[2025 Shangri-La Stay] Travel Guide for Naxi Family G.H (Updated Mar)

The Tiger Leaping Gorge High Road hike is known as one of the "world's top 10 classic hiking routes," famous for its perilous canyons, snowy mountain scenery, and magnificent river views. The entire route is about 25–30 km and takes two days to complete, making it suitable for beginners. Experienced hikers can complete it in one day; it's best to arrive at Tiger Leaping Gorge Town (Qiaotou Town) the day before. ✅ Hiking Route Overview: 🌟 Core Sections: - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge: A developed scenic area with well-maintained walkways, suitable for sightseeing. - Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge: The essence of the hike. Not fully developed, it requires passage through small trails maintained by local villagers, allowing you to experience the roar of the Jinsha River up close. - Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge: The canyon gradually widens, and fewer hikers venture here. 🌟 Classic Sections: 1. Naxi Family Hostel → 28 Bends → Tea Horse Guesthouse → Halfway Guesthouse (approx. 16 km, 800 m elevation gain). 2. Halfway Guesthouse → Dragon Cave Waterfall → Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge → Sky Ladder → Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse (approx. 10 km, including round trip to the valley bottom). 🗓 Detailed Itinerary: Day 1: Lijiang/Qiaotou Town → Naxi Family Hostel → Tea Horse Guesthouse → Halfway Guesthouse - Transportation to the starting point: Take a shared car or bus from Lijiang to Naxi Family Hostel (approx. 1.5 hrs). Travel light; luggage can be transported to the final destination. - 28 Bends Challenge: The first 2 km is a continuous climb (elevation 2,200 → 2,600 m) with a steep slope. You can ride a horse or walk slowly. There's an observation deck next to the mountaintop cafe overlooking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the First Bend of the Jinsha River. Taking photos costs CNY 10. - Tea Horse Guesthouse Break: Upon arrival, check in and see the wall full of hiking graffiti. From the second-floor observation deck, you can enjoy a distant view of Haba Snow Mountain. For lunch, we recommend local fried rice or rice with toppings (CNY 30 per person). - Cliffside Trail Highlights: In the afternoon, proceed along the cliffside path with a hundred-meter abyss below. To the right, the thirteen peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are shrouded in mist. Pass through pine forests and meadows, arriving at the Halfway Guesthouse in about 2 hrs. - Accommodation and Sunset: Check in to a room with a "fantastic balcony" offering stunning views (reservations required). Enjoy the sunset illuminating the golden mountains in the evening and gaze at the starry sky above the canyon at night. Day 2: Halfway Guesthouse → Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge → Sky Ladder → Return Trip - Morning Scenery: After breakfast, descend along the hanging cliff path, passing by Dragon Cave Waterfall (spectacular during the rainy season). Be mindful of falling rocks and slippery slopes. - Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge Adventure: Descend from Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse to the riverside (CNY 15 fee). Cross the suspension bridge to Tiger Leaping Rock (additional CNY 10 fee) and feel the impact of the rushing river. Exercise caution near the edge during the rainy season. - Sky Ladder Challenge: Climb the 168 steps of the near-vertical Sky Ladder (free). It's divided into four sections with railings on both sides. Those with a fear of heights can choose to take a detour. - Return Transportation: Return to the parking lot at Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse and take a shared car back to Lijiang or Shangri-La (last bus around 3:30 pm). 🌟 Useful Tips: 1. Cost Reference: - Tickets: Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area CNY 45, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge has separate fees (CNY 15–30/section). - Transportation: Round-trip shared car from Lijiang approx. CNY 150/person, luggage transport CNY 20–30. - Accommodation: Halfway Guesthouse beds from CNY 70, double rooms require advance booking. 2. Equipment Recommendations: - Essential: Non-slip hiking shoes, knee pads, sun-protective clothing and hats, trekking poles, headlamp (some sections have no lighting). - Optional: Rain gear (rainy season), gloves (for gripping rocks), some cash (weak signal in the mountains). 3. Safety Tips: - Avoid the rainy season (July–September) due to the risk of falling rocks. Focus on your footing while walking; don't take photos while moving. - Climb the Sky Ladder within your limits. Keep your backpack as light as possible to avoid losing your balance. 🌟 Trip Highlights: - Visual Feast: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain face each other, with the Jinsha River winding like a green silk ribbon (dry season) or surging with waves (wet season). - Cultural Imprint: Remnants of the Tea Horse Road, graffiti walls at guesthouses, and an atmosphere of international hiker exchange. - Challenge and Achievement: The 28 Bends test your endurance, and the Sky Ladder certifies your courage. Suitable for outdoor enthusiasts to capture "life-defining photos." The Tiger Leaping Gorge High Road hike is defined by its "peril," allowing you to measure the mountains and rivers with your feet, experiencing both the magnificence of nature and the warmth of humanity. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned hiker, you can find your own awe and inspiration here.

Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Guide for Beginners | Unlock Your First Hike in Life || During the Lunar New Year period in 2025, I finally completed my first hike in life—Tiger Leaping Gorge! 🌟 Itinerary: Day 1: Lijiang - Naxi Yage - 28 Bends - Tea Horse Inn - Halfway Day 2: Halfway - Mid-Tiger Leaping Gorge - Zhang Laoshi Inn - Lijiang 🎒 Equipment · Backpack: I didn't buy a hiking backpack, so I carried a North Face backpack (16L), which felt insufficient in capacity · Shoes: I used sneakers instead · Clothes: A windbreaker is essential, and the inner layer must be quick-drying · Other: Hiking poles, hat, sunglasses 💡 Tips · Be sure to bring knee pads, as your legs will feel like they're not your own after two days of hiking · The wind is very strong on the way from Halfway to Mid-Tiger Leaping Gorge, so don't take photos while walking · There are supply points along the way, so you don't need to carry too much water and food In short, hiking for two days in a row is really tiring, and you'll be lying down as soon as you get home, but the scenery along the way is really unforgettable!

I was already amazed by the Tiger Leaping Gorge featured in National Geographic before. Only after experiencing it myself did I understand why it is one of China's top ten hiking trails. Some people might think a day in Tiger Leaping Gorge is enough, but for hiking, there is no path that isn't worth taking. And there is not a single part of Tiger Leaping Gorge that will make you feel like you've wasted your steps. Keep this 2-day, 1-night guide handy, and deeply appreciate the beauty of Tiger Leaping Gorge. 💕About the itinerary Day1️⃣: Bridgehead ➡️ Naxi Family Guesthouse ➡️ 28 Bends ➡️ Tea Horse Guesthouse ➡️ halfway Guesthouse Day2️⃣: halfway ➡️ Longdong Waterfall ➡️ Tina's Guesthouse ➡️ Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge ➡️ 168 Brave Steps - Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse 🚘About transportation Self-driving: Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area Ticket Office - Naxi Family Guesthouse (SUV rental recommended) Public transportation: Lijiang Bus Station - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge 🏨About accommodation You don't necessarily have to exhaust yourself hiking 👨‍🦯 to see the beautiful scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge; you can also see it while lying flat. For example, staying at the Shangri-La Secret Land Halfway Hotel, open the room's ceiling in the morning to see the sea of clouds surging, in the evening watch the golden sunlight on the mountains, and at night gaze at the stars. Wherever you walk to the hotel, look up to see the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, look down at the roaring Tiger Leaping Gorge river, and above the cliffs are layers upon layers of mountains. It will definitely immerse you in the atmosphere of living among great mountains and rivers, accompanied by the scenery. ⏰Specific itinerary timing Day1️⃣ 9 AM depart from Lijiang Bus Station to Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area gate (about 2 hours) After lunch at 1 PM, start the hike, crossing the famous 28 Bends (about 1.5 hours) Arrive at Tea Horse Guesthouse for a rest and a cup of coffee (about half an hour) Tea Horse Guesthouse to halfway Guesthouse, this section offers a view with the golden sunlight on the mountains (about 2 hours to reach halfway Guesthouse) Day2️⃣ Note the photo checkpoints 📸 9 AM at halfway Guesthouse 📸 Pass by Longdong Waterfall 📸 Then pass by several rocks 📸 Arrive at Tina's Guesthouse at 12 PM, where you can have lunch After lunch, head to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge - One Line Sky 📸 Then hike to the 168 Brave Steps 📸 Arrive at Teacher Zhang's Guesthouse, return trip ❗Essentials for the trip: ID card, power bank, headphones, charger Sunscreen, band-aids, alcohol spray, wet wipes, face mask, tissue paper, 1L of mineral water or beverage per person, bread and fruit (there are many supply points along the way, water on the mountain costs 10-15 yuan per bottle)

