Nujiang River in Yongde County, Lincang
Overview
Nujiang River (怒江) in Yongde County (永德县), Lincang (临沧), Yunnan Province (云南省), is renowned for its rugged beauty and pristine natural landscapes. Flowing through the deep valleys and gorges of northwest Yunnan, the Nujiang River, also known as the Salween River (萨尔温江), is one of Asia’s last free-flowing rivers. Its course through Yongde County offers breathtaking views of towering cliffs, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls.
Geographic and Cultural Features
Yongde County, located along the Nujiang River, is characterized by its ethnic diversity, with various communities including the Lisu (傈僳), Dai (傣), Yi (彝), and Hani (哈尼) people. The area is known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional villages, and terraced fields that cascade down the mountainsides.
Yongde County is situated in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, in the northwestern part of Lincang City, covering an area of 3,219.68 square kilometers. The county is abundant in water resources, featuring two major river systems. Apart from the Yanglang River (秧浪河), which is part of the Lancang River (澜沧江) system, the rest belong to the Nujiang River system. The main course of the Nujiang River flows for 12.5 kilometers within Yongde County, with a basin area of 6,820 square kilometers.
The Nujiang River is a major river in southwestern China. It originates from the southern foothills of the Tanggula Mountains (唐古拉山) on the Tibetan border and flows from northwest to southeast through eastern Tibet. Upon entering Yunnan Province, it shifts southward, passing through the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture (怒江傈僳族自治州), the Baoshan Region (保山地区), and the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州) before entering Myanmar and becoming the Salween River, eventually flowing into the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. The river is approximately 3,240 kilometers long, with 2,013 kilometers in China, and a total basin area of 325,000 square kilometers, with 137,800 square kilometers in China. The total runoff is approximately 70 billion cubic meters, primarily replenished by rainfall, with most occurring during the summer months.
How to Get There
To reach Nujiang River in Yongde County, you can take a bus or drive from Lincang City. The area is well-connected, and local transportation options are available.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to explore the river and surrounding areas is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities.
- What to Bring: Bring comfortable shoes for hiking, a camera to capture the stunning scenery, and perhaps a picnic to enjoy by the river.
- Activities: Engage in hiking, photography, and exploring local villages to experience the rich culture of the ethnic communities in the area.
