Trek Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge cuts for 23 kilometres through north-west Yunnan, between Qiaotou and Daju villages on the Jinsha, the upper Yangtze. It lies roughly midway between Lijiang and Shangri-La, below the Jade Dragon and Haba snow mountains, and is one of China’s best-known trekking landscapes.

What the experience is

The classic route is the high path along the northern wall. Done in two days, it covers about 20 kilometres between guesthouses perched on the slope, passes the steep switchbacks known as the 28 Bends and peaks near 2,670 metres, high enough for big views without the usual risk of altitude sickness. The middle gorge adds the Sky Ladder, a stairway of 168 steep steps, and the narrow Ray of Sunshine trail. A one-day alternative runs between two guesthouses in about five kilometres and two hours. The lower gorge is generally not recommended.

The nights matter as much as the walking: simple guesthouses on the slope, with balconies facing the mountains and food from the family running the place.

When to go

September and October bring comfortable weather of roughly 12 to 25 °C and excellent visibility. From November to March the snow peaks are clear, but it is cold. April and May bring flowers. June to August is rainy, with a real risk of landslides, though the river is at its fullest.

Getting there

Buses run from Lijiang and Shangri-La to the trailhead area; a private transfer is more flexible. Check local trail conditions before setting out, especially in the rainy season.

Why OKYTO recommends it

Because it is a real trek with a clear shape, two days of mountain wall and a bed at the end of each, in one of China’s great landscapes.