Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world and has been rated by “China National Geographic” as one of the “Top 10 Most Beautiful Hiking Routes in China”. Interestingly, it’s more famous abroad than within China itself.
Snow-capped mountains stand on both sides of the gorge. On the left is Haba Snow Mountain, while Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is on the right. Looking up, you can see the thirteen peaks of Jade Dragon Mountain.
At the foot of the mountains, the turbulent Jinsha River rushes through, like a jade inlay between the high mountains and gorges, creating a magnificent spectacle reminiscent of a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. Climbing between the two banks and walking through the primitive and rugged grand canyon, with the surging Jinsha River below, is a truly spectacular experience.
The best time to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River is during the flood season from June to September. It’s a sight not to be missed!
Today, we’ve compiled a comprehensive “Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Guide” that will help you conquer the gorge confidently, even if it’s your first visit!
1.Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area Information
📍 Address: Next to the East Ring Road, Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, Shangri-La City;
🎫 Entrance fee: 45 yuan/person, parking fee 5 yuan/vehicle, 70 yuan/person for the sightseeing elevator to the viewing platform, or you can choose to walk the plank road for free;
⛰ Altitude: Average altitude around 2000 meters;
😈 Difficulty level: Beginner.
PS: The Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge area is not developed and is maintained by local villagers, with each village charging 15 yuan/person. (Total entrance fees are around 105-120 yuan/person)
2.Tiger Leaping Gorge Recommended Routes
Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three parts: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. Most hikers start from the Upper and Middle sections.
- Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge: Ticket office – Naxi Yage – 28 Bends – Halfway Guesthouse; Total hiking time 6-7 hours;
- Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge: This section has the best scenery. There are three paths to descend: Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse path, Sky Ladder path, and One Line Sky, forming a loop; Total time about 3 hours.
Recommended Routes:
- For those with good physical fitness, complete the entire route, taking two days and one night.
- For those with less stamina, you can choose to take a car to Tea-Horse Guesthouse as the starting point, rest at Halfway Guesthouse, and on the second day, take a car to One Line Sky as the starting point, go down to the gorge bottom for photos, and return to Lijiang via Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse.
- For those with only one day, consider hiring a car to Tea-Horse Guesthouse, then hike to Halfway Guesthouse and Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse. If time permits, you can consider visiting Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. Allow at least 2 hours for round-trip travel and photography.
Most Recommended Route
Day 1: Naxi Yage – 28 Bends – Tea-Horse Guesthouse – Halfway Guesthouse
Day 2: Take a car to One Line Sky – Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge – Take photos at Tintao Cafe – Return to Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse via the 168-step Brave Man’s Ladder – End the journey
Why is this route most recommended?
If you can complete the entire route, on the first day you can experience a full hike, and on the second day, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of One Line Sky and be among the first to take photos at the gorge bottom (queue times for photos at the bottom can be up to two hours during peak times).
3.Tiger Leaping Gorge Checkpoints Along the Way
✔️ Halfway Viewing Terrace: Also called the “Stunned-to-Death Terrace,” this name is simple and easy to understand. If you’re lucky, you might catch the sunset over the golden mountains!
✔️ Dragon Cave Waterfall: From the Tiger Leaping Gorge Halfway Guesthouse, continue hiking for about 40 minutes to see this waterfall. Many people take “wet” photos here with great results, but be careful of safety. Your shoes and clothes will definitely get wet, so bring spare clothes.
✔️ Tiger Leaping Gorge Bottom: This is the place for life-changing photos. It’s spectacular but also a bit dangerous. You can feel the water splashing on the rocks and hear the roar of the Jinsha River. (During flood season, water levels rise, so proceed with caution and follow the guidance of scenic area staff)
4.Tiger Leaping Gorge Transportation Guide
How to get to Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang?
Public Transport: Take a bus from Lijiang Bus Station to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Buy tickets at “Lijiang Youshenghuou” for 50 yuan/person. Note ‼️ The bus drop-off point is still some distance from the starting point at Naxi Yage, taking about 1 hour to walk. The scenery here is ordinary, so it’s not necessary to walk. As there are often traffic jams of several kilometers at the entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area, it’s recommended to share a ride.
Shared Ride: After getting off the bus, share a ride to Naxi Yage. Local drivers will approach you at the drop-off point asking if you need a ride, usually 20 yuan/person. It’s actually more convenient to share a ride directly from Lijiang Old Town to Naxi Yage, costing about 80 yuan/person.
Charter: If you’re traveling in a group or have a flexible budget, you can choose to charter a car directly from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Remember to choose a reliable and licensed travel agency. If you’re staying in Lijiang, you can ask your guesthouse/hotel if they offer car rental services.
5.Tiger Leaping Gorge Food and Drink Guide
Along the Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking route, you can buy water, coffee, fruit, and instant noodles. It’s recommended to bring a bottle of water and refill as needed. Bring some trail snacks, and you can have meals at the Tea-Horse Guesthouse and Halfway Guesthouse.
There aren’t many toilets along the way, and due to limited conditions, the facilities and environment are quite “primitive.” Use the toilets whenever you encounter them to meet your physiological needs without being too particular.
6.Tiger Leaping Gorge Equipment Recommendations
- 👟 Shoes: Sneakers are okay, but high-top hiking boots are best as there are many rocks along the way.
- 🧥 Clothes: Quick-dry base layer, sun protection shirt, and windbreaker are sufficient. You don’t need a hard shell jacket (it will be very hot). Bring a raincoat just in case!
- 👖 Pants: Quick-dry pants
- 🧢 Hat: A must-bring item
- ‼️ Essential items: Knee pads, trekking poles, and a face mask or mouth cover! There are many downhill sections and a lot of dust along the way. Your nostrils will be full of dirt when you return! You can bring an umbrella as it might suddenly rain in the mountains during the rainy season.
7.Tiger Leaping Gorge: Altitude Sickness
- The highest point of Tiger Leaping Gorge is 2,670 meters above sea level, similar to Lijiang Old Town. Those coming from plain areas might consider bringing altitude sickness medication.
- If you choose to hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge, bring some chocolate for sugar replenishment. There are supply points along the hiking route, so you don’t need to carry a lot of water and food.
- Clothing: Wear a windbreaker jacket with a quick-dry base layer, a hat for sun protection, and pay attention to keeping warm. Hiking can make you sweat, and the wind can easily cause a chill and lead to a cold. Colds can be dangerous at high altitudes. Don’t underestimate altitude sickness; everyone’s body reacts differently, so be prepared!
8.Other Small Tips
- 🔹 There’s no off-trail hiking or river crossing in Tiger Leaping Gorge. The entire route has signposts and directions, making it a relatively simple and safe route that can be completed without joining a tour group.
- 🔹 Most of the route can be completed by average people, but some sections are very narrow and almost on the edge of cliffs. It can be windy and dangerous to walk, so pay attention to safety.
- 🔹 There are many uphill and downhill sections, which may not be friendly for those with knee problems.
- 🔹 There are several guesthouses along the way where you can stay and eat. If you want to enjoy the scenery without hiking, you can directly take a car.
- 🔹 Some sections of the route are privately maintained and may charge a fee.
- 🔹 The Sky Ladder has a nearly vertical section. Brave individuals can challenge it, but it’s not necessary for most people to attempt.
