

Depart from Dali city, drive to Nujiang Grand Canyon, on the way pass Lushui, stay at Laomudeng Village.

Morning departs from Dali and drive to Nujiang Grand Canyon, we firstly drive to Lushui City which is the the capital city of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. The distance is 226km and it takes around 4 hours driving time. On the way you would pass Gaoligong Mountain, Biluo Snow Mountain, local markets, flying waterfalls, and Lisu Ethnic Villages.

After passing Lushui, we continue to drive 111km, 2.5 hours to Laomudeng Village from Lushui. Laomudeng is a 12km uphill ride on a good road from Pihe town. It's about 1800m elevation from the river. You would be thrilled by the excellent location - the amazing views over the mountains with the picturesque church and its pond as the centrepiece. By standing inside a remote village, with snow mountain surrounded and the voice of the flowing water, you would gain the peace in the nature. We would arrange you to taste Nu people's pilaf as dinner. In the evening you can visit a mountain-top church and listen to the local Nu people singing hymns in their beautiful voice. Stay overnight at 150 Guesthouse which runs by a local Lisu people.

Day02 Laomudeng Village – Bingzhongluo (B/L/--)

溜索的配图

Get up early and appreciate photogenic view and peaceful atmosphere inside the small village. After breakfast, we would firstly drive to visit Zhiziluo, the old capital city of Nujiang autonomous prefecture in 40 years ago. The new capital city was set in Lushui in 1970s and Zhiziluo became an abandoned city. It has been preserved very much as it was then - complete with 'red' slogans and Mao murals - it is now being developed as a centre for red tourism. Then drive to take an outside look of Stone Moon, a remarkable hole in a mountain through which you can see the sky winking back from the other side. After visiting the Stone Moon, we would passby the local travel item called Liusuo (Zipline). After all these years, villages on the other bank of the river are accessed 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. We would take a look of the local villagers how do they use this tool to pass the Nu River. Then drive to visit The First Turn of the Nujiang River. As the cut off of mountains, Nu River turns into a semicircle, and the water is green and clean in winter and spring. You can have a panoramic view on top of the viewing platform. After 20 mins driving, we would reach Bingzhongluo Town, you would reach a viewing platform to get a first glimpse of both Bingzhongluo and the other 'toe' of Biluo. You would see the clouds float around half sky of the town which makes the town looks more charming. Stay overnight at Gudaofang Guesthouse.

Day03 Bingzhongluo (B/L/--)

Zhongding Catholic Church, Stone Gate, Tea-Horse Road, Wuli Village, Qiunatong

Today we would firstly visit a 100-year-old Zhongding Catholic Church built and founded by a French missionary that located in Bingzhongluo Town. Then we drive to The ancient Tea Horse Trade Route, it is the only road to Wuli Village. We would park our car nearby, then walk around 1-1.5 hours to visit Wuli Village. By hiking on the tea-horse road, you can fell people centuries ago hollowed out a stunning trail in the cliff through which residents and caravans could pass. Then we would spend time in exploring the Wuli Village which has over 3 ethnic groups live inside it (Nu, Lisu and Tibetan). Stone Gate is another fantastic section of the gorge along with Wuli (also called Wengli), another stunning landscape lying on a beautiful slope along the river bank. Finally we would drive to visit Qiunatong Village. Qiunatong Village, the last village in Yunnan Province closed to the border between Yunnan and Tibet. The road from here leads directly into Tibet. Qiunatong is a Nu Village with about 200 people. After finish the sightseeing in Qiunatong, we would drive you back to stay overnight at Bingzhongluo Town.

Day04 Bingzhongluo – Dulongjiang (B/L/--)

Drive to Dulongjiang Town. Pukawang Village, Maku Village, Moon Falls and No.41 Boundary Marker between China and Myanmar.

