First Bend of the Yellow River

黄河九曲第一湾

Where the Yellow River meets the Baihe River on the Tangke grassland. Its channel winds across the land like a ribbon, and watching the sunset from the viewing platform is the classic image of northwestern Sichuan.

The First Bend of the Yellow River lies about 8 kilometers north of Tangke Town in Zoige County, at an elevation of about 3,500 meters. It is the only stretch of the Yellow River flowing through Sichuan, and it is where the river meets its tributary, the Baihe River. Here the Yellow River makes several large loops across the open wetland grassland. From above, the river looks like a silver ribbon spread across the land, dotted with countless small pools in the wetland. At sunset the water turns golden red, making this the most famous sunset viewpoint in northwestern Sichuan. The scenic area has built an escalator of nearly 300 meters that goes up to the Falo Viewing Platform on the summit. You can also hike up the path in about 30 minutes. At the foot of the hill, Suogezang Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery by the Yellow River, where the white stupa and the river bend appear in the same frame. Admission in peak season is about 60 yuan, and the escalator round trip costs 60 yuan. In the off-season (November to March), admission is halved. The best time is to arrive about 1.5 hours before sunset, since the river glows for about 20 minutes after the sun sets. On sunny days the summit is very windy, so bring a windproof jacket. Horseback riding is available on the grassland around the viewing area, at about 100 yuan per hour, so negotiate the price. For accommodation, staying in Tangke Town is recommended. You can walk or take a short drive back after sunset. If you stay in Zoige County town, you will need to drive 90 kilometers at night.

First Bend of the Yellow River

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby