The First Bend of the Yellow River—Qiankun Bay

Qiankun Bay, located near Laoniubay in Pianguan County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, is named for the meandering course of the Yellow River here, which loops around like a Tai Chi pattern. As the Yellow River flows southward, it encounters steep mountains and instead of rushing forward, it retreats before advancing, winding northward and then gracefully flowing southward, forming a huge S-shaped loop. This natural and man-made wonder is one of the ninety-nine bends of the Yellow River, and Qiankun Bay is considered the most beautiful, hence it is also known as the First Bend of the Yellow River.