Go deep in Lijiang: First bend of the Yangtze

The aerial photo of the First Bend of the Yangtze River. (Lijiang Daily)

Located in the Shigu town, northwest Yunnan’s Lijiang city, the First Bend of the Yangtze River is one of the most famous natural wonders in the province.

Originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the north-south Jinsha River (upper reach of the Yangtze River) flows down to the Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Yunnan, rushing through the high mountains and deep valleys of the Hengduan Mountains.

The aerial photo of the First Bend of the Yangtze River. (Lijiang Daily)

The Jinsha River, together with the rivers of Lancang and Nujiang, has formed a magnificent landscape of "three parallel rivers".

When flowing through Shigu, Jinsha was blocked by the mountain, and suddenly made a U-turn of more than 180 degrees, turning northeast and forming the "First Bend of the Yangtze River".

  

The aerial photo of the First Bend of the Yangtze River. (Lijiang Daily)

The Shigu section of the river extends for 40 kilometers. The fertile bay nourishes eight ethnic groups, including Naxi, Lisu, Tibetan, and others.

Reporting by Zhang Guoqin (Micro Lijiang); Trans-editing by Mo Yingyi