Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek虎跳峡
Snow-covered peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above the Jinsha River and two suspension bridges under a deep blue sky

虎跳峡 · Tiger Leaping Gorge · 2 days, 1 night from Lijiang

Two days on the high trail of Tiger Leaping Gorge

Walk the path along one of the deepest river canyons in the world, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across the gorge. A private car from Lijiang, an English-speaking local guide and a night in a family-run guesthouse, for your group only.

See the price Plan a longer trek with me
2 days, 1 nightLijiang to Lijiang
≈ 12 hon foot in total: about 6 h each day
1,750–2,650 maltitude along the trail
RMB 1,380per person from 6 people, with an English-speaking guide

The route

A high path, with a guesthouse every two to three hours

You start above Tiger Leaping Gorge Town (formerly Qiaotou) and follow the high trail to Tina's Guesthouse in the middle gorges. The night is at Tea Horse Guesthouse or a guesthouse nearby. No luggage transfer: you carry a small pack with what you need for one night.

Satellite view of Haba Snow Mountain with the two-day Tiger Leaping Gorge trek marked along its southern flank, from the starting point through Naxi Family, Tea Horse and Halfway guesthouses to the Middle Gorges, and the two-day Haba summit trek on the glacier side
The gorge trek runs along the flanks of Haba Snow Mountain, which we also offer: see the Haba climb below.

  1. Day 1Lijiang to Tea Horse Guesthouse

    • ≈ 08:00Leave Lijiang by private car.About two hours to the start of the high trail above Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, at 2,050 m, where your guide is waiting for you.
    • ≈ 3 h walkNaxi Family Guesthouse, 2,250 mLunch here, or from your own picnic.
    • ≈ 3 h walkOver the highest point, 2,650 m, to Tea Horse Guesthouse, 2,350 mDinner and the night, at Tea Horse or a guesthouse nearby.

    If the walk turns out too hard, we shorten it: we skip the first part, from the start of the gorge to Naxi Family Guesthouse, and sleep at Halfway Guesthouse or a guesthouse nearby instead.

  2. Day 2Tea Horse to Tina's, the gorge, then back by car

    • ≈ 2 h walkHalfway Guesthouse, 2,350 mA rest stop, with a drink or a snack.
    • ≈ 2 h walkHalfway to Tina's Guesthouse, 2,050 mLunch near Tina's, paid on the spot.
    • By carTina's to the Upper Gorges tourist siteThe car is waiting for you.
    • ≈ 2 h walkAfternoon: down to the river at the Upper Gorges tourist site, and back upThe place where you get closest to the river and the rapids. About 150 m down, from 1,900 m to 1,750 m, and the same climb back.
    • By carBack to LijiangOr on to Shangri-La, arranged with your guide for an extra fee.
Altitude profile of the two-day walk Altitude in metres against hours of walking. Start 2,050 m, Naxi Family Guesthouse 2,250 m, highest point 2,650 m, Tea Horse Guesthouse 2,350 m after about 6 hours, Halfway Guesthouse 2,350 m, Tina's Guesthouse 2,050 m after about 10 hours, with lunch. Then a short drive to the Upper Gorges tourist site at 1,900 m, and a two-hour walk down to the river at 1,750 m and back up. 2,6002,4002,2002,0001,800 0 h2 h4 h 6 h8 h10 h12 h DAY 1 DAY 2 Trailhead 2,050 m Naxi Family GH2,250 m High point2,650 m Tea Horse GH2,350 m · night Halfway GH2,350 m Tina's GH2,050 m · lunch By car Upper Gorges1,900 m to 1,750 m
Altitude against hours of walking, sketched from the route map. Altitudes at the guesthouses are exact; the path between them is drawn by eye.
Three goats crossing rocks on the trail, with two hikers behind them and the narrow path cut into the cliff above
Locals with the right of way. The trail cuts across the cliff face behind.
A group of seven hikers in front of the Tea Horse Trade Guesthouse, with the Jade Dragon range behind
Tea Horse Guesthouse, where you spend the night.
Six hikers leaning on the red lettered HALFWAY railing, with the gorge wall rising behind them
Halfway Guesthouse, on day 2.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The wall across the gorge changes colour as the day ends

On a clear evening the range goes from grey to gold to orange within minutes. Your night is on the trail, so you are there to see it.

The Jade Dragon range in afternoon light under scattered cloud
Afternoon
The Jade Dragon range lit gold by the low sun
Golden hour
The Jade Dragon range glowing orange under a pink cloud
Alpenglow
The Jade Dragon range turning purple at dusk
Dusk

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The trek

A private trek with an English-speaking local guide

I book everything for you: the car, the room and the guide. Your group walks on its own, never mixed with other travellers. You pay one price per person, and it falls as the group grows because the car and the guide are shared.

