Kingdom of Muli

Kingdom of Muli

Guide In the article "Chinese Yellow Sect - The Kingdom of Muli," Muli is described as follows: In this world-renowned land of Shangri-La, beneath the majestic pyramid-like snow-capped mountains, there lies a mysterious little kingdom ruled by —; in this kingdom, people are deeply religious and live peacefully and serenely; in the valleys below the snow-capped mountains, 0 produce large amounts of gold, making this small kingdom wealthy and enjoying the conveniences of modern civilization. Such a description precisely reflects the landscape of the historical Muli Tusi domain and what Joseph Rock witnessed and heard at that time. Best travel seasons: June and July, when the mountains are covered with wild azaleas of various colors; September and October offer enchanting autumn scenery, making them perfect travel months. The scenic area remains entirely in its pristine state, offering photographers and backpackers the latest route to explore, showcasing a landscape different from that of Daocheng Yading.

Highlights Layered mountains and towering peaks: Muli features undulating mountain ranges and numerous striking peaks, with over 900 peaks above 4,000 meters in elevation. The highest peak is the legendary "Three Brothers Peak of Xinre Ren" (Xinre Ren, Jiangbie Yong, Qialangduojie). Among the tourist attractions, Gongga Snow Mountain (Qialangduojie), located in Qila Village, Shuilo Township, is the most famous. This mountain is perpetually snow-covered, its white peaks glistening brilliantly under the sunlight, presenting a spectacular sight. Along the way, there are many beautiful scenic spots — the picturesque White Water River (also known as Milk River), the magical Fairy Water, the serene Chami Water, the unfathomable caves, azaleas covering the hillsides, the naturally formed Dragon Mouth Waterfall, the Sacred Sea halfway up the mountain, the Snow Mountain’s Belt, and the Narrow Gorge, all of which are fascinating natural wonders.

Waterfalls like wild horses: The Yunnan Fort Waterfall is located in Shawan Township, where vegetation is well-preserved. Amidst the tree-covered mountainside, a waterfall cascades down like an untamed horse, forming a unique two-tiered waterfall and a spray of mist that shoots into the sky. Local residents have a tradition of coming here annually for the "water circumambulation." Muli is home to more than ten naturally beautiful highland lakes, the most famous being Dingdonghai Lake, Cunduo Lake (Changhai), Niduo Lake, and Basang Lake. In spring, flowers bloom vibrantly around the mountains and lakes; in summer, emerald-green waters stretch to the horizon; in late autumn, golden hues are reflected in the lakes, with wild ducks leisurely playing; in deep winter, the mountains are draped in silvery white. Against the backdrop of water and mountains, rare highland scenery unfolds before your eyes. Ancient Temples and Buddhist Light: The Tibetan people in Muli practice Tibetan Buddhism, with three major temples and eighteen smaller monasteries, among which the Muli Grand Temple is the most renowned and a must-visit for travelers. The Unique Marriage Customs of the "Xumi" People: In Shuilo Township lives a branch of Tibetans known as the "Xumi" people. Aside from slight differences in language compared to other local Tibetans, their attire and religious beliefs are similar. Their unique marriage customs, including polyandry and polygamy, remain largely intact to this day. Xiangjiao Retains Descendants of the Ming Dynasty: Within Xiangjiao Township lies an indigenous Han Chinese village, referred to as the "Ming Dynasty Descendants" tribe. Verified by the prefectural cultural relics department, this group of Han Chinese are descendants of the Ming Dynasty. They still wear clothing characteristic of the Ming and Qing periods and maintain some ancient customs and sacrificial traditions.

　 Muli means "beautiful, vast, and profound" in Tibetan. It lies deep within the Hengduan Mountains in Sichuan, separated from Lugu Lake and Mount Gemu by just one mountain range. The county's highest elevation is 5,958 meters, and the lowest is 1,470 meters. The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, with an average elevation of 3,100 meters and a relative elevation difference of 4,328 meters. Muli, a relatively unfamiliar name to many, possesses breathtaking beauty unknown to the world. The scenery of Muli is typical of highland landscapes — blue skies, white clouds, crisp air, and a pleasant climate. It borders Daocheng and Litang to the north, and Zhongdian and Lijiang in Yunnan to the west, featuring typical alpine canyon landforms with higher elevations in the northwest and lower in the southeast, averaging 3,100 meters in altitude. Due to significant temperature variations, the climate, soil, and vegetation show distinct vertical changes, truly embodying the saying "one mountain, four seasons; ten miles, different weather."

The scenery of Muli consists of forests, rivers, mountain streams, waterfalls, lakes, and snow-capped peaks, forming a highland landscape. Because Muli is relatively unknown, its scenery gives off a wild, primal, and untamed vibe; another aspect of its "wildness" is the abundant and diverse wildlife. In June and July, Muli is covered with wild azaleas of various colors, while in September and October, the autumn foliage is mesmerizing, making these ideal travel seasons.

As the area remains entirely in its natural state, it offers the latest travel routes for photography enthusiasts and backpackers, surpassing even Daocheng Yading. In 1924, 1928, and 1929, Austrian-American scientist Joseph Rock traveled to Muli three times via Ninglang Yongning in Yunnan. With the help of the Muli Tusi, he journeyed northwest from Muli into the region bordering Daocheng County in Garzê Prefecture. He was awestruck by the natural landscapes, ethnic characteristics, religious culture, and rich cultural scenery of Muli, calling it a "garden for the gods to stroll" (also translated as "a garden for God to browse").

Food / Accommodation / Shopping

In Muli County and larger towns, there are restaurants and food stalls. In addition to common dishes similar to those found elsewhere, you can find Muli specialties such as cured pork, yak meat, lamb, yak milk, butter tea, tsampa, milk tea, fried noodles, as well as barley wine, liquor, rice wine, dairy products, and maltose candy. When traveling to more remote mountainous areas, you can stay with local villagers. The hosts may slaughter a chicken for guests at 35–40 yuan each, and you can also try other foods such as butter tea, corn, potatoes, and bitter buckwheat cakes.

Transportation Muli County is located on the southwestern edge of Sichuan Province, in the southwest of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. To the west, it borders Daocheng in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture; to the north, it neighbors Litang, Yajiang, and Kangding Counties; to the east, it is adjacent to Jiulong County; it borders Mianning and Yan Yuan Counties of Liangshan Prefecture; and to the south, it connects with autonomous counties in Yunnan Province. Buses to Muli depart from Xichang Bus Station between 7:00 and 8:20 AM, with six daily services. The total distance is 253 kilometers, the road conditions are not very good, and the journey takes about 8 to 9 hours. The fare is 53 yuan.

Sichuan Liangshan