10 Most Breathtaking Canyons In The World - 10 Most Today 10 Most Breathtaking Canyons In The World Nature A canyon or gorge is a deep ravine between cliffs often carved from the landscape by a river. Here’s a list of some of the most breathtaking and spectacular canyons in the world: 1. Grand Canyon, Arizona – The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States. The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s largest canyons, it is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,000 feet or 1,800 meters). It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World Most Breathtaking Canyons In The World: The Grand Canyon, Arizona 2. Fish River Canyon, Namibia – The Fish River Canyon is located in the south of Namibia. It is the second largest canyon in the world and the largest in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia.

It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep Fish River Canyon, Namibia (source wiki) 3. Indus Gorge, Pakistan – Indus Gorge is the deepest canyon in the world. The Indus river, a major river in Asia, flows in this gorge. The Indus river passes the gigantic gorge 4,500–5,200 metres (15,000–17,000 feet) deep near the Nanga Parbat massif, where it passes the Nagan Parbat mountain – the 9th highest mountain in the world Indus Gorge with the Nanga Parbat mountains, Pakista (source: wiki) 4. Bicaz Canyon, Romania – The Bicaz Canyon is located in north-east of Romania. The canyon was dug by the waters of Bicaz River and it serves as a passageway between the Romanian provinces of Moldova and Transylvania. The road is around 8 kilometres long of ravines and curves with rocks on one side and a sheer drop on the other.

It is famous for being one of the most spectacular drives in the Romania Most Breathtaking Canyons In The World: Bicaz Canyon, Romania (source: wiki) [put_links_units_468_15] 5. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland – Fjaðrárgljúfur is a canyon in south east Iceland which is up to 100 m deep and about 2 kilometres long, with the Fjaðrá river flowing through it. The canyon was created by progressive erosion by flowing water from glaciers through the rocks Most Breathtaking Canyons: Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland (source: wiki) 6. Verdon Gorge, France – The Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon) in south-eastern France is a river canyon that is often considered to be one of Europe’s most beautiful canyons. It is 25 kilometres long and up to 700 metres deep and was formed by the Verdon River.

The canyon is very popular with tourists, who can drive around its rim, rent kayaks or hike, and even do rock climbing on the limestone walls, which are several hundreds of metres high Most Breathtaking Canyons: Verdon Gorge, France (source: wiki) 7. Antelope Canyon, Arizona – Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the Southwest America. It was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways are eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic ‘flowing’ shapes in the rock. Flooding in the canyon still occurs Most Breathtaking Canyons: Antelope Canyon, Arizona (source: wiki) 8. Kali Gandaki Gorge, Nepal – The Kali Gandaki Gorge or Andha Galchi is the gorge of the Kali Gandaki (or Gandaki River) in the Himalayas in Nepal.

The gorge depth is difficult to define due to disagreement over rim height, but by some measures the Kali Gandaki is the deepest gorge in the world. The gorge separates the major peaks of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m or 26,795 ft) on the west and Annapurna (8,091 m or 26,545 ft) on the east. The Kali Gandaki gorge has been used as a trade route between India and Tibet for centuries. Today, it is part of a popular trekking route from Pokhara to Muktinath, part of the Annapurna Circuit Kali Gandaki Gorge, Nepal (source: wiki) 9. Copper Canyon, Mexico – A group of canyons consisting of six distinct canyons in Chihuahua, Mexico. The canyons were formed by six rivers that merge into the Rio Fuerte and empty into the Sea of Cortez. The origin of the name if from the color of the canyon walls which are copper-green Most Breathtaking Canyons: Copper Canyon, Mexico (source: wiki) 10.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, China – A canyon on the Jinsha River, southwestern China. It is a contender for the world’s deepest river canyon, depending on the exact definition used Most Breathtaking Canyons: Tiger Leaping Gorge, China (source: wiki) Hike China's Tiger Leaping Gorge - Without Baggage A farmer herds goats on a newly-paved road in China's Tiger Leaping Gorge. ( view all Tiger Leaping Gorge, China photos ) This is the sixth essay in a series about traveling across Southern China. Start with the first essay to get the whole story. T IGER LEAPING GORGE, Yúnnán, China — “Sean advertises on his web site that he was the first person in the Gorge to marry a beautiful foreign woman,” Maren tells me while we’re standing under a red People’s Republic of China flag, looking out from a viewpoint above the lush expanse of China’s rugged Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yúnnán Province.

“He also says that he was the first to do business with foreigners and is the only person to speak out about protecting the wilderness area of the Gorge.” I chuckle, but I realize that, after three weeks of backpacking through China, I’m starting to take the country’s eccentricities for granted. “Well, he sounds like an interesting guy,” I say as we continue hiking. “Let’s agree that we won’t leave the Gorge without seeing an actual leaping tiger and meeting Sean and his drop-dead-gorgeous, Swedish wife.” After some further iPhone research (Chinese 3G networks, which seem to penetrate every obscure corner of China, further prove American suspicions that US cell phone networks are managed by idiots), I discover writer Scott Carrier’s “ Greatest Fishing Story Ever Told ,” a 2001 Esquire essay partly about visiting Sean in the Gorge. I realize that we’re on a quest to meet a Chinese celebrity. I met Maren and her husband Joseph during breakfast in a small guest house (Jane’s) earlier in the morning before starting our hike, and I’m relieved to have run into them.

They’re the first native English speakers who I’ve encountered since beginning my China backpacking trip three weeks ago, and it’s a pleasant change to have some friends during the two-day, 22-mile hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world, measures 12,795 feet from the waters of China’s Jinsha River to the snow-capped mountaintops of Hābā Xǔeshān and Yùlóng Xuěshān. As we hike past a small, green bamboo forest with high mountain peaks towering overhead, Maren tells me that she and Joseph live in Washington DC; she’s a teacher and he’s a labor economist for the DC Metro. The two are celebrating the birth of their first child, Adelaide. Imagining a city halfway around the world with English-speaking bus drivers, American school teachers, and a White House seems strangely alien, and I realize that I’ve been enveloped in Chinese culture, without any English-speaking companions, for a long time now.

The 50-year-old Chinese man passing us on our narrow dirt trail carrying 75 pounds of hay to feed his cattle somehow feels more culturally relevant to me than Capitol Hill does right now. Maren and Joseph seem to feel the same way; the three of us spend our time hiking trading stories about Chinese culture and travel, neither to prove our backpacking mettle nor position ourselves as sophisticated outside observers, but instead as an attempt to interpret and understand what we’ve seen during our time in the country. I tell them how devastated I was that, when I arrived in nearby Lijiang, the temperature was 35°F instead of the 75°F that the government-provided weather forecast had predicted. I had spent three hopeful weeks looking forward to a balmy escape from the chilly weather I endured in Huángshān and Yángshuò. To my surprise, Maren and Joseph lament that they also spent their trip fantasizing about the warm weather, only to have been duped by the same false forecast.

I tell them that I learned in a book that, as recently as 1999, the Chinese government reported fake (more pleasant) weather forecasts to the Chinese people, partly to avoid giving workers days off due to blistering desert temperatures. (Supposedly, they have stopped now.) As we walk past a green and brown maze of rice terraces and an ugly tangle of electrical lines covering the side of the Gorge, Maren and Joseph tell me about their visit to the Splendid China theme park and report that they (like me) found their experience unnerving. “It was a little weird, right?” Maren said. “I can’t tell whether the Chinese minority performers were just being used as blatant government propaganda or whether there’s an authentic feeling of goodwill between the Han Chinese and the rest of the country’s inhabitants.” I’m embarrassed when it occurs to me how little I know about this topic; I haven’t managed to have any lengthy chats with a single Chinese ethnic minority during my trip in China. We walk past a canopy of trees sprinkled with orange kumquats, trying to hash out the answers to many other Chinese cultural mysteries: Is there really no privately-owned land?

Is it possible to start a capitalist enterprise outside of Special Economic Zones Shenzhen and Guangdong? Why does the Chinese government block access to Facebook and Twitter but allow access to China-based copycats Renren and Weibo ? I’m relieved that we’re able to hammer out partial answers to our questions based on what we’ve learned during our time in China, but I’m also embarrassed that we don’t have any great answers. It occurs to me that our discussion would make for a particularly hilarious issue of Modern Jackass: Chinese Culture Edition , the imaginary magazine that publishes expert analysis by non-experts. Surprisingly, it’s taken two Americans to remind me yet again that it’s essential that I break through the Mandarin language barrier before leaving China. When the sun sets, we decide to stop at the Tea Horse, a small guest house sitting below massive, jagged mountain peaks, to find dinner and a place to sleep. We’re drawn in by a sign advertising a masseuse, but, inside, the innkeeper tells us that the masseuse left many months ago and never returned. We don’t bother trying to ask why she’s still displaying the ad.

Joseph, Maren, and I spend the night around a fire pit, chatting with a friendly Korean family, an eccentric farmer’s son from rural Ireland, and a madly-in-love couple from France. While sipping Tsingtao Beer, Maren, Joseph, the French couple, and I make a pact to spend the next year learning Mandarin and then return to China together, better suited to work out China’s cultural mysteries. On the second day of our hike, we wander down a steep side trail from Tina’s Guest House high in the Gorge toward a place on our map labeled Middle Tiger Leaping Rock, a granite outcrop in the water at the Gorge’s bottom. “Finally, we’re going to get to see some tigers leap across the Gorge!” I joke. Joseph looks skeptical. More than a few times, local Chinese farmers occasionally block our path along the way and (illegally) demand, using signs in badly translated English, that we pay a small fee to use the trail, insisting that they maintain it. It’s a common annoyance in China’s badly-regulated wilderness areas, but we comply with their meager demands just to keep the peace.

After paying yet another Y20/US $3 to stand on Middle Tiger Leaping Rock in the middle of the Jinsha River — where we see not one leaping tiger — we continue walking toward Walnut Garden, hoping to find Chinese-celebrity Sean. We know we’re nearing his village, because we see crude advertisements for guesthouses spray-painted on boulders bordering the trail. China may know how to build amazing cell phone networks, but effective wilderness protections and the cultural shifts that come along with them are still decades away. On the final stretch of the trail leading toward Walnut Garden, a small, 40-year-old Chinese woman stands in our way and demands that we each pay an additional Y20/US $3 to continue. By now, we’ve each paid about Y60/US $10 to these extortionists, in addition to a legitimate Y50/US $8 entrance fee at the wilderness area’s entrance. I’m fed up, and I refuse to pay the woman, since she’s trying to collect fees illegally. Nevertheless, she continues to block the trail.

I raise my voice and begin yelling at her in English to move aside, but it doesn’t seem to help, so I forcefully push past her. To my surprise, as I move by, she grabs me and then latches her entire body onto my backpack with both arms, like a boa constrictor trying to suffocate its prey. As I make my way up the trail, I look back and see that I’m dragging a screaming, 100-pound Chinese woman behind me. She won’t let go. Maren and Joseph look at me baffled and helpless, as though this is the first time they’ve ever seen a battle of wills between a six-foot-tall American man and a five-foot-tall Chinese farming woman. As I continue dragging her up the side of the Gorge, I decide that, despite the possible effectiveness of the strategy, I’d never forgive myself if I punched her in the face over $3. (Still, I’m annoyed that she’s depending on my civility to extort money.) I consider phoning the Chinese police, but I can’t imagine that the inevitable ensuing hassle (in Mandarin) would be worth my time.

So, reluctantly, each of us pay her Y20/US $3. I feel frustrated that we have been defeated so soundly by a tiny Chinese woman. Nevertheless, when the three of us arrive at Sean’s Guest House ten minutes later, we’re thrilled at the prospect of finally meeting Sean, partly because we’ve endured unrealized promises of leaping tigers, propagandist weather reports, and desperate Chinese farmers to get here. The three of us sit at a table in the guest house’s outdoor restaurant, looking out at the severe, dark rock slabs of awe-inspiring Tiger Leaping Gorge. I look down at my menu , which reads unintelligibly: “If you Are our Friend, you can have OR get Real Good Stuff for smoke or eat in our place, But if you have to pay it!! If you don’t or with out ask, we do not Give You, so you don’t have to worry If you don’t Like it!!!” I turn around, expecting to see Sean demanding a large fee for a plate of pot brownies. Instead, a very attractive, 30-year-old Chinese woman asks us in weak English if we’d like to order food.

