# Yunnan Province in China: visit to the Tiger Leaping Gorge

After crossing [the entire Tibetan part of Sichuan](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/kangding-sichuan-tibet/) in often chaotic buses (driving on dirt roads between 3,500 and 4,700 m altitude) but with breathtaking landscapes, we reached the northern part of **Yunnan** province and the small town of **Shangri-La**. And what better way to explore the area than to do a **trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge**! Come on, lace up (once again) your hiking boots, we'll tell you all about it!

![vue sur le canyon du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/leaping-tiger-gorge-1-680x1024.jpg)![Benoit devant les montagnes](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/trek-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-1-1024x680.jpg)![vue sur le canyon du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/leaping-tiger-gorge-4-680x1024.jpg)

Table of contents

1. [Introduction to the gorge](#introduction)
2. [Trek video](#video)
3. [Practical information for the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek](#practical-information)
4. [Day 1 of the trek](#day-1-trek)
5. [Day 2 of the trek](#day-2-trek)
6. [Tiger Leaping Gorge trek review](#review)

 2025 UpdateWe did this trek trip in 2013, but the article was completely revised and updated in September 2025. If you see any price changes or have additional information that might be relevant, please feel free to leave us a comment!

![Fabienne sur le sentier du trek](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/trail-leaping-tiger-gorge-2-680x1024.jpg)![vue sur le canyon du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/leaping-tiger-gorge-5-1024x680.jpg)![vue sur le canyon du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/rando-gorges-saut-du-tigre-1-680x1024.jpg)

## Introduction to the gorge

The name of this place might evoke some kind of paradise on earth, but that's not the case at all! That's more the connotation it has in literature and myths... This locality is actually called **Zhongdian** and was simply renamed **Shangri-La** to attract tourists. Nevertheless, it remains an excellent base for visiting **northern Yunnan**. For us, it was also a more than welcome return to civilization after [1-2 weeks away from everything](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/kangding-sichuan-tibet/). Back to good food and a comfortable bed!

There are many trekking possibilities in the region. But as usual, you can't do everything! We decided on **Tiger Leaping Gorge**, located 2 hours south of Shangri-La.

![Benoit devant les rapides de la rivière Jinsha dans la partie moyenne des gorges](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/middle-tiger-leaping-gorge-1024x680.jpg)![Benoit devant la falaise](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-8-680x1024.jpg)

If you read a [travel guide about China](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/livres/lonely-planet-chine/), this is the unmissable **trek** in southwestern China and it's apparently quite difficult. There have even been deaths among foreign tourists... So, don't be discouraged by the term "difficult" because we encountered absolutely no difficulty along the entire trail! In any case, nothing compares to the thousands of steps at [Mount Hua](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/hiking-mount-hua-in-china-huashan/) or [Mount Emei](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/mount-emei-china/)! The gorge **trail** is probably the best-marked path we've encountered in China so far ;). In short, trusting guides is good, but in moderation! As for the landscapes, the guide doesn't lie this time... And as you'll see, it's definitely worth the detour!

In total, the gorges are about **16 km long** between the Haba and Jade Dragon mountains, whose peaks reach around 5,400 m altitude! The Jinsha River (part of the Yangtze River, the world's 3rd longest river) carves its way through with a crash, 2,000 m below, making it the world's deepest **canyon**!

Fun fact: Its name comes from a legend telling that to escape a hunter, a tiger jumped over the canyon at its narrowest point (well, 30 m anyway!). A statue was erected on the riverbank at the end of the trek.

 Travel guideDuring our [trip to China](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/backpacking-china/), we mainly planned our journey thanks to Lonely Planet China. The guide was really useful to us when visiting this country, and we can only recommend it! It also exists in a Kindle version for enthusiasts!

[China travel guide](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/livres/lonely-planet-chine/)

![statue of the jumping tiger that gave its name to the gorge](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/leaping-tiger-gorge-6-1024x680.jpg)

## Trek video

Come on, let's whet your appetite with a little **video** and by the way, don't forget to subscribe to our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/user/novomondevideo) ;). For trek info, it's below!

