Located in the southeast of Shangri-La County, 96 kilometers from the county capital Shangri-La formerly Zhongdian), Tiger-leaping Gorge is bounded by Yulong Jade Dragon)Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. The gorge extends 20 kilometers with a drop of 213 meters over this distance and includes 18 rapids. The narrowest span of the river is only 20 meters. Tiger-leaping Gorge is a world-class gorge, known for its beauty, ruggedness, majesty, and splendor. It can be divided into three sections: the Upper section, the Middle section, and the Lower section. 

        The Upper section is the narrowest, with a width of only 20 meters in one part. The 13 meters Tiger-leaping Rock stands upright in the mildest of the roiling waters. This part of the river is accessible from either side of the river. It is said that a huge tiger jumped the gorge with the rock providing a midstream landing and launching spot. The water bumps against the rock, giving forth a pealing sound over the valley. 

    Stretching north from the Upper section is the Middle section. There is a tigerlike peak to the north of the gorge, known to local people as“Hu Tou Feng"(Tiger Head Peak). The tiger is staring to the south as if it is going to jump. It turns out that there is a lion-like rock on the other side, preventing the tiger from jumping across the river and stepping into the central part of China. Thus the tiger has waited for hundreds of thousands of years for the lion to give up guarding its side and leave. 

    This section, known as“Man Tian Xing", is bounded by steep, rugged cliffs. The river here falls 100 meters in less than 5 kilometers. The impetuous water dashes against the indented rocks, raising multi-layers of white breaking waves. The whole gorge is pervaded by water, with the roaring river, waterfalls, frequent showers and storms, snow, and ice. Jinsha River turns into a fierce dragon, especially in the wet season, which makes every tourist's heart stir. 

    After“Man Tian Xing" is a tumbling waterfall halfway up the mountain, and a peak shaped like Guanyin(the Goddess of Mercy)known as“Guanyin Pu" by the locals. Often refreshing breeze blows, with the spray of the waterfall flying onto people's faces, adding a refreshing interlude to the exploration of this fascinating gorge. 

    Not far from “Guanyin Pu" is the Walnut Garden, a village perched on the side of the hill. Slab stone-roofed houses and thick walnut woods set each other off, making it an oasis of freshness and green. Tourists to Tiger-leaping Gorge often stay overnight at this attractive village. Accompanied by the sound of wind and the roar of the river at night, tourists will be refreshed by nature. 

    After Walnut Garden and going along the road for about 3 kilometers, tourists can reach the Lower section. Below is the ever-widening gorge and far behind the two mountain sentinels. Take time to stop and look back at the Yulong Snow Mountain (to the left)and the Haba Snow Mountain to the right with their snow-capped peaks. 

Tiger-leaping Gorge is famous for its majesty and beauty. It attracts innumerable tourists from both China and abroad. 

Photo Resource: Internet

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