3 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour from Lijiang

Nǐ hǎo! Welcome to Lijiang, the most popular destination in the Yunnan province! Upon your arrival at Lijiang's airport or train station, our local tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, greet you, and escort you to the Lijiang Old Town area. They will assist you in checking in at your hotel.

Lijiang Arrival Ideas (by Flight or High Speed Train):

(1) Lijiang Sanyi Airport offers direct flights to major cities in China, including Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Changsha, Wuhan, and more. Additionally, high-speed trains are available to Lijiang Station from cities such as Kunming (3.5-4 hours), Dali (2-2.5 hours), Shangri-La (1-1.5 hours), and others. (2) Transfer to Lijiang Old Town: Lijiang Airport is approximately 28 km away from the old town, which is about a 45-minute drive. Lijiang Train Station is approximately 10 km away from the old town, and it takes about 26 minutes by car.

Lijiang (丽江), nestled under the breathtaking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, forms a beautiful and peaceful link between Shangri-La to the north and Dali to the south. A UNESCO World Heritage site named "Old Town of Lijiang", it's not only a living ancient town complex, encompassing Dayan, Shuhe, and Baisha, but also the heartland of the Naxi ethnic group, with about 74% of the population being Naxi. A visit to Lijiang allows you to enjoy endless snow-capped mountain views, appreciate the charming old town, experience the rich Naxi culture, and unwind in its peaceful atmosphere.

This afternoon, you will have some time to explore Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城), also known as Dayan Old Town. With over 800 years of history, Lijiang Old Town was once a bustling hub for trade along the famous "Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail". The town resembles a labyrinth, characterized by its numerous cobbled streets, traditional wooden houses with upturned eaves, ancient bridges, and an intricate network of waterways. You'll visit the Mu Palace (木府), a sprawling complex located in the heart of Lijiang Old Town, often referred to as the “Forbidden City of the South”. It offers a captivating glimpse into the grandeur of Naxi royalty, showcasing rich Naxi culture and the fascinating history of the Mu family. You'll also discover why Lijiang Old Town, unlike the top three most famous ancient Chinese cities, has no city wall. Afterwards, walk to a higher vantage point to capture a breathtaking panoramic view of the sprawling old town, with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop in the distance. Take a short walk to Sifang Street (四方街), the most famous square. Here, you can explore Naxi handicrafts, souvenirs, and local specialties, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of bustling bars with lively music spilling out onto the streets.

Afterward, let's head to Black Dragon Pond Park (黑龙潭公园), located at the northern edge of Lijiang Old Town. This picturesque location offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, highlighted by the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. On clear days, the reflection of the snow-capped peak on the tranquil water of the Black Dragon Pool creates a breathtaking scene.

Further Exploration in the Evening (Optional, explore on your own):

Lijiang Old Town takes on a different ambiance in the evening, showcasing its unique charm. (1) Here are some recommended alleys for taking awesome photos: Xianwen Alley (现文巷, also known as Oil-paper Umbrella Street), Zhenxing Alley (振兴巷, Lantern Street), Nanmen Bridge (南门桥, Wind Chime Street), and Sakura Restaurant (樱花餐厅), among others. (2) For those seeking nightlife, bars, and local cuisine, the following alleys are recommended: Sifang Street (where you can witness a bonfire dance performed by the Naxi people around 19:00), Wuyi Street (五一街), Xinhua Street (新华街), Zhongyi Market (忠义市场), etc.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Lijiang and whisk you away on a scenic journey to explore breathtaking natural landscapes and begin your Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking.

Your first stop will be the First Bend of the Yangtze River (长江第一湾). Here, you will witness the majestic river making a dramatic 90-degree turn from south to east within a short distance of 1 kilometer. Ascend to the observation deck and be captivated by the panoramic vista unfolding before you, resembling a magnificent landscape painting come to life. Continue your drive to Shigu Town for a close view of the bend. Take a walk along the river and admire the historic Iron Chain Bridge. In the charming Shigu Old Town, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Red Army's Long March Memorial Monument.

Later, continue your drive to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. According to legend, the section got its name when a tiger, chased by a hunter, took a legendary leap across the narrowest point, cornered by the rushing Jinsha River (part of the Yangtze River) at the gorge's base. One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge offers a breathtaking view of the roaring Jinsha River, allowing you to feel the strong power of nature. As Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596m) and Haba Snow Mountain (5,386m) stand on each side, you will immerse yourself in the beautiful and diverse landscapes.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest in the world, with the Jinsha River carving a path thousands of feet below. Imagine the awe-inspiring views from the trails! Start your hike at Naxi Family Guesthouse (纳西雅格). Later, you will tackle the most difficult part of the trek (2-hour hike) on the 28 Zigzag Bends (28道拐) trail and reach the peak at an elevation of 2,670m.

After another 2-3 hours’ hike, you will arrive at Half-Way Guest House (中途客栈) to conclude today's trek. There is a nice platform on the roof of Halfway Guesthouse, where you can enjoy the magnificent view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain while sipping on a couple of drinks after dinner, overlooking Bendiwan Village. Stay overnight at Half-way Guest House.

Hiking Route: Tina’s Guest House, Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse, Walnut Grove Garden; about 4 hours’ hiking

Today, We will take another day of hiking through the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge. Rise early in the morning and begin our descent towards Tina's Guest House (Tina’s客栈), passing by a small yet impressive waterfall along the way. From there, we will continue our trek downwards to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and then make our way back, a journey that will take approximately three hours.

Our first destination is Teacher Zhang's Guest House (张老师客栈), where we will be rewarded with a splendid view of the middle gorge, resembling a grand gateway. The trail from Teacher Zhang's Guest House to the Middle Rapids is quite steep, offering an exciting challenge for hikers. Upon reaching the Middle Rapids, we have two options to return to the road. The first is to tackle the Tianti, also known as the "Sky Ladder", which involves a daring and perilous vertical climb. However, we usually opt for the lower trail that leads us to the Walnut Grove Garden. This path offers a pleasant trek alongside the Yangtze River, allowing us to savor the beauty of the surroundings.

The Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, known for its treacherous nature, showcases a significant drop in water level. Six kilometers downstream from the upper gorge, a spectacular waterfall plummets over 100 meters, creating powerful currents and crashing against the rocks in the river bed. In this 100-meter stretch, numerous reefs emerge, and the current is fierce. While the gorge is rarely traversed by humans, nestled between the Middle and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge lies a small village called Hetaoyuan Village. This secluded community maintains minimal contact with the outside world, leading a simple and harmonious life in their stone-plate houses.

Following our exploration of the gorge, our driver will accompany us for further scenic views before we make our way back to Lijiang, concluding our memorable hiking through the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Stay overnight in Lijiang.

Now, your 3 days Tiger Leaping Gorge will be end. You can either continue your trip to Shangri-La or further visit Lijiang's attractions.

Extension Ideas: If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlighted parts of Yunnan, such as Kunming, Dali, Shangri-La, Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Xishuangbanna, and more, we can help you with the arrangements.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Yunnan tour, we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!