Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Guide | A Life-Changing Canyon Adventure You Must Experience

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of China's deepest canyons, located at the border between Shangri-La City and Lijiang City in Yunnan's Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It's famous for its steep, magnificent natural scenery and world-class hiking trails. Here's a detailed travel guide: --- ### **1. Basic Information** - **Entrance Fee**: 45 yuan/person (may change during peak season) - **Opening Hours**: - Peak season (May-November): 7:00-19:00 - Off-peak season (December-April): 7:30-18:00 - **Best Time to Visit**: April-June (late spring to early summer), September-October (autumn), avoid the rainy season from June to September - **Altitude**: 1,800-2,600 meters, generally no altitude sickness --- ### **2. Transportation** **From Lijiang** - **Bus**: Daily buses from Lijiang Bus Station to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town (Qiaotou), fare about 20-40 yuan, 2-hour journey - **Private car**: Round trip about 200-500 yuan, suitable for group sharing - **Self-driving**: Follow G214 National Highway, about 80 km, 2 hours to arrive **From Shangri-La** - **Bus**: Buses from Shangri-La Bus Station to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, fare about 50 yuan, 2.5-hour journey - **Private car**: One-way about 600-700 yuan, suitable for in-depth exploration **Transportation within the Scenic Area** - **Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge**: Can walk or take scenic area shuttle (some sections have escalators) - **Middle and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge**: Require hiking, some sections are challenging --- ### **3. Main Attractions** - **Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge**: The most developed area, features the iconic "Tiger Leaping Stone," suitable for regular tourists - **Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge**: A paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with challenging sections like "Sky Slit" and "Sky Ladder" - **Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge**: More gentle terrain, fewer tourists, ideal for in-depth hiking --- ### **4. Recommended Hiking Routes** **Classic 2-Day Hiking Route** - **Day 1**: Qiaotou → Naxi Yage → 24 Bends → Tea Horse Inn → Halfway Guesthouse - **Day 2**: Halfway → Tina's → Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge → Walnut Garden → Daju (cross river by boat) **Light Half-Day Hike** - Visit only Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, round trip on the plank road takes about 2-3 hours --- ### **5. Accommodation Recommendations** - **Qiaotou Town**: Budget accommodations (80-150 yuan/night), suitable for the first night - **Halfway Guesthouse**: Hikers' favorite, beds 40-80 yuan/person - **Riverside Guesthouses**: Such as "Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge Mountain River View Guesthouse," offering pickup services --- ### **6. Important Notes** - **Hiking Gear**: Non-slip hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, high-calorie snacks - **Safety Tips**: Landslides are common during rainy season (June-September), proceed with caution - **Ticket Discounts**: Available for students, seniors, military personnel, etc. --- Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for tourists with different needs, whether for casual sightseeing or in-depth hiking, you can experience its magnificent scenery. It's recommended to plan your route in advance and choose appropriate transportation and accommodation for the best experience!