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!

云南哀牢山突然走红，这座山里有什么？

在刚刚过去的国庆假期，位于中国西南省份云南的哀牢山在网上走红。

一名视频博主独自进入哀牢山收集材料的视频在网络走红。镜头下的哀牢山云雾缭绕、水面静谧、野性十足……不少游客纷纷选择在国庆假期来到这处神秘的“小众”地区一探究竟。由于太多人涌入，一时间，哀牢山从人烟稀少的“禁区”变成了人满为患的“景区”。

事实上，哀牢山不是一座山，而是一片山。它是一条横亘在云南中部，位于云贵高原与横断山脉的分界线上，绵延约400公里的绿色长龙。除了部分区域被开发成风景区，哀牢山还有很多未开发的原始森林区域。

云南资深地质调查专家王宇表示，由于哀牢山山体相对高差大，气候垂直分布明显，从山顶到山麓就有6种气候模式，“气候复杂，容易遭遇天气突变……人一旦进到密林中，很容易迷失方向和遭遇毒蛇、蚂蟥、野兽等。”

2021年，4名供职于中国地质调查局昆明自然资源综合调查中心的专业地质调查人员在哀牢山失联遇难。这4人中，年龄最大的32岁，最小的25岁。

哀牢山新平区域根据不同管理级别分为国家级自然保护区和县级自然保护区两类，两类保护区有明确分界线，二者区域内又分为核心区、缓冲区和实验区三种，新平哀牢山石门峡景区、茶马古道景区、金山原始森林景区均位于县级自然保护区实验区范围内，属人员可进入区域，游客只要服从景区管理要求，其旅行安全完全可以得到保障。而其他区域则属于未开发的原始状态，非专业人员不可贸然进入。

野景风光虽好，切勿盲目打卡！

（资料来源：红星新闻、新京报、@云南哀牢山仙境、极目新闻、澎湃新闻、新华每日电讯、@新平文旅、看看新闻、新民晚报、中国新闻网、都市快报等）

话题主持｜记者 樊美玲
翻译丨赵凡
英文审校丨邹晓华