## Practical information for the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek

### In brief

![The Jinsha River carving its way between the cliffs](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-7-680x1024.jpg)

- Starting point: Jane's Guesthouse
- Arrival: [Tina's Guesthouse](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/hostelworld/tinas-hotel/)
- Accommodation: several options along the way
- Total distance: 24 km
- Positive elevation gain: about 2,000 m
- Negative elevation gain: about 2,000 m
- Equipment: hiking poles, sunscreen, several layers of clothing, including waterproof, snacks, [filtering water bottle](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/snowleader/katadyn-befree-tactical/)
- Food: numerous stands throughout the hike or in guesthouses. For water, if you don't have a filtering bottle, prefer buying it in hostels, it's cheaper ;)
- Budget: doing the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek costs in total around 360 yuan per person (trip to Qiaotou, 65 yuan ticket + paid viewpoints, 2 nights in a guesthouse and bus return to Shangri-La or Lijiang)
- Weather: if it rains hard, be careful as waterfalls can overflow and the path can be slippery! If the sun beats down hard, expect more effort.
- Best season: avoid the rainy season, between June and September! Prefer spring and autumn: you'll enjoy mild temperatures in dry conditions!

If you don't want to rush, do this hike in **2 days** (or even 3!). There are several nice guesthouses along the way and it's definitely cooler to take your time! We give you the good addresses in the article and on the map below.

### Tiger Leaping Gorge trek map

To help you navigate, here's the trek **map** you can [download](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/alltrails/alltrails-tiger-leaping-gorges/) to have it offline on your phone.

### The trails

There are two possibilities to cross the gorges: by a **hiking trail** that runs along the top of the cliffs (high trail) or by a paved **road** that crosses the gorges mid-height, on which tourist buses pass. As you probably imagine, the first solution is the most interesting. This trail offers magnificent views of the gorges all along. Difficult if done in one go, it doesn't represent a sporting challenge if you do it over 2 days. In short, we strongly advise you to take the **High Trail** (Upper Trekking Trail on the signs) and it's this route we'll detail in this article.

The gorges are divided into **3 parts**: upper, middle and lower. This trek includes the upper and middle areas, the lower being the least "impressive." You can continue beyond Tina's Guesthouse and do the trek in 3 days. You can walk to Walnut Garden or Walnut Grove to go to the lower part of the gorges (30 minutes walk), but also to Haba or Daju, but it looks very steep!

 The gorge in 1 dayTo **visit Tiger Leaping Gorge in 1 day**, you can take a bus to the central point of the gorges, at Tina's hostel level. From there, you can walk down to the riverbank, particularly impressive at this location. If you prefer to be guided, the ideal is to take an [excursion with transport](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/getyourguide/tiger-leaping-gorge-tour/) to see the best of the gorges.

![Fabienne traversant un pont suspendu en bas des gorges du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/trek-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-2-680x1024.jpg)![Fabienne sur le sentier du trek](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/rando-gorges-saut-du-tigre-680x1024.jpg)![La rivière Jinsha entre les falaises](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/partie-moyenne-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-680x1024.jpg)

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### How to get to the beginning of the High Trail

As we told you, this trail should delight **hiking** fans. We advise you to go in the late afternoon to the village of **Hutiaoxia**/Qiaotou, where the park entrance and the beginning of the hike are located. Depending on your last stop, you'll first pass through Shangri-La or Lijiang.

#### From Shangri-La

We were in [Tagong](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/kangding-sichuan-tibet/) and to go to Hutiaoxia, we returned to **Kangding** by taking a minibus, departure every day between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The journey takes 2 hours and price-wise, the ticket costs about 50 yuan per person. Otherwise, you can take a taxi from Tagong (at least 200 yuan). Once in Kangding, buses go to Xiangcheng via the South Tibetan Highway. However, it's nothing like a highway; the road is broken! It took us 15 hours and was quite tiring for our nerves and buttocks. On the other hand, you'll see incredible landscapes going up to 4,800 m altitude, crazy stuff!

Then, the journey from Xiangcheng to **Shangri-La** (Zhongdian) also takes 15 hours on roads in equally good condition... Once again, the landscapes are up to par! If you prefer a faster (but less scenic) journey from Tagong, the ideal is to return to Chengdu to take [a flight](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/skyscanner/vol/) to Shangri-La.

And if you're coming from another place in China, Shangri-La has its own airport, and you'll easily find [domestic flights](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/skyscanner/vol/).

Finally, from Shangri-La to **Hutiaoxia**, you need to count about 3 small hours. From the bus station ([this one](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RfKnpU3xBN9PESPH8)), get on one of the buses to Kunming, Lijiang, or Dali, and ask to get off at Hutiaoxia (虎跳峡镇). The ticket costs between 40 and 50 yuan per person. Apparently, there would be only one direct bus between Shangri-La and Hutiaoxia; it would leave at 7:30 a.m. every day.

