Tiger Leaping Gorge: The World Deepest River Canyon

Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan is one of the world deepest river canyons. The Jinsha (Yangtze) River cuts between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, creating a 3,000-meter-deep gorge. A famous legend tells of a tiger leaping across the gorge to escape a hunter, giving the gorge its name.

The Gorge

The gorge is 16 kilometers long with a drop of over 3,000 meters from the surrounding peaks to the river. The vertical drop is greater than the Grand Canyon in the United States. The gorge consists of three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Middle Gorge is the deepest and most dramatic.

The Hiking Trail

The classic hiking trail follows the gorge rim, connecting guesthouses and villages. The trail takes 2 to 3 days to complete, with dramatic viewpoints at every turn. The most famous viewpoint is 28 bends, a series of switchbacks descending to the river. Hiking is moderately difficult; the altitude and steep sections challenge even fit walkers.

Upper Gorge

The Upper Gorge is where a legendary tiger supposedly leaped across the river. A large rock in the middle of the rapids is the supposed takeoff point. The Upper Gorge is the narrowest and most dramatic section, with walls rising almost vertically from the water.

Middle Gorge

The Middle Gorge is the deepest section of the canyon. Guesthouses like Halfway and Tea Horse Guesthouse offer accommodation with stunning views. The Qiaotoiaojian viewpoint is famous for its panoramic view of the gorge. Morning mist and sunset glow are particularly photogenic.

Getting There

The gorge is reached from Lijiang or Shangri-La by bus. The main hiking villages are Qiaotou (for the start) and Tinajiecun (for the end). The hiking season is March to June and September to November. Summer brings landslides; winter snow can block the trail.