Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡), 60 km north of Lijiang old town, is a canyon on the upper reach of the Yangtze River – locally called the Golden Sands River. The gorge, one of the deepest in the world, is a giddy 3900m from the waters of Jinsha River (金沙江) to the snow-capped mountaintops of Haba Mountain to the west and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the east.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is 15 kilometers long with many white water rapids. It is 80m or more at the widest, or only about 30m at the narrowest. Overall, the gorge is divided into three sections: upper, middle and lower. At the opening of the gorge (also the mouth of the Jinsha River), a huge pebble, about 30 meters wide, seems to be stranded amidst the billowing waves. Legend has it that in ancient times, a tiger frequently used this pebble as a stepping stone to leap across the gorge. Hence, the gorge got its name. There is a riverside observation platform for upclose viewing. Most visitors take in the most famous first segment of the gorge to observe the narrowest part of the river and see the Tiger Leaping Pebble. There, the river water sounds like a roaring angry monster.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge offers a finest trek through some of the most naturally beautiful and diverse landscapes. The hiking trail runs high on the northern side of the gorge passing through quiet villages, shady forest, blustery precipice and verdant terraced farmland.