Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
The Jinsha River、The Lancang River 、The Nujiang River

   Situated in the northwest Yunnan Hengduan Mountains on the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Shangri-La Scenic Region co-nsists of Diqing Prefecture, Nujiang Prefecture, and some areas of Lijiang and Dali Prefectures, and covers a total area of over 3,500 square kilometres. It is the largest and the most promising scenic region in Yunnan in the 21st century, with the most wond-erful   sights and the most mysterious and the richest ethnic cultures. Within the scenic region there are magnificent sights such as three parallelly flowing rivers, the world-famous gorge, the highest peak in Yunnan, Buddhist temples and lamaseries, the birthplace of Dongba Culture, and many other wonderful scenes. There are also a national nature reserve, three provincial reserves, and a historic and cultural relic under national protection. "Shangri-La", which people have sought for tens of years (more than half a century), is located right here. At present most sights open to tourists are: mainly within Diqing Prefecture, which is composed of three counties Zhongdian (Shangri-La), Weixi and Deqin, with its capital in Zhongxin Town in Zhongdian County. Zhongdian County,709 kilometres away from Kunming, is located in the place bordering three provinces (Yunnan, Tibet and Sichuan), and is the political, economic and cultural centre of Diqing Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. (Now there is air service between Zhongdian and Kunming). The Shangri-La Airport is now open to air traffic, and a jet plane can cover the distance within 50 minutes. The opening of the air service is agreat help to the local tourism.
       The concurrent Flow (Area) of Three Rivers
   These rivers are the Jinsha River, the Lancang River and the Nujiang River, all 0ngnnatmg in the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau. They each run through the valleys of the Yunling Mountains, Nushan Mountains and Gaoligong Mountains in Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture, Diqing Autonomous Prefecture and Lijiang Autonomous Prefecture. They run southward for nearly 400 kilometres, the shortest distance between them being 76km near 27.5 degrees north latitude. The distance between them widens in Shigu and Bijiang, and then the three rivers separate and flow in different directions. At the points where they empty into the seas, the distance between them is more than 3,000km, thus forming a "broom shape" water system. There is also an extraordinary natural sight near 27.5 degrees north latitude. The water level of the three rivers drops from the east to the west, with the Jinsha River at an elevation of 2,100 metres, the Lancang River 1,900 metres, and the Nujiang River 1,600 metres, forming the shape of a high and precipitous ladder. This magnificent sight was made public in 1988 by the State as a state scenic resort, and since then it has attracted much interest from home and abroad. 
                          
 

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas Tour Route

				Diqing
Your Country		Kunming		Lijiang
				Linku

       To visit this  scenic region, 'A Tour to  Yunnan' is recommended.