My brain starts churning, trying to find inoffensive ways to ask her if she knows that she is being advertised on the Internet as Sean’s beautiful, foreign-born wife. “Is Sean here?” I ask. “We’re dying to meet him. You know he’s like a celebrity, right?” She looks a little confused. “No, Sean in town getting supplies,” she says, apologetically. “But, I help you with anything.” Trying to proceed cautiously, I ask her if she is his wife. “Yes, we married!” she responds. “And how long have you lived in Walnut Garden?” I ask. “I was born here and have lived here all my life,” she answers. For us, this information puts into doubt everything Sean has claimed on his web site. Maren, Joseph, and I glance at each other, looking like six year olds who have just been told that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. While we sit, I find Scott Carrier’s Esquire essay on the Internet and begin reading it aloud. We learn that the Chinese Red Army killed Sean’s sister and threw Sean into a fire during the Cultural Revolution, burning his body and maiming his arm and hand.

Nevertheless, he educated himself (handicapped kids were not permitted in Communist schools) and figured out how to make a living for himself helping tourists in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Then, sadly, I find a blog post describing the death of Margo Carter, an Australian woman who — to my surprise — purportedly was married to Sean until her death during a trek in the Gorge in 2010. In my head, Sean’s web site changes from a wacky curiosity to a romantic memorial. As we eat our food, I mull over the tragedies of China’s Cultural Revolution and the difficulties of surviving poverty in modern, rural China. I sit in disbelief that I fought with a Chinese farmer over three dollars. I feel relieved that I lost. Read the last essay in this series about traveling across Southern China, in which I go on a date with an English-speaking Chinese girl. A kumquat tree in China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in China. Signs of development are starting to creep into China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge. Hikers trek through China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge.

A Chinese farmer takes a break, smoking a pipe in China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge. Hikers admire the view from the outdoor restaurant at Sean’s Guest House in Walnut Garden, China. Illegal signs used to extort money from tourists dot the trail in China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge. A man carries hay in in China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge. Hikers walk near a waterfall in in China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge. How to Hike China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge OVERVIEW: If there’s one place in China that should compel you to put on hiking boots and trek, it’s China’s scenic Tiger Leaping Gorge. One of the deepest gorges in the world, the Gorge is not as pristine as a US National Park, but its snow-covered peaks and sparkling river water have not been destroyed (yet) by development and tourism. The hike on the High Trail from Jane’s Guest House in Qiáotóu to Tina’s Guest House above Middle Tiger Leaping Rock is a (very easy) 15.4 miles.

The additional side trip from Tina’s to Middle Tiger Leaping Rock, Sean’s Guest House, and back to Tina’s to take a bus back to Qiáotóu is an additional 6.4 miles and is a bit more strenuous due to the steep trail to the bottom of the Gorge and back. LOGISTICS: The fastest way to get to Qiáotóu is to take a flight to Lìjiāng from any major Chinese city, and then take one of the frequent two-hour-long buses from the Lìjiāng long-distance bus station to Qiáotóu (Y20/US $3). At the end of your hike, Tina’s Guest House can arrange for a bus ride back to Lìjiāng. Beyond Tina’s, ask any guest house for help with your route and getting back to Lìjiāng. ROUTE: On your first day, try hiking from Jane’s Guest House in Qiáotóu to the Half Way Guesthouse (about 10 miles).

On the second day, it’s another 10 miles from Half Way to Tina’s, Middle Tiger Leaping Rock, Walnut Garden, and back to Tina’s for the bus back to Qiáotóu. Resilient and adventurous trekkers can continue to the ferry pier in Daju and then on for at least two more days to Hābā and Báishuĭtái. The trail for this extended hike isn’t as obvious; Sean’s Guest House or Woody’s Guest House in Walnut Garden can help you with a route or arrange a guide. View my route and download the Without Baggage Tiger Leaping Gorge GPS track in GPX or KML format. Tiger Leaping Gorge near Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang Attractions Tours Features One of the deepest canyons in the world with a good path high above the Yangtze River to get away from the throbbing roar of the river and inexpensive accommodations along the way. Other deep canyons in the world such as the Grand Canyon in America don’t have cheap hotels and restaurants along inner canyon trails like this does. Rugged country. You can have a strenuous hike if you want.

The switchbacks near Leaping Tiger Gorge Town are steep and go up about a kilometer. One of the UNESCO World Heritage natural preservation sites with rare species of animals and plants in an “ecological hotspot.” Close to other natural and historical highlights in the UNESCO Three Parallel River World Heritage Site and Three Parallel River National Park. You can see where three of Asia’s major rivers flow close to each other. Lijiang has interesting Naxi historical places, high-protein traditional food made with Yak dairy products and beef, and good accommodations. Overview Torrential water of Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges on the world Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges on the planet, and it has the best hiking trail in the Lijiang area. The scenery is spectacular. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s. Inns and guesthouses have been built along the trail for hikers. The Yangtze River in the canyon isn’t navigable. Tourists can tour the gorge area on tour buses along a road at the bottom of the canyon that follows the course of the river. This tour road is very popular with Chinese tourists.

The people who walk the High Trail above the road are mainly foreigners. If you hike the path, you’ll find some solitude because you may meet only a few groups of hikers all day. Local Naxi people also use the trails. Whether you visit on a tour bus or hike, you can see some spectacular sights. Detailed Descriptions The valley is part of a UNESCO natural preservation area called the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site, and it is also a part of China’s Three Parallel Rivers National Park. This area is important ecologically for wildlife preservation and is the headwaters for three of Asia’s biggest rivers. Because several ecological zones meet in the region and there is a range of climate zones, it is called an ecological hotspot with an unusually large number of different kinds of plants and animal species living in the same region. The gorge area is where some rare plants and animals live. Tiger Leaping Gorge is a scenic and natural highlight. Scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge The gorge is divided into three segments called Upper Gorge, Middle Gorge and Lower Gorge. The whole valley is about 18 kilometers long. It goes from southwest to northeast.

It lies between Hutiaoxia Zhen (Tiger Leaping Gorge Town) that is also called Qiaotou near the Upper Gorge and the town of Daju near the Lower Gorge. The canyon is near the beginning of the Yangtze River that is the world’s third longest river, and it is the most important river in China. The famous scenic areas of the Upper Gorge are the mouth of the gorge and Tiger Leaping Boulder area. Mantianxing (Sky Full of Stars) Reefs Area and Yixiantian are famous spots in the Middle Gorge. There are rapids in the Middle Gorge. In the lower gorge, you can enjoy the scenery around Daju. To the west of the valley is 5,396 meter high Haba Snow Mountain and to the east is the 5,596 (18,355 feet) high peak called Shanzidou (扇子陡) of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. So the vertical distance down to the Yangtze River is 3,600 meters from the west and 3,800 meters from the east. The High Trail is the main path in the canyon.

It is well used by hikers and local people. There are native houses and inns along the trail. It faces south so hikers get the benefit of sunlight in the deep gorge. Much of the trail is at an elevation of about 2,700 meters or 8,800 feet. The river roars and rushes along far below and can often be heard as one walks on the trail. Most of the High Trail is about a kilometer above the river. The eastern side is often shaded by the peaks, and the higher elevations appear to be bare rock or white snow, but it is green near the river. Many tourists like to hike Tiger Leaping Gorge and enjoy the spectacular scenery. This gorge is considered one of China’s best hikes. It isn’t very strenuous except for the initial climb along a series of switchbacks near the entrance to the gorge at Tiger Leaping Gorge Town. If one walks the trail slowly, takes advantage of the accommodations and is in good shape, the trail isn’t strenuous. The inns and hotels for backpackers along the way make the trek comfortable. It is strenuous if you attempt to do the whole thing too quickly however.

The scenery is spectacular, and backpackers generally say that it is worth it. Though it is one of China’s popular trails, it is not crowded. Mainly foreigners, Americans, Europeans, and Israelis, take the high path above the river. Few Chinese tourists hike it, though you’ll see the native people using the route and grazing their animals. So it isn’t a crowded tourist pathway. According to what some people say, you may pass about one group of hikers each hour. The path isn’t really dangerous either, except when it rains, when there are gusty winds, or where there are rockslides. Rain makes the rocks slippery and the path muddy. Walking over a fresh rockslide might be tricky. There are places where you have to walk carefully next to a cliff, and the path gets very narrow in some places. For safety, it is best to go with a group. It is easy to get a little lost. But take a good map so that you know where the hotels are. The rainy season extends from June to September. To avoid the rain, you could go in the fall. If you walk off the path, be careful. The medical facilities in the immediate area are poor.

Even in Lijiang, the hospital staff may not speak English. Foreigners may have a difficult time getting medical treatment. Recently, a foreign tourist was badly injured in the area, and he was taken to Lijiang. He didn’t have medical insurance, and the staff didn’t treat him. An emergency medical team from another city flew in to take him to Hong Kong. One of the attractions in the area is the cave drawings that have been found in caves. There were cavemen in the area, and some implements and artifacts have been found. There are also branch trails and local paths and hamlets about. You can walk among them. Some people go down to the “middle rapids.” Two paths go down there that are probably more dangerous than the main path. The High Trail extends for 30 kilometers or about 19 kilometers further than the road along the river down below. You can see other highlights that the tour buses don’t reach. Recommended Hiking Tour At present, there is one main trail that runs the length of the valley called the High Trail. Here is a recommend two day hiking tour.

Day 1: Hike from Qiaotou to Halfway Guesthouse On the first day, hike from Qiaotou to Halfway Guesthouse. The whole distance covered on the first day is about 17 kilometers, and you’ll hike for about six hours in total. Halfway Guest House really is at the halfway point on the High Trail. First, hike for two hours to Naxi Family Guesthouse and have lunch. Then continue to hike another 2 hours up the steep switchback called 28-bends before the next break. The views are unforgettable. After a break, hike another one or two hours, and then we will arrive at Halfway Guesthouse which has a great view of Yulong Snow Mountain and overlooks the Jinsha (Golden Sands) River Valley. You can sit out on a deck facing the mountain, and there are hot showers and clean beds. Day 2: Hike from Halfway Guesthouse to Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike down to Tina's Guesthouse (about 2 hours) and pass through some pretty waterfalls and canyons on the way.

And then walk for 1 hour down a side trail on the steep cliff to the bank of Jinsha River to see the Mantianxing Reefs. This is a another narrow part of the gorge. Continue along the road to the Lower Gorge (about 1.5 or 2 hours) where there is a ferry across the River to Daju. If you are interested in traveling to Tiger Leaping Gorge, we can design your own Hiking tour. Click the map to enlarge Travel Essentials The hiking is based on the very popular but the most highlighted route. The whole hiking is very easy except for the section called the "28 Bends" which you would pass on Day 1. This track starts winding steeply upward. So for about an hour, you are really using your hamstrings and calf muscles. As to the accommodations, only simple local guest house is available. Two new cafes providing western style food and internet access for foreign tourists and hikers have sprung up at Tiger Leaping Gorge Town. While trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge, watch out for the slippery stone paths. Skid-resistant shoes are recommended to avoid accidents. Best Time to Visit: The rainy season from June to September is the most dangerous time to hike.

At an elevation of about 2,700 meters or about 8,800 feet, the trail may be too cold for a comfortable hike in the winter. So the best time to hike may be in the months of October, November and May. You can travel lightly. Meals, drinks and accommodations are available. The inns may not provide clean sheets, so you might want to take sheets. Be sure to have rain gear of some kind and a canteen or water bottle. Dress for the mountain weather. Safety Warning: Though the trail is well used, it is safer not to hike it alone. It might be best to travel with a partner or in a group. If you get hurt, a partner can help. Hospitals and clinics in the area may not have someone who speaks English. There may be no English speakers to help you. It is easier to get lost if you are alone, and you may be more susceptible to some sort of scam or crime. History Tiger Leaping Rock The Yangtze River is called the Golden Sand River in Yunnan. Near the mouth of the gorge, there is a rock in the middle of Golden Sand River called Tiger Leaping Rock.

