In the deep valley live ethnic minorities such as the Lisu, the Nu and the Drung. The Nu is an ancient ethnic group. They call the Nujiang River "Anu Rimei," meaning "the river inhabited by the Nu people." In the 1950s the Nu people still preserved their clan totem system. On the 15th day of the third lunar month, the Nu people in Gongshan celebrate their Flower Festival, when they pray for a good harvest and a peaceful life. The area along the Nujiang River is also inhabited by the Lisu ethnic minority people. The Lisus are brave, and always carry with them knives, bows and arrows. During their traditional festival they perform the "broadsword ladder climbing" feat, when exponents climb barefoot up a ladder formed by broadsword blades, without injuring their hands or feet. They then dance on burning charcoal, a ritual known as "going down the sea of fire."

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