![Fabienne posing with Chinese women at the Halfway Guesthouse](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/tiger-leaping-gorge-4-1024x680.jpg)

#### From Lijiang

**[Lijiang](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/visit-yunnan-shaxi-shibaoshan-and-lijiang/#3-days-in-lijiang)** is a city closer to the gorges than Shangri-La. Depending on your last stop, it can be a good option, especially since the city has quite a few assets, notably its old town and Black Dragon Pool Park. However, expect to see lots of people! Otherwise, it can just be one night to go to the gorges the next day. Getting to Lijiang from [Chengdu](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/things-to-do-in-chengdu-pandas/) is easy: either by train (9-hour journey) or by plane (1 hour 15 minutes flight). Find transport schedules [online](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/12go-asia/chengdu-lijiang-en/).

Then, from Lijiang, the journey to the gorges is very easy. Buses leave from the bus station ([this one](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yyQGXh2WaJ5veBQ8A)) for Qiaotou, get on bus number 18. The journey takes 2 hours and costs about 45-50 yuan. The first bus normally leaves at 7:30 a.m. and there are departures every hour until 3-4 p.m.

### Accommodation near the trail start

If you're very motivated, you can walk the 12 km to [Tea Horse Guesthouse](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/booking/tiger-leaping-guesthouse/) just after getting off the bus ;).

Otherwise, after paying your entrance fee, go spend the night at **Jane's Guesthouse**! It's clean, cheap (40 yuan per person in a dormitory), good wifi, free gorge maps and the food is good... In short, we even came back there after the trek ;). It's also a stone's throw from the departure of this famous high trail. You can leave your big backpacks there: once the trek is finished, the bus driver who takes you back to Shangri-La will stop there so you can pick them up.

![Mountains of the trek in Yunnan province](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/trek-yunnan-1024x680.jpg)

## Day 1 of the trek

You need to count between 5 and 7 hours of walking, depending on your pace and the guesthouse you choose to stop at. Most of this first day is only uphill. Don't worry, it's totally doable! There's about 900 m of elevation gain and tell yourself it's good for the glutes ;). Even the 28 bends of death, according to Lonely Planet, aren't as insurmountable as that ;).

The first stop to eat lunch or simply take a break is at **Naxi Guesthouse**, 6 km after departure (about 2 hours of walking). There, locals will offer you a mule to help you climb the steepest part of the trek. The continuation climbs steeply with the 28 switchbacks to the trek's highest point! At 2,650 m altitude, it's time to catch your breath while admiring the peaks of Yulong Xue Shan (the snowy Jade Dragon Mountain), on the other side of the canyon. Then, it goes downhill! But we were still happy to arrive at the guesthouse, to eat a bite and spend a good evening with other hikers.

 Where to sleep?For **sleeping**, only two establishments caught our attention. [Tea Horse Guesthouse](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/booking/tiger-leaping-guesthouse/) and [Halfway Guesthouse](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/booking/tiger-leaping-half-way-guesthouse/) are both well-located and very welcoming! Besides, we slept at the first and had breakfast at the second (the view is breathtaking from the terrace and… the toilets!). You'll find their exact location on the [trek map](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/tiger-leaping-gorge/#map). By sleeping at Tea Horse, you'll be halfway through the trek, while at Halfway, you'll get a head start on the second day of walking.

![façade de l'halfway guesthouse devant un des pics de la montagne](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/halfway-guesthouse-1024x680.jpg)![façade en bois de la guesthouse halfway devant une montagne](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/halfway-guesthouse-6-680x1024.jpg)![Fabienne à l'halfway point du trek](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/halfway-guesthouse-1-1024x680.jpg)![cour de l'halfway guesthouse le long des gorges](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/halfway-guesthouse-3-1024x680.jpg)

## Day 2 of the trek

After a good breakfast at **Halfway Guesthouse** (1 hour walk from Tea Horse), it's time to get back on the path. After climbing to the heights of the gorges the day before, we follow them today in spectacular scenery. There are rivers and waterfalls everywhere! For those who don't know yet, I love water ;). The vertiginous cliffs overlooking the Jinsha River should also please you. But don't worry, even if we're moving along the cliff face, still no danger on the horizon!

We also had an unexpected encounter in this section: a marijuana seller! Know that at Tiger Leaping Gorge, you can have for 1 euro what costs you 40 in Europe ;). But at the same time, no need to spend money! Maybe 1 km further, the path runs along the cannabis plantation, so you just need to help yourself (see the video)!

![Fabienne and a cannabis leaf on the trail](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/tiger-leaping-gorge-2-1024x680.jpg)

Once in the middle of the gorges, the path gently descends to **Tina's Guesthouse**. In total, you need to count about 3 hours of walking between Tea Horse and Tina's guesthouses. This is where the High Trail joins the paved road and where it's possible to descend to the heart of the gorges, in the middle section. You'll have guessed, this is also where you'll find the mass of tourists arriving by bus. And tourists mean you'll have to pay! It's the norm in China, the slightest viewpoint is paid!