People say that the tiger crossed there by hopping on the rock. This is the myth or legend about Tiger Leaping Gorge. The horizontal distance the tiger would have had to have jumped may have been 25 meters, unless erosion and the force of the water swept the original boulder away. Modern tigers are not known to jump that far. In the 1980s, backpackers started hiking the valley. In the 1990s, tourism was promoted. In 2003, Tiger Leaping Gorge was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2007, proposals to dam the gorge area were scrapped by the provincial government. The gorge has been a barrier for river transportation. The water funneled at the mouth of the gorge forms violent whirlpools and hits the banks so powerfully that soaring breakers are created. As far as it is known, the first time anyone passed through the gorge on a boat was in 1986. In September of 1986, the Chinese Yangtze River Rafting Team navigated Tiger Leaping Gorge. Two men died. Location Along the western side of Jade Dragon Snow Mountains .

From Lijiang to Qiaotou, the bus trip takes about an hour. Touring Activities See the sights. Ride a tour bus to see the canyon. If you want, you can hike in and ride back or vice-versa. The view along the bottom near the river is spectacular. Hike, stay in inns and enjoy the food and accommodations. Semi-wilderness experience in China. Nearby Attractions There are easily accessible high-mountain scenic areas on the western side of Yulong Snow Mountain closer to Lijiang. There is a stairway at the 4,600 meter (about 15,000 feet) level that reaches close to the summit of a peak at Glacier Park. Lugu Lake and the First Bend of the Yangtze River are also scenic areas. Author: Ling Liang Yunnan: 9 things to do in China's subtropics - CNN.com Here are some of the highlights: Hani Rice Terraces The irrigation system that is as practical as beautiful.

When the Hani ethnic group built the rice paddy terraces in Yuanyang County more than 1,300 years ago, little did they realize the irrigation system would become such a hit among sightseers. The terraces cover 166 square kilometers in southeast Yunnan. When the sun rises and sets, its light reflects off the pools of water, creating spectacular views and colors that change almost every minute as the sun moves. There are three main viewing areas that require admission, but locals can point out free viewing spots that are no less stunning. Hani Terrace, South of Ailao Mountain, Yuanyang County 662400 China; Rice Noodles One of Yunnan's most popular dishes is guoqiaomixian (translated as crossing-the-bridge rice noodles). Legend says the dish was created by a woman who needed a soup that didn't become soggy as she carried it across a bridge to the island where her husband was studying. So now the delicious piping hot chicken broth is served with ingredients, including vegetables, fish meat, herbs, spices and rice noodles, on the side. Everything is combined just before serving.

Lijiang's Old Town A fascinating and sometimes confusing maze of cobblestone streets lined with souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and guesthouses make up Lijiang's Old Town. Though most of the truly ancient buildings are long gone, new structures honoring the town's 1,000 years of heritage still have an old-world charm. UNESCO inscribed Old Town as a World Heritage Cultural Site in 1997, saying it "represents the harmonious fusion of different cultural traditions to produce an urban landscape of outstanding quality." At night, the bar street is a rowdy party destination. Indie musicians playing original works and Chinese and Western covers can be found in smaller bars. Lijiang Old Town, Lijiang China; The bluest water ever? The highest peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is said to have been summited just once. Maybe because it's a tough climb, maybe because of the time-sucking scenery on the way up. More than 5,500 meters, this lofty destination has mystical significance for the local Naxi ethnic minority. On a clear day the majestic mountain can be seen from Lijiang.

A cable car up from the base of the mountain gives breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below. Blue Moon Valley, halfway up the mountain, has some of the bluest water known to humans. There are four lakes in the valley, all different shades of blue. The valley has become a popular destination for Chinese couples taking pre-wedding photos. Yulong, Yulong County, Yulong County 674100 China; Tiger Leaping Gorge One of the world's deepest canyons. Named a UNESCO World Heritage natural site in 2003, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the world's deepest canyons. It's where whitewaters of the mighty Yangtze River roar beneath cliffs that tower up to 3,790 meters high. Hardcore hikers can choose two- or three-day treks along the upper path, taking their time to soak in views of the sky, mountains and rapids. Day-long mini-hikes down the canyon or along the river bank are also an option. There are plenty of rest stops on way, including a few cheap guesthouses with restaurants.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, 100 km (62 miles) NW of Lijiang Hutiaoxia Town, Shangri-La County 674402 China; Stir fried insects Many markets in Chinese cities serve insect skewers but Yunnan boasts a unique range of edible insects known as a "Yunnan insect banquet." Specialties are bamboo grubs, silk worms, cicadas and dragonflies. Once the ick factor has passed, they're a pleasant combination of crunchy, sweet and salty. Fried cheese Rubing, Yunnan's goat cheese, is made by heating fresh goat's milk. Yes, there's fried cheese in China -- and it's amazing. Unlike soft or crumbly Western goats cheeses, Yunnan's version is firm. It's sometimes eaten with Xuanwei ham -- another regional specialty. Barbecue, Yunnan style Because of its location just over the border from Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos, Yunnan cuisine uses spices and herbs more reminiscent of Southeast Asia. Typical dishes include meat, fish and mushrooms wrapped in pandan or banana leaves, infused with chilies and garlic and then barbecued to perfection.

They're then served with a side of sweet and spicy fish sauce. Chicken wings are stuffed with sticky rice and grilled. And no barbecue is complete without lamb and beef skewers. A few of these and a bottle of beer makes a delicious dinner at any night market. Relaxing Xishuangbanna The palm tree-lined streets of Xishuangbanna's capital Jinghong feel more like Thailand than mainland China. Xishuangbanna is an autonomous prefecture, sitting in the south of Yunnan near the border with Laos. Even in December, daytime temperatures climb to nearly 30 C. The region is home to the Dai ethnic minority, which makes up about 30% of Yunnan's population. Buddhist temples, the Mengla Tropical Rain Forest and ethnic minority parks are some of the places to visit. There's also a pedestrian path that stretches for kilometers along the bank of the Mekong River. Xishuangbanna, Jinghong China; Getting there and around Trips to the Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can be booked through guesthouses or the many travel agency booths spread throughout Lijiang Old Town. Most tours are in Chinese.

