Tiger Leaping Gorge - Yunnan

Yangtze River cutting
through the Gorge

Hidden deep in the northeast corner of China's Yunnan province lies Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. The gorge has been cut into the Himalayan foothills as the Yangtze River powers through, creating some breathtaking landscapes.

Luckily for world travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, a system of trails and primitive guest houses have cropped up around the gorge, making it one of the finest hiking destinations in all of China.

Lijiang Old Town

From the town of Lijiang (whose historic "old town" is also worth a visit), a bus can be taken to the trailhead in the town of Qiaotou (桥头 in Chinese) for ¥30 (~ US$5). Hiking the length of the trail, which is approximately 15 miles long, should take between one-and-a-half and three days, depending on your pace.

The beginning of the well-marked trail winds through rural Naxi villages and terraced farmland. As the trail continues, some of the sights worth seeing include 28 Bends, a grueling introduction to the trail, a vertical climb composed of 28 switchbacks ("bends"), waterfalls (including one that flows across the trail), the local guesthouses, the site of the "Leaping Tiger Legend," and the occasional rockslide.

Sunset at Half-Way Guesthouse

Helpful information about preparing for and hiking the trail can be found here: Wikitravel - Tiger Leaping Gorge

I would recommend pushing to the Half-Way Guesthouse if possible. The restaurant and rooms are adequate and the view from the porch is quite possibly the best on the trail. Catching the sunset on Haba Snow Mountain (17,074 ft.) is a great way to end a day's hike.


Most of the available trail maps are hand drawn and approximate at best, but the trail is well marked and there are plenty of locals along the trail to help point you in the right direction. Below is one of the more helpful trekking maps: