Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour

Welcome to China. Today you will arrive in Lijiang, located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is an internationally renowned tourist city. With a total area of 20,600 square kilometers, it has a permanent population of 1.29 million. As soon as you arrive at the airport, you will find our local tour guide waiting for you, holding your name sign. In the following days, our professional tour guide will accompany you all the time. 

After picking you up at the airport, we will drive you to Lijiang Ancient Town, which was built in the late 13th century. It is located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, covering an area of 7.279 square kilometers. Having dense bridges is the biggest feature of Lijiang Ancient Town. And there are many tourist attractions here, including, Mufu Palace, Lion Hill, and Jinglian Temple. What’s more, when you come here, you can visit Sifang Street Square. Covering about one acre, it is in the center of Lijiang Ancient Town. Sifang Street Square is the best-preserved ancient square with ethnic characteristics in China. It is also the most important hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road (the important trade route in Southwest China in ancient times). As the center of economic and cultural exchanges of Lijiang, merchants from all over the world have gathered here since the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) Dynasties. After visiting Lijiang Ancient Town, you will be transferred to the hotel. All you need do is to have a good rest, and make preparations for your hiking tour tomorrow.

Here are some tips for your hiking tour:

1. Don't carry too much stuff, a small bag can do. You can just bring some money and 1-2 bottles of water. There will be water sold along the way. For people of average physical strength or worse, carrying too much stuff will delay your hiking, because the first day of the main journey is almost uphill all the way.

2. Tiger Leaping Gorge is located at a high altitude, the temperature difference between day and night is very large, there is a local saying that "You can experience four seasons in a day." It is recommended to bring both thick and light clothes, as well as anti-slip shoes. Some sun protective things and energy snacks are also recommended. 

3. Tiger Leaping Gorge is in the plateau area, so you’d better not walk too fast to avoid plateau reaction. 

4. It is better not to drink alcohol during the trekking tour, because doing so, plateau reaction might occur and it can be dangerous.

5. If you see animals like horses passing by during your hike, remember to give way to them to avoid unnecessary injuries.

6. Before going to bed at night, you can use hot water to soak your feet, which can ease the fatigue.

7. The best time to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge is in spring and summer, when the temperature is moderate, the meadows are full of flowers and the scenery is charming. And it’s also nice to come here at fall, about 20 days after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Because the Tiger Leaping Gorge will be filled with the color of fall, which is also magnificent.

Lijiang Ancient Town

Lijiang Ancient Town

Today our Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour will begin. Tiger Leaping Gorge trekking route is the only trekking route in China that is as famous as Nepal’s Annapurna Great Loop, Sweden’s Kusleiden, and Canada’s West Coast Trail. It is known as one of the 30 most beautiful classic trekking routes in the world. In order to have a comfortable trekking tour, you’d better prepare outdoor jackets, backpacks, climbing shoes in advance. What’s more, as Yunnan Province has strong ultraviolet rays, to avoid sunburn, you’d better carry sunscreen, sunglasses and hats. You can also take some chocolate and energy bars just in case you get hungry during the hike.

After breakfast, we will head west towards the First Bend of Yangtze River, about 56 kilometers away from the downtown of Lijiang City. It will be about an hour’s drive. The First Bend of Yangtze River is located between Shigu Town and Shangri-La County. The Yangtze River rushes down from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and enters Yunnan Province. Here, it suddenly makes a sharp turn of more than 100 degrees, forming a rare “V”-shaped bend. This is the first sharp bend that Yangtze River made, so this wonder is called the First Bend of Yangtze River, where you can appreciate the magnificence of nature.

After leaving here, we will drive northeast for about 1 hour to Tiger Leaping Gorge, about 50 kilometers away. Tiger Leaping Gorge, divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, is a famous grand gorge in the world. Tiger Leaping Gorge has a total length of 23 kilometers, and an altitude drop of more than 3,596 meters. Its breathtaking magnificence attracts tourists at home and abroad to take adventures here. In the following days, our trekking tour will revolve around Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is the upper section of the Tiger Leaping Gorge and the narrowest section of it. The Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is relatively easy to hike, and the hiking distance is relatively short.

You will start the upper Tiger Leaping Gorge trekking route at Qiaotou Ticket Office. In the beginning, there is a smooth section of the road. We will walk about 30 minutes on this road. Along the way, there are some small shops owned by local people. You can buy some water if you are thirsty. After continuing to walk for half an hour, we will climb the first mountain on the upper trekking route. Looking down from the mountain, you will see the First Bend of Yangtze River and lofty mountains in the distance, which is quite spectacular. After an hour, we will arrive at the top of this mountain. You will have some rest here. 

Then we will head for our next stop, Naxi Family Guesthouse, where you can see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance. It will take you about 2 hours to get here. Naxi Family Guesthouse, located in a village of Naxi Minority, is full of Naxi culture. As the name of the guesthouse indicates, the owners hope to give guests the experience of visiting Naxi people’s homes. You can drink a cup of mint tea or eat some organic food here. We will rest here for a while.

When you are ready, we will go to the third stop, 28 Bends. The 28 Bends is the must-pass place when you are hiking at the Tiger Leaping Gorge. It covers a total length of about 3 kilometers, and is an uphill road. This section of uphill road has many 60-degree sections, making it the most exciting part of the whole journey. Each turning point has a stone with a number on it. It will be the most time-consuming and energy-consuming part. You will probably have to stop a few times and have some energy bars or drink some water. After the 28 Bends, the rest of today’s hike will be easy for you.