Everyone knows that Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the world’s top ten classic hiking routes, and there are a lot of travel guides on the Internet. Many young ladies who do not exercise enough and have no hiking experience bravely ventured into Tiger Leaping Gorge after reading two simple guides. I wanted to take some nice photos. As a result, not only did I not take any nice photos during the entire walk, I was completely exhausted and had no energy to pose for photos. But it doesn’t matter, here is the guide that understands you best. This article will first tell you about the two-day itinerary. If you can run 5 kilometers in two days, you can basically complete it. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the route (the first picture) First, we drive directly to the Tea Horse Inn and abandon the previous route from here, saving 5 hours of hiking. There is basically no scenery in front and no check-in spots. If you are not a hiking enthusiast, it is not recommended for you to pass this way. We can reach Halfway Inn by hiking for about 2 hours (slowly) from the Tea Horse Inn. You can check in at the balcony, which is the best toilet in the world. Continue walking forward from the halfway and you will reach Teacher Zhang’s Inn in 2 hours. You will pass by the waterfall check-in point on the way, which is also the end point of the first day. The next day, we went directly from Teacher Zhang's Inn and took Teacher Zhang's Trail to the Zhonghutiao check-in point, which is the place where we took photos of our lives. This stretch of road is the most physically demanding part of the entire journey. After checking in and taking photos, you can walk back up the 168 Brave Steps to Lijiang, and have a nice cup of coffee in the ancient town! The above is the route, next let’s talk about the schedule. Because this route is relatively easy, it usually starts from Lijiang. Just have breakfast at 9 am on the first day before setting off. There is plenty of time to put on makeup in the morning, so you don’t have to rush or panic. We arrived at Halfway at noon, which was just lunch time, so we could eat and check in at the same time. You can get up a little earlier the next morning, otherwise there will be a long queue at the Tiger Leaping Life Photo Gallery! It affects our ability to produce blockbusters. Next is the equipment recommendation. Sun protection! ! ! Sun protection is the main thing, and aesthetics is the second. The more beautiful it is, the better. Since the whole route is not difficult, the main thing to consider is sun protection, hat, glasses, windbreaker, outdoor backpack, and trekking poles. This way, you can spend two days easily without missing any check-in points. It is very suitable for elegant fairies! But if you can’t even run five kilometers, please turn to the next guide, which is a super easy one-day hiking guide to Tiger Leaping Gorge!

👋Hello! I am Zhenzuo, an HR who doesn’t do HR work but loves traveling. In January 2024, I successfully completed the 1️⃣ graduation exam for outdoor hiking. 2️⃣ days and 2️⃣ nights hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge High Road + Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge + Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area, 📸 successfully took photos of my own life! · 🗺️Itinerary: 📅1: Arrive at Tiger Leaping Gorge in the afternoon and stay at Naxi Yage; 📅2: Set off at 9:30 am, climb over the 28 bends, arrive at the Tea Horse Inn for lunch at 13:30 pm, have a cup of coffee on the second floor rooftop, continue to set off at 14:30, take photos while walking, and arrive at Halfway at 17:30; 📅3: Depart at 9:30am, arrive at Tina's for lunch at 11:30am, take a break at the cafe on the second floor, depart for Central Tiger Leaping Scenic Area at 13:00, arrive at Tingtaodu at 14:30, depart for 168 Brave Ladder at 15:40, arrive at Teacher Zhang's Inn at 16:40; depart for Lower Tiger Leaping Scenic Area at 17:00, take the elevator both up and down, and return to Lijiang at 17:50. · 🧥Equipment suggestions: 🔆The temperature difference between day and night in Tiger Leaping Gorge is large. It was 0-17 degrees during the days I was there. It is recommended to wear a wool base + fleece + jacket. If you are afraid of cold, you can bring a light down jacket and put it on after the sun goes down. It will get hot during the hike and the fleece cannot be worn; 🔆A 20L backpack for a day trip is enough. There are supply points along the way, so you can travel light. 