As part of a day trip from Lijiang, we visited Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most spectacular natural sites in Yunnan Province. Located about 60km north of the city, it takes a couple of hours to reach, winding through dramatic mountain scenery and along the banks of the roaring Jinsha River.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is famed for its sheer cliffs and dramatic landscapes, where the river narrows to create powerful rapids that have earned it a place among the world’s deepest gorges. The surrounding scenery, with its rugged peaks and terraced hillsides, provides breathtaking views at every turn and is a favourite for hikers and photographers alike.
There are many tour operators in Lijiang to choose from that will take you there, making it accessible whether you prefer a guided excursion or a more independent adventure. The gorge itself offers a mix of short viewpoints and longer trekking options, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the scale and power of the landscape.
Visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge is a chance to experience the natural beauty of Yunnan up close, and it makes for a memorable complement to the cultural and historic attractions of Lijiang.
Trip date
29th July 2011
Where we stayed
Enjoy Inn Hostel, No.39 Bayi Lower Section, Qiyi Street, Dayan, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100, China
What we saw and did
The scenery is spectacular; taking a day trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge is a great way to see more of the country.


Do yourself a favour and make the effort to visit ‘Tiger Leaping Gorge’.

The water constantly rages below.
It’s easy to feel very inferior to Mother Nature when you are this close to something with such power. If you fell in you wouldn’t be coming out.

Getting a few snaps in.

You’re surrounded by incredible scenery wherever you look.

We visited in July so it was pretty busy.

There’s a bit of a walk from the car park to the main viewing area.

Cross the bridge for even more spectacular views.

My trusty Nikon plus my nifty 50mm lens. Not a bad pic by Serena actually – decent angle.

If you can’t be arsed to walk back to the car park you can hire a Tuk Tuk to take you back.

The strange Chinese trend of couples and families wearing the same outfits; apparently, it’s a way of showing affection for each other.
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Team Vanags.