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The magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge lies in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan on the Jinsha River. is one of the finest treks through some of the most naturally beautiful and diverse landscapes China has to offer.Yunnan is diverse, the southern region being more tropical and akin to the climate of Southeast Asia (it borders Burma/Myanmar). Northern Yunnan, where the gorge is located, is renowned for its mountainous countryside that more closely resembles the landscapes of Tibet.
Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic spot is located in Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, Shangri-La City. It is 80 kilometers away from the urban area of Lijiang City and in the upper reaches of Jinsha River, with a total length of 17 kilometers, 25 kilometers of circuitous road and a vertical height difference of more than 3900 meters. It is one of the deepest canyons in China.
The south bank of Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area is Yulong Snow Mountain, the main peak is 5,596 meters above sea level, and the Haba Snow Mountain on the north bank is 5,396 meters above sea level. Closely bound by the mountains on both sides of the river, the river flows into the narrow gorge, and its narrowest part is only more than 50 meters wide, which enable tiger or leopard jumped over, so the name Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper Tiger jump section, Middle tiger jump section and Down Tiger jump section. From the upper to lower gorge is only 16 kilometers apart, with a drop of 220 meters and an average slope of 13.8%, which is the most concentrated section of the Yangtze River. The river in the gorge is less than 1,800 meters above sea level, and the height difference between the peaks and valleys reaches more than 3,000 meters. Gorge valley slope steep, cliff wall.
Upper Tiger Leaping Section
This section is the narrowest section of the canyon, with the river only 20 meters wide. In the mid of the river a huge stone of 13 meters high occupied as a tiger quatting. Legend said that the tiger once jumped to the other side with this stone, because of the famous tiger jump stone, the Tiger Leaping Gorge is also named.
Mid Tiger Leaping Section
Mid Tiger Leaping is full of reef forest in the river. Jinsha River rushs down 100 meters in less than 5 kilometers distance , just like a dragon splitting the pass, rampaging, surging the shore, turbidding waves. Here it formed 18 rapids, and the wall-like-rock on both sides looked like cut by knife and axe.
Down Tiger Leaging Section
Jinsha River turned out to be a bit gentle here. The adventure of the valley gradually disappeared, here the vision is broad, your two eyes enjoy the fertile fields, also enjoy the Jinsha River light singing and dancing, but you can also overlook the charm of Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the best hiking trail in the Lijiang area. The scenery is spectacular. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s. Inns and guesthouses have been built along the trail for hikers.If you prefer to visit without any (strenuous) hiking, a road along the south side of the gorge enters from the west and goes for a couple kilometers before stopping at a parking lot. After that there is a fairly level paved trail to Upper Tiger Leaping stone. Tours can be arranged in Lijiang or you can try to hire a driver to take you as a day trip from Lijiang, though drivers from Lijiang are not allowed to cross the river as that's outside their allowed territory.
best time to go:Spring is the best time as the river turbulence is at its peak (melting snow flows down from the Himalayan mountains).
Fall is the second best period because of its generally pleasant we
How to get:Keep in mind that there are 2 completely different options to visit the Gorge. One is the high trekking trail accurately described below starting in Qiaotou, running on the left side of the river (as coming from Lijiang). The other is a flat tour-tourism artificial walking street that runs near the water on the right side of the river. It is slightly boring but it has the advantage of catching all the Gorge in 2 hours with 50. Most of the local 'guides' will lead you to it.