Tiger Leaping Gorge
虎跳峡
A gorge cut by the Jinsha River between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Visit Upper Tiger Leap to watch the river crash against the rocks, or take a two-day high-trail hike for views of the snow mountains and the gorge.
Tiger Leaping Gorge lies between Lijiang and Shangri-La (Diqing Prefecture). The Jinsha River has carved a gorge about 16 kilometers long, with a drop of nearly 3,900 meters, between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596 meters) and Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 meters). It is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Tiger Leap.
There are two ways to visit.
One is the day trip: from Lijiang, take a bus of about 2.5 hours to the Upper Tiger Leap scenic area (Lijiang side, admission about 45 yuan; Shangri-La side admission about 65 yuan). Follow the walkway down to the river to see the Tiger Leaping Stone and the rapids. This takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and the round trip takes about 6 to 7 hours. It is usually combined with a trip to Shangri-La.
The other is the High Trail hike: start from the bridge head (Tiger Leaping Gorge Town), climb the 28 Bends to a midway guesthouse (Tea Horse/Halfway), and on the second day descend to Middle Tiger Leap via Mr. Zhang's Trail and the Ladder. The full route is about 22 to 25 kilometers and takes 2 days and 1 night. It is one of China's most classic hiking routes. Along the way you can see Haba Snow Mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the deep gorge. Guesthouses are quite good (Zhongxia International Youth Hostel, Halfway, and others).
Getting there: buses run from Lijiang Bus Station to the bridge head (about 2.5 hours, about 40 yuan). You can also join a shared-car group tour. After the hike, you can take a bus from the guesthouse at Middle Tiger Leap back to Lijiang or to Shangri-La (about 1.5 hours).
Notes: the 28 Bends climb about 800 meters and requires a reasonable level of fitness. Wear hiking boots and bring a raincoat and headlamp. In the rainy season (July and August), there is a risk of falling rocks and landslides, so ask your guesthouse about trail conditions before setting out. The Ladder and walkways at Middle Tiger Leap were mostly built by villagers, and each section charges 10 to 15 yuan. Rocks by the river are slippery, so stay away from the water's edge.
Opening hours
Scenic area 08:00–18:00; hiking trails open all day
Nearby sights
- Yak Meadow (Maoniuping)
- Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping)
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Glacier Park, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Impression Lijiang
- Ganhaizi Meadow
- Blue Moon Valley
- Yuhu Village
Places to eat nearby
- Lijiang Jinmao Hotel - Snow Mountain, Unbound Collection - Xuejingge Restaurant
- Fuxian Xiaoguofan Yunnan Folk Flavor Restaurant (Shuhe Ancient Town Store)
- Apoqing Cured Rib Hotpot (Old Town Flagship Store)
- No. 88 Snack Shop
- Xiaoxike Yunnan Specialty Restaurant (Naxi Courtyard Store)
- Erge Rice Noodles (Lijiang Store)