Hidden in the Hengduan Mountains in northwestern Yunnan is a legendary route for hiking – Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Named one of the world’s top ten classic hiking routes by National Geographic magazine, the gorge attracts explorers from all over the world with its primitive and wild charm.
Table of Contents
Why Tiger Leaping Gorge?
World-class geographic wonders
Tiger Leaping Gorge, located between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596 meters) and Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 meters), is one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Here the Jinsha River is squeezed into a channel only 30 meters wide, pouring down a 216-meter-high cliff with a deafening roar.
Standing on the “Tiger Jumping Stone” at the bottom of the canyon, you can really feel the earth trembling – this is the most primitive display of nature’s power.
Hiker’s Paradise
Unlike traditional high adventure routes, the Tiger Leaping Gorge High Route strikes the perfect balance between challenge and comfort.
During the 23 kilometers of hiking, you will freely switch between the goat paths on the cliffs and the snowy mountain viewpoint inns:
One minute you’ll be challenging the “28 Roads” with a vertical drop of nearly 500 meters, and the next you’ll be sipping coffee on the terrace of the Tea Horse Inn, enjoying the breathtaking view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
A feast of cultural fusion
This is an important node of the Ancient Tea Horse Trail and the meeting place of Naxi and Tibetan cultures.
On the hiking route, you may meet Naxi elders driving mules and horses, or share a table with European and American donkeys carrying professional hiking bags to savor the Lapis Pork Rib Hot Pot.
This kind of cultural collision across time and space makes the Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking trip full of unknown surprises.
Pre-trip Preparation: Safety and Comfort
Equipment List
Shoes: Choose a pair of non-slip and wear-resistant professional hiking shoes (e.g. Scarpa or La Sportiva), with a medium-high top design to effectively prevent debris from entering the shoes.
Clothing: The climate in the canyon can be very changeable, so it is recommended to bring a windproof and waterproof jacket, quick-drying clothes and pants, and a warm fleece jacket.
Other essentials: sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, raincoat, water bottle with at least 2 liters capacity, hiking bag of about 30L.
Photography equipment: a lightweight microslice or sports camera (e.g. GoPro) is enough to record the magnificent scenery of the canyon.
Emergency items: first aid kit, high-energy snacks (chocolate, nuts), hiking poles (some sections require climbing).
Physical Training
The Tiger Leaping Gorge hike is about 23 kilometers long and needs to be completed in 2-3 consecutive days. It is recommended to do acclimatization training 1-2 weeks in advance, such as walking 5 kilometers a day or climbing stairs, focusing on enhancing leg strength and cardiorespiratory function.
Seasonal Selection
Best Season: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) with pleasant climate and excellent scenery.
Rainy season note: June-August is the rainy season, landslides may occur in the canyon, so be careful when traveling.
Winter Tips: December-February, the canyon is cooler, so bring warm clothes, but the snow-capped mountains are even more impressive.
Classic route planning: 2-day hiking full strategy
Day 1: Upper Tiger Leaping → Middle Tiger Leaping (High Road Hiking Line)
07:30 Take a special bus from Lijiang Old Town to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town (about 2 hours’ drive), then transfer to a local vehicle to the starting point of Naxi Yagyu hiking.
09:30 Start to challenge the “28 Roads of Abduction”, this continuous steep slope will take you up to 2670 meters above sea level, it is recommended to take a break to maintain physical strength.
12:00 Arrive at the Chama Inn, taste the Naxi lunch (recommended pork ribs hot pot), replenish energy.
16:00 Arrive at Halfway, known as “China’s most beautiful mountain inn”. Be sure to book the “Snow Mountain View Room” in advance and reserve time to enjoy the sunset view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the “Awesome Balcony”.
Day 2: Middle Tiger Hopper Adventure
08:00 Depart from Halfway and cut down to the bottom of the canyon in the direction of Longdong Waterfall.
10:00 Arrive at the entrance of Mr. Zhang’s trail, pay the 15 RMB “toll fee” and challenge the “Heavenly Staircase” with a vertical difference of nearly 100 meters (trestles are available for the faint-hearted).
12:00 Picnic on the riverside “Daze Stone”, feel the majestic momentum of the Jinsha River.
14:00 Start to return to Lijiang, those who are not strong enough can choose to take the bus from Tina’s Inn back to Lijiang (about 2 hours drive).
Alternative program:
Net red short line: with the middle tiger jump as the core, the whole journey is about 10 kilometers, suitable for tourists with limited time or weak physical strength.
Deep adventure line: add the secret section of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Poliro to Blue Moon Valley), need 1 extra day, suitable for senior outdoor enthusiasts.
Accommodation and Transportation: Integrate into local life
Recommended Accommodation
Halfway: A gathering place for international backpackers, rooms need to be booked months in advance. The “Balcony” is the best place to take pictures of the sunset over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Tina’s Guesthouse: The transportation hub in Zhonghu Jump, offering luggage storage and return tickets.
Local lodgings, such as Tea Horse Inn and Xinyingpan Inn, offer affordable prices and a chance to experience Naxi culture.
Culinary Experience
Naxi flavors: pickled fish, barley cakes, hand-torn mutton, and we recommend the local chicken hot pot at the Midway Inn.
Coffee culture: the coffee shops in the canyon are popular among foreign tourists, and Halfway’s freshly brewed coffee has a special flavor with the snowy mountain scenery.
Transportation Tips
Round trip to Lijiang: There are several buses from Lijiang Bus Station to the town of Tiger Leaping Gorge every day (the ticket price is 35-40 RMB), and the chartered bus cost is about 300 RMB per car.
Luggage storage: You can store your luggage at the starting point of the hike and collect it with your ticket on the way back.
Cultural Experience and Safety Tips
Ethnic customs
Naxi and Tibetan culture: Passing through the villages, you can participate in the fire-pit party, learn Dongba script (Naxi hieroglyphics), or buy handmade silver jewelry as a souvenir.
Ecological protection: Observe the principle of “no trace of mountains and forests”, take away garbage with you, and respect the environmental protection tips set by the villagers.
Safety Precautions
Road warning: Zhonghu jump part of the trestle is not developed, need to be careful through; rainy season to avoid close to the riverside.
Guide service: If you are hiking for the first time or traveling in a group, it is recommended to hire a local guide (300-600 RMB/day), some areas have weak signals.
The charm of Tiger Leaping Gorge lies not only in its “steep cliffs, turbulent river and peculiar rocks”, but also in the deep dialog with nature during the hiking process.
Here, you can follow the footsteps of professional photographers to find the “life photo” shooting point, or like the explorer Joseph Rock, footsteps to measure the legend of this land.
As one traveler said, “Every stone in Tiger Leaping Gorge tells a story, and your footsteps will become a new chapter in that story.”
Let’s go! Start your hiking tour and let the river wind and snowy mountains of Tiger Leaping Gorge become the unrepeatable magnificent memories in your life.
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