On the way to Shangri-la we took a tangential path to Tiger Leaping Gorge, so named from a legend of a tiger who escaped from a hunter by leaping from the river bank to a large rock in the river's center.
Our driver (see photo below), who we called Elvis due to his long sideburns, pointed leather loafers and yellow golf jacket (ok I think the latter two are more associated with Arnold Palmer), knew the way--a mountain road, unpaved beyond an unnamed altitude, required to accomodate at least two car/truck widths in the space of a single lane. No siderails most of the way. Lianna and I plastered ourselves to whichever side of the van was opposite the deepening gorge. We glued our eyes to our novels and tried not to notice our cold sweat.
Our driver (see photo below), who we called Elvis due to his long sideburns, pointed leather loafers and yellow golf jacket (ok I think the latter two are more associated with Arnold Palmer), knew the way--a mountain road, unpaved beyond an unnamed altitude, required to accomodate at least two car/truck widths in the space of a single lane. No siderails most of the way. Lianna and I plastered ourselves to whichever side of the van was opposite the deepening gorge. We glued our eyes to our novels and tried not to notice our cold sweat.
Sherpas shadowed us offering rides in their shoulder-borne carts. After the ride up the mountain we wanted to retain control of our movement.
Vendors scattered the trail--trinkets and snacks.
Jeremy and Elvis, our van driver. 
Apparently the Chinese government has floated several proposals to create a hydroelectric dam project, related to, but not the same as the Three Gorges Dam project. This would displace thousands of Naxi, the main ethnic minority in the area.
China: Another dammed gorge - Asia Times, June 3, 2006
China: Another dammed gorge - Asia Times, June 3, 2006
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