An upright vacuum cleaner having a path switching apparatus are provided. The upright vacuum cleaner may include: a cleaner body, a hose which introduces air including dust into a dust collection unit, an extension pipe which is connected to the hose and is attached to/detached from the cleaner body, a suction port assembly connected to a bottom of the cleaner body, and a path switching apparatus installed in the cleaner body. The path switching apparatus includes an actuator, a rotary valve which pivotally rotates when the actuator operates, and a valve housing in which the rotary valve is built, wherein the rotary valve is curvedly formed so that the rotary valve forms a duct along with an inner circumferential surface of the valve housing to select a first path or a second path.