The Tiger Leaping Gorge is the most popular trek for independent hikers in China. It is created through constant cutting by the waters between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) and Haba Snow Mountain (Haba Xueshan).

Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its steep peaks, deep gorges and torrential current. Meanwhile it is one of the deepest valleys in the world. The peaks on the both sides of the gorge are steep and dangerous, as if they were cut by the sword. Some of the rocks are purely white.

Right in the middle of the river there is a tiger leaping stone; hence the name. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below.

The width of the water surface of the Tiger Leaping Gorge is no more than 100 meters (about 109 yards), and the narrowest sections is only 30 meters (about 33 yards). Water rushes into the gorge from a higher place, and the river is like a dragon flying among the mountains. Sometimes there are rocks on the mountainside falling into the river. The small ones will be carried away by the water while the big ones will stay.