Suojiang Grand Canyon

Suojiang Grand Canyon

The rugged and spectacular Suojiang Grand Canyon is located in Bade Town and Xinmachang Township in the eastern part of Xingren County, about 60 kilometers from the county seat.

The Suojiang, which refers to the section of the Beipan River that flows through the county, stretches 22 kilometers — starting from Huangjiadong, where the Mashui River meets the Beipan River, and ending at the “Three Rivers Junction,” where the Beipan River converges with the Longdong River. During winter and spring, the water flow slows down, making the river clear and glistening with gentle waves, earning it the nickname “Clearwater River” among tourists. In summer, the water level rises and the current becomes fierce and turbulent, surging like wild horses. Towering cliffs rise perpendicularly on both sides, reaching thousands of feet high, creating an exceptionally thrilling landscape.

Jiupan, located along the edge of the Suojiang Grand Canyon, was an ancient transportation hub. According to the *Xingren County Annals*: “During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, a Jiupan post station was established, staffed with one commander, one administrative officer, and over twenty soldiers, to govern the area and ensure the safety of merchants and travelers passing through.”

The Suojiang Canyon features karst landforms, with steep ridges, rugged mountains, jagged peaks, and overhanging cliffs, all contributing to its rough and majestic beauty. The towering mountains on either side of the canyon rise sharply, their red cliffs blazing like fire, thrusting straight into the sky and piercing through the blue expanse, breaking through clouds — one of the most distinctive features of the canyon.