Abstract: Experimental tests were conducted to examine the influence of inlet form on hydraulic jump in stilling basin with shallow water cushion in asymmetric outlet condition, based on a physical model of the energy dissipater No. 3 in the flood discharging tunnel of Luding hydropower plant. Comparison of flow patterns shows that the inlet form that has significant impact on the water cushion, is a crucial factor to the formation and stability of hydraulic jump in the case of shallow cushion in stilling basin. The multi-steps inlet is advantageous when the cushion is deep enough and the inlet main flow close to the bottom, while it helps to develop surface-flow patterns when the main flow is away from the bottom and the cushion too deep, especially in the case of small jet angle at the inlet. In contrast, an arc inlet can help the inlet main flow be close enough to the bottom to ensure the formation of hydraulic jump inside the basin with appropriate water cushion, but the jump is probably unstable and asymmetric because of the high speed flow reflected by the end sill, which can be solved by modifying the inlet form from transitional to continuous.