Mati River Bend

The best point for the birds-eye view of the site is Laoya Mt near Jianshan Village, Yiliang County. The hoof-like bay is part of the Mati River which is a rare trekking destination near Kunming. On the river banks, locals plant different crops including rice and wheat, creating a natural wonder.

Taiji Diagram

This site is 1 km to the north of Yulong county seat, Dali. Because of the Bijiang River which detours near the county seat, a S-shape turn is formed, vividly resembling to the Taiji diagram of Taoism. As a rare natural wonder, locals have many mythical stories for it. In spring and autumn, this site appear green and yellow respectively, for which a lot of photographers travel long to take gorgeous photos.

The First Bend of the Yangzi River in Shigu

It is located in Shigu Town of Yulong County, Lijiang City. The Yangzi River flows down from “the ridge of the world”-- the Qinghai Tibet Plateau to Yunnan (called as the Jinsha River) passing by the northwest of Yunnan. The Jinsha River, the Lancang River and the Nu River together run through the mountains and valleys in the crossing mountain ranges. When the Jinsha River reaches Shigu Town of Yulong County, it makes an abrupt turn and flows towards northeast, forming a great V-shaped bend rare to be seen and being reputed as “the First Bend of the Yangzi River”. A drum-shaped stone tablet is built on the small hill at the turn of the Jinsha River. Thus the town got its name. The Shigu Ferry is a good place to cross the river as it is wide and flows slowly there. Historically, it has long been a place of military importance. 

The Great Bend of Jinsha River

Also called the Moon Bay, the bend is 15 km north of Benzilan Township of Deqin County. Jinsha River, the upper reach of the Yangtze River, is blocked by mountains on its way southward, and a hairpin turn has thus been formed as a natural wonder.

The First Bend of the Nujiang River

The 1,540 m long Nujiang River originates from Naqu area in Tibet. It flows through the boundary mountains between Yunnan and Tibet, and surges in the Great Nujiang Canyon between the Gaoligong Mountains and the Biluo snowy mountains. When the river passes the Ridan Village of Bingzhongluo, it is blocked by the Wangqing cliff and changes its cause from southward to westward. But it has to return eastward again due to the barrier of the steep slope of the Danla Mountain, forming a gigantic semicircle, called “Huo Jia” by the Lisus and then generally called “the First Bend of the Nujiang River”. The elevation of the water surface is higher than 1,700 meters above sea level, creating beautiful sceneries of great momentum, enchantment and gentle flow. People usually take boats or cable cars through the river. The center of the First Bend is a smooth and fertile land surrounded by water on three sides. On the river banks shaded green, a small village named Kangtong is living on farming for generations. A life style simple but harmonious is kept, just like in a paradise.

Honghe River

Originating from Weishan County of Dali in the northwest of Yunnan, the Honghe River is the major international river connecting Yunnan and Vietnam. Running southwards through the Ailao Mountain, it gives birth to a lovely river bend in Xinping County in the central Yunnan.