Lushui

Home to Liuku, capital of Nujiang Prefecture, at the southern mouth of the Nu River Grand Canyon; cross the Gaoligong Mountains via Fengxue Yakou pass to the border town of Pianma and Tingming Lake, and catch the unique Lisu bathing festival.

Lushui is the seat of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan. Its urban area, Liuku, lies at the southern mouth of the Nu River Grand Canyon, squeezed between the Gaoligong Mountains and Biluo Snow Mountain. It is the starting point for heading north along the Nujiang Scenic Road to Fugong and Bingzhongluo, and the departure point for crossing the Gaoligong Mountains to Pianma on the China–Myanmar border.

There are two main parts: around Liuku, take in the Nu River gorge and riverside views, the former Liuku chieftain's office, the Xiaoshaba scenic area on the northern outskirts and Dengeng Hot Springs (where the Lisu bathing festival is held on the 2nd–6th days of Chinese New Year); to the west, follow the Pianma road past the Hundred Birds Valley in Sanhe village for birdwatching and the forest trails of Yaojiaping, cross Fengxue Yakou pass at about 3,150 m to Pianma, and visit the Pianma Anti-British and Hump Route Memorial Hall and Xia Pianma, the "first village at the national gate". Fit visitors can hire a guide to hike to the alpine Tingming Lake.

The best time is the dry season from November to April, with clear skies and jade-green river water; folk festivities peak around Chinese New Year. In the Jun–Sep rainy season roads are prone to landslides, and Fengxue Yakou may be closed by snow in winter and spring. Getting there: about 3–4 hours by expressway from Dali or Baoshan to Liuku; within the prefecture, self-driving or hiring a car is the norm. Plan on 2–3 days. Going to Pianma means passing a border checkpoint, so carry your ID.

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