Dagu Niuzhai Mountain in Dongchuan District, Kunming

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Dagu Niuzhai Mountain (大牯牛寨) is located at the border between Dongchuan District (东川区) in Kunming and Huize County (会泽县) in Qujing City (曲靖市), Yunnan Province. It is part of the Wumeng Mountain Range (乌蒙山脉) and was first successfully climbed by the Kunming Mountaineering and Exploration Association in 1990. The name “Dahai” (大海) is a transliteration of the Yi language word “Da Qi Bai” (达七摆), which means “above the steps.” The highest point of these “steps” is Dagu Niuzhai Peak, which reaches an impressive altitude of 4,017.3 meters. In contrast, the elevation at the Xiaojiang River (小江) is only around 1,100 meters, creating a dramatic vertical drop of nearly 3,000 meters. The mountain features gentle slopes and vast, open high-altitude meadows typical of subalpine landscapes.

Historical Significance

According to the Gazetteer of Dongchuan Prefecture (东川府志), Dagu Niuzhai Mountain was described as:

“Steep ridges and towering peaks, often shrouded in clouds. On clear days, the lush greenery is visible from hundreds of miles across central Yunnan.”

While the summit may not evoke the sense of surveying “all under heaven,” the grandeur and power of the landscape naturally inspire pride.

Original text:

“垂冈绝巘，危峰矗立，常有云气覆之，每天晴日朗，苍翠欲滴，滇中四五百里皆见之”

Climate and Features

The vertical height difference on Dagu Niuzhai Mountain results in a varied climate, often described as “four seasons on one mountain.” One of the most famous features is the western slope, where the Xiaojiang Mudslide Area (小江泥石流区) is located. This area, including Jiangjiagou (蒋家沟), is known for large-scale mudslides, a rare geological phenomenon both in China and internationally.

On the eastern slope of the mountain, the scenery transforms into a verdant, tranquil landscape. Crystal-clear spring water flows year-round, and vast stretches of green grass cover the land like a natural carpet. The expansive meadows, often dotted with herders, are home to flocks of sheep that are carefully guided by shepherds wearing white felt robes and carrying slender wooden staffs.

Unique Mountain Landscape

During the summer months, the steep cliffs of Dagu Niuzhai Mountain are a nesting site for thousands of swifts (雨燕). These birds contribute to the area’s beauty while providing local farmers with thousands of kilograms of swift guano, a valuable fertilizer used for growing crops like potatoes and oats. Watching the swifts leave their nests in the morning is a mesmerizing experience; their soft calls fill the air as they rise like smoke from the cliffs. In the evening, as the sunset paints the mountain in golden hues, the swifts return, forming dark clouds as they settle back onto the cliffside.

The mountain’s lush meadows are home to over 200 species of pasture grasses, which, combined with abundant water, ensure the health of local cattle and sheep. In the spring and summer, vibrant wildflowers bloom across the landscape, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Surrounded by greenery, flowers, streams, and grazing animals, you will find a sense of peace and escape from the noise and stress of city life.

In the autumn and winter, the mountain is often enveloped in mist, and when the snow begins to fall, it blankets the surrounding peaks, creating a seamless and ethereal vision of white, which leaves visitors enchanted.