The Essence of Parlung Tsangpo
Positioned to the west of Bomi County’s central area in Nyingchi, the Parlung Tsangpo River, also known as “Polong Tsangpo” or “Bo Tsangpo River,” originates from the southwestern foothills of the Boshula Range and the southern slopes of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. Stretching over 266 kilometers with a basin area of 28,610 square kilometers, it’s a significant watercourse on the Tibetan Plateau.
The Lore of Parlung Tsangpo
“Fatherland River” is the translation of Parlung Tsangpo, rooted in a legend about a father and daughter living in a wooden loft by the river. The daughter, known for her beauty, left to worship Buddha downstream and never returned, allegedly marrying a king in a distant land. To connect with her, her father sent messages in bamboo tubes down the river, which eventually reached her. Hence, she named the river Parlung Tsangpo in remembrance.
From its source at an altitude of 4,900 meters, the river meanders through Ranwu Lake, Zhongba, Bomi, and Tongmai before joining the Yarlung Tsangpo River near Juedong. The upper reaches feature broad glacial valleys, while the section from Ranwu Lake to Zhongba is a deep-cut river valley, transitioning into a wide canyon landscape towards Xuwaka.
Flora, Fauna, and Phenomenal Landscapes
The river’s banks are adorned with a succession of vegetation zones, from alpine shrub meadows to subalpine dark conifer forests, and down to subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests, showcasing an extraordinary biodiversity gradient. The surrounding wilderness harbors stunning rock formations, dense vine-covered forests, fragrant blooms, and abundant wildlife, including deer, antelopes, and a variety of precious medicinal herbs like gastrodia elata, notoginseng, and lingzhi mushrooms.
Highlights and Travel Tips
- Parlung Tsangpo Gorge: Stretching over 76 kilometers from the ancient Gu Township glacial debris flow dammed lake’s outlet, this gorge presents a challenging landscape with narrow rivers, steep mountains, rapid flows, and continuous rapids, decorated with waterfalls and renowned attractions like the Midui Glacier and Ranwu Lake. It’s recognized as a world-class canyon, deeper on average than both Peru’s Colca Canyon and the Grand Canyon in the USA, making it one of the most profound gorges globally.
- The Great Bends of Parlung Tsangpo: Within a 100-kilometer stretch of the river, there are three significant bends located near Sutong Village, Tongmai Town, and Pailong Menba Ethnic Township adjacent to Linzhi, sitting at an average elevation of 2,000 meters. These bends form a “U” shape, creating the most concentrated and extensive group of large river bends discovered to date, offering a unique and majestic natural spectacle.
The Parlung Tsangpo River encapsulates the breathtaking beauty and ecological diversity of the Tibetan Plateau, inviting adventurers and nature lovers to explore its wonders and the stories it holds within its waters.