Today we depart from Bingzhongluo after breakfast, we would firstly drive around 120km, 3.5 hours to Kongdang Township. Starting from Bingzhongluo, go west to reach Dulongjiang Township – you would have a thrilling but breathtaking experience by driving on this section. There are several viewing platforms along the way to enjoy the magnificent scenery and diverse plants of the Gaoligong Mountains. After lunch served at local restaurant or local farmer's house, we drive you to visit Moon Falls. On the way we would pass Pukawang Village and Maku Village which Durong Ethnic Groups people live inside. You would have chance to see the women with tattoo on their face. It said that there are only around 20 women left in Dulongjiang Township with such kinds of tattoo. The Moon Falls locates near the border between China and Myanmar. So you might have chance to take a look of the No.41 Boundary Marker between China and Myanmar which depends on the policy for foreigners. Drive back and stay overnight at the guesthouse of Pukawang Village.

Day05 Dulongjiang (B/L/--)

Kongdang Township, Longyuan Village, Dizhengdang Village, Xiongdang Village.

Today we would continue to spend one more day in exploring the upstream area of Dulongjiang River. There are many water drops along the way, and the river visibility is crystal blue from Nov till the end of Apr. There are minority tribes lining the valley with quite a bit of historical value. The beautiful landscape, primitive culture and simple people there, would make your adventure trip worthy. Overnight stay at Kongdang, where the township government.

Day06 Dulongjiang-Gonshan-Liuku (B/L/--)

Today we would drive from Dulongjiang to Gongshan County, from Gongshan to Liuku. After arriving Liuku, we would bring you to take a look of the local famous outdoor hotspring called Zaotanghui. The driving distance is 327km which takes around 8 hours driving time. Overnight stay at 4* Hilton Garden Inn Nujiang.

Day07 Liuku-Baoshan (B)

Drive from Liuku to Baoshan Airport (148km/3hours), take flight to leave from Baoshan airport.

Quotation: based on 2 persons share 1 twin bed room

US$1710/per person

Note:

As Dulongjiang River Area is remote and primitive, so no matter transportation, road condition, restaurant or accommodation are not as developed, comfortable and convenient as other areas or cities in China, so we cannot expect too much here except the landscape, custom and heritage.
As the tourism of Nujiang District is developed recently, so there are no entrance tickets requested for all the scenic spots listed in the itinerary tentatively.
The color of the Nujiang and Dulongjiang rivers are yellow with mud in raining seasons from May to the end of Nov. And the color of the rivers turn to clean blue and green from Dec to next Apr. And the March and Apr are the Peach blossom season in Nujiang Area.

The price includes:

Private English speaking guide
Private Vehicle rental cost with Chinese speaking driver
Hotel's pick up / drop off service
Two bottles of mineral water per person per day
Accommodation with breakfasts mentioned in the itinerary (Guesthouse only provides simple Chinese style breakfast)
Chinese style lunches as specified in the itinerary

The price includes:

Dinners which our guide can help you to order them at local restaurants or at local farmers' houses.
Tipping to guide and driver

Suggested Tipping Standards:

US$430 to local guide
US$220 to local driver
Insurance
The transportation cost to Dali and depart from Baoshan
The application cost for visa

Video

Depends on the season, the scenery along the Nu River will vary greatly. It's always a swift river, full of rapids, moving at a rate of up to seven meters per second in some places, but the color and volume changes. In the summer (generally from May to Nov) it is brown and full, though it never floods its banks. In the winter ( from Dec till next Apr) it is blue-green, running at a lower level, sometimes exposing little beach-like slivers of white sand, such as at the 'toes' of Biluoshan and villages just south of the First Turn. Likewise, the land scenery will vary with the seasons. Autumn features patches of red and gold in the forested hills, while spring sees the blooming of umpteen different kinds of wildflowers.
Please show your respect to local ethnic groups'customs and do not act intrusively during the church services.
The dietary taste in Nujiang Area is typical Yunnan taste which is sour and spicy. If you cannot accept such taste, please do let us know in advance.
The altitude of Nujiang Grand Canyon is around 2000m, and the altitude of Dulongjiang River Area is around 3000m which you might probably have altitude sickness. So we suggest you not to do strenuous exercise in the short time.

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