Dimalu Township

　　Crossing the human-horse suspension bridge from Bangdang Township in Gongshan County, you’ll enter the narrow road leading to Dimalu. This earthen road, wide enough for only about one car, mostly winds through dense forests. Along the way, you’ll hear the murmuring of streams and see a continuous array of wildflowers and rare plants. That’s why locals also call Dimalu “the place where flowers bloom.” Nestled in the Dimalu Gorge, the township features scattered wooden houses along both banks of the Dimalu River. The main crops are corn, potatoes, and others. It’s said to be the highest-altitude corn-growing region in the world.

　　Due to frequent landslides caused by heavy mountain rains, crops are often destroyed, and transportation is inconvenient, so living conditions here are tough (this township, less than 30 kilometers from the county seat, is a world apart from the county town). Yet amidst the green mountains and valleys, with small bridges over flowing streams and distant snow-capped mountains glistening under the sunlight, the area has a unique charm. Most locals here practice Catholicism, and the churches are quite distinctive—simple, yet a wonderful fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can observe villagers attending worship services. It’s advised not to take photos inside the church during these times—not because you’ll be stopped, but out of basic respect, a minimal code of conduct for any traveler. Instead, sit near the church and listen to the villagers sing hymns—that’s the famous a cappella singing. The snow mountains, flowing streams, simple wooden houses, sincere villagers, wandering cattle, sheep, and dogs on the streets, and the blue sky above—all of it is deeply moving. After the service, the village head usually takes the opportunity to hold a town meeting, as regular communication is difficult and this is often the only time everyone can gather from all corners of the township.

　　Address: Dimalu Township, Gongshan County, Nujiang Prefecture, Yunnan Province