Salween

Salween, also known as the Salween River, is a major river in Southeast Asia. In China it is called the Nu River; in Myanmar it is known simply as the Salween. Its headwaters lie in the Gaoligong Mountains on the China–Myanmar border, and the river flows generally southward through Myanmar before emptying into the Andaman Sea.

The main stem is commonly cited as about 2,800 kilometers (roughly 1,750 miles) in length. It rises in western Yunnan, traverses northern and central Myanmar, and reaches the coast in the Tanintharyi Region along the Andaman Sea. The Salween’s course links China and Myanmar, with its lower reaches flowing through areas that are sparsely populated and ecologically significant.

Ecology and people: The Salween basin encompasses diverse ecosystems, including mountainous forests, riverine habitats, and floodplains. The river supports fisheries and provides transport routes for communities across challenging terrain. It is culturally important to many Indigenous and ethnic groups in the region, who rely on the river for subsistence, livelihood, and traditional practices.

Development and conservation: The Salween has remained largely undammed compared with some other major rivers in the region, but there have been proposals to build hydropower projects, particularly on the upper Nu/Salween. Opponents cite potential impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and local communities, while proponents emphasize energy potential. Conservation and sustainable development efforts aim to balance river health with regional needs.