Mud Buries a County Devoid of Trees and Plans

(Zhouqu) – Sixty years ago, the old-growth pine trees that covered all Sanyan Valley stretched to the sky from Cuifeng Mountain to most other peaks in the Zhouqu County region.

Vegetation flourished on the mountains on either side of the valley and along the Bailong River, a vibrant stream fed by abundant groundwater and hillside springs, according to the county's almanac director Zou Weidong.