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Major visits in Sichuan
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Derong
Derong is the name of a county, in local Tibetan lips, it means “the area of grand valleies and canyons”. Sun Canyon is in the south of Derong County of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. It is situated at the southwestern tip of Sichuan, bordering on Yunnan Province to the south and the Tibet Autonomous Region to the west, and is 1030 kilometers southwest of Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital. From Chengdu to Derong, you can first fly direct to Zhongdian in Yunnan, then take a bus to Derong which is only a distance of 144 km. However, if you're not in a hurry and ready to take your time to admire the highland sceneries, you could drive from Chengdu, across the western Sichuan plains, through the long, narrow tunnel of Erlang Mountain, past the Dadu River and Kangding city, and after scaling several high mountains 4,000 metres above sea level, you will find Sun Canyon within sight. Why is it called by that name? The answer lies in an old legend which says that many, many years ago, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra's White Elephant living on Mt. Ermei in Sichuan Province felt very homesick. One day, it stealthily left Mt. Ermei and flew south towards the land he came from. But before reaching his destination, he was suddenly surrounded by clouds and lost his way. At that moment, a golden beam pierced through the clouds and he saw down below a green canyon bathed in sunshine. Here was a land of peace and harmony. Greatly rejoiced, the elephant descended from the sky. No longer feeling lonesome, he forgot all his worries and made this valley his home for all the years to come. As the Khampa people, a Tibetan branch living in this area, hold the sun in reverence, they named this place which the White Elephant chose to make his home "Zhaxi Niming Longba", meaning "The Auspicious Sun Canyon". The southern part of Derong County is shaped very much like a peninsula penetrating into Yunnan Province, with Zhongdian County to its east and Deqen County to its west. Along with Xiangcheng and Batang north of the County and Daocheng in the northeast, Derong sits right in the middle of what is now commonly referred to as the Sichuan - Yunnan Shangri - La. The complex geological formations of the Hengduan Mountain Range and of the plateau have given the area its unique geographical features, characterized by range upon range of tall mountains and deep valleys, and numerous crisscrossing rivers. While it is low in altitude, it is very high in altitude. This, plus the terrain's sharp rises and falls in elevation, have resulted in Derong's diversified climates. Thus we can find in Derong not only environmental conditions and biological resources typical of regions ranging from sub-tropical to frigid, but scenery which is rarely found elsewhere. "Derong" is the Tibetan for gorge or canyon. The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Tibet, the Colorado Grand Canyon in the US, the Three Yangtse River Gorges in China are all famous for their spectacular landscapes. In Derong, within an area of less than 3000 square kilometres, there are several rivers-the Jinsha, Dingqu, Suoqu, Mayi and Gangqu and each of these river gorges presents a scene totally different from the others, yet attractive in its own way. Heading north from the Derong county seat and after travelling for more than 10 km along the Dingqu River, you will arrive at the Flying Birds Gorge. Here in this deep valley, as the fast rushing waters dash against the giant rocks standing mid-stream, splashing water and foam, it creates a deafening roar. The river is flanked by sharp cliffs of ochre - red, so tall that only the wild pigeons and crag swallows who make their nests in the precipices can fly over them. As the Dinqu River flows southward through the entire length of the county, it collects the waters of Mayi and Suoqu before emptying into the Jinsha River. Where the two rivers meet, one witnesses the magnificent sight of a "three - pronged fork" with three mountains flanking two rivers. From here the Jinsha River's flow becomes more abundant and the valley more expansive. Just before it leaves the area, as if to relax a bit after a long journey, it slows down its pace and makes a horse-shoe curve - around the pyramid - like Peak of Rizhui. This seemingly casual stroke created one of the 40 natural wonders of China - what is known as the No. One Bend of the Jinsha River. Viewing the scene from the mountain's summit, one cannot but marvel at Nature's creation. As you enter the Mayi River Gorge, a totally different picture unfolds before your eyes. Unlike the Jinsha, Dinqu and Suoqu River gorges which one might describe as being bold and wild, Mayi River valley is charming and graceful. No highway reaches the area. Mules and horses are the only means of transportation. In the quiet, winding valley, trees grow in abundance, shielding the land from the sun. Crystal-clear springs, softly singing, collect their waters to form pools and ponds, while nearby, waterfalls cascade down the mountainside. Strolling along the valley, one begins to wonder: Is this not the lower Yangtse River valley? The Mayi River has a tributary which the locals call Momu Ravine. What is most attractive, about this ravine is its topography - a combination of gorge terrain and Karst formations, a very rare phenomenon. All along this more than 30 km long ravine, the dried-up riverbed is paved with white pebbles washed and sunned over God knows how many years, giving the impression of a silver dragon meandering through the valley floor. Lining the ravine are virgin forests and groves of slender bamboo, forming a green corridor, above which rise gray cliffs with fantastic rocks and peaks. The scene calls to mind a piece of potted landscape-bonsai-complete with miniature mountain and river, rocks and trees, giving one a painting. What a remarkable work of Nature! And so meticulously designed! But there is more to Sun Canyon than the gorges and ravines. As you leave them behind, you will find yourself in the scenic surroundings of an alpine ecological zone - the Rizugong Pasture, the highest in altitude in Derong County. Also, the vast Dinggong Grassland reaching far into the horizon; the Sacred Land of Wengjia, long famous for its soaring, hazardous peaks; the Xiayong Ecological Nature Reserve, the largest of such reserves in the region; and last but not least, the Gajin Snow Mountain. Rising to a height of 4926 metres above sea level, Mt. Ga]in is one of Derong's main forest areas, with shrubs, conifers and broadleaf trees growing side by side, and large patches of fir, spruce, oak, larch, masson pine and giant azaleas, separated here and there only by picturesque meadows. Totally clothed in white in winter, in Spring the forest area transforms into a garden blooming with flowers of all colors. Comes summer, it is covered with lush green foliage while autumn turns it into a world of 901d. And there in the distance, you can clearly see the snow -- capped mountain range extending for dozens of kilometers like a giant dragon frolicking on the horizon. The impact of such a breath-taking sight is overwhelming . The Xiayong Nature Reserve, on the other hand, presents quite a different picture. It is almost like entering a fairyland or looking through a kaleidoscope, with scenes constantly changing from snowy mountains to grassy marshlands, to forests, lakes, waterfalls and glaciers. More than ten lakes dot the area, the largest of which is Ciren Co (Lake of Longevity and Sweet Dew). Over 1000 m. long and several hundred meters wide, the lake's water is crystal clear. Trees line the lakeshore. A little beyond, it is surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks piercing into the deep blue sky, stone forests with rocks of fantastic shapes and sizes and lush green pastures. Sun Canyon, a place full of fascination, where the dream you set out to pursue does come true. |
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