Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hu Tiao Xia) is an area of verdant mountainside beauty north of Lijiang. Explore the gorge on a magnificent 2-day hike or look out over the superb scenery from one of the sheer mountain roads. Peer down into one of the world’s deepest gorges, a dramatic chasm that plunges 12,795 feet (3,900 meters) down to the dancing waters of the Jinsha River. Up above, you’ll see the snow-capped Haba Xueshan and Yulong Xueshan mountains soar up from the jade-green valley’s edge.
There are two ways to explore the 9.9-mile (16-kilometer) Tiger Leaping Gorge. Not for the faint hearted, the 2-day hike along the western banks of the river begins in the town of Qiaotou. Take the steep and winding 14-mile (22-kilometer) track to experience an array of different landscapes. You’ll see the slopes of the mountain wrinkled by farming terraces, cascading waterfalls and broad mountain vistas. The local Naxi routinely use this path for their everyday lives, so you’ll pass plenty of workers and their mules.
The second option, known as the lower road, is a graded pathway that snakes for 121 miles (195 kilometers) along the valley floor from Qiaotou to the gorge. Follow the path of the Yangtze River in a car or bus and admire sweeping views of the river’s steep embankments.
The two roads meet at Tiger Leaping Stone, a geological formation that gave the gorge its name. According to local folklore, a tiger made a leap of faith from this stone to escape a hunter. Pass over stone-slung bridges and look down on the rushing water. Stay overnight at one of the gorge’s guesthouses and enjoy the local hospitality and cuisine. In the morning, you can begin the trek or drive back up to Qiaotou.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is located 56 miles (90 kilometers) north of Lijiang. Book your bus tour from Lijiang or Qiaotou. You will need a permit if you intend to hike. The gorge is best visited in the warmer months, when there is less rain. The mountain roads can become impassable after heavy rainfall.
