Explore the ethnic corridor

Author: Wang Qinghua / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The Lancang River has many names. Almost every ethnic group living along the river has named it, some calling it "Sun's Child," others "Mother of Happiness," and still others "River of a Million Elephants." The name "Lancang River" is the Yi people's name for it, meaning "Deep Valley Where Tigers Fall." In ancient times, mythical kingdoms such as the Ailao Kingdom, the Khmer Kingdom, the Lancang Kingdom, the Nanzhou-Dali Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Eight Hundred Sisters once appeared on the banks of this great river. Thus, some called this mighty river the "Cord of Indochinese Culture." Today, it still retains the titles of "Golden Waterway" and "East Asian Danube." It originates on the southern slope of the Tanggula Mountains in the southwestern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China, flows through eastern Tibet and western Yunnan, and after crossing into China's Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, it is known as the Mekong River. It then flows through five countries—Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—before emptying into the Pacific Ocean, with a total length of 4,880 kilometers. It is the sixth-longest river in Asia and a major river in Southeast Asia, serving as a vital international river that cuts through the region. Geologists have discovered that this river is a massive cross-section of the Earth, recording the entire process of geological changes, calling it the "Labyrinth of World Geology." Seismologists, faced with the volcanic chain along the river, consider it a natural laboratory for earthquake prevention. Geologists have found that the of this rift valley are incredibly rich in mineral resources, making it a grand stage for development. Bridge engineers marvel at it as a museum of ancient and modern bridges. Hydrologists, faced with the deep river valley, dream of building the world's largest dams here. Meanwhile, zoologists and botanists see here living fossils of animal and plant evolution. If you want to witness human development and prove cultural diversity, then come to the Lancang River, as it is almost a microcosm of the world's ancient cultures. The seamless integration of natural ecology and human society, the complete series of human social development from primitive to modern times, and the relentless, immortal creative spirit of humanity—all are vividly presented here. Here, everything is diverse. There are over 20 ethnic groups and hundreds of sub-ethnic divisions, with varying architectural styles, diverse ethnic costumes, and a rich tapestry of religious cultures. Yet, many things often leave people baffled.
In August 1989, we embarked on the long-desired journey along the Lancang River. Departing from Kunming by car, we traveled west along the Yunnan-Burma Road and reached the riverbank in just one day. Standing by the river, it felt as if one had fallen into a deep fissure in the Earth. The cliffs on both banks were towering, with countless peaks piercing the sky and lush vegetation. A sky as wide as the river curved above our heads. Here, despite the roaring river and gentle mountain breezes, the heat was unbearable. Our guide told us, "If you want to climb the mountains, bring more clothes. Here, one mountain has four seasons, and the weather changes with every kilometer." We followed a winding mountain path through grass and shrubs toward the highlands. Halfway up, the heat vanished, and towering trees stood before us—pine trees, cypress trees, wild walnuts, camphor trees, and more, forming a mixed forest of coniferous and broadleaf trees. Further up, the cold became intense, and the forest became sparse, with alpine shrubs, meadows, deserts, and snow-capped peaks all around. Due to the river's cutting action, the terrain of the Lancang River basin varies greatly in elevation, especially in its upper reaches. Almost every mountain here is a fascinating world with a vertical distribution of spring, summer, autumn, and winter from the base to the summit. However, this is merely the three-dimensional microclimate of the Lancang River. Originating from the roof of the world, the river flows through the southern slope of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and rushes into the sea along the vast valley of the Hengduan Mountains. Due to its southerly journey across different latitudes and the nearly 4,000-meter elevation difference from its upper to lower reaches, the climate and vegetation along the river vary dramatically.
P4-5