The titular ethnic group is the Lisu people, who make up nearly half of the prefecture's population.

The state is long and narrow, with an area of 14,585 square kilometers and a total population of 552,700.

Located in the canyon area of the Hengduan Mountains, the Salween River (Nujiang) passes through from north to south, from which the name of the state is derived.

It forms part of the Three Parallel Rivers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Salween is the longest undammed river in Southeast Asia and high degree of biodiversity.