A Beginner's Guide to Hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in China

After spending two months in the bustling city of Shanghai, surrounded by high rise buildings and busy streets, I was ready to see a different side of China.

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Adventure China provides such an incredible opportunity for those looking to work in this enthralling country and once you’ve finished at camp for the summer, you’ll have free reign in discovering as much of it as possible.

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As I travelled around, I researched local things to do in China and I discovered the incredible Tiger Leaping Gorge.

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Located in Yunnan Province, it’s known for its beautiful landscapes, cultural diversity and the fact that it is one of the best hikes in China, so this was the perfect first stop on my adventure after working at summer camps.

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Why is it Called Tiger Leaping Gorge?

It is said, in a legend which has been passed down generations, that a hunted tiger had escaped it’s poachers by jumping across the entire river at the narrowest point, using the rock in the middle (bear in mind, that’s still a 25 metre - 82ft - jump!)

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Tiger Leaping Gorge Facts

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• It is one of the deepest river canyons in the world, with the depth from the peak of the mountain down to the river is an eye-boggling 12,434 feet (which is about 3790 metres)
• It has been carved by the Jinsha River, which is a tributary of the more famous Yangtze River
• The gorge is where the river passes between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Snow Mountain, and is around 10 miles in length.
• There are incredibly steep cliffs of over 2000 metres
• The area was first opened to foreign tourists in 1993, yet thousands of visitors had been visiting the area since the early 80’s.

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When should I go to Tiger Leaping Gorge?

The best time to explore Tiger Leaping Gorge is August/September/October (which works perfectly for those who have just finished summer camp in China) or April/May, as both of these periods tend to be the drier months of the year.

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Throughout this guide, I’ll give you a step-by-step walkthrough of how to get to where you want to go, based on my own experience.

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Save this article ahead of time, but be sure to always do your own hike planning research and be sure to ask someone if you have any questions or concerns.

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So without further ado, let’s delve deeper into one of the most stunning hikes in China; Tiger Leaping Gorge.

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How do I get to Tiger Leaping Gorge?

The trek starts in a town called Qiaotou, which is within driving distance from Lijiang and Shangri-La.

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I chose to reach Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang, as this was the easiest place for me to travel to.

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There is also plenty to see here, with a perfect combination of historical sites and gorgeous scenery such as snow-capped mountains.

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You can take a sleeper train to Lijiang from most cities, or a bullet train if you’re already within Yunnan province.

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From Lijiang, you can take the number 13 bus from the bus station and it costs around 24 Yuan (which is less than £3).

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The bus departs at 8.30am, so if possible, book your tickets to Tiger Leaping Gorge the day before to ensure you get a seat.

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The guesthouse I was staying at in Lijiang Old Town suggested taking a shuttle that departed nearby at 7.15am and was 40 yuan (about £4.50).

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The guesthouse staff even kindly escorted us to the pick up point.

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I would recommend this option if it is available from where you are staying.

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It means you won’t have the hassle of making your way to the bus station and you will also arrive earlier, meaning more time hiking.

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Whichever option you choose, be sure to inform the driver you’re departing at Qiaotou as this is not the last stop.

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The journey takes around 2.5 hours, with a short break about 1.5 hours in to use the bathroom and buy drinks or snacks.

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Upon arriving in Qiaotou, an attendant from the Tiger Leaping Gorge tourist office will board the bus and provide tickets for entry, which costs 65 yuan (less than £7.50) each. T

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he bus then continues to Jane’s Tibetan Guesthouse where you can collect a map, which is certainly worth doing.

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You also have the option to store any extra luggage for the duration of your hike for a fee of 5 yuan.

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As you will be departing from Tina’s Guesthouse, you will need to ask the driver taking you back to Lijiang to stop here on the way back.

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From Jane’s Guesthouse, the start of the Tiger Leaping Gorge trail is fairly easy to find.

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Step by Step Guide

Turn left out of Jane's Guesthouse, follow the dusty road straight and you will pass a school.

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Continue walking until you come to a split in the road, take the road that goes off to the left and is uphill.

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From here you will start to see blue signs for the upper gorge. Follow this road as it continues winding up the mountain.

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You will walk on roads and through a small village which might make you question whether you’re going the right way, but don’t worry; you are!

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Which Tiger Leaping Gorge trail should I do?

The upper route is by far the best way to see the Tiger Leaping Gorge, but it is not to be taken lightly.

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It’s one of the best hikes in China, but with good reason.

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The hike typically takes two days to complete, spending one night in a local guesthouse on the trail. Even for those in good physical shape, it certainly is a workout, albeit a very beautiful one.

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As you make your way along the trail, no doubt exhausted at times, your fatigue will be eased by the fact that you will be surrounded by some of the most naturally stunning and diverse landscapes in not only the region, but the world.

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As you look up, you will see the snowy peaks of the Jade Dragon and Haba mountains, whilst down below you’ll see the rippling waters of Jinsha River raging through the gorge.

