Snow-covered peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above the Jinsha River and two suspension bridges under a deep blue sky

虎跳峡 · Hutiaoxia · 2 days, 1 night from Lijiang

Two days on the high trail of Tiger Leaping Gorge

Walk the path along one of the deepest river canyons in the world, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across the gorge. A private car from Lijiang, a night in a family-run guesthouse, and a choice: walk it on your own, or with a local guide.

Choose a pack Plan a longer trek with me

2 days, 1 nightLijiang to Lijiang

≈ 10 hon foot in total: about 6 h, then 4 h

2,050–2,650 maltitude along the trail

RMB 880per person, self-guided, in a group of 5 or 6

The route

A high path, with a guesthouse every two to three hours

You start above Hutiaoxia Town (formerly Qiaotou) and follow the high trail to Tina's Guesthouse. The first night is at Tea Horse Guesthouse. No luggage transfer: you carry a small pack with what you need for one night.

Hand-drawn route map of the Tiger Leaping Gorge high trail with guesthouses, altitudes and walking times in English and Chinese

Altitude against hours of walking, sketched from the route map. Altitudes at the guesthouses are exact; the path between them is drawn by eye.

Day 1Lijiang to Tea Horse Guesthouse
- 07:30Leave Lijiang by private car.About two hours to the start of the high trail above Hutiaoxia Town, at 2,100 m.
- ≈ 3 h walkNaxi Family Guesthouse, 2,250 mLunch here, or from your own picnic.
- ≈ 3 h walkOver the highest point, 2,650 m, to Tea Horse Guesthouse, 2,350 mDinner and the night.
Day 2Tea Horse to Tina's, then back by car
- ≈ 2 h walkHalfway Guesthouse, 2,350 mLunch here, or from your own picnic.
- ≈ 2 h walkHalfway to Tina's Guesthouse, 2,050 mThe car is waiting.
- By carBack to LijiangOr on to Shangri-La, for a supplement.

Three goats crossing rocks on the trail, with two hikers behind them and the narrow path cut into the cliff above — Locals with the right of way. The trail cuts across the cliff face behind.

A group of seven hikers in front of the Tea Horse Trade Guesthouse, with the Jade Dragon range behind — Tea Horse Guesthouse, where you spend the night.

Six hikers leaning on the red lettered HALFWAY railing, with the gorge wall rising behind them — Halfway Guesthouse, on day 2.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

The wall across the gorge changes colour as the day ends

On a clear evening the range goes from grey to gold to orange within minutes. Your night is on the trail, so you are there to see it.

The Jade Dragon range in afternoon light under scattered cloud — Afternoon

The Jade Dragon range lit gold by the low sun — Golden hour

The Jade Dragon range glowing orange under a pink cloud — Alpenglow

The Jade Dragon range turning purple at dusk — Dusk

Photos

The gorge, from the trail

Photos taken on the high trail and around the gorge. Tap one to enlarge it.

The Jade Dragon range lit gold at sunset and reflected in a still stretch of the river, with two bridges far down the valley

Close-up of the red stone tiger statue snarling above white rapids, with an old stone arch bridge behind

The river rushing through the gorge below steep green slopes, seen from the high trail

Panorama of the Jade Dragon range lit orange at sunset

Blue trail sign reading Tiger Leaping Gorge high trail, every step counts, with arrows to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, and mountains and river behind

The river winding through the gorge with clouds drifting over the slopes

A village with terraced fields on the slope and the Jade Dragon range in the haze

Two suspension bridges across the valley with the snow-streaked Jade Dragon mountain behind under heavy cloud

Full moon rising between red sunlit peaks

A narrow river between steep, hazy blue gorge walls

Two hikers relaxing in folding chairs on a wooden terrace, with the Jade Dragon range behind

Snow-dusted rock summit under a deep blue sky

A bright star over dark mountain silhouettes in a night sky full of stars

The tiger monument at the gorge entrance with the red characters for Tiger Leaping Gorge and bridges behind

Two packs

Same route, same car, same guesthouse. Choose who walks with you.

I book everything privately for you: the car, the room and, if you want one, the guide. You pay one price per person, and it falls as the group grows because the car and the guide are shared.

Self-guided

A private stay, walked on your own

Your group has the car and the room to itself, but no guide. You find your own way on the trail, for example by following a GPS track on your phone, so this pack suits confident, experienced walkers.

