Tiger Leaping Gorge High Trail

Tiger Leaping Gorge is where the Jinsha River, the upper Yangtze, forces its way between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. The river runs nearly four kilometres below the summits on either side. The High Trail follows a ledge on the Haba side for two days, so you spend the whole walk looking across the gorge at Jade Dragon’s cliffs and glaciers.

It is the easiest great hike in China to do well. The path is clear, family guesthouses are spaced a few hours apart, and you can send your bag ahead and walk with a daypack.

The route

Day 1: Qiaotou to Halfway. From the village of Qiaotou the trail climbs through farmland to the Naxi Family Guesthouse, a good lunch stop. Above it come the 28 Bends: a steep, zigzagging hour that is the only hard section of the walk. At the top the gorge opens up in front of you. From here the path contours past the Tea Horse Guesthouse to Halfway Guesthouse, whose terrace has one of the best views on the trail.

Day 2: Halfway to Tina’s and the river. An easier morning past waterfalls and small farms, gently descending to Tina’s Guesthouse by the road. From there a steep path drops to Middle Tiger Leaping Stone, a rock in the middle of the rapids, and climbs back out. The descent is on private paths whose owners charge a small toll. Allow two to three hours for the round trip and take it seriously after rain.

Optional day 3. Stay at Walnut Garden or carry on along the lower road towards Daju, a quieter and less-walked continuation.

Where to stay

Family-run guesthouses line the trail. Rooms are simple and clean, most have hot showers, and the food is good: Naxi home cooking alongside banana pancakes. In the October holidays rooms fill up, so book ahead or come on a weekday.

When to go

March to May brings flowers and mild days. October and November are clearer and usually the best months for views. Winter is dry and very quiet but nights are cold. July and August are the rainy season, with the highest risk of rockfall and road closures.

Guided or self-guided?

Honestly, you can walk this one yourself. Where a guided trek earns its keep is everything around it: getting to Qiaotou, moving bags, rooms in busy weeks, and linking the gorge with Shangri-La and Yubeng without losing days to transport. If you want to do it alone but skip the hassle, we can book the car, rooms and bags for you.