The Emerald Horseshoe of the Plateau: The Wild Majesty of Nujiang First Bend in Biru

The Hidden Curve of the Black River

While the "First Bend of the Yangtze" and the "First Bend of the Nujiang" in Yunnan are world-famous, deep in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, within Biru County (Nagqu City), lies a more primitive, rugged, and awe-inspiring geological wonder: the Biru Nujiang First Bend (also known as the Liangqu Nujiang First Bend). Located near Mutang Village in Liangqu Township, this site sits at an altitude of approximately 3,800 meters. Unlike the lush, tropical feel of its Yunnan counterpart, the Nujiang Bend in Biru presents the raw, desolate beauty characteristic of the high-altitude plateau. Here, the Nujiang River (known as "Na Qu" in Tibetan, meaning "Black River"), flowing violently from the southern foothills of the Tanggula Mountains, slams into a massive, knife-like mountain ridge. Forced to divert, the river executes a dramatic, nearly 360-degree turn, carving a perfect "Ω" (Omega) shape into the earth before rushing onward through the deep canyon,.

A Geological Marvel of Contrast

The visual impact of this bend is defined by its dramatic contrasts. Standing on the observation deck perched high on the cliffside, visitors are treated to a breathtaking panorama. The river encircles a teardrop-shaped peninsula, which rises like a natural fortress or an isolated island in the stream. The steep canyon walls, composed of rugged rock and red soil, frame the water beautifully. The color of the river changes drastically with the seasons: in the summer (rainy season), the water roars with a muddy, yellow turbulence, displaying the river's ferocious power; however, in winter and spring, the water transforms into a tranquil, translucent emerald green or deep turquoise, looking like a jade belt wrapped around the mountain,,.

The Village in the Void

Nestled within the curve of the river, on the isolated peninsula formed by the bend, lies a small, hidden settlement known as Mutang Village (or simply the village within the bend). This village seems cut off from the rest of the world, accessible only by a suspension bridge or narrow paths. From the high vantage point of the viewing platform, the village looks like a "Peach Blossom Spring" or a solitary castle, with its flat-roofed Tibetan houses, small patches of farmland, and grazing yaks and sheep. The juxtaposition of the majestic, overwhelming canyon landscape with the peaceful, microscopic life of the village creates a scene of profound "human-nature coexistence" that is mesmerizing to photographers and travelers alike,.

Legends of King Gesar

1.Like many sites in: Tibet, this bend is steeped in mythology. Local legends attribute the formation of this sharp turn to the epic hero King Gesar. It is said that Gesar, in his battle against demons or simply through his divine power, influenced the landscape. One version suggests the bend was formed by the hoofprint of Gesar's divine horse; another implies he commanded the mountain to open or the river to turn. These stories imbue the geological spectacle with a layer of spiritual significance, transforming the landscape into a sacred site in the eyes of the local people,.

A Highlight of the Northern Tibet Route

2.For travelers journeying along the: G317 National Highway (Northern Sichuan-Tibet Line), the Biru Nujiang First Bend is a highlight that cannot be missed. It represents the transition from the rolling grasslands of Nagqu to the deep gorges of the eastern Tibetan expanse. The viewing platform offers a perfect angle to capture the "Big Bend," especially during sunrise or sunset when the light accentuates the texture of the mountains and the color of the water. It is a place to witness the sheer force of nature carving through the roof of the world, offering a visual experience that is vast, desolate, and utterly magnificent,.