Consisting of eight geographical clusters of protected areas within the boundaries of the Three Parallel Rivers National Park in the mountainous northwest of Yunnan Province, the 1.7-million-hectare site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of Asia -- the Jinsha (Yangtze), Lancang (Mekong) and Nujiang (Salween) that run roughly parallel (north to south) through steep gorges 3,000 meters deep in some places and bordered by glacial peaks more than 6,000 meters high. The shortest distance between Nujiang and Lancang rivers is 18.6 km, and 66.3 km between Lancang and Jinsha rivers. From west to east, the seven geographical clusters are: Gaoligong Mountain, Nujiang River, Nushan Mountain, Lancang River, Yunling Mountain, Jinsha River and Snow Mountain.

In 1988, this area, which covers 34,000 sq km, was listed as a National Key Scenic Spot. On July 2, 2003, it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, bringing the total number of Chinese world heritages to 29.

The property is outstanding for displaying the geological history of the last 50 million years related to the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, the closure of the ancient Tethys Sea and the uplifting of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. These were the major geological events in the evolution of Asia's land surface that continue to make history today. The diverse rock types at the site that record history are accompanied by a range of karst, granite monolith and Danxia sandstone landforms in the alpine zone that include some of the best mountains in the world. High mountains are ubiquitous and the glaciated peaks of the Meili, Baima and Haba snow mountains provide a spectacular, scenic skyline. The Mingyongqia Glacier -- a notable natural phenomenon that plunges to 2,700 meters in altitude from Mt. Kawagebo (6,740 meters) -- is known as the world's lowest-altitude glacier in the northern hemisphere. Other outstanding scenic landforms include the alpine karst (especially the stone moon at the Moon Mountain Scenic Area above the Nu Jiang Gorge) and the tortoise shell of the alpine Danxia.

The region is also one of the richest temperate areas in the world in terms of biodiversity. Along with its landscape diversity with a steep gradient of almost 6,000 meters, its monsoon climate provides a favorable ecological stimulus for the development of a wide range of biomes. Although the area only covers less than 0.4 percent of the country surface area, it contains 20 percent of the country's higher plants of more than 6,000 species and over 25 percent of some 700 animal species.

Meanwhile, various ethnic groups, languages, religions and customs co-exist in the area -- a phenomenon seldom seen in the world. The region is home to 14 ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, Nu, Lisu, and so on.

Dangerous and gorgeous rapids, peaceful plateau pastures, beautiful alpine flowers, abundant, rare plants and unique ethnic cultures give the region its special charm and mystery.

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