Falling pieces of Lijiang

Author: Yuanzi, Shan Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: In the northwest of Yunnan Province, China, there is a magical and beautiful place called Lijiang. Lijiang is named after the Jinsha River, located at the southern edge of the Hengduan Mountains, the middle reaches of the Jinsha River, and the connection between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It spans 99°23′E to 101°31′E in longitude and 25°59′N in latitude. The east-west width is 212.5 kilometers, and the north-south length is 213.5 kilometers, with a total area of 20,600 square kilometers. Lijiang has a topography that is low in the southeast and high in the northwest, with complex and diverse landforms. The Jinsha River flows through the region, where towering peaks and rivers of various sizes crisscross. The area features a mix of mountainous, plain, and other landforms. The highest peak, Mount Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, stands at 5,596 meters above sea level, while the lowest point, the river valleys, is at 1,015 meters, resulting in an elevation difference of 4,581 meters. The vertical climate and plant distribution are distinct, ranging from subtropical to alpine climates. It exhibits a typical vertical climate, with an average annual temperature of 12.6℃ to 19.9℃ and an average annual rainfall of 910 to 1,040 millimeters. Winters are mild, and summers are cool, making the four seasons pleasant with fragrant flowers and lush greenery. Lijiang City includes the Ancient City, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Yongsheng County, Huaping County, and Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, with a total population of 1.09 million. For generations, Han, Naxi, Yi, Lisu, Bai, Tibetan, Pumi, Miao, Zhuang, Dai, and 20 other ethnic groups have inhabited the area. The minority population reaches 620,000, accounting for 57% of the total population.