Trapped in paradise

Visiting a treasure trove of biodiversity with a group of excellent naturalists? Who would say no to such an opportunity?

The destination is Dulongjiang, one of the most remote parts of Yunnan province, which is known for its terrible road conditions.

Although a highway has connected the township inhabited by the Derung ethnic group, the country's smallest, with the county seat of Gongshan since 1999, it is cut off every year between October and April because of heavy snow. Even in accessible months, the road might be closed for a day or even weeks because of sudden landslides caused by rains. As a result, Imaging Biodiversity Expedition Inc's first Dulongjiang survey failed to even reach the river valleys in August 2013.