Longchuanjiang River in Tengchong, Baoshan

Longchuanjiang River in Tengchong, Baoshan
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Overview

The Longchuan River (腾冲市龙川江) is a significant tributary of the Irrawaddy River within Yunnan Province, China, and part of the Irrawaddy River system. It originates on the western side of Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山) in Tengchong County (腾冲县), Baoshan City (保山市), and the southern border of the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture (怒江傈僳族自治州). The river begins at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters above sea level, with a main stream length of about 312 kilometers and a basin area of approximately 10,820 square kilometers. The river width ranges from 40 to 300 meters, with a natural drop exceeding 2,600 meters.

The Longchuan River contributes an average annual water flow of around 9 billion cubic meters and flows through more than ten towns, including Tengchong County, Longling County (龙陵县), and Luxi City (陆良市). Upon merging with the Mangshi River (芒市河) southwest of Luxi City, it becomes known as the Ruili River (瑞丽江).

Hydrology and Climate

The Longchuan River is one of the regions in Yunnan Province closest to the Indian Ocean, significantly influenced by the southwestern monsoon during summer and autumn. Annual rainfall can exceed 3,000 mm, typically averaging around 2,000 mm, with additional rainfall from the Gulf of Tonkin (北部湾).

Longchuan River Cascade Development

The Longchuan River has a total length of 125.2 kilometers and a basin area of approximately 5,800 square kilometers. With a natural elevation difference of 322.2 meters, it features an average slope of about 2.58‰, making it an ideal medium-sized hydropower development river in Baoshan City.

In 1994, the Longchuan River Basin development was planned and subsequently approved by the provincial government. The city plans to construct nine cascade hydropower stations: Dipanguan (底盘关), Yawushan (瑶山), Shangzhai (上寨), Qushi (曲石), Longjiang Level I (龙江一级), Longjiang Level II (龙江二级), Longjiang Level III (龙江三级), Tenglongqiao (腾龙桥), and Lazhai (腊寨), with a total installed capacity of about 320,000 kilowatts. Due to changes in regional economic and social development, adjustments to the hydropower development plan are ongoing, now proposing 19 cascade power stations with a total installed capacity of 458,810 kilowatts.

Key Power Stations

  • Dipanguan Reservoir Power Station: 8,000 kW
  • Malutang Hydropower Station: 2,000 kW (already built)
  • Yawushan Hydropower Station: 1,120 kW (already built)
  • Dashifang Hydropower Station: 640 kW (already built)
  • Huazhiba Hydropower Station: 1,600 kW (under construction)
  • Tiangsheng Bridge Hydropower Station: 6,000 kW
  • Jiangyuan Hydropower Station: 4,800 kW (already built)
  • Shizhu Hydropower Station: 5,000 kW
  • Qushi Hydropower Station: 6,400 kW (under construction)
  • Longjiang Level I Hydropower Station: 24,000 kW
  • Longjiang Level II Hydropower Station: 20,000 kW (already built)
  • Longjiang Level III Hydropower Station: 6,250 kW (already built)
  • Longwenqiao Hydropower Station: 12,000 kW
  • Qiaojie Hydropower Station: 16,000 kW
  • Dapingtian Hydropower Station: 12,000 kW
  • Tenglongqiao Level I Hydropower Station: 60,000 kW
  • Tenglongqiao Level II Hydropower Station: 45,000 kW
  • Lazhai Hydropower Station: 120,000 kW
  • Nongling Level Hydropower Station: 108,000 kW

The development of the Longchuan River is a priority for Baoshan City under the 11th Five-Year Plan and beyond, ensuring all hydropower stations follow the approved plans with necessary feasibility studies for any new constructions.

Longchuan River Rafting

Longchuan River rafting is situated in Linjiawan (林家湾), Qushi Town (曲石镇), Tengchong City (腾冲市), approximately 30 kilometers from the city center. This area is surrounded by various attractions, including Tengchong Volcano Park (腾冲火山公园), Heiyu River (黑鱼河), columnar joints (柱状节理), and Beihai Wetland (北海湿地).

