First Bend of the Nujiang River
怒江第一湾
Where the Nu River, blocked by the towering Wangjing Cliff, makes a horseshoe-shaped loop of nearly 360 degrees in the canyon. It is the signature view of Bingzhongluo.
The First Bend of the Nu River lies near Ridang Village, about 5 kilometers south of Bingzhongluo Town. Here the river meets the towering Wangjing Cliff and is forced to turn back within the canyon, forming a large horseshoe-shaped bend. On the terraces inside the bend are the fields and houses of Kantong Village, creating a scene where river, mountains, and village are woven together. The viewing platform is right beside the Nu River Scenic Road (S228), so you can park and look down over the river for free. The best times to see it are the mornings and evenings in the dry season, when the water turns jade green. In the rainy season the water is muddy but powerful.
From the platform, you can also take a trail down to the riverbank or visit Kantong Village and Ridang Village within the bend. It is on the way to Bingzhongluo, so plan to stop for 30 minutes to an hour.
Getting there: about 1 hour by car from Gongshan County town, and about 10 minutes from Bingzhongluo Town.
Note: the platform is beside the road, so watch for passing traffic when parking. In the rainy season, there is a risk of falling rocks and landslides along the route.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Bingzhongluo Valley
- Peach Blossom Island
- Chongding Village & Sacred Heart Church
- Puhua Monastery
- Shimen Pass
- Wuli Village
- Dimaluo Village
- Qiunatong Village