Tiger Leaping Gorge
Why visit here?
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest canyons on the planet. Carved out by the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze, it stretches 15 kilometers between the snow-capped Jade Dragon and Haba mountains. At its deepest point, the drop exceeds 3,900 meters.
The name comes from a legend: a cornered tiger jumped across the gorge, leaning on a large central rock to escape a hunter. That rock, still visible in the middle of the torrent, is now the most emblematic viewpoint in the canyon.
The high mountain trail is one of the most famous trekking routes in China. Carved into vertical cliffs, it offers dizzying views of the turquoise river roaring 300 meters below. Small Naxi villages and tea houses dot the two-day trail.
The gorge is divided into three sections. The upper section is the most accessible, with walkways and viewpoints. The middle section, a favorite with hikers, retains its authentic wild spirit. The lower section, which is quieter, offers golden sunsets over the snow-capped peaks.
Pros & Cons
- One of the world's deepest and most dramatic river canyons
- Three distinct sections serve completely different traveler types – Upper Gorge offers easy paved access and the iconic Tiger Leaping Stone; Middle Gorge delivers thrilling hiking with the near-vertical 168-step Sky Ladder; Lower Gorge is generally not recommended due to plain scenery and abandoned trails
- World-class trekking that suits both serious hikers and casual visitors
- Sky Ladder is genuinely dangerous for those with vertigo or weak knees – 168 nearly-vertical exposed metal rungs fastened to a cliff, 20 meters high. Several travelers report freezing halfway. If you are afraid of heights, heart conditions, or have knee problems, use the alternate return path
- Rainy season (July-September) risks trail closures and landslides
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