The rafting experience on the Longchuan River features gentle currents and meandering channels, with widths reaching nearly 100 meters and depths of almost ten meters. The rafting route covers 5.20 kilometers, starting at Linjiawan and ending at Yongji Bridge (永济桥), Qushi.

Longchuan River rafting is located in Linjiawan, Qushi Town, Tengchong City, Yunnan Province, approximately 30 kilometers from the city center. The area is surrounded by attractions such as Tengchong Volcano Park, Heiyu River, columnar joints, and Beihai Wetland. The rafting experience on the Longchuan River features gentle currents and meandering channels, with a width of up to nearly 100 meters and depths reaching nearly ten meters. The rafting route spans 5.20 kilometers from the starting point at Linjiawan, Qushi to the endpoint at Yongji Bridge, Qushi.

Along the way, visitors encounter cultural landmarks such as the Yue Lao Tan (Old Man Yue’s Pool), River Bay Hot Springs, Lotus Pond Romance, Mountain and Water Harmony, Millennium Love (Lovers’ Forest), Mud Cow Rafting, Golden Bull Gorge, Listening Cloud Spring, Enlightenment Stone Zen, Spring Wind Bridge, Snow Moon Flowing Smoke, Fish King Cave Mansion, Mud Cliff Water Curtain, Anzhi Ting Lan, Puji Tang, and Yongji Bridge, featuring sixteen local stories and natural landscapes.

Cultural Landmarks Along the Rafting Route

  • Yue Lao Tan (月老潭)
  • River Bay Hot Springs (河湾温泉)
  • Lotus Pond Romance (莲花池浪漫)
  • Mountain and Water Harmony (山水和谐)
  • Millennium Love (千年爱恋) – Lovers’ Forest (情人林)
  • Mud Cow Rafting (泥牛漂流)
  • Golden Bull Gorge (金牛峡)
  • Listening Cloud Spring (听云泉)
  • Enlightenment Stone Zen (启示石禅)
  • Spring Wind Bridge (春风桥)
  • Snow Moon Flowing Smoke (雪月流烟)
  • Fish King Cave Mansion (鱼王洞府)
  • Mud Cliff Water Curtain (泥崖水帘)
  • Anzhi Ting Lan (安之听澜)
  • Puji Tang (普济堂)
  • Yongji Bridge (永济桥)

These cultural landmarks and natural landscapes showcase sixteen local stories, enriching the rafting experience.

How to Get There

To reach the Longchuan River for rafting, you can take a bus or taxi from Tengchong City center. The most convenient route is via local transportation services that connect to Qushi Town.

Travel Tips

  • Best Time to Visit: The optimal time for rafting is during the summer months when the water flow is suitable and the weather is pleasant.
  • Safety Gear: Ensure that you are provided with life jackets and other safety gear before embarking on the rafting journey.
  • Local Guides: Consider hiring a local guide to enhance your understanding of the river’s cultural significance and natural beauty.
  • Accommodation: Look for accommodations in Tengchong City for easy access to the rafting site and other attractions in the area.

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The development of the Longchuan River is a key focus for Baoshan City during the 11th Five-Year Plan and beyond. After completing the planning and revisions, which have been approved, the development strictly follows the established plans. Any hydropower stations to be constructed in river sections not originally included in the plan require technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan period, the main tasks for the Longchuan River include completing the construction tasks of the following hydropower stations: Lazhai with 120,000 kilowatts, Tenglongqiao Level I and II with a total of 105,000 kilowatts, Nongling equivalent shell with 108,000 kilowatts, Shizhu with 5,000 kilowatts, and Longjiang Level I with 24,000 kilowatts. From 2011 to 2020, development efforts focused on Dipanguan, Tiangsheng Bridge, Longwenqiao, Qiaojie, and Dapingtian cascades, integrating the necessary river regulation functions with preparatory work for the Dipanguan head reservoir and downstream power stations, ensuring timely development.