Alternatively, private minivans seating up to six people, can be flagged down in the road or hired in front Lijiang's main bus station. The China Highlights website offers good tips on hiking the gorge. Any group tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain will include a stop at the Blue Moon Valley and the cable car trip up to the mountain. Alternatively tickets can be purchased separately from the main visitor center at the base of the mountain. Top 10 Incredible Canyons or Gorges In The World by Oendrila De Canyons or gorges are deep ravines between cliffs or mountain peaks, generally carved by the wearing activity of rivers, because of their natural tendency to cut through the surface upon which they flow, thus eroding the underlying layers of rocks. There are mainly two kinds of canyons like wide box canyons and the narrow slot canyons. Let us take a look at 10 incredible canyons or gorges in the world. 10 Incredible Canyons or Gorges In The World 10. Fish River Canyon, Namibia The Fish River Canyon is located in south Namibia.

It is the largest canyon in Africa, and is a huge tourist attraction who visit to witness its immensity and grandeur. It features a great ravine of about 160 km length, 27 km width and 550 m depth. There is a hot springs resort at the lower end of the canyon. Some parts of the canyon is privately owned. The canyon contains small amounts of water. 9. Grand Canyon, Arizona USA The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona, America, and is one of the most incredible canyons in the world. Formed by the erosive action of the Colorado River for millions of years, it has a depth of over 1.6 km and a length of 446 km. What attracts tourists to this spot is the overall immensity of the canyon, its intricate landscape and the colourful vistas, all hard to find elsewhere in the world. See also; Top 10 Wonders of USA. 8. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland Fjaðrárgljúfur is located in south east Iceland, is one of the most gorgeous canyons in the world.

It has a depth of up to 100 m, and its length is approximately 2 km. This gorge has the Fjaðrá River flowing through it, and was created by the progressive erosion caused by the water from the glaciers flowing cutting through the rocks and palagonite for millennia. Tourists visit it to enjoy the view. See also; 10 Fantastic Photos of Iceland that Will Blow Your Mind. 7. Blyde River Canyon, South Africa The Blyde River Canyon, located in Mpumalanga of South Africa , is one of the most picturesque canyons in the world. In fact, it is considered a significant natural feature. It is 25 km long and about 750 m deep on an average, and is perhaps the world’s largest green canyon. Consisting mostly of sandstone, it supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, and is protected by the Nature Reserve. 6. Gorges Du Verdon, France The Verdon Gorge in the southeast of France is one of the most amazing gorges in the world . It is a river canyon that is often dubbed as the most beautiful one in the whole of Europe .

It has a depth of 700 m and a length of 25 km. The erosive action of the Verdon River, noted for its turquoise-green water, formed the gorge, and together, they form the most distinguishing feature of the location. 5. Tiger Leaping Gorge, China The Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most scenic gorges in the world, located on the Jinsha River, near Lijian City of Yunnan in China. It has a maximum depth of 3790 meters, from the river to the peak. It is a spectacularly large gorge, and the Naxi people are the inhabitants in this gorge, living in a handful of small hamlets, and living on grains as well as foreign hikers in the gorge. See also; Top 10 Natural Arches in the World. 4. Bryce Canyon, USA The Bryce Canyon of Utah, US, looks like a natural amphitheatre, with columns made of limestone, called hoodoo. It came into focus as one of the most stunning canyons in the world at the start of the 1900s, when its unearthly vista was described in magazines and newspapers.

Its rim varies from 2400 to 2700 metres. Though hard to access, it is a popular stargazing spot with a view of 7400 stars. See also; 10 Record Setting Attractions of America. 3. Kali Gandaki Gorge, Nepal The Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal, one of the most wonderful gorges in the world, was formed by the Kali Gandaki, or Gandaki River in the Himalayas. Some records define it as the world’s deepest gorge, with a depth of 5571 lower than Annapurna I at a point between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, where its elevation is 2520 m. Known for shaligram fossils, it is a trade route between India and Nepal. See also; Top 10 Most Magical Places in Asia. 2. Indus Gorge, Pakistan 10 Most Dangerous Roads in the World. The Indus Gorge in Pakistan is considered the deepest, and one of the most incredible gorges in the world.

The Indus River being one of the major rivers in Asia and the most important river of Pakistan, it cuts to a depth of about 4500-5200 metres along its course near the Nanga Parbat massif as it passes the Nanga Parbat , and thus forms gigantic gorges, exposing the middle and lower crusts. 1. Antelope Canyon, USA The Antelope Canyon is perhaps the most visited and most photographed of all the incredible canyons in the world, noted for the uniquely shaped rocks with the flowing patterns in beautiful colours. Located in the southwest of America, close to Page. It was formed by the erosion of the Navajo Sandstone, primarily because of flash flooding and secondarily due to sub-aerial processes. There are several other such gorgeous canyons or gorges in the world. Some of them are frequently visited by tourists from all over the globe, while others are still untouched and unspoilt. All in all, these gorges or canyons are among the most stunning of the naturally formed landforms on earth.

Top 9 Most Amazing Canyons In The World - The Mysterious World The Mysterious World Top 9 Most Amazing Canyons In The World 12 Share on Facebook Share Tweet on Twitter Canyons are truly among the greatest natural wonders on Earth. Their rock layers are a great place to find fossils, to study about Earth’s history and, of course, an unbelievable sight to behold. Here the list of 9 most amazing canyons in the world. 9 Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan, Southwestern China credit of image : zicheng xu on wikimedia Nestled between the majestic Jade Dragon snow mountain and Haba mountain, the tiger leaping gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is located in the Yunnan province of Southwestern China. This 9.3 miles long river canyon has a maximum depth of 3790 meters. This gorge was carved down by the Yangtze river. There is a large rock situated at the narrowest point of this river. According to legend, Once a tiger used to leap across the 25-meter wide river. Since then the gorge called as tiger leaping gorge.

