The first bend of Yellow River is one of the best views in Zoige to see. The sunset views over the photo spot by the mountain above the river is one of the best places to see the bends of the river. This place is also a geologically important location for Yellow River itself. The Yellow River originates from Bayan Har Mountains by the west and flows towards east, making a sharp turn by this point and turning north into Gansu and Qinghai Province. The White River merges with Yellow River by the 1st bend of Yellow River in Tangke.
There are two 1st bend of Yellow River in China. One is in Sichuan Province (this article) and the other is in Gansu Province. Both are not far from each other. The one in Sichuan is a true bend (turn) of Yellow River that the terrain here changed the way Yellow River is going. The one in Gansu is merely a photo spot by the side of river but the winding Yellow River is also very beautiful.
First Bend of Yellow River is located in Tangke of Zoige. Tangke is very small town but with good roads and hotels due to tourism. By driving from the town of Zoige it is around 60km to Tangke. From First Bend of Yellow River driving to Hongyuan County it is 80km that takes around 1.5hours. From First Bend of Yellow River driving to Aba County it is around 150km and 2.5 hours. From the airport of Jiuzhaigou it is around 230km and 4hours drive.
The bends of Yellow River is why people come here. Lots of visitors will also choose to watch the sunset by the river. One will need luck to have good weather to see the sunset here if you are traveling during summer time. There is an elevator that visitors can use to go up the photo spot on top of the mountain where one can see great views of the bends of Yellow River. One can use the elevator to go up and then walk down on the ridge if the weather is good.
The best travel season to First Bend of Yellow River is from May to October. Lots of visitors come in there by June and July to catch the views of green mountains and grassland but will also have the chance of foggy/cloudy weather. If you come by September and October you will have a better chance of clear days to see everything but the mountains won’t be green anymore and the flowers are gone. First Bend of Yellow River is a 4-season place but normally we recommend you to avoid December to February (winter) if possible because it is too cold although super clear days.
Entrance Ticket: 105yuan/person including the escalator
Recommended Time to spend: 2-3h
Route: Flower Lake/ 1st Bend of Yellow River
Route: Jiuzhaigou/ Zoige/ Langmusi/ Nyenpo Yurtse/ Bipenggou
