Itineraries
High Trail
Low Road
Getting there
Accommodations
Photos

Map:
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Around Lijiang

Tiger Leaping Gorge is no doubt an independent hiker's first choice in China. This magnificent gorge holds several peaks at both sides up to 6000 meters. 4000 meters vertically down from the summits flows the roaring Yangzi River (the longest river in China).

Having been adventured by western intrepid hikers since 1980s, the gorge used to offer two hiking footpaths: the High Trail and the Low Road. Today the Low Road was transformed into a vehicular road. Fortunately, the easily accessible High Trail, with well-marked signs, clean and friendly lodges, amazing landscapes, still offers a wonderful trek to any fit traveler who loves wild nature.

Tiger Leaping Gorge has evoked much controversy between the prosperity of tourism and the preservation of nature. I don't want to add any comment to this controversy. So far, the hikers are still able to enjoy the wild, isolated nature along the High Trail while the Low Road makes the gorge accessible to every tourist.

Entrance Ticket: Y50 (price in 2006)

All itineraries proposed here don't include the time you would spend in Lijiang and Zhongdian. You can find the following places in the map: Around Lijiang or in the scheme for traveling in the northwest Yunnan.

1. Lijiang - Qiaotou - High Trail - Middle Tiger Leaping Stone - Ferry - Daju - Yulong Snow Mountain (Maoniuping) - Lijiang.
Time: 3-4 Days. You can leave unnecessary luggage at the hotel in Lijiang. You won't be asked to pay the ticket of Yulong Snow Mountain (Y80.-) on your way from Daju to Lijiang. On the contrary, travelers in the bus heading from Lijiang to Daju have to pay the tickets.

2. Lijiang - Qiaotou - High Trail - Middle Tiger Leaping Stone / Upper Tiger Leaping Stone - Qiaotou - Lijiang / Zhongdian.
Time: 2 days. Leave unnecessary luggage at a cafe in Qiaotou. After the trek, It's easy to catch a bus from Qiaotou to Lijiang / Zhongdian.

3. Lijiang - Qiaotou - High Trail - Middle Tiger Leaping Stone - Baishuitai , Haba Village - Zhongdian
Time: 3-4 days. This route is being frequented by group tourists while Baishuitai becomes more and more famous. Baishuitai is less spectacular than Huanglong Park in Sichuan. It is possible to hike from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Haba Village. Naxi Family Guesthouse
on the High Trail can arrange such a trek with reasonable price. I personally don't like Baishuitai as this site has been developed to receive mass Chinese tourists sent by travel agencies. Another disadvantage of this route is that you have to carry all the luggage while hiking along the High Trail.

4. More aggressive itineraries for sophisticated hikers:
Lijiang - Qiaotou - High Trail - Middle Tiger Leaping Stone - Daju - Baoshan Shitoucheng (Stone village) - A / B.
A. Go back to Lijiang visit Yulong Snow Mountain on the way. Time: 5 days.
B. Hike / Horse trek to Lugu Lake* (3 - 5 days ) - go back to Lijiang or go to Xichang in Sichuan province.
* From Lugu Lake you can further hike to Yading Nature Reserve in Daocheng Sichuan. (7-8 days), or to Muli Tibetan County.