July 30, 2020 Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡). Three simple words, one awesome attraction. Inaccessible peaks poke the sky, soaring three-thousand meters above the foaming river deep down within. Trekkers converge from around the globe to experience the scenic wonder. Many walk through in one or two days. That is a splendid way to experience the gorge, with the added benefit of hot showers and convenient dining at guesthouses along the way. Yet some reach journey's end yearning for more. For them, I present several challenging hikes that reach beyond the standard, well-beaten footpath. Below, in the first article of a series, I explain how to traverse the Bamboo Forest Path (竹林小路) through a scenic canyon with waterfalls. In future articles, I'll take you to Haba Village (哈巴村) at the base of Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山), and then back to Tiger Leaping Gorge by a different route. Finally, journey with me into a secluded valley unknown to the outside world, nestled within a ring of towering peaks.