Tianshengqiao Natural Bridge in Midu County, Dali

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Tiansheng Bridge (天生桥) is located about 4 kilometers east of the county seat of Midu County (弥渡县), Yunnan Province (云南省), within a narrow canyon. It is a nationally rated AAAA-level tourist attraction (assessed in November 2023). The site features a colossal natural stone arch formed by a massive rock span connecting the east and west canyon walls, creating a stone gate that is 56 meters high and 62.4 meters long, with the Wanhua Stream (万花溪) flowing beneath.

Renowned for its uniqueness, danger, and grandeur, the scenic area includes a karst cave complex, cliffside stone carvings, and a group of Ming and Qing dynasty temples. Over 20 cliff inscriptions have been designated as county-level cultural heritage protection sites. The prominent Chinese scholar Guo Moruo (郭沫若) once praised it as “a world-unique realm, the number one bridge on Earth.” The site attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Geographic Details

• Location: 4 km east of Midu County (弥渡县) town center
• Formation: Result of tectonic activity and erosion of limestone
• Bridge Dimensions: Length 62.4 meters, height 56 meters, width 8.2 meters
• Key Recognition: National AAAA-level scenic site (2023)
• Protection Level: County-level protected cultural site (stone carvings)
• Famous Attractions: “Moon Hanging Over the Bridge” (天桥挂月), “Dragon Pool Reflection” (龙池倒影), “Echo Drum Cave” (响鼓洞)

Geological Features

Tiansheng Bridge (天生桥) is a karst landform created by massive limestone formations spanning from east to west. It formed over millions of years due to rainfall erosion and crustal movement, resulting in an arch-shaped structure. The highest point of the arch reaches 56 meters, with the widest part of the opening measuring 23.5 meters. The Wanhua Stream (万花溪) flows through the arch, creating seasonal waterfalls and deep pools.

The eastern cliff is home to 36 karst caves, including Laojun Cave (老君洞) and Guanyin Grinding Tofu Cave (观音磨豆腐洞). Archaeological finds such as Neolithic stone knives and axes in Echo Drum Cave (响鼓洞) indicate that humans inhabited the area over 4,000 years ago.

Cultural Landmarks

The western cliff features an ancient temple complex consisting of five pavilions and four main halls, including the Jade Emperor Pavilion (玉皇阁) and Doumu Pavilion (斗母阁), representative of Ming and Qing religious architecture. Inscriptions on the cliff face include poetic and calligraphic works like “Heroic Spirit Soaring to the Sky” (浩气凌空) and “Heaven on Earth” (人间天上), spanning various historical periods.

Over 20 cliffside carvings remain, showcasing a range of calligraphy styles including seal, clerical, and standard scripts. The earliest inscriptions date back to the Ming dynasty. A grand temple fair held annually on the 15th day of the second lunar month includes traditional religious rituals and draws crowds exceeding 100,000 in a single day.

Tourism Development

In 2022, ¥4.13 million was invested to upgrade basic infrastructure, including a visitor center, eco-friendly parking lot, and a 2.5 km hiking trail. The site features ten core scenic areas such as Moon Hanging Over the Bridge (天桥挂月) and Autumn Colors at Dragon Pool (龙潭秋色). After its elevation to AAAA-level status in November 2023, annual tourist numbers surpassed 500,000.

The area is particularly famous in winter for its vibrant landscape: the cherry blossom groves on the eastern cliff contrast sharply with the red Danxia rock formations, creating a striking visual spectacle.

Scientific Value

Geologists have confirmed that Tiansheng Bridge (天生桥) was formed during the Tertiary Himalayan orogeny. The vertical elevation between the eastern and western cliff walls is 56 meters, and vegetation changes dramatically from the canyon floor to the mountain top, creating multiple ecological zones.

Rock samples taken from the bridge show that the limestone consists of 92% calcium carbonate, indicating that the bridge and surrounding cave systems were formed during the same geological period.

Transportation Information

Visitors can reach the scenic area by driving east along the Xianglin Highway (祥临公路) for approximately 4 kilometers from Midu County (弥渡县) town. An eco-parking lot is available on-site.

The scenic area offers two circular hiking routes (east and west), with a full tour taking between 1 to 3 hours. A core observation platform provides panoramic views of the Wanhua Stream (万花溪). In 2024, a new glass observation platform was built, extending into the center of the bridge arch with a vertical drop of 30 meters to the stream below.