Tiger Leaping Gorge
虎跳峡 · Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan, China
Between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, the Jinsha River has cut a gorge up to about 3,790 metres deep, with raging water below and snow peaks above: one of the deepest river canyons in the world.
Know before you go
- Do not photograph local residents or religious sites casually
- do not startle livestock on the trail
- do not wash at village water sources
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
The Tiger's Leap
Legend has it that a tiger fleeing a hunter leapt across the river at the gorge's narrowest point, using a rock in mid-river as a stepping stone, and so the gorge was named Tiger Leaping Gorge. Yet even at its narrowest, the river is still about 25 metres wide, so the name is better read as a picture of how wild the gorge is.
Source: Wikipedia: Tiger Leaping Gorge
History
The Dam That Was Dropped
In 2004, a proposal was put forward to build a hydropower dam in Tiger Leaping Gorge. In 2007, the plan was dropped, and the gorge has kept the look it has today.
Source: Wikipedia: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Tiger Leaping Gorge lies about 60 kilometres north of Lijiang City in Yunnan, squeezed between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. The gorge is about 15 kilometres long, with a maximum drop of about 3,790 metres from river to summit; the Tiger Leaping Stone in mid-river and the surging rapids are its landmarks. The gorge is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas World Heritage Site. Most of the gorge's residents are Naxi people, who have farmed here for generations and now also host passing hikers. The water is fast and the gorge is not navigable. Tiger Leaping Gorge was formally opened to foreign visitors in 1993.
Local customs
- Walk the high trail (about 22 kilometres) for views over the gorge and snow mountains
- follow the lower road to the Tiger Leaping Stone for a close look at the great rock and the rapids
- rest in the riverside villages and get a feel for Naxi village life.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not photograph local residents or religious sites casually
- do not startle livestock on the trail
- do not wash at village water sources
Locals appreciate DO
- Respect the customs of the Naxi and other local residents
- ask before entering villages
- ask permission before photographing residents or religious sites
- follow the marked trails
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The gorge is steep and rugged, so check trail conditions and the weather before you set out, and walk within your ability
- travel and safety arrangements follow official and scenic-area notices. A road runs from Lijiang to the gorge, and Qiaotou is one of the trailheads
- check official notices for schedules.
- The gorge area averages about 13°C to 20°C over the year. Mountain weather is unpredictable in the rainy season, when the high trail is not advisable
- the dry season is generally considered the best time for hiking.
Photos
Photos
Jo Schmaltz · CC BY-SA 2.0
Wingchi Poon · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
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