Yunnan Province in China is home to some amazing sights and experiences a traveller should not miss when visiting this part of the country. In northwest Yunnan, you will find Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia), one of the deepest gorges in the world. It measures 16km long and is 3900m from the banks of Jinsha River to the snowy peaks of Haba Shan (Haba Mountains) to the west and Yulong Xueshan in the east.
The hikes here are a ‘can’t miss’ experience; the best time to visit is in May to early June when the hills burst into bloom with plants and flowers. The hike can be done in two days, but most will take three or four to thoroughly explore this area. Many more international travellers have spent up to a week here, just to enjoy and see everything they can.
The treks at Tiger Leaping Gorge should not be undertaken lightly; July and August are the rainy months here and landslides and swollen waterfalls can often make treks quite dangerous. There have been some foreign travellers who have died because they have wandered off the path. So be careful and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
There are two trails at Tiger Leaping Gorge – the higher route, also known as the 24 bend path, and the lower route. The higher trail is by far the best option and starts at Qiaotou and the route is dotted with guesthouses.
It takes about six hours to Bendiwan or eight hours to Walnut Springs. Be aware that at the peak times, there can be up to 100 people each day on the same trail. The first day takes you to Walnut Garden about two hours from Bendiwan. The second day can take about four to six hours to get to Daju. There are two ferries to get you here and most people will call it a day after they reach the bottom.
For those who want to carry on hiking, you can continue all the way from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Baishuitai via Haba village. This will turn your adventure into a four day trek from Qiaotou and then carry on further to Shangri-La.
Once you reach Walnut Garden it takes about eight hours to Haba via Jiangbian. From here it is another eight hours to the Yi village of Sanba.
Before attempting any of these trails, you should seek advice and make sure you are properly prepared.
About Me
- Lysianassa
- Lian Slayford is a research archaeologist and travel writer. For many years she has been lucky enough to explore the world, although this is postponed for the moment as she is expecting her first baby due in May 2011.
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