The Suomo River Gorge

The Suomo River Gorge

The beautiful and slender Suomo River Gorge stretches 91 kilometers from the base of Zhugu Mountain at Shuama Intersection to Rezu in Baiwan Township, Barkam County, with a vertical elevation difference of 890 meters. The Suomo River originates from the southern foothills of Chazhen Liangzi in Hongyuan County. "Suomo" means "many sentry posts" in Tibetan, and it is also referred to as the "emperor’s comb." The name originates from the fact that 36 kilometers down the gorge lies a local chieftain’s fortress, situated at the entrance of the Jiarong Tibetan area. As a strategic pass, it was heavily guarded with checkpoints and watchtowers, leading locals to call it "Suomo."

The cliffs on both sides are steep and the vegetation is lush. The river valley boasts numerous stunning sights. The mighty Suomo River surges through the valley like a white silk ribbon wielded by the deity of Pengji Mountain, connecting the many beautiful landscapes together. There are three main scenic highlights in the Suomo Gorge: the azaleas as red as rosy clouds, the autumn forests like painted screens, and the hanging glaciers with dripping pearls. The scenery is divided into two sections. The most beautiful stretch lies over 20 kilometers downstream from Suomo Township, where one can see “wildflowers so vivid they resemble lacquer or cinnabar, covering half the mountain like a veil,” “bird paths cutting through the cold sky,” and “water raging below sheer cliffs.”

Baiwan Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Barkam County. Established in 1956, it was reorganized as a commune in 1966 and restored as a township in 1984. Located in the southwestern part of the county, it is 33 kilometers from the county seat, covers an area of 250 square kilometers, and has a population of 2,000. National Highway 317 passes through the township. It administers eight village committees: Jiada, Mu’erji, Shigudong, Rao’ba, Yingguoluo, Dashidian, Wengu, and Nianke. The main agricultural products are wheat, highland barley, and corn. … Baiwan Township detailed information++