Gaoligong Mountains

The Gaoligong Mountains are located on the west bank of the Nu River and form an important part of the Three Parallel Rivers UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Gaoligong” derives from the transliteration of a Jingpo ethnic family name “Gaoli,” with “gong” meaning “mountain” in the Jingpo language—thus, “the mountain of the Gaoli family.” Stretching from north to south, the Gaoligong Mountains span Gongshan, Fugong, and Lushui counties in Nujiang Prefecture, as well as Tengchong County and Longyang District in Baoshan City. Gaoligong Mountains National Nature Reserve is home to a variety of rare wildlife and plants, serving as the origin of Yunnan’s eight famous flowers. Within the reserve, a giant rhododendron tree, renowned as the “King of Rhododendrons in the World,” blooms over 40,000 flowers annually, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Additionally, the Gaoligong Mountains, dotted with cascading waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and alpine lakes, also feature volcanic hot springs, making it a paradise for photographers and hikers with its stunning scenery.