1. Tour Overview
As one of the top ten deepest canyons in China, Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its majestic scenery and unique natural landscapes. The following passages will focus on how to plan a good tourist route for Tiger Leaping Gorge. At the same time, some tourist precautions will be emphasized so that tourists can save time and maximize their tourism flexibility, thus having a great tourism experience.
2. Why Is Tiger Leaping Gorge Famous?
Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Hutiaoxia Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous region, between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, 80 kilometers away from the urban area of Lijiang City. It is also one of the top ten most beautiful canyons in China. The canyon is 17 kilometers long, with a vertical drop of more than 3,900 meters. It is divided into three sections: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. The south bank is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with the main peak at an altitude of 5,596 meters. The north bank is Haba Snow Mountain, with an altitude of 5,396 meters. The river water becomes extremely turbulent in the canyon. The narrowest point is only more than 20 meters, the cliffs on both sides are with a majestic momentum. Tiger Leaping Gorge is not only a paradise for nature lovers but also an excellent place for hiking and photography. In June 2009, it was rated as a 4A-level tourist attraction in China and has also attracted many domestic and foreign tourists to visit this natural wonder, so it is very worth a visit.
3. Hightlights About Tiger Leaping Gorge
In the scenic area of Tiger Leaping Gorge, the elevation of the gorge entrance is 1800 meters. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the south bank is 5596 meters above sea level, and the Haba Snow Mountain on the north bank is 5386 meters above sea level, plus a highway running through the entire gorge and a walking path above the highway, so the sightseeing is very spectacular.
Since the distance between the upper gorge entrance and the lower gorge entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge is only 16 kilometers, while the drop reaches 220 meters and the average slope is 13.8%. Therefore, the spectacular scenery here is very worth visiting as the section of the Jinsha River with the most concentrated drop. The following passages will mainly introduce the hiking routes of Tiger Leaping Gorge for tourists' reference, striving to bring more constructive tourism plans for travel enthusiasts.
3.1 Facts About Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Itineraries
As Tiger Leaping Gorge gathers scenes such as snow-capped mountains, canyons, and rivers, and it is also at the core area of Three Parallel Rivers natural heritage. The Three Parallel Rivers refer to the magnificent scenery where the Jinsha River flows in parallel with the Lancang River and Nu River.
Consequently, the hiking route in Tiger Leaping Gorge is known as "one of the top ten classic hiking routes in the world" and it is a world-class hiking holy land. This route starts from Lengdu Village, Tiger Leaping Gorge Town. Along the way, Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stand facing each other. During the hike process, there exist landscapes such as high mountains, torrents, canyons, and snow-capped mountains. You can also enjoy quiet period in the mountain inns along the way and feel the unique cultural features of ethnic minorities.
3.2 Which Section to Visit?
Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge
It is the narrowest section in the entire canyon, this is one of the most spectacular scenes of Tiger Leaping Gorge, the river surface is only more than 20 meters wide. In the middle of the river stands a huge rock, it is about 13 meters high and there is the huge rock divides the torrent into two. Based on the record in the legend, a fierce tiger once jumped to the other side by relying on this huge rock, so it is named Tiger Leaping Rock, Tiger Leaping Gorge is also named after it. Standing on the viewing platform, tourists can enjoy the towering waves that are even more magnificent than those of Hukou Waterfall. The river water frantically beats the reefs, making a deafening roar, forming a visual and auditory feast,which is a unmissable destination.
Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge
It is well-known as "Starry Sky". It is characterized by densely distributed reefs and towering cliffs on both sides, its breathtaking eeriness can be comparable to that of Wuxia Gorge in Chongqing. The Jinsha River drops more than 100 meters within a section of less than 5 kilometers, just like a black dragon breaking through passes and barriers, it rushes around with raging waves hitting the shore and turbid waves surging. There are 18 dangerous shoals and the rock walls on both sides,they seem to be cut by knives and axes with breathtaking views. At present, Middle Tiger Leaping is an undeveloped area and can only be entered through the wall-mounted ladder and cliff path, full of unknowns and dangers. This kind of primitive and wild beauty has attracted countless explorers and photography enthusiasts to come and challenge.
Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge
In sharp contrast to the surging waves of Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge and Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, the Jinsha River is much calmer in the section of Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. The thrills of the canyon gradually disappear.You can spot a wide field of vision and the river is as calm as a mirror. Tourists can overlook the beautiful scenery of Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and feel the tranquility and magnificence of nature.
3.3 How To Plan A Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour?
The main transportation methods to Tiger Leaping Gorge mainly include self-driving, chartering a car, taking public transportation and walking.
Self-driving: Start from Lijiang and drive about 40 kilometers along Lize Expressway, and then enter the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area through Kunming-Lijiang Expressway. The whole journey takes about 2 hours.
Chartering a car: It is also a good choice, the price ranges from 300 to 500RMB, and the whole journey takes about 2 hours.
Public transportation: You can take a shuttle bus to Tiger Leaping Gorge at Lijiang Long-distance Bus Station. The ticket price is between 40 and 60RMB, and the whole journey takes about 3 hours.
Walking: Start from Lijiang urban area. The whole journey is about 15 kilometers. The scenery along the way is beautiful, but it really requires certain physical strength and endurance.
In addition, there are shuttle buses to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge at Lijiang Passenger Transport Terminal. The departure time is 8 am and 9:30 am respectively. It is recommended to take the early bus.
3.3.1 What Difficulties Does It exist In Visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge?
High Altitude Challenges:
Some areas of Tiger Leaping Gorge have a relatively high altitude, which may cause altitude sickness such as headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. This will affect the physical condition and walking speed of hikers. Especially for those without high-altitude hiking experience, it is a greater challenge. In addition, the air in high-altitude areas is relatively thin and has higher requirements for cardiopulmonary function, tourists may feel more tired than in low-altitude areas during hiking.
Complex Terrain
The roads in the canyon are rugged with many steep slopes, narrow plank roads and irregular stone steps. Climbing these terrains requires good physical strength and balance. If you are not careful, you may slip or sprain. Some sections may have loose rocks and sand, increasing the difficulty and danger of walking.
Changeable Weather
The weather in Tiger Leaping Gorge is changeable. It may be sunny one moment and then cloudy, rainy or even torrential rain soon. Sudden rainfall will make the road slippery, increasing the difficulty of hiking and may also lead to natural disasters such as mountain torrents. Strong winds are also a common weather phenomenon. When walking in the canyon, you may be affected by strong winds, making walking unstable and even at risk of being blown off the cliff.
Rapid River
The hiking route may pass near some rivers. The Jinsha River has a rapid flow in the canyon. If you accidentally get close to the river, you may be swept into the river by the impact of the river water, especially when the river is rising, it is more dangerous.
Physical Condition
High physical exertion: The hiking route in Tiger Leaping Gorge is relatively long, and it requires a lot of physical strength to complete the whole journey on foot. For people who lack exercise usually, they may feel extremely tired on the way and find it difficult to persevere and complete the whole journey.
Hiking with a backpack will further increase physical exertion. Long-term walking with a load may cause pain in the shoulders, back and waist.
Prone to injury: Due to the complex terrain and high intensity of hiking, hikers are prone to accidental injuries such as sprains, abrasions and falls. If you do not carry enough first aid medicine and tools for treating wounds, the injury may be aggravated. Long-term walking may cause blisters on the soles of the feet, affecting the comfort and speed of walking.
Difficulty in replenishment: There are relatively few supply points on the hiking route, especially in some remote sections. If you do not prepare enough food and water in advance, you may face problems of hunger and thirst on the way. The prices of commodities at some supply points may be relatively high, increasing the cost of hiking.
Inconvenient communication: The signal is poor in some areas of Tiger Leaping Gorge, and there may be a situation where your mobile phone doesn’t work. In case of emergencies, it is difficult to contact the outside world in time and seek help.
