The Frozen City of Memory: Time Travel to the Abandoned Capital of Zhiziluo

The City Frozen in Time

1.Perched halfway up the Biluo Snow: Mountain overlooking the Nujiang Grand Canyon, Zhiziluo is a place where the clock stopped over three decades ago. Once the bustling capital of Bijiang County and the political and economic center of the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, this mountain town was abruptly abandoned in 1986 due to a prediction of a catastrophic geological disaster. The administrative status was revoked, and the county seat was moved, leaving the city to be reclaimed by nature and silence. However, the predicted massive landslide never completely destroyed the town. Today, it stands as a "City of Memory" (Jiyi Zhi Cheng) or a "Waste City" (Fei Cheng), offering a rare and tangible glimpse into a Chinese county seat frozen in the aesthetics of the 1970s and 1980s.

A Nostalgic Architectural Museum

2.Walking through: Zhiziluo is like stepping onto a movie set of a bygone era. The streets are lined with buildings that retain the distinct architectural style of the mid-20th century. The most iconic landmark is the Octagonal Library, a unique structure that has become the symbol of the town's past glory. Nearby stands the Great Hall (Auditorium), its walls still bearing the faded red slogans and主席 (Chairman) portraits characteristic of that specific historical period. The old county government buildings, with their mottled walls and wooden lattice windows, silently narrate stories of a time when this was the heart of the region's governance. The emptiness of the streets, contrasted with the imposing structures, creates a melancholic yet fascinating atmosphere that attracts photographers and history enthusiasts seeking to capture the "sorrow of a hero at the end of his road".

A Vantage Point Over the Grand Canyon

Beyond its historical allure, Zhiziluo commands a spectacular geographic position. Situated at an altitude of 2,023 meters on the mountain slope, it serves as a natural viewing platform for the majestic Nujiang Grand Canyon. From the edge of the town, visitors can look across the deep valley to the towering Gaoligong Mountains on the opposite side. The view is breathtaking, especially when clouds and mist swirl around the peaks, revealing the emerald Nujiang River winding far below. The juxtaposition of the abandoned gray concrete buildings against the vibrant green of the surrounding mountains and the dramatic vertical drop of the canyon creates a visual impact that highlights the power of nature over human endeavors.

Life Amongst the Ruins

Despite being called an "abandoned city," Zhiziluo is not entirely devoid of life. While the official administration left long ago, a number of villagers and former residents have returned to inhabit the old buildings. They have turned the open spaces between the ruins into vegetable gardens and continue to live a peaceful, rural life amidst the relics of the former capital. Smoke curls from the chimneys of old dormitories, and children play in the squares where political rallies were once held. This blend of ruin and rebirth, of past glory and present simplicity, gives Zhiziluo a unique vitality. It is a place where one can chat with local elders who remember the city's prime and witness a lifestyle that has adapted to the "disaster" that never fully came.