Located in the mountainous north-west of Yunnan Province in China, the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is a natural serial property consisting of 15 protected areas, grouped into eight clusters. The Property contains an outstanding diversity of landscapes, such as deep-incised river gorges, luxuriant forests, towering snow-clad mountains, glaciers, alpine karst, reddish sandstone landforms (Danxia, lakes, and meadows over vast vistas. The 1.7 million hectare site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of Asia: the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong, and the Salween which run approximately parallel, north to south, through steep gorges which, in places, are 3,000 m deep and are bordered by glaciated peaks more than 6,000 m high. The property spans a large portion of the Hengduan Mountains, which is the major arc curving into Indochina from the eastern end of the Himalayas. Being located in the convergent regions of the three world's major biogeographic realms, the property is in an epicenter of Chinese biodiversity. It may also harbor the richest biodiversity among the temperate areas of the world.

    The Three Parallel Rivers is a national-level tourist area located in Diqing Tourist Zone. Diqing Scenic Zone is in the northwest of Yunnan. It connects Sichuan in the north and northeast, and Tibet in the northwest, with a total area of 24, 000 square kilometers. With many mountains, lakes, and rivers in it, this area has attracted more and more attention in the world, particularly with the development of the Three Parallel Rivers and its neighboring attractions such as Baishui Terrace, Gadan Songzanlin Lamasery, and so on. 

    In 2003 the Three Parallel Rivers was recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage. The three rivers refer to the Jinsha River, the Lancang River, and the Nujiang River. They all originate from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Then near Shigu and Bijiang, they separate gradually, shaping a broom-like water system. At their estuaries, they are over 3, 000 kilometers from each other. 

    It is a special landscape where these three rivers descend one by one from east to west. The altitudes of the Jinsha River, the Lancang River, and the Nujiang River are respectively 2, 100 meters, 1, 900 meters, and 1, 600 meters above sea level, thus forming a steep stair. 

    The Three Parallel Rivers is beautiful, imposing, and magnificent. The altitude within this area is between 700 meters 6, 500 meters. For this reason, this area has almost all types of landscape found in the northern hemisphere and has an abundance of fauna and flora. One vivid saying best describes this scene: “within an area of 10li are quite different seasons; in one mountain are ten thousand kinds of plants and animals. "

Reference: UNESCO Official Website

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