Tiger Leap - The Tiger Clan

Tiger Leap - The Tiger Clan

In the Lisu language, Tiger Leap is called "Lakailuo," and it is said to be the birthplace of the Tiger Clan of the Lisu people. Located 58.5 kilometers from Liuku, the gorge features towering peaks and steep cliffs on both sides, stretching 10 kilometers in length with the narrowest point being just 10 meters wide. Strange rocks stand in the river, and listen — the rushing water violently crashes against the reefs, creating a thunderous roar, much like the growl of a tiger. Look — that 2-meter-wide rock lying in the middle of the river is Tiger Leap. Even today, you can still see two tiger footprints on the stone, said to have been left when a tiger once leapt across in pursuit of true love. It’s said that during the conscription drives of the Republican era, recruits even dared to jump from the eastern bank to the western bank. That’s why some call it "Human Leap."

This is the legendary birthplace of the Tiger Clan of the Lisu people. The story goes like this: long, long ago, at the foot of the Gaoligong Mountains, there lived a father and daughter who made their living by hunting and fishing. The girl grew up in the valley’s dense forests, surrounded by flowers, grasses, birds, and beasts. She was both intelligent and beautiful, as well as kind and gentle. By the time she turned eighteen, she had become a strikingly lovely young woman. On the Biluo Snow Mountain lived a tiger — actually a prince cursed by magic. He had watched the girl on the western side of the river grow up, and his affection for her grew day by day. Meanwhile, the girl on the western bank also sympathized deeply with the prince’s plight. They gazed at each other all day long, their feelings growing ever stronger. Yet the surging Nu River stood as an impassable barrier between them, preventing their reunion. Finally, one day, the tiger decided to cross to the other side. He traveled for three days and three nights until he reached the narrowest part of the river, where a rock jutted out from the middle. Without hesitation, he leapt onto the rock in the river, then made another powerful jump — and finally reached the opposite bank to meet the girl he loved. The heavenly gods, witnessing this touching scene, lifted the curse on the tiger, restoring him to his human form. From then on, they settled here, living happily and raising a family. They became the ancestors of the Tiger Clan. To this day, on days and years associated with the tiger in the lunar calendar, clan elders and leaders organize ceremonies to worship the tiger, typically paying homage to wooden carvings of tigers. The entire clan also holds grand singing and dancing celebrations to remind future generations that they are descendants of the Tiger Clan.

Location of the Attraction

Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province