Plan your next trip to China: Dulongjiang Township

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Dulongjiang Township in southwest China's Yunnan Province is known as the "secret land of southwest China." It sits in the deep Nujiang Valley with harsh climatic and geographical conditions.

For decades, over 4,000 Derung people lived in hay huts on mountain slopes. But thanks to the construction of the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel a few years ago, the mysterious veil of Dulongjiang has been lifted.

A view of the Gaoligong Mountains in Dulongjiang Township of southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CGTN Photo

Best travel season

Travelers are suggested to avoid the rainy season.

Along the Dulong River, the mountains are steep and the roads are narrow and winding. The rainy season often brings about road damage and landslides. Extreme weather is also a feature of winter in the region, so autumn is the best time for traveling to Dulongjiang.

A view of Dulongjiang Township of southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CGTN Photo

Driving route

Dulongjiang is an excellent destination for a road trip.

Starting from Baoshan Airport, take the 228 Provincial Highway to Liuku County and Fugong County, and the final destination is Gongshan County. But do pay attention to the speed limit because the roads are narrow and serpentine.

A view of Dulongjiang Township of southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CGTN Photo

Starting from Gongshan County go west to reach Dulongjiang Township – a thrilling but breathtaking experience awaits you. On one side of the road, mountains stand majestically, and on the other is a cliff.

There are viewing platforms along the way to enjoy the magnificent scenery and diverse plants of the Gaoligong Mountains. It takes about three hours from Gongshan County to Dulongjiang Township.

Best spots

Dulongjiang borders Myanmar from the west. Gaoligong Mountains, Biluo Snow Mountains, Nujiang River, and Dulong River run through the whole township.

The China-Myanmar border in Dulongjiang Township of southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CGTN Photo

In 2014, the 6.68-kilometer Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel was open for traffic, putting an end to the seasonal isolation of Dulongjiang. The highway shortened Dulongjiang's distance from the nearest city, Cikai, to 80 kilometers from 96.2 kilometers, and reduced the driving time from eight hours to less than two hours.

The Gaoligong Mountains are home to a rich variety of plants and rare animals. It has earned the name "corridor of animals from the north to the south of China."

The Dulong River runs next to mountains and deep valleys, crossing a vast and magnificent landscape.

The Moon Falls in Dulongjiang Township of southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CGTN Photo

The Moon Falls are about three kilometers from the border of Myanmar, in the lower reaches of the Dulong River. The falls are so magnificent that they look like they're cascading from the sky.

The Moon Falls in Dulongjiang Township of southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CGTN Photo

A waterfall about 200 meters high and 4.5 meters wide gushes out from the rock wall on the top of the Snow Mountain. When the water level rises, the waterfall plunges like a giant white dragon into the turbulent Dulong River, making a loud sound which can be heard several miles away.