Longna River in Fumin County, Kunming
Chinese Name: 富民县龙纳河
English Name: Longna River in Fumin County, Kunming
The Longna River (龙纳河) is located in Xihe Village (西核村), Luomian Township (罗免乡), Fumin County (富民县), approximately 20 kilometers from the county town. The area is easily accessible, featuring beautiful scenery, with scattered villages along the way. The local Yi (彝族) gardens are fragrant with fruit, and the scenic area is rich in forests. The streams are clear and pristine. The Longna River, also known as Longzha Dam (龙闸坝), attracts many visitors, earning it the nickname “Little Jiuzhaigou of Fumin” (富民的小九寨).
The Beauty of the Longna River
Water nourishes trees, and trees, in turn, nurture water. Under the nourishing sun and rain, the river valley is lush and green, with vibrant hues covering the landscape. Water springs from the roots, filtered through black soil and fallen leaves, gathering into a vast reservoir without leaving any traces, showcasing its unique resilience as it quietly forms a magnificent water body.
On the grassy areas by the reservoir, small frogs can be found in abundance, easily caught if one is not careful. I managed to catch one, took a picture, and released it back to see it happily hopping around. This is their territory, and we should not disturb these little spirits too much.
With my companions, I played by the water, throwing stones to create ripples. The beautiful circles of ripples danced on the azure surface.
Scenic Features
Mingjing Pool (明镜池), Bi-Lv Pool (碧绿潭), Happy Spring (开心泉), Qinqutang (情趣塘), Mysterious Pool (神秘潭), and Dream Pool (梦幻池) are like pearls scattered throughout the valley, making it vibrant and colorful. The primeval forest is a pure, bright green, resembling a celestial tapestry that has fallen into the pools, creating beautiful landscape paintings on the red soil plateau.
Have you ever seen traditional weaving? While hiking in the mountains, I chanced upon local Yi villagers herding their livestock. During their free time, they skillfully wove cloth, a rare sight of this ancient weaving method. The hardworking Chinese can create a piece of sky with their hands. Seeing the elderly woman smiling so joyfully made me happy as well. My companions and I took turns to take photos with her.
The stream flows down the winding valley, sometimes rushing, sometimes gently flowing. The crystal-clear water allows one to see the pebbles at the bottom. The stream emits a melodious sound, seemingly singing the joy of life and the brilliance of love.
After climbing the mountain, we descended to pick cherries. The cherry tree belonging to the owner was so tall that I couldn’t reach the fruit. The owner actually sawed the tree down for us to pick, leaving me astonished. We filled an entire basket with cherries!
Longna River Health Valley Scenic Area
The Longna River Health Valley Scenic Area (龙纳河养生谷风景区) is located in Xihe Village, Luomian Township, about 20 kilometers from Fumin County. With convenient transportation and beautiful scenery, the area features scattered villages along the route, where the homes of the Yi and Miao (苗族) people waft fragrant smoke from cooking. The scenic area is dense with forests, with streams flowing gently and fish swimming leisurely. The combination of lakes and mountains is stunning, resembling a paradise on earth that makes visitors linger and forget to leave, earning it the reputation of being “Little Jiuzhaigou of Fumin.”
Chinese Name: 龙纳河养生谷 (Longna River Health Valley)
Alias: 富民的小九寨沟 (Fumin’s Little Jiuzhaigou)
Location: 罗免乡西核村 (Xihe Village, Luomian Township)
Related Attractions: 明镜池 (Mingjing Pool), 碧绿潭 (Bi-Lv Pool), 开心泉 (Happy Spring)
The valley is filled with the sounds of trickling springs and babbling brooks, and the mountains and waters are clear and beautiful. Mingjing Pool, Bi-Lv Pool, Happy Spring, Qinqutang, Mysterious Pool, and Dream Pool are scattered like pearls, bringing life and color to the entire valley. The primeval forest is a brilliant green, resembling a celestial tapestry that has fallen into the pools, creating beautiful landscape paintings on the red soil plateau.
The picturesque lake, with its stunning reflections and swimming fish, is breathtaking. The ecological fishing farm also has its own unique charm, shaded by greenery and accompanied by clear waters, recreating a poetic scene of “small bridges and flowing water in harmony with homes.” Fishing from the bank, one can catch lively yellow fish and catfish, constantly bringing surprises. Wandering through the area allows one to forget worldly matters and completely immerse themselves in nature.
“Fumin’s Little Jiuzhaigou” offers an ethnic-style farmhouse that is nestled by the mountains and water, creating a paradise on earth that leaves visitors enchanted.
Activities in the Longna River Valley: Water Crossing, Hiking, and Climbing
Activity Introduction
The Longna River Valley is located in Xihe Village, Luomian Township, Fumin County, about 20 kilometers from the county town. The canyon is dense with forests and has gently flowing streams. The area is home to the Yi and Miao villages, where the villagers are simple and hospitable. If you encounter enthusiastic villagers in the mountains, they might even perform a duet of mountain songs for you.
Activity Example:
Total Distance: 10 kilometers
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
We gather at the E exit of Line 3 or Line 4 of Dazhu Camp, take a bus for about 47 kilometers to Longzha Dam (龙扎坝水库), and enter the Longna River Valley from the right side of the dam for approximately 10 kilometers of hiking, photography, and crossing small streams. After having lunch in the valley, we return to the dam in the afternoon and then take a bus back to Kunming (昆明).
Itinerary: Longna River Ecological Park – Longzha Dam – Longna River Valley
Necessary Items
- Essential Gear: Hiking shoes or military rubber boots (essential), a backpack (essential), trekking poles, rain gear (essential), gloves, a trash bag, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a mobile phone (with a portable charger).
- Medicines: Ten Drops of Water (十滴水), Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid (藿香正气口服液), Yunnan Baiyao (云南白药), adhesive bandages, and any special items you may need.
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch, along with at least 2 liters of drinking water and 1 liter of sports drinks. You may also bring a small amount of pickled vegetables, fruits, milk candies, dried beef, or other snacks.