This amazing gorge is divided into three different sections: upper gorge, middle gorge, and lower gorge. The narrowest part of the gorge is located within the upper gorge and it is known as ‘mouth of the gorge’. In the middle gorge, you will see 100 meters drop of the river. The gorge in the last section is very steep in comparison with other two sections. Apart from the great views, this gorge is one of the best hiking spots in the Yunnan province. 8 Bicaz Canyon, Northeast Romania credit of image : pear blossom on wikimedia Bicaz canyon is the most spectacular canyon in Romania and a part of Bicazului Gorges National Park located in the Northeastern part of the country. Carved by the waters of Bicaz river, this 6 km long canyon connects Harghita county with the Neamt county of Romania. The narrow road passes through the Bicaz canyon is one of the most scenic road passes in the entire Europe. The Bicaz canyon is surrounded by high Suhardul Mare and Suhardul Mic mountains. The limestone walls of the canyon include a number of amazing caves.

The surrounding area also has a number of amazing small gorges created by the tributaries of Bicaz river. 7 Verdon Gorge, Alpes-de-Haute Provence, France credit of image : shadowgate on flickr Breathtaking Verdon Gorge in Southeastern France is considered to be the most beautiful canyon of Europe. The width of this 15 mile long, 700 meters deep canyon varies between 200 and 1500 meters. This amazing canyon is dates back to Triassic period ( 200-251 million years ago) and the beautiful Verdon river with turquoise green waters flow through it. WIth towering limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and a strikingly colorful river, the Verdon gorge is a paradise for visitors. It is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. Rock climbing is the popular tourist activity in the site. Hiking or drive around the rim offers an unbelievable view of Verdon gorge. You can also enjoy kayaking, rafting, fishing, water skiing and paragliding at the Verdon Gorge.

6 Colca Canyon, Southern Peru credit of image : manfred heyde on wikimedia Reaching a maximum depth of 4160 meters, the Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world. It is located high in the Andes mountain range in Southern Peru. With endless trekking routes, breathtaking views and lots of activities, the Colca canyon is one of top tourist attractions in Peru. You can reach the Colca canyon from the Chivay village in the Colca valley. The hike can be tough, but the views are just stunning. You will see amazing valleys, steep cliffs, a variety of animal and plant species and beautiful colca river. Trekking is the best way to enjoy the deep Colca canyon, twice as deep as Grand Canyon. With an efficient guide, you can enjoy a great trekking in Colca Canyon. This site is also home to rich fauna. Upon them, most famous one is Andean condors, one of the highest-flying birds in the world. They can be seen in Colca canyon throughout the year. The Colca valley also includes thousands of terraces built by the Incas.

5 Copper Canyon, Chihuahua, Northwestern Mexico credit of image : wikimedia Copper canyon is truly a natural wonder of Mexico located in the Chihuahua State of the country. In fact, it a series of 6 majestic canyons that comprises a total area of 25000 square miles. Copper canyon is deeper than Arizona’s famous Grand Canyon by over 400 feet. The spectacular copper canyon is named after its brilliant copper hue of its walls. Around the canyon, you will see incredible mountain peaks, subtropical forests and beautiful waterfalls. Copper canyon also has wide variety of flora and fauna – features 200 species of oak, 23 species of pines, 290 species of migratory birds, 87 species of reptiles and some of large mammal species like black bear, deer and lion. 4 Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii, United States credit of image : aaronberstein on wikimedia The amazing Waimea canyon located in the Kauai Island of Hawaii is the largest canyon in the Pacific. It is 14 miles long, over one mile wide and 3600 feet deep.

Apart from the great size, the walls of Waimea canyon displays red, copper, purple and gray hues. The beautiful Waimea river with reddish waters also flows through this canyon. This natural wonder of Kauai Island also described as the ‘Grand canyon of the Pacific’. Take a drive along Hawaii route 550 to get an amazing view of the Waimea canyon. There is a number of great viewpoints on his highway. It is also a perfect spot in Hawaii for hiking with best trails. Hike along the rim to enjoy the unbelievable beauty of the Waimea canyon. You can also take a helicopter tour to get a breathtaking view of Waimea canyon from a different perspective. 3 Fishriver Canyon, Southern Namibia credit of image : joachim huber on flickr Situated in the Southern Namibia, the amazing Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa. It is 100 miles long 16 miles wide and 550 meters deep. It was formed by the collapse of a valley due to the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates over 500 million years ago. The longest interior river in Namibia, the fish river also flow through this great canyon.

The long fish river that cut through the vast rocky landscape of the canyon is truly a great sight to behold. But keep in mind that it is a seasonal river. In dry seasons, it gets dry out and only flows in rainy season between January and April. The fish river canyon has 52 mile long hiking trails. It is one of the toughest hikes in Africa and it takes 4-5 days for the completion. But the views are just stunning. June to September (when the weather is cool) is the best time for hiking in Fish River Canyon. There is also helicopter service that offer you the bird eye view of startlingly beautiful Fish River Canyon. 2 Antelope Canyon, Navajo Territory, Arizona Unquestionably, the Antelope canyon in Navajo territory of Arizona is the most beautiful slot canyon in the world. Photographers and tourists from around the world flock to this canyon to see its colorful, wavy sandstone walls and narrow passages. Antelope canyon is also the most photographed slot canyon in the world. The Antelope canyon is formed by flash flooding over thousands of years ago. This incredible site actually comprises two different canyons – upper antelope canyon and lower antelope canyon.

The upper antelope canyon is the commonly visited part due to the easiness of access. The passing of sunlight through the opening above the canyon is truly a great sight to see. Unlike upper antelope canyon, the lower antelope canyon is quite difficult to access. You need to climb along the metal staircases installed on the walls of the canyon. The passageways of this section is also narrower than the upper part. But the beautiful canyon walls make the lower section worth visiting. Also, keep in mind that the antelope canyon is prone flash flooding in the monsoon season. 1 Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States Grand canyon is neither the largest nor the deepest canyon in the world. Still, no other canyon in the world is as famous as Grand Canyon. It is also considered to be one of the seven natural wonders on Earth. This amazing steep-sided canyon in the U.S State of Arizona is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and over 6000 feet deep. It is truly one of the most beautiful places you should visit in your lifetime. Grand Canyon was carved by the Colorado river over millions of year ago. The metamorphic rocks found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is about 2 billion years old.

