The First Bend of Yangtze River
Name in Chinese: 长江第一湾 Cháng Jiāng Dì Yī Wān [tsæŋ dʒæŋ di: ji: wæ]
Duration of Tour: One and a Half Hours
Location: Shigu Township, Yulong County, Lijiang Prefecture, Yunnan Province
Highlights: Photography and Sightseeing
Must-see Sightseeing Spots: the Panoramic Viewing Platform of the Bend, Shigu Old Town and the Monument of China’s Red Army
Together with the Yellow River, the Yangtze River has nurtured Chinese Civilization for thousands of years. It is the third longest river on our blue planet with a total length of 6,363 kilometers(3,954 miles). The river rises on the roof of the world---the Qinghai-Tibet High Plateau, and rushes southwards to Yunnan Province. Between the feet of the Jade-dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, it makes a V-shaped turn, forming the world famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, and then flows eastwards into the Pacific Ocean.
The bend slows down the current of the river, making it a ferry port with a great strategic importance in southwestern China Highland. According to historical records, the bend was the place where Zhuge Liang got his troops across the river for his military expedition. Zhuge Liang(181~234) served as the prime minister of the Shu-Han Kingdom during the Three-Kingdom Period(220~280). He is considered as one of the most celebrated statesmen, military strategists and politicians in Chinese history. Around 1,200 years later, Kublai Khan’s army crossed the river at the ferry port and marched to conquer the Ancient Dali Vassal State. In the year of 1935, one of the three main forces of China’s Red Army, “the Second Front Army”, led by Marshal He Long were ferried across the river at the same place for their Long March to Northern China.
The Viewing Platforms
There are three viewing platforms by the river. The best one providing a stunning panoramic view of the bend is perched on the mountain slope, which can be reached with half an hour hike.
Shigu Town
There is a town by the river, named Shigu or Stone Drum. It is inhabited mainly by Naxi People. Visitors can find some restaurants and shops run by locals on the streets. In order to memorize the Long March of China’s Red Army, the locals built a 8-meter high monument near the ferry port in 1977.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to the First Bend of Yangtze River
The First Bend of Yangtze River lies around 50 kilometers(31 miles) to the west of Lijiang Ancient Town. It takes about one hour to get to the bend from Lijiang by car. Lijiang Ancient Town is located about 500 kilometers(311 miles) to the northwest of Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province. Some of the tourist fly to Lijiang from major cities in Mainland China, such as Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. Some others travel to Lijiang from Kunming by car or bullet train.
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The bend is at an elevation of 1,850 meters(6,070 feet). But some nearby scenic areas are higher than 3,000 meters(9,843 feet) above sea level. The tourists might suffer from the Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS). Tips for you to prevent the AMS include keeping hydrated, avoiding a cold, acclimatizing to altitude gradually, avoiding rapid ascent and strenuous exercise, restraining from smoking and drinking alcohol.
Weather
The tropical latitude of Lijiang area means that you need to bring some suncream and sunhats when you travel to Lijiang. Both spring and autumn are the best time to visit Lijiang. The spring comes in February and goes in April, while the autumn lasts from September to November. You also need to pack some winter clothes for your tour to Lijiang, even in summer.
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