Location Map of Tiger Leaping Gorge in China
Geographic Location
Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) is located in the Jinsha River section between Shangri-La City (香格里拉市) in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县) in Lijiang, Yunnan Province (云南省), China. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world, with a maximum depth of approximately 3,790 meters from the river to the mountain peak. Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge (上虎跳), Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge (中虎跳), and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge (下虎跳), with the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge being the narrowest part, with a width of only 20-30 meters.
Shangri-La Section:
The Shangri-La section of Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in the eastern part of Shangri-La City, approximately 106 kilometers from the city center, a 3-hour drive.
Lijiang Section:
The Lijiang section of Tiger Leaping Gorge is about 86 kilometers from the ancient town of Lijiang, a 1.5 to 2-hour drive.
Travel Map
The main attractions and hiking routes in Tiger Leaping Gorge are as follows:
Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge:
This is the narrowest section of Tiger Leaping Gorge and the most frequently visited area by tourists. It features a viewing platform where visitors can get a close view of the roaring Jinsha River (金沙江) and the famous “Tiger Leaping Stone” (虎跳石).
Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge:
Located below Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, this section offers even more spectacular views, though the trail is rugged. It is home to the famous “28 Bends” (28道拐) route.
Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge:
This section offers a relatively open view, though it is not as steep and dramatic as the Upper and Middle Tiger Leaping Gorges.
Transportation Guide
From Lijiang:
You can take a direct bus to the Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area, or travel to Hutiaoxia Town (虎跳峡镇) and transfer to a taxi or shared car to reach the hiking starting point.
From Shangri-La:
You can take a bus to Hutiaoxia Town, and then transfer to local transportation to reach the scenic area.
Travel Recommendations
Day Trip:
For tourists with limited time, a visit to the viewing platform in Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge to enjoy the magnificent views of the gorge is recommended.
Multi-day Hiking:
For hiking enthusiasts, you can start from Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge and trek along the High Trail (高路) to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge to experience the gorge’s primitive scenery.
Tiger Leaping Gorge not only offers breathtaking natural beauty but also integrates the cultural characteristics of the Naxi (纳西族) and other ethnic groups, making it a great destination to experience the diverse cultures of Yunnan.
