Tsangpo Badong Waterfalls [Linzhi]

"One of Top Six Most Beautiful Waterfalls in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

Tsangpo Badong Waterfalls at Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Medong County, Nyingchi Area of Tibet Autonomous Region: Recluse in the Grand Canyon

The Yarlung Zangbo River
The section of the Yarlung Zangbo River from the Pailung Village to the Pai Village of Mainling County is about 120 kilometers. Along the river, the vast, plain valley, sky-scraping mountains and luxuriant primitive forest, the Dominating Namjagbarwa Mountain and the river islet covered with verdant trees form a lushly colored landscape painting. The orchards by the river emit an appealing fragrance of flowers and fruits. The wild landscapes flanking the river, the famous Great Turn of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the precipitant waterfall formed by thawed snow present charms of Nature.

The Yarlung Tsangpo River is one of the most important rivers in China, with water reserves that rank second in China. It originates from the middle section of the northern slope of the Himalaya Mountain with an elevation of more than 6,000 meters and make an unparalleled unique U-turn around the mountain of Namjfgbarwa, before finally reaching Baxike in Medong County, and creating the famous Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. The actual length of the canyon is 504.6 kilometers and its deepest point (6,009 meters) is at Zongrong Village. Then the river runs through a narrow passage between the two 7,000 meter high peaks of Namjagbarwa and Jialabailei. Its flow averages 1,000 cubic meters per second year round. In one section less than 1,000 meters, the drop is more than 300 meters and their current velocities are more than 18 meters per second.

The Yarlung Zangbo Canyon is the first one in the world. One side of the canyon is as deep as 7,057 meters. The overall average depth of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is 2,268 meters and in the core section, the average depth is 2,673 meters. At the entrance to the canyon, the river is 660 meters across, gradually reducing to 35 meters at its narrowest point. The sharpest gradient of the river surface is 7.535 per cent. All the figures go to show beyond any doubt that the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is the world champion. As the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon cuts right through the Himalayas, it becomes the largest moisture passage for the Indian Ocean monsoon to enter the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Standing by it, you will feel the fascination of the nature, including the precipitous cliffs, hot springs, waterfalls, primeval forests, rare plants and animals. The section of the Yarlung Zangbo River from the Pailung Village to the Pai Village of Meiling County is about 120 kilometers. Along the river, the vast, plain valley, sky-scraping mountains and luxuriant primitive forest, the Dominating Namjagbarwa Mountain and the river islet covered with verdant trees form a lushly colored landscape painting. The orchards by the river emit an appealing fragrance of flowers and fruits. The wild landscapes flanking the river, the famous Great Turn of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the precipitant waterfall formed by thawed snow present charms of Nature.

The beauty of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is beyond compare. Its unique natural environment and species diversity make up the colorful and unmatched scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon: primal, natural, simple, and magical…
The Tsangpo Badong Waterfalls are the most spectacular, primitive and mysterious waterfalls in China.
It has a total length of 2, 840 kilometers and is the 23rd longest river in the world. In terms of flow, it ranks seventh----16, 290 cubic meters per second, as much as 76, 600 cubic meters per second at its largest flood flow, ranking fourth in the world. It starts in the Gyima Yamzoin Glacier on the north slope of the Himalayas, meanders along the foot of the Mimalayas from west to east before meeting the foot of Namjagbarwa (7,782 meters), the main peak of the eastern Himalayas. Its way is blocked by Gyalabele (7,294 meters) snow mountain—then it pushes its way through the gap between the two mountains. In so doing, it forms the precipitous Dorje Pagmo Valley east of Gyalabele. This mysterious valley, situated in the west of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, is home to four great waterfalls: Tsangpo Badong, Tsatan Muni, and Chokor Tolang and Rongdrak waterfalls. The most spectacular is the Tsangpo Badong Waterfall at the entrance of the Dorje Pagmo Valley. The Tsangpo Badong Waterfalls is a cluster of three waterfalls. The Tsangpo Badong Waterfalls is 117.7 meters wide with a head fall of 33 meters, which might reach 40 meters in the flood season. The second is Bailang Warerfall that measures 62 meters across. Its head fall of 35 meters is the biggest of any waterfall found so far on the mainstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo. Number 3 waterfall is relatively small.

The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is precipitous, misty and mysterious. The average flow of the river section of Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is ten times that of the Colorado River’s 67 cubic meters per second. It has turbulent currents and many waterfalls.

Medog County
"Medog", means "flower" in Tibetan, is located in the southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region and at the lower branch of Yarlung Zangbo River. Medog County has a population of 9,200, and covers an area of 30,553 square kilometres. The average altitude of the county is 1200 metres above sea level.

The Medog National Animal and Plant Reserve Area are in the county. It has more than 3,000 species of plants, 42 species of rare wild animals that under special State protection, and over a thousand of hexapod species.

Farming is the main industry in Medog County. It is abundant with paddy, soybean, cotton and gingeli, etc. Hairy deerhorn, gastrodia tuber, muskiness, and hedgehog hydnum, etc. are special products of the area. Most people live in the county are of Moinba ethnic minority and Lhoba ethnic group.

Best time to go
From August to October

Ticket
No ticket but cost much more!

Around Landscape
Lake Raog co, The Seche La Mountain Scenic Spot, The Burqug Lamaling Scenic Spot, The Bayi Town Scenic Spot, The Nangpo Gully Scenic Zone, Pojiu Lama Forest Scenery, Niangpugou Scenic Zone, Zayu Landscape, Gyaxing Valley Waterfall of Curtains, The Waterfall in Metok, Pungri Holy Mountain, The Hot Spring in the Bulu Gully, The Peach Blossom Valley, etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Saffron, Aweto, Lingzhi, Tianma, Caladium, Ginseng, Palm Ginseng, Snow Saussurea, Hongjingtian, Ginseng Fruit, Tricholoma Matsutake, Qinggang Fungus, Tibetan Curio, etc.

Travel Tips
Much more cost! Much more danger and difficult! Much more challenge!
It takes one month to go through the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon.
Think gingerly your decision and make best preparation if you are going.
No accommodation on your way so please takes the tent or sleeping bag. Be sure to respect local ethical customs and traditions.
You had better to hire a local guide because of perplexing terrain.
People who get hypertension, heart disease and tracheitis must stop to go.
From July to October, booking hotel in advance is necessary. Please take sunbonnet, sunglass, and suntan oil in summer.

Distance
Beijing (4064 km) Lhasa (633 km) Bayi town (75 km) Menling county (180 km) Yarlung Zangbo Canyon