Note: Buy your bus ticket at the hostel before going down, just to be sure to have your seat since there's only one bus per day and per direction. We tell you more below.

### The descent into Tiger Leaping Gorge

You indeed have to pay 10 yuan to use the **staircase** that goes down to the riverbank. You'll need to part with 10 more yuan if you want to have the best viewpoints at the bottom of the gorges. Finally, you'll need to pull out your wallet once more if you don't want to go back up the same way. Well, notice that it would be stupid to quibble over 30 yuan (barely 4 euros) when the show at the bottom of the gorges is so impressive! There's such a mass of water concentrated there. I imagine even rafting pros wouldn't come try the experience in these rapids! Imagine that the flow rate of the Jinsha River is 1,800 m³ per second!

![Benoit devant les rapides de la rivière Jinsha dans la partie moyenne des gorges](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/middle-tiger-leaping-gorge-1-1024x680.jpg)![La rivière Jinsha entre les falaises](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/partie-moyenne-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-2-680x1024.jpg)

However, if you're afraid of heights, don't go back up the same way we did! The **ladders** are solid but they're vertical and some are more than 20 m high... Fair warning ;). We filmed this passage to give you an idea of the possible difficulty. If you don't feel it, retrace your steps to take the same path as on the way up or continue further along the river; another less steep path goes back up to the road.

**Note:** Like any Chinese tourist site, a faster way has been set up to go down closer to the waters: the **escalator**! Just for info, the round-trip ticket costs the modest sum of 70 yuan. When we tell you that Chinese people don't like to walk ;).

![Fabienne devant une échelle à flanc de falaise](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/echelles-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-680x1024.jpg)![La rivière Jinsha dans le canyon du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/partie-moyenne-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-1-680x1024.jpg)![Fabienne monte les échelles verticales à flanc de falaise](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/echelles-gorges-du-saut-du-tigre-1-680x1024.jpg)

### The return

At [Tina's Guesthouse](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/hostelworld/tinas-hotel/), ask for a **bus ticket** to Shangri-La or Lijiang, depending on your itinerary. They cost 50 yuan per person. The bus leaves around 3-3:30 p.m. and stops quickly at Jane's Guesthouse so you can pick up your big backpacks before dropping you off in Lijiang or Shangri-La. If you're several people and have to wait a long time before the next bus, ask the staff at Tina hostel, they can book you a minivan. Last solution: hitchhiking!

Or you can do like us by spending a night at Jane's Guesthouse before continuing your itinerary :).

 Do you have a VPN?![expressvpn logo](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2017/12/expressvpn-red-horizontal-rgb-94ba8b071f6ce3fac7a425ff4946432f-1024x301.png)

If you’re [traveling to China](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/backpacking-china/) and want to access Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Google, know that these sites are blocked.

You’ll need to [use a VPN during your stay](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/best-vpn-for-traveling/). For our part, we’ve had a subscription with [ExpressVPN](https://www.novo-monde.com/go/vpn/express-vpn-home/) for several years and are delighted with it!

![mule devant la vue des gorges du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/tiger-leaping-gorge-1024x680.jpg)![Fabienne sur le sentier rocheux du trek](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/tiger-leaping-gorge-1-1024x680.jpg)![une des cascades du trek du saut du tigre](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/tiger-leaping-gorge-3-1024x680.jpg)![nuages entre les sommets de la montagne enneigée du dragon de jade](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/jade-snow-mountain-1-1024x680.jpg)

## Tiger Leaping Gorge trek review

In the end, we really enjoyed these **two days of trekking** in the gorge! The landscapes are very varied and the High Trail is abandoned by Chinese tourists who, it must be said, don't really like to walk during their holidays... Plus, if we compare to other places we've visited, like [Mount Emei](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/mount-emei-china/) or [Mount Hua](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/hiking-mount-hua-in-china-huashan/), the prices are very reasonable, whether for the gorges themselves or the guesthouses on the trails. And once again, don't be impressed by what you read in Lonely Planet! They really tend to overestimate the difficulty of hikes.

To learn more about the region, check out [our post on our itinerary in Yunnan](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/visit-yunnan-shaxi-shibaoshan-and-lijiang/)!

P.S. – This is our 100th blog article! We're a bit moved ;)

P.S. bis – Find our [complete guide to preparing your trip to China](https://www.novo-monde.com/en/backpacking-china/) with all our practical tips for visiting the country and our advice for creating your itinerary.

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![trekking tiger leaping gorge](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/trekking-tiger-leaping-gorge-683x1024.jpg)![trekking tiger leaping gorge](https://www.novo-monde.com/app/uploads/2025/09/trekking-yunnan-china-683x1024.jpg)