Recently, a pigment artist from Shanqu Corporation has gained popularity for his video footage filmed in the Ailao Mountains of Yunnan. During the National Day holiday, exploring the Ailao Mountains has become a hot topic. What was once a sparsely populated restricted area has now turned into a crowded tourist spot.
The video featuring the mainland internet sensation “Shanqu Art Supplies” venturing alone into the Ailao Mountains of Yunnan to collect materials has gone viral online. The video has brought the mysterious Ailao Mountains into the public eye and trended on Weibo.
“Shanqu Art Supplies” is operated by a Yunnan-based enterprise specializing in pigment manufacturing and sales. The video showcases the “Chief Pigment Artist” named Zhang Junjie, gathering raw materials to make pigment from various minerals, flora, and fauna.
Many netizens have expressed amazement at the daredevilry of “Shanqu Art Supplies” entering the Ailao Mountains, likening it to an adventure film. Some netizens even shared screenshots claiming that the artist was frequently watched by wild animals, but Zhang Junjie responded, “Don’t jump to conclusions, it’s all just tree roots.”
According to Red Star News, on October 6th, a staff member from Shanqu Corporation mentioned that the video footage gaining popularity is not only due to the inherent mystique of the Ailao Mountains but also because of the authentic documentation by pigment artist Zhang Junjie.
Shanqu’s pigment artist Shi Ye emphasized that Zhang Junjie possesses professional mining skills and does not recommend inexperienced outdoor enthusiasts to blindly venture into the mountains.
Following the surge in interest sparked by the related video, the attention on Ailao Mountains continues to rise. Many netizens took advantage of the National Day holiday to explore the Ailao Mountains. Despite being a rarely visited area, the Ailao Mountains have been bustling with visitors these days.
On October 6th, the Chu Xiong Protected Area of the Ailao Mountain Nature Reserve issued visitor regulations, strictly prohibiting unauthorized entry into the conservation area, with violators facing fines of up to 5000 RMB.
Covering the news, Ailao Mountain serves as the boundary between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains and was once the eastern frontier “border mountain” of the ancient Ailao Kingdom. The terrain there is complex, the climate is variable, and the hinterland is characterized by steep mountains with slopes reaching up to 70 degrees. Even for seasoned geologists, trekking 640 meters can take more than three hours in Ailao Mountain.
Additionally, during the rainy season, the presence of hollow tree trunks and abundant organic soil increases the carbon dioxide content in the air. This can lead to difficulties in lighting fires for warmth and, in severe cases, oxygen depletion resulting in fatalities.
In 2021, a tragedy occurred in Ailao Mountain when four members of a geological survey team entered the forest but got lost in the mist-shrouded dense woods and were unable to find their way out.
At that time, media reports indicated that Ailao Mountain features dense forests, thick fog, waterfalls, steep cliffs, and erratic magnetic fields causing compass malfunctions and signal loss, thereby escalating the risk of getting lost. There have even been sightings of black bears.
Local villagers emphasized that even locals refrain from venturing into the mountains recklessly; visitors to Ailao Mountain should approach with reverence.
At certain junctions in Ailao Mountain, there are signs erected to prevent visitors from straying into the deep mountains. The area is filled with lush vegetation, mosquitoes, and wild animals, advising the public against entering the primeval forest out of unnecessary risk-taking or for mere photo opportunities.
Although Ailao Mountain covers a vast area, with several residents living on its periphery, the primitive forest park accessible to tourists also lies on the outskirts. However, the undeveloped regions within the mountains are deemed off-limits, risking safety concerns if individuals mistakenly enter.