This canyon also features over 230 million years rocks at its upper part. Thus, Grand Canyon can reveal much about Earth’s history. Havasupai falls located in Grand Canyon is among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Surrounded by the multicolored cliffs, this amazing waterfall has striking vivid blue colored waters. The pools at the foothills of Havasupai is also great for swimming. Grand Canyon Skywalk (a cantilever bridge) located in the Western part of the canyon offer great panoramic views. It is situated 720 feet above the canyon floor. At Sunrises and Sunsets, the vast rocky landscape of Grand Canyon appears in vivid colors. Grand Canyon is also one of finest destination in Arizona for hiking. With permission, you can even enjoy overnight hiking at this wonderful canyon. World's top 15 grandest canyons World's top 15 grandest canyons See in fullscreen / Arizona's Grand Canyon is the largest canyon in the world. It is 446 km in length, 29 km wide at some points and 1.83 km deep at its lowest point.

It is contained within one of the first national parks in the United States, the Grand Canyon National Park. (Fotolia) / Antelope Canyon is one of the world's most photographed slot canyons. Located in Arizona, flash flooding in the area chiseled away the Navajo sandstone to create the unique and beautiful rock formations. (Fotolia) / Utah's Bryce Canyon resembles a giant amphitheatre, thanks to years of erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The red, orange and white colours of the oddly shaped "hoodoo" rocks in the canyon are a definite tourist draw. (Fotolia) / Copper Canyon is a group of six canyons in Mexico's Chihuahua state. The combined area is even greater than that of the Grand Canyon. The walls of the canyon are copper in colour, which is how the name was derived. (Fotolia) / Alberta's Horseshoe Canyon is found in the province's badlands region. It is about 3 km in length and gets its name from the distinctive horseshoe shape of the canyon.

(Shutterstock) / Snake River Canyon in Idaho is 166 metres deep in some areas, 0.41 km wide and is best known as the site of Evil Knievel's unsuccessful jump in 1974. (Fotolia) / Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan is well known for its unusual rock formations, which have led to the nickname "Valley of Castles." It is 80 km in length. (Fotolia) / Colca Canyon in Peru is 4,160 m deep, making it twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. A colourful Andean area, natives still live in the area and maintain the traditions their ancestors practiced. (Fotolia) / Waimea Canyon is a 16 km long canyon in the Hawaiian Islands. The canyon was created by the Waimea River, which rises when there is rainfall. Being near the world's wettest point of Mount WaiÊ»aleÊ»ale makes for a lot of rainfall. (Fotolia) / Fish River Canyon is the world's second largest canyon and is located in Namibia.

The canyon is about 160 km in length, 550 metres deep in some areas and is a popular tourist attraction in the African country. (Fotolia) / Kings Canyon, located in Australia's Northern Territory, has walls that soar more than 300 metres high. A sacred Aboriginal site is located on part of the gorge. (Fotolia) / South Africa's Blyde River Canyon is 26 km long and 800 m deep in some areas. This impressive canyon is the third largest in the world and is remarkably lush with a variety of flora and fauna. (Fotolia) / Tiger Leaping Gorge is a canyon along China's Yangtze River. It is about 15 km in length and is one of the world's deepest river canyons. (Fotolia) / France's Verdon Gorge is thought to be Europe's most beautiful river gorge. It is the world's second largest gorge and is about 25 km long. (Fotolia) / Fraser Canyon in British Columbia provides spectacular scenery through mountains more than 914 m high at some points. There are several tunnels along the route carved from pure rock.

(Fotolia) World's top 15 grandest canyons World's top 15 grandest canyons See in fullscreen / Arizona's Grand Canyon is the largest canyon in the world. It is 446 km in length, 29 km wide at some points and 1.83 km deep at its lowest point. It is contained within one of the first national parks in the United States, the Grand Canyon National Park. (Fotolia) / Antelope Canyon is one of the world's most photographed slot canyons. Located in Arizona, flash flooding in the area chiseled away the Navajo sandstone to create the unique and beautiful rock formations. (Fotolia) / Utah's Bryce Canyon resembles a giant amphitheatre, thanks to years of erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The red, orange and white colours of the oddly shaped "hoodoo" rocks in the canyon are a definite tourist draw. (Fotolia) / Copper Canyon is a group of six canyons in Mexico's Chihuahua state. The combined area is even greater than that of the Grand Canyon.

The walls of the canyon are copper in colour, which is how the name was derived. (Fotolia) / Alberta's Horseshoe Canyon is found in the province's badlands region. It is about 3 km in length and gets its name from the distinctive horseshoe shape of the canyon. (Shutterstock) / Snake River Canyon in Idaho is 166 metres deep in some areas, 0.41 km wide and is best known as the site of Evil Knievel's unsuccessful jump in 1974. (Fotolia) / Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan is well known for its unusual rock formations, which have led to the nickname "Valley of Castles." It is 80 km in length. (Fotolia) / Colca Canyon in Peru is 4,160 m deep, making it twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. A colourful Andean area, natives still live in the area and maintain the traditions their ancestors practiced. (Fotolia) / Waimea Canyon is a 16 km long canyon in the Hawaiian Islands. The canyon was created by the Waimea River, which rises when there is rainfall.

Being near the world's wettest point of Mount WaiÊ»aleÊ»ale makes for a lot of rainfall. (Fotolia) / Fish River Canyon is the world's second largest canyon and is located in Namibia. The canyon is about 160 km in length, 550 metres deep in some areas and is a popular tourist attraction in the African country. (Fotolia) / Kings Canyon, located in Australia's Northern Territory, has walls that soar more than 300 metres high. A sacred Aboriginal site is located on part of the gorge. (Fotolia) / South Africa's Blyde River Canyon is 26 km long and 800 m deep in some areas. This impressive canyon is the third largest in the world and is remarkably lush with a variety of flora and fauna. (Fotolia) / Tiger Leaping Gorge is a canyon along China's Yangtze River. It is about 15 km in length and is one of the world's deepest river canyons. (Fotolia) / France's Verdon Gorge is thought to be Europe's most beautiful river gorge. It is the world's second largest gorge and is about 25 km long.

(Fotolia) / Fraser Canyon in British Columbia provides spectacular scenery through mountains more than 914 m high at some points. There are several tunnels along the route carved from pure rock. (Fotolia)

Question: In which country is the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world?
Answer: CHINA