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Tiger Leaping Gorge

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The Tiger Leaping Gorge begins at Qiaotou village, Zhongdian County and ends at Daju village, Lijiang. The 18 kilometers long gorge in in upper reaches of the Jinsha River (the Golden Sand River). It is divided into three segments, the upper gorge, the middle gorge and the lower gorge. The most famous scenic spots on the upper gorge are the mouth of the gorge and the Tiger Leaping Pebble.

Mantianxing (the Sky Full of Stars) Reefs Area and Yixiantian (a huge rock crack) are the two most hazardous spots in the middle gorge. And in the lower gorge you can enjoy "Gaoxiao Pinghe" (the gorge and the lake) and the beautiful scenery of Daju.

With the vertical height of 3,790 meters, the gorge is one of the deepest canyons of the world. The gorge's evocative name is related to a legend which says a tiger once leaped across the narrowest point of the gorge where it is a mere 30 meters wide. Reefs of all shapes are abundant in the gorge.
There are 21 rapids, 7 places where the water of the Golden Sand River (Jinsha River) drops 10 meters and 10 waterfalls. The grand Tiger Leaping Gorge is the result of geological changes in Jinsha River area and the Yulong Snow Mountain (the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain). The Tiger Leaping Gorge is not only a scenic area but also a place with plentiful natural resources. Experts believe that it is feasible to build a hydroelectric dam at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The Tiger Leaping Gorge area is the birthplace of the ancient culture of Lijing. Caves, big and small caves in the area were naturally formed houses for primitive human beings. Rock paintings depicting the life of primitive people have been found in the cases and these too have become a tourist attraction at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Explore the Tiger Leaping Gorge

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is called as the first gorge of the Yangtze River. Early in the 1930's, American scholar Joseph F. Rock, made three successful flights over the gorge by plane and took lots of pictures of the gorge, making the gorge world- renowned and it become a famous place for explorers from all over the world.

The gorge is regarded as one of the top ten hiking lines in China. At the mouth of the upper gorge, squeezed by the two snow-capped mountains and further blocked by the huge Tiger Leaping Pebble, the Golden Sand River is only 30 meters in width. The water there makes violent whirlpools and hits the banks so powerfully that soaring breakers are created. The high waves, soaring water and the mountains shrouded with clouds and mist constitutes the most magnificent scene. It has attracted numerous brave explorers.

In September, 1986, Chinese Yangtze River Drifting Team drifted down the Tiger Leaping Gorge for the first time successfully. It was completed with a heavy toll after Sun Zhiling, a member of the team, and a journalist from a magazine named “Youth World” gave their lives in the attempt.

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is an ideal place for hikers. At present there are two paths: the first path starts from Lijing Old Town and goes to Qiaotou (Hutiaoxia Town or Tiger Leaping Town), via Lashihai. Hikers can get into the upper gorge from there. Then walk down along the east foot of the Haba Snow Mountain. It takes two days to walk through the gorge.

The second path starts from Ganhaizi (the Dry Sea) situated on the eastern slop of the Yulong Snow Mountain (the Jade Snow Mountain) and then into the lower Tiger Leaping Gorge at Daju County, Lijing and hike up along the Jinsha River. Hikers get out of the Tiger Leaping gorge at the upper gorge. The tourism department of Lijing city plans to build a plank rode on the slop of the Yulong Snow Mountain to connect the travel lines of the Yulong Snow Mountain.

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Edition HistoryEdit Opening Time:
7:00a.m.- 21:00p.m.

Edition HistoryEdit How to get there:

Take the shuttle on the special tourist line at bus stations or in front of all the main hotels in Dayan town. It is possible to be back the same day. You can also get there by river. Board the cruise ship at the Fist Bend of the Yangtze River and travel 40 kilometers down along the Jinsha River (the Golden Sand River). It takes about 70 minutes and RMB 100 yuan for the ship fare including RMB 30 yuan for the admission fee of the gorge. You can take a close look at the gorgeous scenery of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. After leaving the ship, you have to travel 30 kilometers to Hutiao Town (the Tiger Leaping Town) by foot.

Edition HistoryEdit Tips:

1.Two new cafes providing services and western- style food and internet for foreign tourists and hikers have sprung up at Tiger Leaping Town.

2. While visiting the Tiger Leaping Gorge, special attention is needed when walking as stones in road are very slippery. Skid proof shoes are a necessity for visitors.