Nujiang

Nujiang refers to the river valley and prefecture in northwestern Yunnan, China, following the upper course of the Salween River (known in Chinese as Nujiang). It is notable for steep gorges, high mountains and a concentration of ethnic minority communities including the Lisu and Nu peoples.

The area is a center of biodiversity with varied ecosystems from subtropical valleys to alpine slopes; sections of the valley are included in transnational conservation initiatives and UNESCO-protected areas related to the Three Parallel Rivers region. Visitors travel to see scenic canyon landscapes, ethnic minority villages and remote mountain roads.

Human settlement and cultural landscapes in Nujiang have developed over centuries around riverine trade routes and upland agriculture; the modern administrative entity Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture coordinates regional governance. The region borders Myanmar to the west and sits between higher ranges of the Hengduan Mountains.

Nujiang lies in the far northwest of Yunnan province, along the Salween River corridor and bordering Myanmar. Access is predominantly by road from larger Yunnan centers; terrain is mountainous with deep valleys and significant elevation changes.

• Geography: The Nujiang valley corresponds to the course of the upper Salween River and contains deep canyons and high biodiversity across largely mountainous terrain.