🔆High top hiking shoes are recommended. Some roads are not in good condition, so be careful not to sprain your ankle; 🔆Be sure to prepare trekking poles. · 📸Life photos: 🌟 Listen to the waves at the middle Tiger Leaping Rock. You can take photos of the life at Tiger Leaping Rock from the two camera positions near the river and the mountain (Figure 1-2); 🌟Halfway's "Stunning Balcony" overlooks the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Picture 14). If you are interested, you can check in the same photo as my cousin (Picture 15); 🌟Every turning point of the ridge on the upper Hutiao is worth paying attention to (Figure 46789), and the straight road close to the Jinsha River should not be missed (Figure 35); 🌟The big waterfall in the first half of Halfway-Tina's is also very photogenic (Figure 12); 🌟There is a big free photo-taking rock outside the first paid check-in point of Twenty-Eight Turns, where you can start jumping (Figure 1011). · ❤️Intimate Tips: 1️⃣Be sure to pay attention to the weather conditions before traveling. If there is heavy rain, it is not recommended to travel; 2️⃣ If you are worried about not being able to complete the whole journey, you can drive directly to the Tiger Leaping Tea Horse Inn and Halfway as the starting point; 3️⃣There is mobile phone signal throughout the hike; 4️⃣The hiking trails are very clear, and there is no need to worry about getting lost even if there are no tracks; 5️⃣If you want to stay at Halfway and Teacher Zhang, remember to book in advance 🎫Tickets: 45/person, remember to keep the payment receipt; 🎫Zhonghutiao: 15/person for descending the mountain, 10/person for the ladder, 15/person for 168-15/person, 5/person for taking photos at Tiger Leaping Rock

🚗🚗🚗Travel Itinerary: Day1: Changshui International Airport→Jinma Biji Square→Nanping Pedestrian Street→Kunming Old Street Day2: Xingsheng Bridge→Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area→Cangshan→Dali Ancient Town Day3: Caicun→Panxi Village→Covered Bridge→Shuanglang→Xiaoputuo→Ideal State→Lijiang Ancient Town Day4: Baisha Ancient Town→Lijing Eighteen Bends Viewing Platform→Lige Island→Mosuo Traditional Bonfire Party Day5: Lugu Lake Viewing Platform→Gem Goddess Mountain→Xiaoluoshui Village→Lover's Beach→Lugu Lake Goddess Bay Day6: Pig Trough Boat Lake Tour (Lige Pier)→Lijiang Eternal Love Day7: Tiger Leaping Gorge (Shangri-La Section)→Diqing Naxi Ya Ge→Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge Tea Horse Inn→Tiger Leaping Gorge Midway Inn Day8: Tiger Leaping Gorge Midway Inn→Yunnan Shangri-La Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge→Shangri-La Middle Gorge International Youth Hostel→Shangri-La Middle Tiger Leaping Teacher Zhang's Inn→Baishuitai→Dukezong Ancient Town Day9: Songzanlin Scenic Area→Feilai Temple Day10: Xidang Village→Yubeng Scenic Area - Divine Waterfall→Upper Yubeng Day11: Ice Lake Day12: Divine Lake Day13: Ninong Valley→Cloud Water Between Secret Hotel Day14: South Pole Luo→Cizhong Village

The color of Tiger Leaping Gorge is sapphire in the dry season from November to May, and there is a lot of water in the rainy season. It will turn yellow. Now that the season is getting warmer and the weather is good, it’s a good time to start the first hike of the new year in spring! The weather is cool and windy in the morning and evening, so you can wear a long-sleeved quick-drying shirt when hiking. In the morning and evening, you need to add a warm polar fleece sweater and a windproof jacket. Drive or high-speed rail to Lijiang, ‘Lijiang Transportation’ Lijiang No. 1 Middle School Tiger Leaping Town: about 2 hours The master will remind you to go to Wc to buy/get off at Qiaotou and get off at P car DAY1 [Naxi Yage → 24th Turning → Yachajiao Village → Halfway] (about 4-6h) 24th Turning is the most tiring climbing section of the whole journey: there is a supply point in the middle and at the end of the uphill, and the second half is gentle. There is a photo stop behind the 24th corner. It is recommended to go there. P2 is magnificent, but the wind is also very strong~ We rushed to the halfway point before sunset and watched the sun shine on Jinshan Mountain from the platform. Recommended for dinner is grilled pork belly! Semi-cured meat grilled, quite unique. Book accommodation in advance. There are many accommodations around halfway. Her room is now upgraded to UP! level, and the platform will be opened after March. DAY2 [halfway→tina's→Zhonghutiao](about 3-5 hours) The second day is the most beautiful section of the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike, so don’t miss it! The most thrilling part shortly after leaving the Midway Inn is a large U-shaped bend canyon. The hiking trail is very deep and about 1.5 meters wide. Walk carefully when walking, don't take pictures while walking, and don't walk to take pictures! Go to Tina's Home/Zhongxia Qingke Inn, you can store your backpack in the store, and take their car to the Zhonghutiao Hiking Entrance (there will be a charge of 15r for management, 15r for return, 10r for walking on the suspension bridge) Don’t get too close to the edge at the bottom of the valley to avoid slipping! Go all the way back up, and the final supply point is at the entrance of the ladder. You can choose the ladder