Located at the junction of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau , Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of Yunnan's most famous spots. The gorge itself is tucked neatly between the Yulong Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, which surround its two sides. After the renowned Three Gorges in Sichuan and Hubei, Tiger Leaping Gorge is the Yangzi best gorge, Wedged tightly between titanic cliffs, the river is so narrow here, so legend tells us, that a hunted tiger made his excape to the other side in a single bound, Legend has it that in ancient times, a tiger frequently used this pebble as a stepping stone to leap across the gorge. Most visitors take in the most famous first segment of the gorge to observe the narrowest part of the river and see the Tiger Leaping Pebble.

   

Tiger Leaping Gorge with a splendid view of the swift turbulent current of the Golden River is created through constant cutting by the waters between Jade Dragon Mountain and Haba Mountain. 17 kilometers long, the gorge drops about 300 meters in a series of 18 rapids, and is divided into the Upper Gorge, the Middle Gorge and the Lower Gorge. The Lower Gorge is the most awe - inspiring part of all. The gorge, in which the Golden Sand River pounds furiously at its rocky shores in an awesome fashion, sending up skyfuls of white froth, is a dream place for adventurers.

Yunnan main northern road to Tibet crosses the Yangzi near the gorge at Lunan, 90 kilometers from lijiang. From Qiaotou it is possible to see how such a geological phenomenon was created: two huge mountains leaning close to each other and a large volume of fast moving water between them cutting deeper and deeper into the butom of the gorge. In some places there is a drop of 3000 meters to the water, a beautiful and vertiginous place to go for a walk.

Nestling in the arm s of the statuesque Cangshan Mountain, and skirted by a wall eight meters in height and 3.5 kilometers in circumference, the 600-year-old city of Dali was first built in 1683, the 15th year of Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Featuring stone walls, grey tiled roofs, doors and windows carved with dragon and phoenix partners, and gardens of varying sizes, the dwellings of Dali evince an air of classic scantity. The entire city is covered by a maze of streams, fed by runoffs from the cangshan Mountain. Hence the saying the gurgling of water can be heard in every house, and flowers are planted in every family.