Shigu Town & First Bend of the Yangtze
长江第一湾
The Jinsha River makes a sharp V-shaped bend northward here. The old town has a Ming-dynasty Shigu stone drum and an iron chain bridge, and it is a classic stop on the western route from Lijiang.
After flowing south from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Jinsha River reaches the Shigu area of Lijiang. Blocked by the Hailuo Mountains, it suddenly turns northeast in an almost V-shaped bend, known as the 'First Bend of the Yangtze'. Shigu Town takes its name from a Ming-dynasty white marble stone drum in the town, which records the military achievements of the Mu chieftains. The town was also a ferry crossing on the ancient Tea Horse Road, and it was where the Red Army crossed the river during the Long March in 1936. At the edge of town are an iron chain bridge and a memorial to the Red Army's river crossing. You can climb the viewpoint on the hillside next to the town to see the whole bend. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours. Entry to the town is free. It is about 50 km and roughly 1 hour by car from Lijiang Old Town, and is often combined with Tiger Leaping Gorge on the same day.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Zhiyun Temple
- Lashi Lake
- Puji Temple
- Wenfeng Temple
- Wenhai Lake
- Shuhe Ancient Town
- Lijiang Romance Park
- Yufeng Temple
Places to eat nearby
- Fuxian Xiaoguofan Yunnan Folk Flavor Restaurant (Shuhe Ancient Town Store)
- Apoqing Cured Rib Hotpot (Old Town Flagship Store)
- No. 88 Snack Shop
- Junziyou Wild Mushroom Hotpot & Specialty Courtyard Restaurant (Lijiang Old Town Store)
- Erge Rice Noodles (Lijiang Store)
- Xiaoxike Yunnan Specialty Restaurant (Naxi Courtyard Store)