Private car from Lijiang, with pickup at Tina's on day 2 and the ride back
One night at Tea Horse Guesthouse in a twin room (a single room if you travel alone)
Park entrance ticket (RMB 45)
Route map, a GPS track and a briefing in English before you go

With a local guide

A guide walks both days with you

Everything in the self-guided pack
A local guide for both days, who speaks English or uses a translation app
The guide rides in the car with you from Lijiang
Guide fee, lodging and meals covered. No tip expected.

Not included in either pack

All meals: lunch, dinner and breakfast are paid directly at the guesthouses, so bring snacks for the walking
Drinks and personal expenses
Horse or porter
Luggage transfer (ask me, it is quoted separately)
Drop-off in Shangri-La instead of Lijiang (supplement)
Walking gear and travel insurance

Your own insurance is required. Every walker needs travel insurance covering medical care and emergency evacuation. I ask for the policy details before departure, and you sign a short waiver.

Price per person in RMB for the two-day trek, by group size and pack
Group size	Self-guided	With a guide
1 person	RMB 1,650	RMB 2,900
2 people	RMB 1,080	RMB 1,780
3 or 4 people	RMB 980	RMB 1,480
5 people	RMB 880	RMB 1,280
6 people	RMB 880	Ask me
7 or more	Ask me	Ask me

Prices are in RMB, per person, for the whole two days. The car and the room are shared, so a solo walker pays for a full car and a full room. Meals are not included.

Questions

Before you book

How hard is the walk?

Moderate. Day 1 is about six hours on foot with a steady climb up to 2,650 m and some steep stretches. Day 2 is about four hours. You need normal fitness and sturdy shoes. The path runs along steep slopes with drops, so it is not for anyone uneasy with heights.

When is the best time to go?

The gorge can be walked all year. October to May gives the clearest views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Summer is the rainy season, and steep slopes are more exposed to rockfall after heavy rain.

Avoid China's national holiday weeks, 1–7 October and 1–5 May, when the guesthouses are full.

What do I carry?

A day pack with what you need for one night: a warm layer, a rain jacket, water, snacks for lunch and a charger. Walking poles help on the descents. Leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Lijiang. There is no luggage transfer; if you need one, ask me and I will quote it.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch, dinner and breakfast are paid directly at the guesthouses along the way. Bring snacks for the walking days.

Does the guide speak English?

Your guide speaks English or uses a translation app. You will have a map and a briefing in English before you leave.

Do I need insurance?

Yes. Every walker needs their own travel insurance covering medical care and emergency evacuation or rescue. I ask for the policy details before departure, and you sign a short waiver that explains the risks of walking in the mountains.

Can I finish in Shangri-La?

Yes. The car can take you on to Shangri-La instead of back to Lijiang, for a supplement. Ask me for the price on your dates.

How far ahead should I book?

As early as you can for the national holiday weeks. At other times, write to me with your dates; last-minute requests are sometimes possible.

What if the trail is closed or the weather turns?

Conditions change, especially after heavy rain. I confirm the route and the guesthouses before each departure and tell you if the plan has to change. A side path from Teacher Zhang's down to the Middle Gorge was reported closed in 2025; it is not part of this route.

Yannick, smiling, in front of the rapids of the Jinsha River

Who is behind this

I'm Yannick, a Frenchman living in Yunnan

I put these two days together myself. I book the car, the guesthouse and the guide, and I answer your questions before you book.

I also organise treks elsewhere in Yunnan and Sichuan. Tiger Leaping Gorge is a good first taste. If you want more, see what else I can arrange.

Two hikers sitting on a rock above the gorge, with the green slopes and the river far below and cloud over the peaks — On the high trail, above the gorge.

Beyond the gorge

Two days is the short version

If you have more time, I organise longer treks across Yunnan and Sichuan and can build one around your dates, your fitness and your budget.

Haba Snow Mountain summit

A three-day climb to a 5,396 m summit, the entry-level 5,000 m peak that faces Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across the gorge.

See the Haba climb

Mount Siguniang

The "Alps of the East" in Sichuan: a high-altitude trek and climb in a spectacular range, for walkers who want a real mountain.

See the Siguniang trek

A trek built for you

Tell me when you travel and how many days you have. I will suggest a route in Yunnan or Sichuan.

Tell me about your trip

Enquire

Ask about this trek, or a longer one

Tell me your dates and the size of your group. I reply by email with availability and a quote, and I can suggest longer treks if you are interested.

You can also write to book@tigerleapinggorgetrek.com.