Situated in the northeast of Longpan town (a small township of YulongNaxiAutonomousCounty in Yunnan Province), Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in china. The 16km long gorge is located on the way between Lijiang and Shangri—la. Set off from Lijiang, it will take you 3h to reach the gorge. After crossing the NO.1 bend of ChangjiangRiver in Shigu town, the torrential JinshaRiver turns left and goes through the crack between Haba and Yulong Snow Mountain. The narrowest part becomes the most famous attraction of Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is said that the gorge got its name because a tiger can leap across the Jinsha River with help of a stone. Look down at the gorge; its narrow parts resemble a crack between a door and its frame. Look up at the Gorge, the sky also resembles a crack; the river seems like a dragon. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its peril. Peaks dominate on the two banks. The Yulong Snow Mountain stands on its east side. The 5596m high mountain is covered with snow all year round. Strange stones, old vines and howl of wild animals, such as tigers and wolves, enhance its peril. The western side of over 3000m high Snow Mountain is particularly dangerous because of its wind and twist. With a drop of 210m and a flow speed of 6 to 8m per second, a fast—changing，misty foggy and magical spot is formed there.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Story
1. The origin of Tiger Leaping Stone
It is said that Lijiang was governed by a rich man named Mr.mu. He was surrounded by many geniuses. One of them was good at fortune-telling. According to his words, Mr.mu would be rich in his whole life; but he would die without a coffin. Mr.mu was frightened. To fight against his poor destiny, he put a coffin every 10km, to avoid leaving the world without a place of rest. It was a sunny day and he rode his tiger to visit Jinsha River. Arriving at a narrow part, the tiger leapt the river, stepping on a stone. Unfortunately, Mr. Mu fell off the tiger and was taken away by the water. No one has ever seen the tiger and its owner again. The stone, which the tiger leapt on, has been called Tiger Leaping Stone by the later generations.
2. The story of Jinsha River
It is said that there were five siblings living together with their parents. Their names were Jinsha River, Nu River, Lancang River, Yulong Mountain and Haba Mountain. Yulong and Haba were brothers. Having completed their adolescent years, the three sisters decided to leave home to find husbands by themselves. On hearing that three daughters had left home, their parents became very angry and asked the two brothers to take their sisters back. With 13 swords and 12 bows, the two brothers arrived at Lijiang to prevent their sisters from running away. They promised each other that they would guard the river in turns and whoever let the three sisters go would be killed by the other. One day, Haba was on duty. Jinsha River got to the river as soon as Yulong felt asleep. The clever girl knew Haba was fond of music. So she sang 18 beautiful songs. Haba was so attracted that he fell asleep in a moment. Jinsha ran away with a smile on her face. When Yulong woke up, she was long gone. According to their promise, Yulong killed Haba in grief. His tears formed two streams, one white and other black. Haba’s bows become 24 bends of the Tiger Leaping Gorge and his head turned into a stone. The stone was named Tiger Leaping Stone.
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