Tiger Leaping Gorge Map

Tiger Leaping Gorge is recognized as one of the most famous scenic attractions for Hiking in the world; as well as one of the must-visit hiking itineraries in Yunnan recommended by "Lonely Planet". There are two ways for hiking in the gorge; one is starting from Qiaotou Village in Zhongdian(Shangri-la); then hiking across the gorge and getting to Lijiang Old Town; the other way is starting from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and ferrying through Daju Village, hiking across the gorge and getting to Qiaotou Village. The hiking way can be finished in 2 or 3 days no matter in which way. Considering the carrying of the luggage, we recommend the hiking way of the Upper and Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge; then taking a bus to Shangri-la. The itinerary of the first recommended hiking way is as follows:

Day 1:

Starting from Qiaotou Village, you are going to meet the 28 bends at the beginning of your hiking. It takes you about 3 hours to get to the peak of the 28 bends, so if you start hiking at 10, you can have lunch at the peak of the 28 bends at about 1 pm. The hiking way becomes easy after the 28 bends. It is a great time to enjoy the waterfalls on the way. You will come across two small villages (Yachajiao and Bendiwan village); the road from the peak to Yachajiao village is broad but the road from Bendiwan to Halfway Hostel is narrow with cliff at side. Therefore, it is important to arrive Halfway before dark. It takes about 2-3 hours to finish the way from the peak of 28 bends to Halfway.

Hostel: Halfway

Day 2:

After leaving Halfway Hostel, you need to hike 9km's (5.750 miles) downhill way to Tina's Guest House which takes about 3 hours. You can go to Mantianxing (Stars all over the Sky) and One Line Sky from Tina's. It takes about 3-4 hours to go to Mantianxing and back from Tina's. If you want to live in Woody Guesthouse, you will have to walk 4 km (2.484 miles) to Walnut Grove.

Hostels: Tina's or Woody Guesthouse

Day 3:

After two days' hiking, you will feel tired on the third day. Zhongdian is 260km (161.46 miles) from Zhongdian (Shangri-la). A bus will pick you up from Walnut Grove to Zhongdian (Shangri-la). One the way to Zhongdian, you can have a short stay at Sanba village which is the origin of Dongba culture, an important part of Shangri-la's culture. Then you will arrive at White Water Terrace and have lunch there. Measuring 140 meters (about 459 feet) in length and 160 meters (about 525 feet) in width, White Water Terrace is one of the biggest such terraces in China. Going through the virgin forest, it takes about 3-4 hours by car from White Water Terrace to Zhongdian (Shangri-la).