We got back yesterday after 3 days walking Tiger Leaping Gorge, and it was amazing! The gorge is the world's deepest apparently, and got its name from a legend of a tiger that leapt right across it (as its so narrow) while fleeing a hunter. The trail runs along a narrow gorge with high peaks on each side, the most impressive being the 5000 metre Jade Snow Mountain (the snow topped peaks in the pics). The trail is not too difficult and can be done in 9 hours if you pushed it, but we decided to sleep 2 nights over along the way in the pretty rural villages because its so awesome being in the mountains...
We walked for about 5 hours the first day, with some pretty steep sections, climbing about 800 metres (!) to 2600 metres at the highest point of the trail, (finding it rather challenging to not give in to the locals that walk past continually with their ponies offering rides to the top). We stopped for lunch at a beautiful old family house, in the traditional courtyard style, called Naxi guesthouse, and slept over at Tea Horse guesthouse, where we had the most amazing view out our bedroom window... The second day we got up for the sunrise, and later walked for 4 hours to the end of the gorge and spent the afternoon relaxing at Woody's guesthouse in Walnut Grove, which was perched on the edge of the gorge and had a beautiful view of the village, rice paddies and walnut trees. It was such a cool place to stay, with deliscious food and a bowl of free walnuts, the opening of which occupied us for most of the afternoon...there must be some special technique to it... anyone know what it is?!
The third day we walked back up the gorge on the low trail, but weren't able to get to the end point where there is a ladder to climb back out the gorge, as there was a lady in the path that had decided she was going to introduce a toll (more like a troll) on the path, and would not let us pass unless we paid her money. We were there with 4 other hikers and we refused to pay, given that we'd already paid 50 yuan entrance fee to do the walk. She however refused to budge, even when one of the hikers tried to wrestle her out the way. There was no other way round as its a stiff cliff path, and after the lady picked up a stone to get really nasty, we gave up and had to walk back and find another way up out of the gorge! Amazing! It's such a pity that stuff like that is happening as it really puts a bad taste in your mouth about the people there.
Aside from that, it really was an excellent experience, with really impressive mountain scenery...one of our highlights so far!
We walked for about 5 hours the first day, with some pretty steep sections, climbing about 800 metres (!) to 2600 metres at the highest point of the trail, (finding it rather challenging to not give in to the locals that walk past continually with their ponies offering rides to the top). We stopped for lunch at a beautiful old family house, in the traditional courtyard style, called Naxi guesthouse, and slept over at Tea Horse guesthouse, where we had the most amazing view out our bedroom window... The second day we got up for the sunrise, and later walked for 4 hours to the end of the gorge and spent the afternoon relaxing at Woody's guesthouse in Walnut Grove, which was perched on the edge of the gorge and had a beautiful view of the village, rice paddies and walnut trees. It was such a cool place to stay, with deliscious food and a bowl of free walnuts, the opening of which occupied us for most of the afternoon...there must be some special technique to it... anyone know what it is?!
The third day we walked back up the gorge on the low trail, but weren't able to get to the end point where there is a ladder to climb back out the gorge, as there was a lady in the path that had decided she was going to introduce a toll (more like a troll) on the path, and would not let us pass unless we paid her money. We were there with 4 other hikers and we refused to pay, given that we'd already paid 50 yuan entrance fee to do the walk. She however refused to budge, even when one of the hikers tried to wrestle her out the way. There was no other way round as its a stiff cliff path, and after the lady picked up a stone to get really nasty, we gave up and had to walk back and find another way up out of the gorge! Amazing! It's such a pity that stuff like that is happening as it really puts a bad taste in your mouth about the people there.
Aside from that, it really was an excellent experience, with really impressive mountain scenery...one of our highlights so far!
What an amazing trail. Thanks for the update - hope that tiger got away.. Just remember to stay away from the swines and the flu..
ReplyDeleteWow! those pics are amazing! Ha ha - just kept thinking of king's quest when you said the bit about the lady not budging! xx
ReplyDeleteoh yes...what was it that was in his path again?
ReplyDelete