First Bend of the Yangtze (Shigu Town)
The Jinsha River, coming from the north, swings into a sharp V-shaped bend at Shigu Town and reverses to flow northeast—the marvel that 'the river turns back here' is unique along the entire Yangtze
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- Open all day
- Ticket
- Free
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
The Jinsha River, coming from the north, swings into a sharp V-shaped bend at Shigu Town and reverses to flow northeast—the marvel that 'the river turns back here' is unique along the entire Yangtze. In 1936 the Red Army crossed the river here on the Long March; the Shigu Red Army Crossing Monument, Shigu Pavilion, and Tiehong Bridge record that history, and climbing the viewing platform for a panorama of the river bend is the classic photo spot.
Getting there: From Lijiang, self-drive or shuttle bus (approx. 50 km)
Photos
More in Lijiang
- Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan)
A Naxi old town built from the late Song into the early Yuan, standing unwalled for 800-plus years (legend holds that the Mu chieftains' surname means "wood", and a wall around it would form the character "trapped"—so walls were taboo); inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1997
- Mu Mansion (Mufu)
Residence of the Naxi Mu chieftains, built in the Ming Wanli reign and said to comprise 162 rooms: "in the north the Forbidden City, in the south the Mu Mansion"
- Wangu Tower
The old town's highest point atop Lion Hill, a five-story wooden viewing tower 33 m tall; overlooking the unbroken grey-tiled roofs of Dayan Old Town, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the old town in one frame—the most classic Lijiang photo
- Grand Waterwheel · Black Dragon Pool Park (Yuquan Park)
A clear spring lake at the foot of Elephant Hill at the source of the Yu River, Deyue Pavilion and Five Phoenix Pavilion reflected in the water, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain framed across the lake—hailed as "the foremost view of the snow mountain" and the birthplace of Lijiang's postcards
- Five Phoenix Pavilion (Fayun Pavilion)
Built in the Ming Wanli reign, its three tiers of flying eaves spread like five phoenixes in flight; originally the main building of Fuguo Temple, later relocated to the shore of Black Dragon Pool
- Naxi Dongba Culture Museum
A museum dedicated to Dongba culture, with systematic displays of Dongba scriptures, ritual implements and sacrificial ceremonies; the Dongba pictographic-script documents are inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register