Guided, private group

Two days with your guide

  • Private transfers: a driver meets you in Lijiang at about 8:00 and takes you back at the end of day 2
  • An English-speaking local guide for both days, who waits for you at the start of the trek
  • One night at Tea Horse Guesthouse or a guesthouse nearby
  • Park entrance ticket
  • Breakfast on day 2
  • Guide fee and lodging covered. No tip expected.

Not included

  • Lunches, dinner and breakfast on day 1, paid directly at the guesthouses, so bring snacks for the walking
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Mule or horse rides and paid photo spots on the trail
  • Walking gear and travel insurance
Your own insurance is required. Every walker needs travel insurance covering medical care and emergency evacuation. I ask for the policy details before departure, and you sign a short waiver.
Price per person in RMB for the two-day trek, by group size
Group sizePrice per person
2 or 3 peopleRMB 1,680
4 or 5 peopleRMB 1,530
6 or more peopleRMB 1,380

Prices are in RMB, per person, for the whole two days, for a private group of two or more. Lunches and dinner are not included. During Chinese public holidays the trail is very crowded: add RMB 200 per person, and avoid those dates if you can.

Questions

Before you book

How hard is the walk?

Moderate. Day 1 is about six hours on foot with a steady climb up to 2,650 m and some steep stretches. Day 2 is about six hours, including the walk down to the river and back up (about 150 m each way). You need normal fitness and sturdy shoes. The path runs along steep slopes with drops, so it is not for anyone uneasy with heights.

If it turns out too hard, we can shorten the trek: we skip the first part, from the start of the gorge to Naxi Family Guesthouse, and sleep at Halfway Guesthouse or a guesthouse nearby instead.

When is the best time to go?

The gorge can be walked all year. October to May gives the clearest views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Summer is the rainy season, and steep slopes are more exposed to rockfall after heavy rain.

Avoid China's national holiday weeks, 1–7 October and 1–5 May, when the guesthouses are full.

Add RMB 200 per person in those weeks, so avoid them if you can.

What do I carry?

A day pack with what you need for one night: a warm layer, a rain jacket, water, snacks for lunch and a charger. Walking poles help on the descents. Leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Lijiang. There is no luggage transfer: everything you need for the two days goes in your pack.

Are meals included?

Breakfast on day 2 is included. Lunches, dinner and breakfast on day 1 are paid directly at the guesthouses along the way. Bring snacks for the walking days.

Where do we sleep?

At Tea Horse Guesthouse or a guesthouse nearby of the same standard. In busy weeks the best-known ones are often full, so we choose an equivalent one.

Will I walk with other travellers?

No. The trek is private: only your group, from two people.

Can I ride a mule or a horse?

On some stretches of the trail, notably at the 28 Bends, you can ride a mule or a horse for an extra fee, paid on the spot.

Does the guide speak English?

Yes, your guide speaks English.

Do I need insurance?

Yes. Every walker needs their own travel insurance covering medical care and emergency evacuation or rescue. I ask for the policy details before departure, and you sign a short waiver that explains the risks of walking in the mountains.

Can I finish in Shangri-La?

Yes. On day 2, arrange the transport to Shangri-La directly with your guide; it is paid separately.

How far ahead should I book?

As early as you can for the national holiday weeks. At other times, write to me with your dates; last-minute requests are sometimes possible.

Can I go down to the Middle Gorge?

No. The Middle Gorge section, reached by the side path from Teacher Zhang's, is currently closed to hikers for safety reasons. It is not part of this route.

What if the trail is closed or the weather turns?

Conditions change, especially after heavy rain. I confirm the route and the guesthouses before each departure and tell you if the plan has to change. The Middle Gorge section is currently closed to hikers for safety reasons; it is not part of this route.

Yannick, smiling, in front of the rapids of the Jinsha River

Who is behind this

I'm Yannick, a Frenchman living in Yunnan

I put these two days together myself. I book the car, the guesthouse and the guide, and I answer your questions before you book.

I also organise treks elsewhere in Yunnan and Sichuan. Tiger Leaping Gorge is a good first taste. If you want more, see what else I can arrange.

Two hikers sitting on a rock above the gorge, with the green slopes and the river far below and cloud over the peaks
On the high trail, above the gorge.

Beyond the gorge

Two days is the short version

If you have more time, I organise longer treks across Yunnan and Sichuan and can build one around your dates, your fitness and your budget.

Haba Snow Mountain summit

A three-day climb to a 5,396 m summit, the entry-level 5,000 m peak that faces Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across the gorge.

See the Haba climb

Mount Siguniang

The "Alps of the East" in Sichuan: a high-altitude trek and climb in a spectacular range, for walkers who want a real mountain.

See the Siguniang climb

A trek built for you

Tell me when you travel and how many days you have. I will suggest a route in Yunnan or Sichuan.

Tell me about your trip

Enquire

Ask about this trek, or a longer one

Tell me your dates and the size of your group. I reply by email with availability and a quote, and I can suggest longer treks if you are interested.

You can also write to book@tigerleapinggorgetrek.com.