Risk of getting lost: If you do not plan the route well or are not familiar with the road, it is easy to get lost in the canyon. Especially in places with many forks, the wrong choice may lead to deviating from the hiking route and increasing unnecessary troubles and dangers.
3.3.2 Useful Travel Tips For Visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge
When the tourists get involved in activities in Tiger Leaping Gorge, here are some tips to help you better enjoy this trip:
Safety: The terrain of Tiger Leaping Gorge is complex and the roads are rugged. Especially in the area of the Dashinsengou Waterfall between Walnut Garden and Zhongxia Hotel, there will be falling rocks sometimes,which make it very dangerous. Therefore, tourists should be careful, abide by the safety regulations in the scenic area, and do not venture into undeveloped areas.
Prepare appropriate equipment: Since Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in a high-altitude area with a large temperature difference between day and night, it is recommended to bring warm clothing such as coats, down jackets, gloves, and non-slip boots and suitable hiking shoes. At the same time, due to the strong ultraviolet radiation, tourists should prepare the gadgets like sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses, enough cold-proof clothing is also a must.
Pay attention to the weather: The weather changes in Tiger Leaping Gorge may affect travel plans. During the rainy season (from June to September every year), mudslides and falling rocks in the mountains are prone to occur in Tiger Leaping Gorge, it is recommended not to go. As a result, it is very necessary to check the weather forecast in advance and prepare corresponding clothing and protective equipment according to the weather conditions.
Know your limits: Hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge requires a certain amount of physical strength and endurance. If you go hiking, you need to climb thousands of steps, which is more suitable for hiking enthusiasts. For general tourists, you can choose to take the automatic sightseeing escalator for a tour. In this way, you can easily reach the core tourist area of the scenic area and avoid excessive fatigue.
Respect nature: Do not litter everywhere and pick flowers and trees in the scenic area during the tour, smoking is prohibited.
Arrange time reasonably: The opening hours of Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area are from 8:30 to 17:30. Please arrange the tour time reasonably according to the tour route to avoid missing the closing time of the scenic area.
Understand transportation information: Plan the transportation route to Tiger Leaping Gorge in advance and understand relevant information about public transportation or self-driving to ensure that you can arrive at and leave the scenic area smoothly.
3.3.3 How long Does It Take To Hike In Tiger Leaping Gorge?
Completing the hiking route of Tiger Leaping Gorge usually takes several hours to the whole day, the specific time depends on the route you choose and your hiking speed. Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into upper, middle and lower parts. You can choose a suitable route according to your own preferences and time. If you choose the high-altitude hiking route, this journey is about 22 kilometers and needs to be completed in two days. Hike about 10 kilometers on the first day and then hike for about 5 hours on the second day.
Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge is the essence of high-altitude hiking. You need to take the high-altitude routes of Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge and Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. This journey is about 22 kilometers and needs to be completed in two days. Hiking about 10 kilometers on the first day and then hiking for about 5 hours on the second day. Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for leisure hikers,you can choose to take an elevator or a human sedan chair to easily enjoy the canyon scenery. If you like challenges, you can choose to hike and feel the charm of nature. Lower Tiger Leaping is relatively ordinary in scenery because the views on both sides of the canyon are wide, there is a flat lake emerging from a high gorge, and the water flow is slow without a drop, so few tourists go there.
4. Best Time to Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge
This place is suitable for visiting in all seasons, but the best time is spring and autumn every year, that is from April to June and from September to November respectively. During this period, the climate is mild and there is less rainfall, also the canyon scenery is the most magnificent. The mountains are full of blooming flowers in spring and the forests are dyed layer by layer in autumn, so both seasons are the good time to take beautiful pictures for travel enthusiasts. The admission fee for Tiger Leaping Gorge is 45 RMB.
5. Accommodation Tips
5.1 Where To Eat?
When you travel in Tiger Leaping Gorge, the choice of accommodation and food is an important part of the travel experience. The following are some suggestions.
