A brief introduction, travel guide, and tips for avoiding tourist traps at Tiger Leaping Gorge

Introduction to Tiger Leaping Gorge Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Situated on the Jinsha River section between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, it is one of the deepest canyons in China and a national AAAA-level scenic spot. The canyon stretches 23 kilometers, with the narrowest part of the river being just over 20 meters wide. The peaks range from 3,000 to 5,596 meters above sea level, and the canyon walls are steep, with almost 90-degree slopes within 200 meters above the water level. There are three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Upper gorge is famous for the "Tiger Leaping Stone," the Middle gorge for its narrow "One Line Sky," and the Lower gorge for its scenic beauty of "High Gorge Emerging into a Calm Lake." Travel Guide • Transportation: From Lijiang, you can take the "Lijiang Jiaoyun" bus to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, or choose a carpool, chartered car, or self-drive. There are also buses from Shangri-La to Qiaotou Town. • Tickets: Tickets for the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge are 45 yuan, half price for children aged 6-12, and free for children under 6 and seniors over 70. Villagers may charge around 15 yuan for some routes in the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. • Accommodation: There are some hotels and inns near the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. In the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, you can choose Halfway Guesthouse, Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse, etc. • Travel routes: If you are traveling with seniors or children, you can choose the well-developed Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, take the scenic bus, or use the escalator. Hiking enthusiasts can choose the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. Beginner routes include Tea Horse Guesthouse—Halfway—Longdong Waterfall—Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse. More advanced routes include Naxi Family—28 Bends—Halfway—Tina's—Sky Ladder—One Line Sky—Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse. The Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for experienced hikers. Tips for Avoiding Tourist Traps • Transportation: Be aware of infrequent buses, distant drop-off points, early last buses for return trips, and lack of luggage storage. For carpools, clarify departure time, car type, pick-up/drop-off service, and luggage handling details. • Tickets: The Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge ticket is a must-buy. Don't believe rumors about not needing tickets, as this could delay your trip. • Hiking: Wear professional hiking shoes, not high heels or slippers. Follow designated routes and avoid venturing off the trail. Do not use umbrellas in areas with falling rocks, as you could be hit.