Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan province is one of the deepest gorges in the world.

It's a Unesco World Heritage Site…

And a famous spot for treks.

CRI's Allie Johnson recently did the trek herself…

I'm hanging out at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Legend has it a tiger once escaped humans by leaping across the gorge at its narrowest point.

It's 30 m across with FURIOUS water pounding the boulders.

That must have been quite the tiger.

Our first day is just a 5 hour hike.

But it's over 30 degrees out.

And at 3000 m above sea level…the sun is harsh and our hearts are pumping!

We're ready for a break when we reach a lookout.

There's a sign that says "Photography spot – 3 yuan."

Behind us is a tiny hut…and out of the hut walks a tiny lady.

Her skin is sun-weathered.

She's wearing wire glasses and a blue cap.

She's selling Tibetan and Naxi ethnic jewelry.

And some gorgeous oil landscape paintings.

She says we can take photos from two places.

The lookout spot.

Or…from inside the toilet.

Apparently that's where the best view is.

"You can take photos in there – or go to the bathroom. I clean it so many times a day. Everyone that goes in there tells me, old woman, your washroom is so clean!"

"Do people ever take photos and use the toilet…at the same time?"

"No no! First they take photos. Then after that they use the toilet."

She insists we come into her hut for tea and a chat.

Her name is Hai Yin Xiang.

She says there used to be so little water here, each family could only grab a bucket each.

They could barely grow vegetables.

About 10 years ago, there was an extensive government project to pipe water to the villages…

And Auntie Hai says the improvement to their lives has been incredible.

We bid farewell to Auntie Hai and we're back on the trail.

Every hour or so, there's a rest station with plenty of snacks.

Before you know we're at the next one…

A girl of about 25 is selling lumpy honey from a cooking pot.

Snickers bars.

Tibetan Saffron.

And those oil paintings we saw down below.

Turns out she's the painter!

Her name is Zhang Chun Jiang.

She came here 8 months ago with two other artists…and hasn't left.

"The first time I came here, I found it overwhelming. We were staying in that village down below and when I looked up at Jade Snow Mountain, the visual effect was incredibly powerful. And for painters like me I think there's this indescribable kind of peace this place gives you. The feeling is so entirely different from the feeling you get traveling in other places."

We're back on the grind – 28 switchback trails.

It's hot and dusty.

But we see pines, purple flowers, streams…

And up above, those snowy peaks.

They're beautiful…and somehow ominous.