Accommodation suggestions: There are many hotels, homestays and youth hostels to choose from Tiger Leaping Gorge Town with prices ranging from dozens of yuan to several hundred yuan.
Food recommendations: Many local specialties such as roasted whole lamb, yogurt, grilled fish are recommended. These delicacies can not only satisfy your taste buds, but also let you better experience the local customs.
In addition, please remember to book accommodation in advance, especially during the peak tourist season so as to avoid the situation of full rooms.
5.2 What To Pack(Safety And Practicalities)?
The climate of Tiger Leaping Gorge belongs to temperate and cold temperate monsoon climate. The annual average temperature is 4.7℃ - 16.5℃, the annual extreme maximum temperature is 25.1℃ and the minimum temperature is -27.4℃. There is a saying goes " There are four seasons in a mountain with different climate in not far places".
Due to the large temperature changes in the scenic area, it is necessary to add or remove clothes in time and pay attention to keeping warm. When you first arrive at Tiger Leaping Gorge, do not do strenuous exercise to avoid altitude sickness. At the same time, it is recommended to prepare waterproof backpacks, windbreakers, quick-drying clothes and trousers, trekking poles, sunscreen, outdoor gloves and other items before departure.
6. The Possible Benefits of Visiting with Yes! CN Tour
Assisting you to enjoy a time-saving and convenient visit in Tiger Leaping Gorge, we highly recommend you travel with us Yes! CN Tour.
Guided tours are led by knowledgeable and experienced tour guides who provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and significance of the places you visit. Therefore, joining a guided tour offers a hassle-free, enriching, and socially engaging way to explore the world. It’s an excellent choice for those who value convenience, expert insights, and the camaraderie of group travel. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-timer, a guided tour can provide a memorable and rewarding experience.
What's more, our local experienced drivers will serve you wholeheartedly from the beginning you arrive in the airport of tourism destinations to the last moment you want to leave, we focus on each detail and make tailor-made itineraries based on your group size, physical conditions and budgets. What you need to do is to concentrate on the highlights in the scenic spots.
Most importantly, traveling with a group and a professional guide can provide an added sense of security, especially in unfamiliar or remote locations, our tour guides are well-prepared to handle emergencies, and being part of a group reduces the risks associated with solo travel.Please don't hesitate to contact with us to create a more unforgettable journey.
7. Registration Requirements
Key Notes
Participants must demonstrate adequate physical fitness, possess proper gear, maintain discipline, and prioritize group cohesion throughout the trek. Solo detachments from the main group are strictly prohibited.
Light backpacking is enforced—personal essentials must be self-carried except during emergencies.
Individuals with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, respiratory issues, severe colds, or other conditions deemed unfit for high-altitude travel are excluded.
Physical Preparedness
This high-altitude route involves rugged terrain and basic lodging, so participants must be mentally and physically resilient.
Recommended Gear
Essentials: 45L backpack, thermal clothing (windbreakers, hiking boots), trekking poles.
Accessories: UV-blocking sunglasses (SPF 50+), reusable water bottle, rain gear.
Medical Kit: Altitude-sickness medication, gastrointestinal/cold remedies.
Emergency Food: High-calorie snacks (chocolate, beef jerky).
Altitude Sickness Prevention
Avoid strenuous activity initially, regulate diet and maintain hydration. Psychological resilience is critical for acclimatization.
Climate & Terrain
Temperature: Daily fluctuations up to 15°C; pack layered clothing (down jackets, wool sweaters).
UV Exposure: Use waterproof sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, and herbal anti-dryness supplements.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respect Tibetan customs in Diqing Prefecture; avoid cultural conflicts.
Health Restrictions
Prohibited for travelers over 70, pregnant individuals, or those with chronic illnesses (diabetes, asthma, etc.).
Miscellaneous
Group Size: Groups ≥8 receive dedicated guides; smaller groups are assisted by driver-guides.
Eco-Policies: Carry biodegradable packaging; dispose of waste properly.
