Tiger Leaping Gorge Day Tour from Lijiang

Welcome to choose our Tiger Leaping Gorge day tour from Lijiang. In the morning, your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and head to the Tiger Leaping Gorge first, lying between two lofty snow mountains - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south and Haba Snow Mountain to the north. Enjoying a maximum vertical drop of over 3,900 meters (12,795 feet), it is nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in America - making it one of the deepest valleys in the world. Near the entrance, a huge tiger statue will catch your eyes, beside which the Golden Sands River roars through the gorge like a rampaging jade dragon. Right in front of the statue is the river’s narrowest point - roughly 20 meters (66 feet) wide - with a 13-meter-tall (43-foot) rock in the middle. Legend has it that a fierce tiger once leapt to the opposite bank with this very rock as the springboard, which is the origin of the name “Tiger Leaping Gorge”. Walking along the plank road to the observation deck, you’ll see the river plunge over 100 meters (328 feet), and waves slam against the giant rocks, surging several meters high with the thunder like dozens of heavy trucks passing by. Along with the sheer cliffs on both sides, the grandeur of the Tiger Leaping Gorge is shown to the fullest extent.► For Your Information: The Tiger Leaping Gorge, divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, was hailed as one of the worldwide top ten classic hiking routes over the past decades. Unfortunately, a hydroelectric station will be constructed nearby. The above-mentioned regular sightseeing route remains unaffected, but the former hiking trails will be closed, and may disappear forever. For hiking buffs, you are welcome to contact our travel consultants for other hiking routes around Lijiang. 

Next, let’s head upstream along the Golden Sands River, the upper reaches of the Yangtze, and you will catch sight of the spectacular Ω-shaped First Bend of the Yangtze River. Especially on fine days, the waters glint in the sunshine, as if this land is draped in a jade-green silk ribbon. As folklore goes, the Nu River, the Lancang River, and the Golden Sands River were once three sisters traveling together. Along the way, they had a dispute: the two elder sisters stubbornly went southward, while the youngest Golden Sands River aspired to seek light and love in the east. The place where she turned around is now named “the First Bend of the Yangtze River”, and also this turn creates China’s longest river. 

We’ll then explore the little town just south of the bend, the Stone Drum Town, which got its name for a drum-shaped marble stele. Step into the local market to experience the town’s vibrant vibe: Stalls line up in a row along the quaint slabstone-paved lanes, full of fresh homegrown vegetables, dried mountain goods, medicinal herbs, and handcrafted straw weavings. Amidst the bustle, you’ll encounter locals in traditional ethnic outfits with bamboo baskets, while a hubbub of hawking and higgling echoes all around. Don’t miss the authentic delicacy here: Chicken Pea Jelly. It may look plain, but the texture is extremely delicate and smooth.

At this point, your day trip will come to an end. Your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. If you wish to extend your journey to more attractions in Lijiang, such as Lijiang Old Town, Baisha Village, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Lugu Lake, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.