Tiger Leaping Gorge

The Tiger’s Leap

Legend says a tiger once escaped a hunter by leaping across this gorge at its narrowest point — a 25-meter gap where the Jinsha River (upper Yangtze) thunders through with terrifying force. Below, the water drops 200 meters over a series of rapids. Above, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain rise to 5,596m and 5,396m respectively, creating one of the deepest river canyons on Earth.

The Trek

The Tiger Leaping Gorge trek is widely considered one of China’s finest hiking trails. The high trail follows ancient paths along the gorge rim, offering constant views of the river 2,000 meters below and snow-capped peaks above.

Day 1: Qiaotou to Halfway Guesthouse

• Distance: ~16 km
• Elevation: Climbs from 1,800m to 2,670m, then descends to 2,200m
• The notorious “28 Bends” switchback section is the day’s main challenge
• Reward: Sunset over the gorge from the Halfway Guesthouse terrace

Day 2: Halfway to Tina’s Guesthouse

• Distance: ~12 km
• Terrain: More exposed trails with sheer drop-offs
• Optional detour down to the river via the “Middle Tiger Leaping Stone”
• End at Walnut Grove village

When to Go

Spring (May–June) offers wildflowers and snowmelt waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. Autumn (Sep–Nov) brings clear skies with the best mountain visibility. Avoid July–August rainy season — rockfall risk increases significantly.

Getting There

From Lijiang Old Town, take a bus to Qiaotou (2 hours). Most guesthouses can arrange return transport from Tina’s at the trail’s end.

Pro Tips

• Carry at least 2 liters of water per day — there are few refill points on the high trail
• The guesthouses along the trail are surprisingly comfortable with hot showers and beer
• A local guide isn’t necessary but GPS/Maps.me offline maps are strongly recommended
• Altitude can affect some hikers — Lijiang itself sits at 2,400m, so acclimatize first