Xiaojiang Mudslide Wonder in Dongchuan District, Kunming
The Xiaojiang Mudslide in Dongchuan District, Kunming, is renowned as a natural museum of mudslides and serves as an ideal location for studying the relationship between human survival and the natural environment. The area’s unique geological features and frequent mudslides have earned it a distinguished reputation both in China and internationally.
Location of Xiaojiang (小江地理位置)
Xiaojiang is a tributary on the southern bank of the Jinsha River (金沙江), stretching 138.2 kilometers in length. The river valley at the bottom is 15 to 50 meters wide, with steep cliffs on both sides, resulting in an elevation difference of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. The water has a total drop of 909 meters. Due to the loose structure of the rock layers on both sides of the valley, sparse vegetation, and the highly developed deep-cut valleys, the area is prone to massive mudslides.
Unique Characteristics of the Scenic Area (景区特点)
During the flood season, the mudslides are particularly fierce, with a flow rate reaching over 1,000 billion cubic meters per second. The flow carries stones of various sizes mixed with mud, as well as broken branches, creating a massive “river of mud and stone.” This dramatic phenomenon is the result of ecological imbalance but also forms one of nature’s awe-inspiring spectacles.
Within a 90-kilometer range downstream of Longtoushan (龙头山), there are 51 mudslide channels, including Jiangjia Gully (蒋家沟), Daxiaobaini Gully (大小白泥沟), Yutoutang Gully (芋头塘沟), and Laogan Gully (老干沟), all of which are in their active development stages.
Scale and History (规模)
The mudslide development in Dongchuan has been ongoing for over 300 years. Currently, there are 113 mudslide gullies in the region, with Jiangjia Gully being the most prominent. Jiangjia Gully alone has 178 impact channels, with frequent, large-scale mudslide eruptions that cover a wide variety of types. The intact preservation of the fan-shaped impact area is not only rare in China but is also considered a leading example worldwide.
A remarkable phenomenon in Jiangjia Gully is that the loose stones in the mudslide formation area are in a state of critical stability, such that loud sounds can cause the stones to collapse and flow. Due to the frequent mudslides, the riverbed has risen by over 100 meters in the past 50 years. Standing at the bottom of the gully feels like being a tiny speck in a vast sea of stones.
Noteworthy Phenomenon: “Shout and the Stones Collapse” (声喊则碎石崩流)
This is a unique feature of Jiangjia Gully (蒋家沟), where shouting or loud sounds can trigger stone collapses, making the mudslide even more dramatic and dangerous.
Off-road Sports Events (运动项目)
Dongchuan has fully utilized its mudslide resources to develop off-road racing, holding four successful races to date. The Dongchuan Off-road Car Race has gained significant recognition from the Federation of Automobile Sports of China. In 2005, the federation awarded Dongchuan the title “China Mudslide Off-road Racing Track” (中国泥石流汽车越野赛道). By 2007, the race was included as a station of the National Four-Wheel Drive Rally Series, marking Dongchuan’s rise to one of China’s premier racing events.
The total race route spans 401.46 kilometers, with participants from eight provinces across China, featuring 18 teams and 58 cars. This demonstrates how the fame of Dongchuan’s mudslide race has expanded beyond Yunnan, making a name for itself across the nation.
Key Attractions and Names:
- Xiaojiang Mudslide (东川小江泥石流)
- Jinsha River (金沙江)
- Longtoushan (龙头山)
- Jiangjia Gully (蒋家沟)
- Daxiaobaini Gully (大小白泥沟)
- Yutoutang Gully (芋头塘沟)
- Laogan Gully (老干沟)
- China Mudslide Off-road Racing Track (中国泥石流汽车越野赛道)