or the side path, which takes a lot of time. Tina's fried mutton is raised in-house and is delicious and served quickly. The return vehicle is waiting at Tina's house and departs at 15:20 Very dry, very westerly, very windy Prepare garbage bags, don’t throw them away, and hike without leaving a trace~ If you are short on time, you can go directly to the second day's route, enjoy the scenery at halfway, and use the restroom for a refreshing walk. This section has the best scenery, surprising steepness + mountains and flowing water, and is the best for taking photos. Going back to Lijiang = You can buy it on the bus when you come, or you can buy it at Tina's house. The cost is the same. You can get off at the ancient city or the passenger station. 35L Gregorian stout: 2 days and 1 night itinerary. Since I have other itineraries, I brought my own toiletries + change of clothes + energy supplies = 35L stout has enough room, which is just right for my backpack. A normal 25L backpack is enough. acg mountain fly

🏔️I was not originally a sporty person, Last summer I started climbing in the suburbs of Beijing, The original intention was just to find some niche destinations. A trip to North Ling Mountain in autumn made me fall in love with hiking, At that time, I told my partner, let's arrange a trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge. · 🚶🏻Why Tiger Leaping Gorge? First, it was the place that came to mind, Secondly, I heard that it is an entry-level route among the world's classic hiking routes. · 📆January 13, 2024, arrived at Naxiya Pavilion in Tiger Leaping Gorge, My first real hike in life just started like this. · 😱Although hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge does not require heavy equipment, the whole journey only takes 2 days and 1 night, a short 22km, To tell the truth, for me who had only walked a short line in one day before this, Before I finished, I never thought I could walk down. · 📸Walk and take pictures along the way, pick up little friends from all over the country, 👬When we arrived at the Tea Horse Inn, we had already changed from 2 people to 10 people. 🙀The short girl from Emei Mountain actually turned around Gang Rinpoche in one day, 😱The little boy from Chengdu showed me his video of climbing the Four Girls Peak, 🥹These strong donkeys didn't complain that I was walking slowly and taking pictures was delaying time, On the contrary, they were talking and laughing, and took countless life photos, Unconsciously, I actually finished walking the Tiger Leaping Gorge‼️ 🥳At the moment of finishing, there were no excited tears, but the heart was surging. · 💪Easily conquered the small Tiger Leaping Gorge, Then in 2024, let's put Wusun Ancient Road, Yubeng, Antarctic Fall, and Abujicuo on the schedule. I used to like hiking because of the unknown scenery of the secret realm, Now, add one more reason, the people I meet on the road. · 🗺️Itinerary: The first day, arrive at Tiger Leaping Gorge in the afternoon and stay at Naxiya Pavilion, The second day, start at 9:30 in the morning on the high road of Tiger Leaping Gorge, 28 turns is the biggest climb of the whole journey, after persisting, there is basically no difficulty. Arrive at the Tea Horse Inn at 13:30 for lunch and coffee, the fried rice is really delicious. Start at 14:30, arrive at Halfway at 17:30 just in time for the golden mountain of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The third day, start at 9:30 in the morning from halfway, don't forget to take the same style as Liu Wen on the balcony before you start. Arrive at Tina's for lunch and coffee at 11:30, start at 13:00 for Middle Tiger Leaping, arrive at Tingtao at 14:30, the life photo location is here. Start at 15:40 to walk the 168 brave ladder, arrive at Teacher Zhang's Inn at 16:40; Start at 17:00 to go down to Tiger Leaping Scenic Area, choose the elevator up and down, return to Lijiang at 17:50. · ❗Tips: 1️⃣Pay attention to the weather conditions, it is not recommended to travel in heavy rain; 2️⃣You can take a car directly to the Tea Horse Inn in Tiger Leaping Gorge, halfway to start walking without going 28 turns. 3️⃣There is mobile phone signal throughout the journey; 4️⃣The path is clear, don't worry about getting lost; 5️⃣Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area ticket: 45/person, remember to keep the payment voucher, Middle Tiger Leaping: downhill 15/person, ladder 10/person, 168-15/person, Tiger Leaping Stone photo 5/person. · Where was your first real hike in life? Is there anyone like me who is Tiger Leaping Gorge? I also want to see your life photos, tell me in the comments🤝🏻