Tiger Leaping Gorge is a scenic canyon in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, China. It is nestled between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Snow Mountain, and it offers breathtaking views along its entire length, particularly the gushing waters and the spectacular rock formations.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three distinct sections: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. It lies along the upper stretches of the Jinsha River and is located between Lijiang Old Town and central Shangri-La, about 60-80 kilometers from each city. The gorge, with a drop of 3,900m from the mountain peak to the river bed, is around 23 kilometers in length, making it one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Are there tigers in Tiger Leaping Gorge?
There are no tigers in Tiger Leaping Gorge. The name of the scenic spot comes from a legend. It tells of a hunted tiger who jumped onto the other side of the river bank at the narrowest point, using the rock in the middle, which is the famous landing place.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Altitude
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is around 23 kilometers in length, with a drop of 213 meters and a maximum depth of more than 3596 meters. The distance between the upper and lower gorge mouths is only 16 kilometers, with a drop of 220 meters and an average slope of 13.8%, making it the section with the most concentrated drop in the Jinsha River. The river surface of the Tiger Leaping Gorge is 1,800m above sea level, and the height difference between the peaks and valleys is more than 3,000 meters. The gorge is a steep and curvy area, forming a V-shape bend, which is very spectacular and breathtaking.
Three sections of the Tiger Leaping Gorge
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: upper, middle, and lower. The upper and middle sections are closer to Shangri-La and the lower section is closer to Lijiang.
The Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is the narrowest section of the gorge and the most popular section for tourists. At the entrance, right in the middle of the river, lies a huge rock, and the rushing water has to squeeze through a 13m passage at both sides. Folks say that in order to escape from a hunter, a tiger jumped across to the other side using this rock as a stepping stone. Hence, the rock was named Tiger Leaping Rock. It is truly an amazing experience to see the turbulent river water rushing past the huge rock. It is preferable to visit the place during wet season to see the maximum effect of the water flow.
The Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its steepness and is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. The main attractions of the middle gorge include Mantianxing ('Stars All Over the Sky') and One Line Sky. The name Mantianxing was given by the locals as the river water repeatedly jumps over the reefs, resembling stars falling into the river. One Line Sky, located in the hinterland of the gorge, offers a view where the sky appears as a long and narrow slit, blocked by the snow-capped mountains on both sides.
The Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge is relatively flat and has a gentler flow of water. Compared to the previous sections, the scenery here is more plain. Therefore, there are fewer tourists.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Weather
The weather of the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area is generally mild, with abundant rainfall and ample sunshine. It has an average annual temperature between 4.7 and 16.5 °C, with the maximum temperature reaching 25.1°C and the minimum temperature dropping to -27.4°C.
Best Times to Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge
The best time to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge is from April to May and from September to October. During these periods, the weather is generally mild, with mostly clear skies, less rainfall, and splendid scenery, making it a good time for hiking. Besides being suitable for trekking and adventure, these periods also offer stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
