🏔️ Nujiang Grand Canyon (怒江大峡谷)
Located in northwest Yunnan Province (云南省西北部), Nujiang Grand Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, just after the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is home to the largest autonomous prefecture of ethnic minorities in China, including the Lisu (傈僳族), Nu (怒族), Dulong (独龙族), and Pumi (普米族) among the 22 ethnic groups. One side features roaring waters like thousands of galloping horses, while the other side is a high mountain canyon shrouded in clouds. This hidden gem is less commercialized and more beautiful than Shangri-La, and even 90% of locals in Yunnan have never visited it. Unfortunately, despite passing by many times, I had never entered before.

🏔️ Nujiang Geomorphology

• The area is filled with fast-flowing rivers, with the Nu River (怒江), Lancang River (澜沧江), and Irrawaddy River (伊洛瓦底江) forming part of the world natural heritage site "Three Parallel Rivers" (三江并流).
• Named for its steep drops and fast currents, the Nujiang originates from the southern slopes of the Tanggula Mountains (唐古拉山). The highest peak is Gaoligong Mountain's main peak, Gawagapu (高黎贡山主峰嘎娃嘎普峰), at an elevation of 5128 meters (16,824 feet), while the lowest point is Shitouzhai in Lushui City (泸水市石头寨) at 738 meters (2,421 feet), with a relative height difference of 4390 meters (14,403 feet).
• Featuring a subtropical mountain monsoon climate, it has a "one river, two mountains, three climates" system, resulting in rich biodiversity.

🗺️ 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Nujiang Grand Canyon (怒江大峡谷) (Stay in the canyon area)
Day 2: Laomudeng Scenic Area (老姆登景区) → Stone Moon (石月亮) → Great Man Peak (伟人峰) and Crown Mountain (皇冠山) → Laomudeng Scenic Area Viewing Platform (老姆登景区观景台) (Stay in Laomudeng)
Days 3-4: Bingzhongluo (丙中洛): Drive along National Highway 219 (自驾219国道) → Nujiang First Bay (怒江第一湾) → Bingzhongluo Viewing Platform (丙中洛观景台) (Photo stop) → Wuli Village (雾里村) (one of China’s most beautiful villages) → Zhanatong (扎那桶) (Bingzhongluo Peach Blossom Island) → Qiunatong (秋那桶) (last village before entering Tibet) → Chongding Church (重丁教堂)
Day 5: Dulong River (独龙江) and Tiger Leaping Gorge (老虎跳峡谷) → Dulong River (独龙江) (if lucky, you may meet one of the few elderly Dulong women)

🥩 Recommended Foods

• Hand-grabbed rice (手抓饭)
• Lacquer oil chicken (漆油鸡)
• Stone slab cakes (石板粑粑)
• Nujiang coffee (怒江咖啡) (known as China's Blue Mountain coffee)
• Pipa meat (琵琶肉)

🛖 Travel Tips

1. Transportation: Fly to Baoshan Airport (保山机场), then drive or join a tour to Nujiang Prefecture (怒江州).
2. Best Time to Visit: After October. The summer rainy season can cause landslides and mudslides, making it safer to visit in winter.
3. Local Culture: Nujiang people are hospitable and good at singing and dancing. They also have a high tolerance for alcohol, so don't easily challenge them to a drinking contest. Their cuisine is predominantly spicy and sour, so bring antidiarrheal and stomach medicine if you can’t handle spicy food.
4. Ziplining: This is a quick way to experience Nujiang but can be dangerous. It is not recommended for the elderly or young children.
5. Transportation Within Nujiang: The entire journey is on mountain roads. It's best to drive or join a tour group. Opt for a gas-powered car, as there are very few charging stations, and taxis are not convenient.

Estimated Costs

• Flights: 1,200 CNY (approximately $170 USD)
• Accommodation: 2,000 CNY (approximately $285 USD) for 4 nights
• Food: 1,000 CNY (approximately $140 USD) for 5 days
• Transportation: 1,000 CNY (approximately $140 USD)

Total Estimated Cost: 5,200 CNY (approximately $735 USD)
Note: Costs may vary depending on meal, accommodation, and travel timing.