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Why
Tiger Leaping
Gorge
is special
Visitors witness an incredibly loud, churning, foaming river relentlessly pounding
giant boulders in its path. Tiger Leaping Gorge is an unforgettable
display of powerfully intense raw nature,
especially in the spring.
Interesting insights
about Tiger Leaping Gorge
 This
rocky gorge is flanked by mountains on both sides
that sharply rise 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) above the river.
Tiger
Leaping Gorge is 15 kilometers (9 miles) long with
many white water rapids.
The
canyon's narrowest point is just 30 meters (100
feet) wide. It has a riverside observation
platforms for upclose viewing. There, the river water
sounds like a roaring angry monster.
Tiger Leaping Gorge tidbits
The
water that flows through the Tiger Leaping Gorge
is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, near the beginning of
its long journey to sea. (Note: The river is named Jinsha River in this part of China).
The
Chinese name of Tiger Leaping Gorge is Hutiao (pronounced who-tee'yhow).
Tiger
Leaping Gorge got its name because, legend tells
us, a tiger escaped a hunter by jumping over the river.
Tips for your
vacation tour or trip
There
are two basic routes through the Tiger
Leaping Gorge. One is the road that hugs the
river. The second is by footpath which runs high
above the river. The latter offers better
adventure and vistas, but is recommended only to
fit, experienced mountain trekkers as it is
hazardously narrow and precipitous.
Spring
is by far the best time to visit Tiger Leaping
Gorge because the river turbulence is at its peak
(melting snow flows down from the Himalayan
mountains). Fall is the second best period because
of its generally pleasant weather. Rains are
heaviest during late summer.
Nearest major city
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a couple of hours drive
from the town of Liajiang, which is 340 kilometers
(210 miles) northwest of Kunming, the capital of
Yunnan province.
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