Descending from Lijiang to the first bend of the mighty Yangzi River, embark on an adventure and chance upon an intriguing ‘V' shaped bend in the road. This signals the start of Shigu town, named for the stone drum "Shigu", which was used in the ancient battle between the Naxis and Tibetans. Listen out for the traditional sway of Naxi musical rhythms while visiting the Stone Drum Park and the Old Bridge.
Straddled between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, the gorge extends 15 kilometres and is one of the longest, deepest and most treacherous of its kind across the globe. Local folklore claims that the gorge acquired its name because a tiger leapt over its swirling waters at its narrowest point in order to reach the riverbank opposite.
For the adventurous, explore the Wenhai Trail as it extends deep into a sub-alpine valley with altitudes of 3,000 metres above sea level. Cradled within a sea of verdant foliage, the lake disappears in early spring and returns only with the rainy season. The highlands surrounding the area play host to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including protected raptors, forest wildlife and traditional medicinal plants.