Nujiang, the last secret realm of Yunnan you must visit in this lifetime!

When I first saw photos of the Nujiang Grand Canyon, I was deeply captivated by this place. Here you find the roaring Nujiang River, towering snow-capped mountains, secluded villages, and colorful ethnic cultures. As the only autonomous prefecture in China named after the Lisu ethnic group, Nujiang is like a forgotten pearl embedded in the land of northwest Yunnan. Some say this is a place "where humans and gods coexist," but I prefer to call it the last pure land of Yunnan. The Nujiang Grand Canyon is the wildest masterpiece of the Hengduan Mountains, the ultimate secret realm for adventurers and cultural travelers. The canyon reaches depths of up to 3,500 meters, with cliffs on both sides as sharp as knives, and the river rushing like thunder. Driving along the "Beautiful Highway," viewing platforms are scattered like pearls, each offering the shock of "high mountains, deep valleys, and the roaring river." Best time to visit: Spring and autumn (March to May, September to November) are ideal. Avoid the rainy season from June to August, when frequent rains can cause geological disasters like mudslides. Self-driving route: Depart from Kunming, take Kunmo Expressway, Chuda Expressway, Dali Expressway, and Nujiang Expressway to Liuku, about 600 kilometers and approximately 8 hours. Recommended duration: 1 day Dulong River is known as the "Natural Museum of Wild Plants," with emerald-clear waters reflecting the snow mountains. This is the homeland of the Dulong ethnic group, where the butterfly totem of the Wenmian women tells the ancient tribe’s secrets. Self-driving route: From Gongshan County, turn onto the Dulong River Road, passing tunnels and alpine forests to reach the area. Note: A permit must be booked in advance to enter Dulong River, with daily visitor limits. Accommodation recommendation: Several guesthouses in Dulong River Township, simple but clean. Recommended duration: 1 day 1 night Shiyueliang (Stone Moon) is located at the 3,300-meter peak of Gaoligong Mountain, a natural arch shaped like a full moon hanging in the sky. The Lisu people regard it as a divine miracle, and every year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, a moon worship ceremony is held. Nujiang First Bend is a semicircular large bend formed where the river is blocked by the Danla Mountains in Bingzhongluo. From the viewing platform, you can overlook the magnificent scenery, known as the "Sapphire of the East." Self-driving route: From Liuku Town, drive north along Provincial Road S228 for about 120 kilometers, passing through Fugong County and Gongshan County. Recommended duration: 1-2 hours Bingzhongluo, located at the Yunnan-Tibet border, is a place where the Nu, Lisu, and Tibetan ethnic groups live harmoniously, with primitive religions, Tibetan Buddhism, and Christianity coexisting wonderfully. It is known as the "Pearl of Nujiang," where multiple religions and cultures blend. Main attractions: Puhua Temple, Chongding Church (built by French missionaries), Shimen Pass (cliffs on both sides of Nujiang stand upright like gates, spectacular and perilous). Accommodation recommendation: Many guesthouses in Bingzhongluo Town, with options facing the snow mountains. Recommended duration: 1 day Laomudeng Village is located on a gentle slope halfway up Biluo Snow Mountain, offering excellent views of distant mountains and nearby gorges. Here you can sit in front of the church overlooking the Nujiang Grand Canyon and watch the sea of clouds surge. Zhiziluo (about 20 minutes by car from Laomudeng) was the old capital of Nujiang Prefecture. It was abandoned in the 1980s due to predicted landslides and still preserves buildings like the octagonal tower, Xinhua Bookstore, and old auditorium, earning the name "City of Memory." Self-driving route: From Liuku, drive north along the Beautiful Highway, winding up the mountain road to reach Laomudeng Village on the Biluo Snow Mountain slope. Accommodation recommendation: Many homestays in Laomudeng; it is recommended to choose those at higher elevations with wide views for better sightseeing. Recommended duration: 1 day 1 night Wuli Village was rated by China National Geography as "China’s Most Beautiful Village." It is located at the foot of Biluo Snow Mountain, surrounded by the Nujiang River. Most villagers are Nu ethnic group, with wooden log houses as the main architecture. Farmlands, streams, and cooking smoke create a pastoral painting. Tea Horse Ancient Road: To enter the village, you must walk a section of the thousand-year-old ancient road carved on a cliff, with the roaring river below. Walking here feels like traveling through time. Self-driving route: From Bingzhongluo, drive north along the river for about 15 minutes to the opposite bank of Wuli Village, then a short hike is required to enter. Recommended duration: Half a day Recommended Nujiang Boutique Travel Itinerary Classic 5-day tour: Day 1: Arrive in Liuku, experience Lisu culture, and taste hand-grabbed rice. Day 2: Visit Laomudeng and Zhiziluo, experience life above the clouds. Day 3: Head to Bingzhongluo, visit Nujiang First Bend and Chongding Church. Day 4: Explore Wuli Village and the Tea Horse Ancient Road. Day 5: Visit Dulong River and explore Dulong ethnic villages. Outdoor hiking route: Nujiang Grand Canyon hiking trail, about 15 kilometers long, starting and ending in Bingzhongluo Town, with sights including Nujiang First Bend, Biluo Snow Mountain, and Stone Moon. Practical Information Transportation: By plane: Arrive first in Kunming, Lijiang, or other cities, then take a flight to Liuku Airport in Lushui City, Nujiang Prefecture. Self-driving: SUV recommended; some road sections are narrow and winding, drive cautiously. Supplies: Stock up on snacks, download offline maps, as signal on the road is rarer than shooting stars. Accommodation recommendations: Lushui Denggeng Hot Spring Mid-mountain Hotel: Lie in the hot spring pool and listen to the roaring Nujiang River. Laomudeng Homestay: Choose one with a high and wide view for better sightseeing. Bingzhongluo Guesthouse: Rooms facing the snow mountains are available. Food recommendations: Hand-grabbed rice: A Lisu specialty, rice served with cured meat, wild vegetables, and dipping sauce, eaten by hand. Lacquer oil chicken: Cooked with lacquer tree seed oil, fragrant and rich; locals believe it is nourishing and strengthening. Stone slab baba: Baked on unique stone slabs from Bingzhongluo, crispy and delicious. Notes: Respect local ethnic customs and avoid offense. The canyon terrain is complex; hike or explore in groups, do not go alone. Temperature varies greatly between day and night, and mountain weather is changeable; bring enough clothing. Signal is poor in some areas; download offline maps in advance. The charm of Nujiang lies in its preservation of a raw, uncarved vitality. This route connects canyons, snow mountains, villages, and ancient roads, as well as the stories of the Lisu, Nu, and Dulong peoples. Slow down, take a moment with a cup of butter tea, and feel the warmth and poetry of this land. When the thrill of zip-lining meets the rich aroma of lacquer oil chicken, and the wonder of Stone Moon reflects on the emerald waters of Dulong River, this secluded pure land will become the most soul-stirring coordinate on your travel map.