National park · China
Three Parallel Rivers National Park三江并流
Enter the park for a day hike to Yubeng (3–4 h) in the Lancang valley for about CNY 80, or a multi‑day trek to Kawagarbo base camp (guide required, CNY 500‑800 per day) in the best months Apr–Oct; avoid winter snow and high‑altitude risks.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
39,000 km² (15,058 sq mi)15,058 sq mi (39,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 39,000 km² (15,058 sq mi)15,058 sq mi (39,000 km²)
- The UNESCO site comprises 15 protected areas in eight geographic clusters; the total area is about 39,000 km² (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Lijiang
Three Parallel Rivers National Park covers the upper reaches of the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween rivers in northwestern Yunnan, where they flow side by side through gorges up to 3,000 m deep. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, noted for its extreme biodiversity and the sacred, unclimbed Kawagarbo peak. Access is from the Yunnan tourist trail towns; most visitors join guided treks into the remote valleys.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2012Listed as part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.
Size and age
39,000 km² (15,058 sq mi)15,058 sq mi (39,000 km²) · national park since 1997
The UNESCO site comprises 15 protected areas in eight geographic clusters; the total area is about 39,000 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Lijiang.
Why go
- Explore deep gorges where three major Asian rivers run side‑by‑side.
- Trek remote high‑altitude valleys with diverse flora, fauna and ethnic cultures.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow at high passes.
- FebStill cold, road closures possible.
- MarMelting snow, trails opening.
- AprClear weather, moderate temperatures.
- MayWarm, dry, good trekking conditions.
- JunStart of rainy season, occasional storms.
- JulRainy, landslide risk.
- AugHeavy rain, road washouts.
- SepRain tapering, good for trekking.
- OctDry, clear, ideal for high passes.
- NovCool, less crowd.
- DecCold, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic alpine plants and conifersJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rare mammals (snow leopard, red panda)Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bird diversity (pheasants, eagles)Mar–May, Oct–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lijiang
Bus on national road G214 to the Jinsha (Yangtze) valley gate; then local transport to trailheads.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Dali
Bus to Liuku, change to road S228 for the Nu (Salween) valley; or G214 for the Lancang (Mekong) valley.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Shangri‑La
Bus on G214 to the Jinsha valley; road S228 for the Nu valley.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jinsha (Yangtze) valley | Main access road, low‑altitude villages, day‑hike trailheads. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Lancang (Mekong) valley | High‑altitude passes, Yubeng trek start, Feilaisi hotel strip. | Guided treks only beyond main villages. |
| Nu (Salween) valley | Remote villages, Bing Zhongluo Xiang base, high passes to Kawagarbo. | Guide required; limited road access. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of major zones; use for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | CNY 80–120 (≈ US$12–17) | person | Covers day‑hike trails; check for seasonal variation. |
| Guide fee (per day) | CNY 500–800 (≈ US$70–120) | day | Required for multi‑day treks and high‑altitude routes. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Multi‑day trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥80–120≈ US$12–17
- CN¥500–800≈ US$70–120
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage – Three Parallel Rivers before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond day‑hike trails and for high‑altitude routes.
- Camping
- Only permitted in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed outside designated areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; pack‑in‑pack‑out policy.
- Drone
- Only allowed with park authority permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Feilaisi hotel strip
Mid‑range hotels and guesthouses in the Lancang valley.
Near the park
Bing Zhongluo Xiang guesthouses
Basic lodging for Nu valley treks.
Near the park
Local homestays in Tibetan villages
Simple rooms, cultural immersion.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Landslides / road washouts high
Remote medical help medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main road G214 is paved and reachable by bus; trailheads have short walks from parking.
- High‑altitude treks involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local licensed guides; fees support park conservation.
- Stay in accredited guesthouses that follow waste‑reduction practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Three Parallel Rivers?
Entry tickets are about CNY 80‑120 per person for day‑hike areas; multi‑day treks need a guide fee of CNY 500‑800 per day (check for seasonal changes).
What are the best hikes in Three Parallel Rivers?
Popular hikes include the Yubeng trek (3–4 h) in the Lancang valley, the Kawagarbo base‑camp walk for sunrise, and guided cultural walks in Tibetan villages.
When is the best time to visit Three Parallel Rivers?
April to October offers the most reliable weather and open passes; avoid winter months (Nov‑Mar) for snow and road closures.
Do I need a guide for a day hike?
No, day‑hikes like Yubeng can be done independently with a park entry ticket; longer treks require a licensed guide.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited to protect the environment.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Three Parallel Rivers National Park
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