The Yangtze is known as Chang Jiang (meaning long river) in Chinese and flows from high in Qinghai to the East China Sea at Shanghai. In the area of Yunnan China the Yangtze, Mekong, and Nujiang are called the Three Parallel Rivers and are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In this area you can see incredible diversity - karts, snow covered peaks, and perhaps the most beutiful is Tiger Leaping Gorge. We hiked about 30 km from one end to the other and up and down the steep walls of the 2000 meter deep gorge. Nightly accomodations are at Guest Houses run by local Naxi people. The trails are diffcult, but pretty well marked and maintained. You can do the trek in 2-3 days with or without a guide and don't need to carry much in your pack. Meals and refreshment are available at the guest houses along the way.