Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

This spot is especially famous for its daedal alpine topographies with a total area of 1,700,000 hectares. The three rivers referring to the Jinsha, Lancang and Nujiang rivers, originate from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and they flow abreast southward from the Hengduan Mountains, northwest of Yunnan, with a closet distance of only 66.3 kilometers. Since this spot is in the junction of Southeast Asia, South Asia and Tibetan Plateau, the Three Parallel Rivers area is a rare representative district with alpine topographies and its geomorphic evolution. Moreover, there are diversified creatures in this area. The area almost has all kinds of landscapes included in Northern Hemisphere, really an imposing and majestic sight. It was put on the List of World Heritages by UNESCO in 2003. 

     

The whole spot is divided into eight major areas: Gaoligongshan Mountain area, Baimang and Meili Snow Mountain area, Haba Snow Mountain area, Laojunshan area, Yunling Mountain area, Hongshan Mountain area, Laos city and Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture area. Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is a "Geological Museum" with the richest resources. High mountains and snow capped peaks covering densely in the area and the altitudes distributing vertically, there appear diversified landforms like high mountains and gorges, snowy peaks and glaciers, plateau wetlands, forest meadows, freshwater lakes, etc.