Dulong River Valley

　　The northwest corner of the province’s map features a protruding, narrow rectangular area. Its northern edge connects closely with the Tibet Autonomous Region, while its western and southern sides border Myanmar. This rarely visited region is known as the Dulong River area. It is famous for being home to the Derung people, historically referred to as the “people of ancient times,” and is also called the “mysterious valley” due to its unique topography and remote, isolated location. The valley boasts a wide variety of natural resources, breathtaking cliffs and canyons, and rich ethnic customs, making it a rare multidisciplinary open-air museum in China.　　　　

　　The Dulong River, which runs through the entire region (250 kilometers), originates from Zayü County in Tibet. This extremely turbulent river hugs the northwestern foothills of China’s famous Hengduan Mountain Range and is surrounded by steep highlands. To the east is the over 5,000-meter-high Gaoligong Mountain (known as Qugu in the Lisu language), and to the west is the over 4,000-meter-high Dandanglika Mountain, which borders Myanmar. The Dulong River is formed by the confluence of the upstream Kelaoluo River and Mabiluo River, entering Gongshan County at Dubuli. It then turns westward at Maoding, passes through Maku into Myanmar, and joins the N'Mai Kha River. Within the region, the river stretches over 90 kilometers, covering a drainage area of 1,947 square kilometers. The entire Dulong River resembles a blue dragon, surging and roaring through the mist-covered mountains. The valley’s terrain is complex; from a high vantage point, the rolling mountains stretch endlessly, presenting a magnificent sight. There are significant temperature differences from the mountain foothills to the peaks. While walking along the river, one may sweat profusely, but upon reaching the mountainside, the air turns cool, and at the summit, it becomes bitterly cold. The Dulong River has a significant drop in elevation, and looking upstream, the river appears as if it’s descending from the sky.

　　The river has over 100 tributaries and waterfalls, not only rich in hydraulic resources but also abundant in flora and fauna. Influenced by the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean, the annual rainfall exceeds 3,200 mm, resulting in plentiful rain and a suitable climate. The valley is home to a wide variety of plants, including precious species such as fir, cephalotaxus, dove tree, sulfur rhododendron, tetracentron, and tree ferns. Rare toxic bamboo also grows here. Protected rare animals include tigers, takins, red goral, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and red pandas (lesser pandas). It’s fair to say that the entire Dulong River Valley is truly a jewel in Yunnan’s kingdom of flora and fauna.　　　　

　　The Derung people, who have lived in the valley for generations, are one of China’s less populous ethnic groups, and the Dulong River is named after them. The Derung people have long relied on the valley, mountains, and wild plants for survival, eating and using wild plants for various purposes. For example, the crossbows used for hunting are made from yellow mulberry wood, the tubes used for river crossings are crafted from fragrant wood and yellow mulberry, their clothing is made from wild hemp, and even the colorful Derung blankets are woven from wild hemp. Their houses are built with bamboo and thatch, and sometimes they eat wild yam powder and wild fruits to stave off hunger. The wide range of uses for wild plants is rarely seen elsewhere.