About 2 hours later, we will arrive at today’s last stop, Halfway Guesthouse, and stay here for one night. It is the oldest inn in Tiger Leaping Gorge. And the building of the inn is dominated by wood products, which make it distinctive. Halfway Guesthouse is operated by local residents, who are all good at English. You can talk with them in English. What’s more, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain here. In the evening, all you need to do is to have a good rest. Tomorrow we will continue our trekking tour.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

First Bend of Yangtze River

After eating breakfast in the Halfway Guesthouse, we will continue our trekking tour. We will first hike from Halfway Guesthouse to Tina’s Guesthouse, where you can take a short break. Although this section of the path is mountain-surrounded, it is smooth. So you can walk through this path easily. Along the way, you might encounter many mules and goats. Sometimes, maybe you will have to give way to them. More interestingly, you will go through two waterfalls. About 1.5 to 2 hours later, you will get to Tina’s Guesthouse. 

After the break in Tina’s Guesthouse, we will head towards the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. The path to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge is a bit energy-consuming. But it will be worth it, since you can not only listen to the sound of surging rivers, but also see the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the way. We will walk for about 2 hours to get there. 

When you arrive at Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, you will visit many beautiful tourist attractions. One of them is Jinsha River flowing through here. Jinsha River is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It got its name because of the color of the sandy soil in the river (Jinsha in Chinese means golden sand). After rushing thousands of miles, Jinsha River suddenly encounters the obstacles of Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains. This originally calm and peaceful river becomes furious, forming the largest gorge along the Yangtze River between the two mountains. And the best place to view this landscape is during your hike on Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, so during your trip of hiking, make sure you look around and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Then, your next stop is One-line Sky. The distance between the cliffs above your head here is the narrowest part of the entire Tiger Leaping Gorge. And the distance between is only about 20 meters. Because the peaks are high, the gorge is deep, and the cliffs on both sides are close to each other, you can just see a long and narrow gap of the blue sky when you stand on the riverside, so it is called “One-line Sky”. The small road leading to the One-line Sky area is located at the center of Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. It has been about twenty years since the road was built in June 2002. And it is popular among hikers eversince.

Next, you will go to Walnut Garden. Located between Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, it is a small mountain village with only a few households. There are full of walnut trees planted in front of and behind the houses, so it got its name “Walnut Garden”. Looking around, the hillside is full of greenery. Tourists who come to the Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike will all pass by Walnut Garden, no matter which route they pick. Going out of Walnut Garden you will reach Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, and you can see that the mouth of the gorge is gradually opening up, which means you are about to reach the end of the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike.

After visiting Walnut Garden, we will check in the Tibet Guesthouse, a Tibetan-style guesthouse. Tibet Guesthouse, surrounded by green plants, has beautiful scenery. And the food there is made with pollution-free organic ingredients. There are nice facilities, including coffee shops, bars, and tea rooms. What’s more, you will have a comfortable room here, which will help you relieve the fatigue after a one-day trekking tour. Take a good rest here, tomorrow we will explore other interesting places. 

Jinsha River

Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast, you will leave Tibet Guesthouse and begin your hiking tour today. You will go to Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. There is a huge deep trench with a depth of one kilometer along your way. It is close to the exit of Tiger Leaping Gorge and is the best place to appreciate the magnificence of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Besides, you will see a huge, straight and smooth stone slab here at Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge. This is the famous “slipped slab” of Tiger Leaping Gorge. It was there because of an earthquake. When the Lijiang earthquake occurred, the whole slab slipped more than 300 meters at a high speed and plunged into the Jinsha River. Today, this giant slab has become a magnificent sight of Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Leaving Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, you will take a ferry and go to Daju Village. It is one of the earliest habitats of the Naxi people (an ethnic group of China) who migrated to Lijiang in the ancient times. With a history of more than 1,500 years, it is one of the best-preserved villages and towns of the Naxi, which preserve Naxi’s traditional culture, folklore, costumes, and language. This journey will take you about 3 hours.

Then, your guide will take you to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a mountain range located in the northwest of Lijiang, Yunnan Province. The snow mountain runs from north to south. Its main peak is 5,596 meters above sea level. The 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are covered by snow all year round, like a vigorous jade dragon lying on the top of the mountain, hence its name “Jade Dragon Snow Mountain”. What’s more, the snow mountain nourishes the Naxi people and the villages nearby. More importantly, it also nourishes the hearts and beliefs of the Naxi people. It is a holy land for the Naxi people. One of the most famous tourist spots of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is Blue Moon Valley. Blue Moon Valley got its name because of its blue water and moon-shaped outline. Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it is 2,900 meters above sea level. The water here comes from the melted water of ice and snow on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Usually, its water is blue, but when it rains, the water turns white because of the white mud at the bottom. This beautiful scenery will be a nice post on your Instagram and Facebook.

After visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, your hiking tour is coming to an end. The driver will drive south for about one hour to take you back to Lijiang. And after arrival, you will have a good rest and relax yourself.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Blue Moon Valley

Today, your tour will come to an end. You will have breakfast first. And then, all you need to do is to pack all your packages and wait for your tour guide. According to your flight information, you will be sent to the airport in advance. Hope to see you again in China.

Author: Li Jiaqi

Proofreader: Li Yiwen