‣ Why Begin Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour

As the deepest gorge in the world, the scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge is spectacular. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s and now Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour has been one of the most famous hiking tour all around the world. From the top of Tiger Leaping Gorge, you can look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Jinsha River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters below. Naturally Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge.

‣ Where is Tiger Leaping Gorge

About 100 km north from Lijiang, the Gorge is precisely located between the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山, in the Yulong Naxi County, part of the city-prefecture area of Lijiang) and the Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山, in the the Shangri-La County, part of the Diqing prefecture). 

‣ Legend about Tiger Leaping Gorge

It is said that a hunter was chasing a tiger through the gorge many years ago. When it reached the narrowest point the tiger leapt across the Jinsha River, escaping the furious hunter. The rock where the tiger made its jump is now an iconic viewing point.

There is another legend that a rich Lijiang ruler, Lord Mu, rode on his tiger to go along the side of Jinsha River one day. He and tiger went to a relatively narrow area, the tiger leaped to a large rock in the center of the river. The tiger landed but Lord Mu was not landing at the same time and had dropped into a rolling river. Time has passed, there left a tiger leaping stone for future generations.

‣ Before Your Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour

• Best Time to Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge

Between April and June and the autumn time during September to October is the best time to travel. During these two periods it is suitable to go hiking on the Tiger Leaping Gorge, also can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenery. The late spring and early summer the temperature is moderate, flowers on the meadow blooming like a piece of brocade which is charming.

*Avoiding June to Septemper - because it is the rain season which is dangerous and unsafety of the hiking route. Rain makes the rocks slippery and the path muddy. Walking over a fresh rockslide might be tricky.

• Recommended Visit Time

It is recommended to take 3 to 4 days to walk inside the Gorge and enjoy the scenery. It is definitely a good plan if you have enough time to walk on side ways, linger under the sun and chat with local people. Yunnan Adventure Travel has rich experience in working out Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking plan and offers professional English tour guide, please contact us to design your Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking tour without hesitation.

‣ Recommended Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Routes

‣ What to Visit in Tiger Leaping Gorge

• Middle Tiger Leaping Stone

This sight is located more than 500 meters vertically down from Tina's Guesthouse.

• Daju Ferry

Daju is situated past Walnut Grove at the northeast end of Tiger Leaping Gorge, on a large flat shelf of land on the opposite side of the Jinsha River from the Tiger Leaping Gorge trails.

• Walnut Grove

Along the Low Road, Walnut Grove is a peaceful village where hikers used to spend a night on the way to Daju or Haba.

‣‣‣ More Attractions in Tiger Leaping Gorge

‣ What to Eat in Tiger Leaping Gorge

All of the guesthouses provide local food and simple western food because it has been a long history of Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking for international tourists.These tourists taught local people how to cook western food with local food.So it is very convenient to enjoy very nice food along the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

‣ Recommended Hostels in Tiger Leaping Gorge

‣ Transportation of Tiger Leaping Gorge

There are two buses depart (8:00 and 8:30) from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town directly. Or you can take bus from Lijiang to Shangri-La County, and drop off at Tiger Leaping Gorge Town.There are many buses from Shangri-La County to Lijiang, getting off at Tiget Leaping Gorge Town.

‣ Travel Tips of Tiger Leaping Gorge

• Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tips

• While trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge, watch out for the slippery stone paths. Skid-resistant shoes are recommended to avoid accidents.

• You can travel lightly. Meals, drinks and accommodations are available. The inns may not provide clean sheets, so you might want to take sheets. Be sure to have rain gear of some kind and a canteen or water bottle.

• Though the trail is well used, it is safer not to hike it alone. It might be best to travel with a partner or in a group. If you get hurt, a partner can help. Hospitals and clinics in the area may not have someone who speaks English. It is easier to get lost if you are alone. Yunnan Adventure Travel offers professional English tour guides who have rich experience in Tiger Leaping Gorge HIking Tour. If you are interested in Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour, please contact us to design your private tour.

• Surrounded Snow Mountains

• Haba Snow Mountain

The forth high mountain in Yunnan Province, famous snow mountain in mountaineering club in the world.

• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The 13 peaks of 18,360-foot Jade Dragon (Yu Long) Snow Mountain, a treasure of wild plants and rare animals, are like a silver dragon lying in the clouds.