Matihe River in Yiliang County, Kunming

Geographic Overview

• Origin: The Matihe River is a tributary of the Nanpan River (南盘江), originating in Malong District (马龙区), Qujing City (曲靖市). It flows south into Yiliang, quietly carving the northern part of the Yiliang Karst Plateau over millions of years.
• Location: Yiliang County, Kunming
• Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Famous Attractions:
  • Zhangziba (獐子坝)
  • Matihe Canyon (马蹄河峡谷)

Journey Description

In Gengjiaying Township (耿家营乡), Yiliang County, there is a tributary of the Nanpan River called Zhangziba River (獐子坝河). Its two sources are the Mingyue River (明月河) and the Matihe River (马蹄河). On the way to the Mingyue River, we first crossed the Matihe River. The highway bridge spans approximately 20 to 30 meters above the river.

Scenic Views from the Bridge

Looking down from the bridge, the cliffs on both sides rise steeply, with wisteria and ancient trees defiantly growing in the crevices of the rocks. The river has a significant drop, and the water rushes violently against the rocks, producing strange sounds, likely due to hidden caves beneath the river. A small path leads directly to the riverbank, where flat boulders provide a nice camping spot with decent scenery.

Encountering Duimen Mountain (对门山)

Upon arriving at the small village of Duimen Mountain, it was unremarkable, and we set off on foot toward Mingyue River. It’s unknown who gave this place such an evocative name—Mingyue (明月), meaning "Bright Moon." If one were to visit here on a night with a full moon, what kind of scenery would that present?

The Cliff's Edge

The spot where we settled was at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a sheer drop of over a hundred meters, extending in a semi-circle for hundreds of meters. Perhaps that’s why it is called "Moon"! The rushing river water is blocked by the stone wall, having no choice but to turn back, creating a lush, wooded peninsula. According to Xing (邢), the scenery at Mingyue should be elegant, but here it is grand and magnificent.

The Descent to the River

The descent path was well-worn, having been carved into the cliff face, making it feel as if we were scurrying like mice, carefully walking close to the cliff. Upon reaching the riverbank and looking back, we could see a waterfall cascading down from above, though the water was sparse due to upstream irrigation.

Challenges Along the Path

After traversing the narrow "rat path," we arrived at Yangqiao Village (羊桥村), where we could challenge the Matihe River. From Yangqiao, we went directly down to Longtan (龙潭) and the large waterfall, then followed the river downstream for 3 kilometers to the confluence.

Leaving Yangqiao, the terrain was not very undulating; the mountains connected in a way that formed a hilly landscape, but the river was nowhere to be seen. Only a canyon several hundred meters deep remained. Climbing along the cliff edge and looking down, we could faintly see the yellow glimmer of the water through the gaps in the bushes.

Navigating the Narrow Path

The path, covered in dead branches and decayed leaves, had seemingly not been walked on for ages. With slippery moss and muddy ground, we had to sit down, clutching onto shrubs and weeds, inching our way down, all the while aware of the numerous thorns on the bushes. The narrow path clung to the cliff, only 20 to 30 centimeters wide, sometimes requiring us to directly climb on the cliff itself.

The outside world dropped into a bottomless gorge, and with the slightest misstep, one could fall freely. What does it mean to be terrified? This was the moment I truly understood, as sweat poured down my forehead. After a hard-earned journey to a spot where two people could stand side by side, I suddenly realized I was standing on the exposed roots of an old tree.

Finally, we reached the bottom of the gorge, my calves trembling and my eyes glazed over.

Chashitan Reservoir (柴石滩水库)

In Yiliang, another scenic gorge worth mentioning is the Chashitan Reservoir, which spans the Nanpan River with a dam that creates a 33-kilometer-long gorge.

Location and Accessibility

• Distance: The Matihe River is located in Gengjiaying Township, Yiliang County, approximately 90 kilometers from Kunming's main city, with a driving time of about 1.5 hours.

This area has a tributary of the Nanpan River called Zhangziba River (獐子坝河), which has two sources: the Mingyue River (明月河) and the Matihe River (马蹄河). Both rivers originate in Malong County (马龙县) and flow south into Yiliang, silently carving the northern part of the Yiliang Karst Plateau over millions of years.

Scenic Beauty

Due to its deep concealment within the gorge, few people have had the opportunity to witness its beauty.

Particularly, the lower section of the Matihe River is rarely visited, essentially remaining an undeveloped virgin land. Here, the scenery is beautiful, with emerald cliffs and steep crags lining both sides of the river, featuring a rich variety of plants.

Within the gorge, the stream flows gently, glimmering in the light. The green moss and vibrant grass move along the current, creating delightful scenes. The cliffs are alive with the sounds of birds and fragrant flowers, captivating the heart and soul.