China - Tiger Leaping Gorge

One of Asia's most spectacular short treks! This 2-day hike takes you along the flanks of Haba Snow Mountain, high above one of the deepest gorges in the world. You walk through terraced fields and small Naxi villages, tackle the legendary "28 Bends," and follow a narrow cliff path with the roaring Jinsha River far below.

The trek can be walked without a guide. The trail is very easy to follow. Most hikers start from Lijiang, the closest big city and gateway to the gorge. After the trek you can take the bus back to Lijiang or head further to Shangri-La.

Number of days: 2
Starting point: Naxi Family Guesthouse in Hutiaoxia, by bus from Lijiang
Ending point: Tina's Guesthouse
Difficulty: Easy
Distinctive feature: Dramatic gorge scenery, ending at the narrowest point of the Jinsha River

What is the character of the trek?

A striking contrast between terraced farmland, dense forest, and sheer rock walls, all set against the backdrop of Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. In the guesthouses and Naxi villages along the way, you'll get a real taste of local Yunnan culture.

What are the highlights of the trek?

The undisputed highlight is the High Trail itself, especially the stretch after Halfway Guesthouse where the path clings to the cliffside with waterfalls spilling across it. The scenery from the Halfway Guesthouse is also a huge highlight, maybe the most beautiful hotel we stayed at.

How difficult is the trek?

It's an easy to moderately challenging trek. The toughest section is the "28 Bends" on day one — a steep switchback climb of about 400 vertical metres. The whole trek doesn’t require technical skills. Altitude isn't really an issue here, since the highest point of the trail sits around 2,700 metres. Anyone in reasonable shape can complete it.

The trek with or without a guide?

You don't need a guide for the standard upper trail — it's well marked with signs and red paint, and the route is walked by independent travellers every day.
For route-finding, accommodation, and meals, you're fine on your own: guesthouses line the trail and are easy to book as you go, or in advance during peak season.
There are also organised tours available, often combining the gorge with a village stay or an extension toward Shangri-La. The advantage of arranging your own trip is flexibility — if the weather turns or you simply want to slow down, you can adjust your pace without depending on a group schedule.

What is the best time to go?

The gorge can be hiked more or less year-round, but the best conditions are from April to June and September to November. July and August bring the rainy season, which makes the trail muddy and increases the risk of rockfall. Winter is cold but scenic, with snow visible on the surrounding peaks.

How do you get to the starting point?

The trailhead is the village of Hutiaoxia, about 1.5 hours by minibus from Lijiang's bus station. Minibuses leave regularly in the morning; just tell the driver you're hiking the gorge and he'll drop you at the upper trail entrance rather than the main road. An entry fee is collected at a checkpoint near the trailhead.
From the tourist centre in Hutiaoxia it’s possible to take a cab to the start of the Uppertrail at Naxi Family Guesthouse. Then you skip the first 1,5 hours of walking uphill on a boring road, so it’s recommended to take this cab. The ride takes about 20 minutes.

Day programme – 2-day trek

Day 1: Qiaotou → Naxi Family Guesthouse → Halfway Guesthouse
11 km, 6-7 hours
The day starts along a stretch of road before the real trail begins. After registering and buying your entry ticket, you follow the path up past terraced fields and small hamlets to Naxi Family Guesthouse, a good spot for an early lunch. As said, it is recommended to take a cab from the tourist centre to the Naxi Guesthouse to skip this long, boring road.
From the Naxi Family Guesthouse, the trail turns onto the famous 28 Bends: a steep, narrow switchback climb of roughly 400 metres that is the toughest stretch of the whole trek. Once at the top, the path levels out into a long traverse high above the gorge, with sweeping views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across the valley. In the late afternoon you reach Halfway Guesthouse, perched dramatically on the cliffside — a fantastic spot to watch the sunset from the terrace or your room.

Day 2: Halfway Guesthouse → Tina's Guesthouse
10 km, 4-5 hours
The second day is easier and mostly downhill. Leaving Halfway, the trail hugs the cliffside past several waterfalls that spill directly across the path — expect to get a little wet if you're hiking in the rainy months. This stretch is considered the most photogenic part of the whole trek. After 3 to 4 hours the trail descends sharply toward the main road and you arrive at Tina's Guesthouse around midday, the unofficial finish line of the high trail.
From Tina's, regular buses run back to Lijiang or onward to Shangri-La. It is possible to buy your ticket at the bus station next to Tina’s Guesthouse.