Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world — a 16 km cut in the Jinsha (upper Yangtze) river between the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596 m) and the Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 m) in Yunnan province, southwest China. From river to ridge the depth approaches 3,800 m. The name comes from a folk story in which a tiger leapt the river at its narrowest point, dodging a hunter. The High Trail along the gorge's northern wall is the classic 2-day hike, running 22 km from Qiaotou to Tina's Guesthouse far above the river.

The High Trail starts in the town of Qiaotou at 1,800 m and climbs immediately into the gorge on a dirt track. The first half of day 1 is gentle, but the climb to the trail's high point at 2,670 m is concentrated in the "28 Bends" — a steep switchback section that takes 1–2 hours of effort. From the top, the trail contours along the gorge wall through traditional Naxi villages where guesthouses serve hot food and beds in simple farmhouses. Day 2 is the gentler half, continuing along the high traverse past the Halfway Guesthouse — famous for its panoramic terrace squat-toilet ("the best toilet in the world") — to Tina's Guesthouse at the far end. Side-trips drop steeply down to the gorge floor to see the Tiger Leaping Stone (the rock where the tiger supposedly leapt). Total climb is around 2,000 m.

The hike is open year-round but spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) have the best weather. Summer brings landslides and the Middle Trail (the lower gorge-floor path) can be dangerous. Winter is cold but generally walkable. No permit required beyond the Yunnan park entry fee (around 65 yuan / $9). Guesthouses are cheap (¥80–150 / $10–20 per night with dinner), and the High Trail is so well-developed that pretty much every trekker carries a daypack only. The trail is well marked with painted arrows. The Middle Trail down to the river is dangerous and not recommended; do the High Trail and look down.