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Splendor of its scenery, Tiger Leaping Gorge also provides a glimpse into the rich culture China has to offer and its many different ethnic groups.

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The Naxi minority group reside here, living in tiny enclaves, scattered throughout the area and they have kept many of their old traditions alive.

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Day one itinerary

The first day's hike takes an average of 6-8 hours at a steady pace, with the first couple of hours being the most challenging.

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Therefore, knowing a breakdown of the hike and how long the different sections will take is extremely helpful in maintaining a positive mindset during the tough parts.

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The first two hours on the trail is a steady elevation and whilst the views are lovely, there is a lot of mining work taking place just across the river, so keep in mind that the best is yet to come.

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Eventually, you will make it to the Naxi Guesthouse and approximately 30 minutes from the Guesthouse, you will reach the infamous 28 bends.

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This section is known to be the toughest part of the trail.

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You’ll definitely find yourself out of breath as you zig zag your way up at approximately 9000 feet.

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The bends on Tiger Leaping Gorge are small and the distance between two bends is very short.

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One thing to keep in mind is that it is not steep for very long.

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It will take roughly 45-60 minutes to complete this section and the reward for your effort is totally worth it.

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For the rest of day one, there is very little climbing, so it’s easier to relax and take in some of the most diverse scenery China has to offer.

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As you pass through some cooler and shaded areas, with stunning views of the imposing Jade Dragon Mountain amidst fallen clouds, you start to get a sense of how far you have come.

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After roughly another hour, you will arrive at the Tea Horse Guesthouse.

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Many hikers choose to stay here for the evening.

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I would recommend stopping here to refuel for a brief while and then spending another two hours on the trail to Halfway Guesthouse.

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Known for its panoramic view from the roof deck (and the best bathroom view in the world, which is honestly hard to dispute),

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Halfway Guesthouse is one of the highlights of trekking Tiger Leaping Gorge.

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The Guesthouse offers both private or dorm rooms at really good value.

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After a long day, sitting on the balcony, eating delicious food and taking in the spectacular view is the perfect conclusion.

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Day two itinerary

As the golden morning sun shines on the Jade Dragon Mountain, you will be reluctant to leave the Halfway Guesthouse and although the second day can be taken at a leisurely pace, I would recommend setting off around 8am.

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From Tina’s Guesthouse, there are limited buses back to Lijiang, so it is best to arrive early to reserve a ticket.

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The remainder of the hike is short, flat and takes around two hours.

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Winding down the trail and passing through an unbelievable waterfall, the beauty of the landscape changes yet again as the morning light creeps through the mountains.

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The bus back to Lijiang sets off around 15.30 so you have the option to relax for the day or you can make your way down to the bottom of the gorge.

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There were quite a few hikers arriving at Tina’s around the same time, so they kindly arranged to drive us the start of the trail.

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You can access the start of the trail easily if this is not an option for you.

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It takes around 3 hours to complete the hike and there is a 15 Yuan fee (about £1.70) to enter the trail.

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As you make your way down the steep steps that lead you to the bottom of the canyon, you can hear the roaring waters crashing through the gorge, getting louder the closer you get.

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Once you reach the bottom, the view is spectacular and you will be glad you chose to spend the last few hours in the area hiking this trail.

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As you begin to make your way out of the gorge, you’ll find that the next section is less defined than the upper trail.

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There are a few different routes you can take and like the 28 bends, it can be a challenge.

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You can’t really go wrong and it seems all paths lead to the famous sky ladder, and again, there is a small fee as you enter this section.

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The ladder is very vertical, so I would not recommended for those afraid of heights.

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It takes no more than a minute to climb to the top. If you choose to take the trail, it will only take about 10 minutes to complete, so do not feel pressured if the ladder is not for you.

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There is roughly an hour of climbing before arriving back to Tina’s for lunch, ahead of departing back to Lijiang.

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Tiger Leaping Gorge is a long hike which, despite some challenging sections, is not just for experienced hikers.

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Anyone with an average level of fitness can hike these stretches, enjoying the awe-inspiring views that accompany it.

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As one of the best hikes in China, you’ll find it high on the list of many a traveller.

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Even though many tourists have passed through here before, it still feels off the beaten path and it will rank near the top of the most memorable things you will ever do.

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Tiger Leaping Gorge top tips

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• Do not do the hike alone - if you’re travelling solo, meet people in hostels/guesthouses and go as a group (as many do)
• Check with Hostels/Cafes in Lijiang or Qiaotou for trail and weather updates, as it will be closed in bad conditions.
• Bring plenty of sunscreen and lip balm as there is no shade for the majority of the trail.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks. Don’t worry if you run out, there are locals in huts along the way selling anything you need.
• I would recommend wearing hiking boots. It was sunny when I went, however it can be really slippery in the rain.
• Have plenty of small notes for fees, tickets, snacks etc.
• Bring layers as it can get cold in the evening/early morning. It is also worth packing a waterproof jacket, but don’t bring too much.
• You do not have to pre-book guesthouses on the gorge.