Mysterious Ailao Mountains in Yunnan gains sudden popularity

During the recent National Day holiday, the Ailao Mountains, located in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, became an unexpected sensation online.

A viral video from a content creator, who ventured into the Ailao Mountains alone to gather materials, showcased the range's mist-covered peaks, tranquil waters, and untamed wilderness. Attracted by the mystique, many tourists flocked to this once relatively unknown destination during the holiday. What was once a sparsely populated "forbidden zone" quickly turned into a crowded "tourist spot".

Contrary to what some may think, the Ailao Mountainsare a vast range instead of a single peak. Stretching about 400 kilometers, it runs through central Yunnan, forming a natural boundary between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains. While some parts have been developed into scenic areas, much of the Ailao Mountains remain untouched wilderness.

According to veteran geologist Wang Yu, the mountain's terrain is rugged, with steep vertical drops and six different climate zones. "The complex climate, which ranges from tropical to alpine, makes it easy for weather to change suddenly. Once you enter the dense forest, it's easy to lose your way and encounter dangers like venomous snakes, leeches, and wild animals," Wang warned.

In 2021, the dangers of the region became tragically evident when four professional geologists from the Kunming Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center of China Geological Survey went missing and were later found deceased in the Ailao Mountains. The youngest of them was 25, and the oldest 32.

The area of the Ailao Mountains in Xinping County is divided into two levels of protected areas: state-level and county-level nature reserves. Each type of reserve is further divided into core, buffer, and experimental zones. Popular scenic spots such as Shimen Gorge, the Ancient TeaHorse Road, and the Jinshan Virgin Forest are located within the experimental zones of the county-level reserve, which are open to the public. Visitors' safety can be ensured as long as they follow the guidelines. However, other areas remain undeveloped, and only professionals can venture into these parts.

While the allure of the Ailao Mountains' wild beauty is undeniable, it's crucial not to embark on such adventures without preparation!

雲南哀牢山突然走紅，這座山裡有什麼？

在剛剛過去的國慶假期，位於中國西南省份雲南的哀牢山在網上走紅。

一名視頻博主獨自進入哀牢山收集材料的視頻在網絡走紅。鏡頭下的哀牢山雲霧繚繞、水面靜謐、野性十足……不少遊客紛紛選擇在國慶假期來到這處神秘的“小衆”地區一探究竟。由於太多人涌入，一時間，哀牢山從人煙稀少的“禁區”變成了人滿爲患的“景區”。

事實上，哀牢山不是一座山，而是一片山。它是一條橫亙在雲南中部，位於雲貴高原與橫斷山脈的分界線上，綿延約400公里的綠色長龍。除了部分區域被開發成風景區，哀牢山還有很多未開發的原始森林區域。

雲南資深地質調查專家王宇表示，由於哀牢山山體相對高差大，氣候垂直分佈明顯，從山頂到山麓就有6種氣候模式，“氣候複雜，容易遭遇天氣突變……人一旦進到密林中，很容易迷失方向和遭遇毒蛇、螞蟥、野獸等。”

2021年，4名供職於中國地質調查局昆明自然資源綜合調查中心的專業地質調查人員在哀牢山失聯遇難。這4人中，年齡最大的32歲，最小的25歲。

哀牢山新平區域根據不同管理級別分爲國家級自然保護區和縣級自然保護區兩類，兩類保護區有明確分界線，二者區域內又分爲核心區、緩衝區和實驗區三種，新平哀牢山石門峽景區、茶馬古道景區、金山原始森林景區均位於縣級自然保護區實驗區範圍內，屬人員可進入區域，遊客只要服從景區管理要求，其旅行安全完全可以得到保障。而其他區域則屬於未開發的原始狀態，非專業人員不可貿然進入。

野景風光雖好，切勿盲目打卡！

（資料來源：紅星新聞、新京報、@雲南哀牢山仙境、極目新聞、澎湃新聞、新華每日電訊、@新平文旅、看看新聞、新民晚報、中國新聞網、都市快報等）

話題主持｜記者 樊美玲翻譯丨趙凡英文審校丨鄒曉華