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The First Bend of the Yangtze River is located on
the north side of the highway leading from Dali to Lijiang, about
70 km. from lijiang Town. The upper reaches of the Yangtze River
is named the Jinsha River, which originates from the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau. The Jinsha River flowed southward along the Hengduan
Mountain ranges and was forced to the turn to north because of the
Alpine movements which caused changes in the earth's physiognomy.
When the river reaches Shigu Township, it makes an abrupt turn and
flows further northward, forming the rare V-shape bend.
On the hill as the river bends stands the small
Shigu (stone drum) Township. It is so called because of the
existence of a drum-like stone tablet. It is 1.5 m. in diameter,
70 mm. in thickness, being the memorial tablet marking the victory
of territorial expansion of Lijiang's local ruler Baichuan,
surnamed Mu, in the 27th to 40th year of the Jiaqing era of the
Ming Dynasty (1548-1561). It is one of the earliest stone tablets
hitherto found at Lijiang.
The river is broadened at the bend and flows
slowly. The famous historical event, such as "Zhuge Liang's
Crossing the Lushni River in the Fifth Month", Kublai Khan's
"Crossing the River on Leather Rafts" all chose this place as a
ferry. In May 1936, the Red Army to leaders He Long, Ren Bishi and
Guan Xianying led the Second Route Red Army to march north,
crossing the river also at this place. At present, a splendid
memorial tablet marking the victorious crossing is erected here.
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