During one of my many trips to Lijiang, I took a couple of days to go trekking at Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡), which turned out to be the most breathtaking experience I’ve had in China so far.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is the name given to the canyons carved by the Yangtze River, located 60 km from Lijiang, in Yunnan Province, China. These canyons are among the highest river gorges in the world, reaching an altitude of 2,000 meters.
According to legend, a tiger, in an attempt to escape a hunter, leapt across the gorge at its narrowest point (25-30 meters wide). That’s how it got its name. Here, I’ll share my two-day experience hiking through Tiger Leaping Gorge. Let’s begin:
How to get to the Tiger Leaping Gorge?
From Lijiang, one of Yunnan’s most fascinating destinations, there are two main ways to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge:
1. Take a car or taxi directly to the bottom of the gorge.
This is the quickest and most convenient option. You’ll be able to reach the most dramatic viewpoint, take a few photos, and return the same day. However, you’ll miss many of the incredible landscapes that make the gorge so special.
2. Hike the full Tiger Leaping Gorge trail.
You can take a shared minivan to the start of the trek, either at the Ticket Office or Naxi Village. From there begins one of the most spectacular hikes in China: a two-day journey through mountains, cliffside paths, and remote villages, with breathtaking views of the Yangtze River accompanying you along the way. The trail eventually descends to the lowest point of the gorge, right on the riverbank.
Shared Van from Lijiang to Shangri-La via Tiger Leaping Gorge
In 2025, I returned to Lijiang and decided to do this incredible trek once again. We quickly found a shared van that took us to the trailhead. We also arranged for them to store our large backpacks, since we planned to hike with smaller daypacks, and deliver them the following day to the end of the trail at Tina’s Guesthouse. As an added bonus, we agreed to continue directly to Shangri-La after completing the hike.
The drive from Lijiang to the starting point takes around two hours. I recommend leaving early in the morning, as traffic can become heavy due to the large number of Chinese tourists visiting the lower viewpoint of the gorge. Once you’ve purchased your entrance ticket (50 RMB), there’s only one thing left to do: start the adventure.
If you need help finding and booking this shared van, you can check out my detailed guide where I explain the entire process step by step.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking: First day of route
It is easy to follow the hiking route. You will only have to look at the map very occasionally to know more or less where you are and how much you have left. In addition, you will almost always be accompanied by a couple of villagers with their donkeys ready to take you and/or your backpack in case of exhaustion.
They are quite useful for older people or for those who travel with a lot of luggage. If you need them, give them some advice, negotiate and bargain as much as you can, although you’ll need someone who speaks Chinese for that.
As I was travelling solo, I wanted to find some hiking companions rather than tackle the entire trail on my own. Luckily, I ended up starting the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek with the same people I had shared the minivan with: an American couple and an English traveller.
During the first stretch of the hike, however, conversation was almost non-existent. My companions were determined to keep a brisk pace, rarely stopping for photos or to take in the spectacular scenery around us. Their goal was simple: keep moving.
Naxi village, first stop for lunch
We set off at around 10 a.m. and reached the first Naxi village shortly before noon. Most hikers stop there for lunch, making it the perfect place to take a break, refuel, and enjoy the mountain views before continuing along the trail.
My companions decided not to do it so I took the opportunity to stay and try to meet another group. I immediately joined a group of four English guys, an American and his Chinese girlfriend. All were my age. Without a doubt I did well, with them the trip was more enjoyable and fun.
The hardest section: the 28 bends
We continued our uphill climb and went to the hardest stretch, the “28 curves”, which consists of climbing the peak of a mountain 2670 meters high. The climb is hard, but once you reach the highest point of the road you realize that just for the views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) has been worth the trip.
From there, start the descent to the Half Way Guest House and the countdown to get there before dark. This hostel is the most common place to spend the night to be, as its name suggests, just halfway and to have the most spectacular views.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking: Second day of route
Tina’s Guesthouse is also the usual pickup point for many of the shared vans heading onward to Shangri-La or back to Lijiang. Even so, it’s a good idea to exchange WeChat contacts with the driver or agency beforehand to confirm the exact pickup time and location. This simple step can save you from any confusion and give you peace of mind, knowing exactly where to go once you’ve completed the trek.
Once we have finished eating and bought my return ticket to Lijiang, we start the last descent, the most vertical, towards the throat. After a rather dizzying descent we finally reached the lowest point of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Thanks to a mini tibetan bridge (not very safe at first sight), you can stand on a giant rock right in the middle of the river rapids.
It’s very impressive to be among those huge mountains and just a few meters from those noisy rapids. However, when you return, you realize that, like many other things, in the end the most important and rewarding thing was not the final destination but the entire journey.
Important: As of 23 July 2025, the Tibetan Bridge is closed due to construction works.
If you are doing the trek and find it open, I would really appreciate it if you could let me know so I can update this information. Thank you!
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Good news! Citizens of Spain and many other European countries can currently travel to China visa-free for up to 30 days. This policy has been extended until the end of 2026.
I also offer a private driver booking service anywhere in China. Simply let me know your departure point, destination, travel dates, and the number of travelers, and I’ll help arrange everything for you.
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I also invite you to read the reviews from our travelers, where you’ll discover their experiences and learn what it’s like to explore Yunnan with us. You may also find useful information in our Frequently Asked Questions section.
Helpful Articles for Planning Your China Trip
- The Best Apps for Traveling in China: 11 Essential Tools
- China Travel Guide: Practical Tips and Useful Information
- What to See in Yunnan: 10 Must-Visit Places
- Living in China: Daily Life and Cultural Curiosities
If you found this article about Tiger Leaping Gorge helpful, feel free to leave a comment, share it with other travelers, or recommend it to friends planning a trip to China.
See you in China!
Home is now behind you, the world is ahead.
– J. R. R. Tolkien –
Hi, I’m Marcos.
I’ve been travelling around Asia since 2011 and have spent much of that time living in China, learning Chinese and exploring the country independently.
On Sin Destino Aparente, you’ll find practical travel guides, firsthand experiences and useful tips to help you plan your own adventure.
I currently live in Phuket, Thailand, and organize personalized trips to China for travellers looking to discover the country beyond the usual tourist routes.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me:
contacto@sindestinoaparente.com
Inst: marcossinpolo
