2-Day Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike from Shangri-La to Lijiang

Themes China Hiking and Mountain Tours Yunnan Hiking Tours: Tiger Leaping Gorge & Meili
Home / China Tours / 2-Day Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike from Shangri-La to Lijiang
Duration 2 Days
Route Shangri-La → Lijiang
Entry City Shangri-La
Exit City Lijiang

Overview

Hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge High Trail over two days, starting with pickup in Shangri-La and ending in Lijiang. Walk from the Qiaotou side towards Halfway Guesthouse, then continue towards Tina’s Guesthouse before meeting your driver.

This is a point-to-point hiking trip, with a steep first-day ascent and a shorter second-day walk. A guesthouse night, mountain views and time on foot distinguish it from a roadside gorge excursion.

Your Route Map

English illustrated route map for the 2-Day Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike from Shangri-La to Lijiang
Point-to-point route: Shangri-La road transfer → Qiaotou → Naxi Family area → 28 Bends → Halfway Guesthouse → Tina’s Guesthouse → Lijiang road transfer. Select the map to view the full-size image. Illustrated route; not to scale.
Photo and illustration credits
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge in northern Yunnan: Photograph by Alexander Savin; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY 2.0. Cropped and resized for web use.
  • Cliff and visitor walkway in Tiger Leaping Gorge: Photograph by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized for web use.
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge river landscape: Photograph by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized for web use.
  • View along Tiger Leaping Gorge: Photograph by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized for web use.
  • Mountain road towards Shangri-La: Photograph by Rod Waddington; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped and resized for web use.
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge valley panorama: Photograph by jm whalen; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY 2.0. Cropped and resized for web use.

Daily Itinerary

Cliff and visitor walkway in Tiger Leaping Gorge
Cliff and visitor walkway in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Drive from Shangri-La to Qiaotou to begin the Tiger Leaping Gorge High Trail. Walk towards the Naxi Family Guesthouse area, then tackle the steep switchbacks known as the 28 Bends. Continue along the hillside towards Halfway Guesthouse, with views across the Jinsha River valley to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This is a demanding walking day, with roughly six hours on foot; allow extra time for rests and photography. Stay overnight in a gorge guesthouse. The walking section is subject to trail and weather conditions.

Tiger Leaping Gorge river landscape
Tiger Leaping Gorge river landscape.

Continue along the High Trail towards Tina’s Guesthouse, passing side valleys and waterfall sections on the way. The planned walk takes around two to three hours, depending on pace and conditions. Meet your driver at the road and travel to Lijiang, where the rest of the day is free after hotel check-in. Walking down to the river in the Middle Gorge is an additional, steeper excursion and is not part of this standard day.

What's Included & Excluded

What is included in this tour

Private transport

Licensed vehicle and driver for the land programme stated in the final quote.

Guide service

English-speaking guide on the sightseeing days listed in the confirmed proposal.

Accommodation

Selected rooms with breakfast on overnight tours when stated in the quote.

Named tickets

Admission and scenic-area transport specifically marked as included.
What is Not Included in this tour

International and unlisted transport

International flights and any domestic flight or rail sector not named in the quote.

Personal expenses

Laundry, minibar, shopping and optional activities.

Insurance and visas

Travel insurance, visas and permits unless explicitly included.

Unlisted meals and gratuities

Meals, drinks and gratuities not shown in the final inclusion list.

Frequently Asked Questions

The itinerary starts in Shangri-La and finishes in Lijiang. Your booking confirms the hotel, airport or railway station used for each transfer.

The first day includes the steep 28 Bends and roughly six hours of walking; the second is about two to three hours. Uneven paths, exposure and weather make this more demanding than a scenic roadside visit. The trail must be open and suitable on the travel date.

Yes. Tell us your preferred pace before booking so we can adjust walks, hotel nights and transfers. Changes to a mountain hike may require a different route.

Your personalised quote itemises transport, guiding, admission, hotel nights and meals. It also identifies optional activities and any flights or train tickets arranged separately.

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