The town of Liuku lies 400kms due west of Kunming in Yunnan Province. It is close to the Burma border, although the nearest crossing is about 50kms to the northwest.
There’s not much to see in Liuku itself; it is merely a transit point for visits up to the Nujiang Gorge in Fugong and Gongshan. Liuku lies on the Nu River, which eventually meets up with the Lancang and the Dulong rivers to form the Three Rivers Natural Reserve, farther north.
The landscape up here is amazing and most people head to Liuku to carry on north toward Nujiang Gorge. Sights include Gaoligong Mountain, Biluo Snow Mountain, Single Dragon River, and Heipupolo Pass. Ethnic minority groups inhabit the region in their austere, ancient abodes where there are minimal tourist facilities.
Getting There & Away
The best way to get to Liuku is to take a bus direct from Kunming. It is about 10 hours all up, going by way of the main Kunming-Mandalay (Burma) highway and turning off at Baoshan. The closest main airport is in Baoshan, 100kms to the south. It receives flights from Kunming in under an hour.
Things to Do
Liuku Attractions
- Liuku surroundings
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The nu river has carved a scar in the landscape and is the star attraction, meeting up with two other rivers farther north in the unesco three rivers natural reserve.
Side trips from Liuku
- Gongshan
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A small mountain town seven hours north of liuku which sits right on the nujiang gorge.
Events
- Sword Pole Festival
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A fun time for the lisu minority in february, with fire dancing and climbing of the sword ladder.