1 to 3 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Itineraries

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a popular hiking destination in China, and there are several different itineraries that can be taken to explore the gorge.

One day itinerary for hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge

Start the day early from Lijiang to Qiaotou by bus or by a private transfer.

Begin hiking from Qiaotou to the Middle Gorge. The trail is well-marked and passes through beautiful landscapes of mountains and rivers. The hike takes about 2-3 hours to reach the Middle Gorge.

Once you reach the Middle Gorge, take a break and enjoy the stunning views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Yangtze River.

After the break, continue hiking to the Lower Gorge. The trail is a bit steeper and more strenuous than the first part, but the views are even more breathtaking. The hike takes about 1-2 hours to reach the Lower Gorge.

Once you reach the Lower Gorge, take a break and enjoy the views of the Tiger Leaping Rock, which is said to be the spot where a tiger leapt across the river to escape from hunters.

After the break, hike back to Qiaotou. The hike back takes about 2-3 hours.

Once you reach Qiaotou, drive back to Lijiang or back to your starting point.

A 2-day itinerary for hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge would look something like this

Day 1: Start at the lower trailhead near the village of Qiaotou, Hike through the Lower Gorge, taking in views of the Jinsha River and the surrounding mountains, Stop for lunch at one of the small villages along the trail, Continue on to the Middle Gorge, where the trail becomes steeper and more challenging, End the day at the halfway guesthouse, where you can spend the night

Day 2: Start the day early to avoid the heat and crowds, Continue through the Middle and Upper Gorges, taking in the increasingly breathtaking views, Stop for lunch at one of the guesthouses along the trail, Finish the hike at the upper trailhead near the village of Daju, Return to your starting point by bus or taxi

3 days tiger leaping gorge hiking itinerary

Day 1: Start by taking a bus or taxi from Lijiang to Qiaotou (the starting point of the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike), Hike from Qiaotou to the Middle Gorge (about 4-5 hours of hiking), Stay overnight in a guesthouse in the Middle Gorge.

Day 2: Continue hiking from the Middle Gorge to the Lower Gorge (about 4-5 hours of hiking), Stay overnight in a guesthouse in the Lower Gorge.

Day 3: Hike from the Lower Gorge to Tina's Guesthouse (about 2-3 hours of hiking), Take a bus or taxi from Tina's Guesthouse to Lijiang or back to your starting point.

4-Day Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking

Day 1: Drive from Lijiang to the town of Qiaotou, which is the starting point for the hike. Begin the hike in the morning from Qiaotou, and enter the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. This section of the trail is steep and can be challenging, with a lot of uphill climbing. However, the views of the gorge and surrounding mountains are stunning. After several hours of hiking, reach the Naxi Family Guesthouse in the upper gorge, where you can spend the night.

Day 2: Continue hiking through the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is narrower and steeper than the middle and lower sections. Reach the highest point of the hike, the 28 Bends, which is a series of switchbacks that take you up to an altitude of over 2,800 meters. After the 28 Bends, the trail flattens out somewhat, and you can enjoy the views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Snow Mountain. Spend the night at the Tea Horse Guesthouse in the middle section of the gorge.

Day 3: Hike through the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is wider and less steep than the upper section. See the famous Tiger Leaping Rock, where legend has it that a tiger once jumped across the gorge. Continue hiking to the Walnut Grove Guesthouse, where you can spend the night.

Day 4: Hike through the Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the easiest and most relaxed section of the hike. Enjoy the scenery of the Yangtze River and the surrounding farmland. Reach the end of the hike in the town of Daju, where you can take a bus or private car back to Lijiang.

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