石鼓镇

比丽江还要历史悠久的石鼓镇，红军长征到达的地方，长江在这里来了个一百八十度大拐弯。

赶往虎跳峡，途中经过长江第一弯边上的石鼓镇，这里的著名小吃鸡豆凉粉是必须要尝尝的，实在是吃不下了，来碗凉的吧，热的下回？吃了一半才想起拍照，惭愧了。

This town stands at the First Bend of the Yangtze River and is militarily strategic. Zhuge Liang, of the Three Kingdoms crossed here as did Kublai Khan. The second route of the Red Army crossed the river and began their long march here. There is a monument of the Long March on a hill which also provides a birds eye view of the town. The town is also a very important stop in the Tea Horse Route. Market days are held every third day. We missed the market day but we still found the visit to this authentic town interesting.

A short visit to Shigu is worth the travel over from Lijiang. The drive reveals some of the most outstanding scenery and accompanied with your read "forgotten Kingdom" by Peter Goullart the backdrop is perfect to imagine a bygone age in China. Shigu is worth a short stop off to see the famous first bend in the Yangtze and there are a couple of decent eateries, one particularly near the gate to the riverside (name has eluded me) a walk up the hill to the memorial statue provides a great viewing platform. If driving over from Lijiang keep your eyes peeled for farmers who may be tending to their crops. We stopped by a watermelon grower and bought a couple of large ripe watermelons from him, which he duly harvested and cut up for us and we managed to buy forest mushrooms from a forager at the side of the road.

Shigu is small and quaint, with hilly backstreets and alleys offering views over the Yangtze first bend. The town has a lot of history, being part of the ancient tea route and was the first night stop for travelers back then after leaving Lijiang. The villagers also helped the Red Army cross the Yangtze, and a monument of this can be seen on the hilltop area. Most importantly, but somewhat disappointingly presented, is the Stone Drum hailing back to the Ming Dynasty which was apparently placed there by Kublai Khan during his conquests. The local tourism authorities should showcase the drum better, as where it is gives it little credit. Oh, and you will see loads of spiderwebs everywhere which are amazing themselves - the spiders construct huge webs spanning large areas taking advantage of the breeze through the town to provide prey. They are not poisonous and children can be seen playing with them, so I'm told.

Actually, Stone Drum Town is not just famous for the First Bend of Yangtze River, it is also an important transportation hub, trade center and military stonghold since ancient time. It is a stop for the Tea and Horse Road(a trading route over 2000 years old, the silk road in south China). Various ethnic minorites will throng into this place during market day which occurs each 3 days. I visited this place in summer, the rainy season. thus the water level is high. i shoot several most stunning photos i even took from here. And i enjoyed so much to taste the local food on the market day.If compare Lijiang to be a well dressed up lady, Stone Drum Town will look like a countryside girl, with primitive and original beauty.

The town itself has not much to offer and the restaurants are not really nice. So it is just good enough to stop by for a couple photos of the first bend of the Yangtze river and move on....Terrible toilets as well !

So terribly disappointed by the frist bend in the Yangtze river we stumbled across Shigu Town on market day. Everyone was dressed in their national costume, not for tourists but because that's how they dress and going about their day-to-day business. We spent quite a while here (longer if we could) walking up and down the streets and interacting with the locals. One of the best experience we've had in China.