Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike: The Ultimate Trekking Guide (2026 Trail & Guesthouse Tips)

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the most epic hikes in China and one of the must-do activities (along with perhaps, the Guilin to Yanshuo cruise), but figuring out the logistics can be super confusing, especially if you’re relying on outdated info or don’t speak Mandarin.

We just did the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike in April 2025 over the course of 2 days, completely independently and without any tour group, so this guide is based entirely on our experience.

I also did this hike in the beginning of 2014, when I was living in Beijing and wanted a little vacation from the hectic life there, and I am amazed by how many things have changed and developed in the span of a little over a decade. Back in the day, things were a bit unplanned and spontaneous, but now websites like Trip.com will become your friend in helping you plan and book things like accommodations half-way through the hike. The hike is more accessible than it has ever been, but finding the right information is always difficult unless you are based in China.

Why Hike Tiger Leaping Gorge?

If you like your hikes dramatic, scenic, and a little chaotic, this one’s for you. It’s not super polished (at least not for the entire time) and that’s part of the charm. You get stunning cliffside views, old-school guesthouses, goat traffic jams, and the chance to climb terrifying metal ladders bolted to a rock wall. What’s not to love?

Best Time To Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge

The best time to hike Tiger Leaping Gorge is generally from late March to early June and September to early November. These months offer milder temperatures and less rain, making the trail safer and more enjoyable. Summer (July–August) can be hot and rainy, which increases the risk of landslides, while winter can be cold and icy at higher elevations.

That being said, when I went in 2014, it was mid-January and the conditions were absolutely perfect with lots of sun, no snow, and beautiful views. When we went most recently, it was early April in 2025, and we could hardly catch a ray of sunlight.

Try to avoid bigger holiday weekends, especially China’s Golden Week (early October), as the trail and guesthouses can get quite crowded, which can really affect the peaceful vibe and overall experience.

To sum up, the weather in the gorge is famously unpredictable. We had only cloudy days during our recent hike, and conditions changed quickly...one minute it was misty and cool, the next the sun would break through. Be prepared for anything, and pack layers, so you can adjust as needed.

Getting There: Buses from Lijiang or Shangri-La

This is the most difficult part to arrange if you don't speak Mandarin (I do speak a bit), but I will do my best to explain it and give you translations you can show the driver to make it as easy as possible.

Your journey by road to the Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡中峡) and the hiking area will start from either Lijiang or Shangri-La in Yunnan. Lijiang is easily reachable by flight from major cities like Shanghai, Chengdu, and more. Both Lijiang and Shangri-La are also accessible by high-speed rail from many cities in the region.

We started from Lijiang, but the setup is similar from Shangri-La. A lot of these minibus drivers know the trail well and work with guesthouses, so if you ask nicely (or use a translation app), they can help streamline everything for you.

Here’s how we got to Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang, figured out what to do with our bags so we didn't have to bring them all on the hike, and book onward tickets after the hike:

1. Got picked up in Lijiang Bus Station at 8 am (we booked these one day in advance, but there are also a few later buses headed towards Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡中峡)). See box below for how to book buses from Lijiang.
2. Got dropped off at the bottom of the hill below Naxi Family Guesthouse.
3. Our driver took our extra bags straight to Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse (where we’d end the hike) - this may be a different guesthouse in the vicinity and your driver will tell you.
4. He also booked us a shuttle from there to Shangri-La the next day at 2pm (but can also book shuttles back to Lijiang).

Honestly, it made everything way easier. We were hiking light, didn’t have to backtrack, and didn’t need to scramble to book anything while exhausted. When in doubt, just stop your driver and ask.

Starting the Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike: Skip Qiaotou, Start at Naxi Family Guesthouse

A lot of blogs still tell you to start in Qiaotou, but Qiaotou doesn't seem to really be a thing anymore since the highway from Lijiang to Shangri-La got an upgrade. The better move is to get dropped off at the bottom of the hill from Naxi Family Guesthouse.

Before you arrive to this point, a Tiger Leaping Gorge park attendant will come on the bus and collect a fee to enter the park (45 RMB per person) and then you will go onward for a few minutes more.

We created the map below to show you the bare essentials of doing the hike we did, which is hiking from Naxi Family Guesthouse to The Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. The orange trail is all you need:

For the most comprehensive map (including other hiking options), this map seems to be the most accurate in terms of starting points, timings and everything else you might need to know.

You’ve got two options once you get dropped off at the bottom of this hill:

• Hike up to the guesthouse (30 mins to an hour or more, but why be tired before you even begin?)
• Take a sketchy little shuttle van that is likely going to be waiting there when you arrive (cheap and kind of hilarious)

We opted for the sketchy little shuttle van and were packed with the majority of the other passengers from our bigger van in a minivan. In only 5 minutes, you'll be dropped off at Naxi Family Guesthouse.

Either way, this is the actual trailhead now. Naxi Family Guesthouse is the perfect launch point to start the difficult 28 Bends portion of the trek.

Day 1: Naxi Family Guesthouse to Halfway Guesthouse

This is the big one. The infamous 28 Bends are real, and they will burn your legs. Bring water and snacks, although there are plenty of vendors along the way to fuel up in case you forget (there are even horses that will take your bags up for you). The views on this stretch are stunning if the weather cooperates, but even in cloudy conditions like we had it’s still dramatic and atmospheric.

When I had done it in 2014, it was rare to come across another hiker, but when we went most recently, we were quite often passing or getting passed by other hikers. Quite a bit of the trailhead is paved until you get to the upper portion of the bends.

You'll know you're at the end of the 28 bends when you reach a little hut with an old lady that sells drinks, snacks, and even ganja. Hysterically, I remember her from when I was there in 2014, and I may have purchased the ganja at that time (it was very much bush weed with zero effects). At this point, there is a pretty cool look-out point where you can pay ganja mama a bit extra to take pictures with some Chinese flags and out-of-this-world views.

After the 28 bends, the trail will level out much more, and you'll be able to hike at a conversational pace. At one point, we came across quite a makeshift, but artisanal coffee hut that was definitely not present the first time I went.

We stopped for a bigger snack of yak meat and even a beer midway through at the Tea Horse Guesthouse. I suppose if you wanted to break up the hike into a leisurely three days, you could stay here for the night, but after refueling we got back on the road.

A few more hours later, our legs were shaking by the time we arrived at Halfway (which is the name of a legendary guesthouse, but also the midway stopping point for the night).

Halfway is where you’ll likely sleep, whether it be in Halfway Guesthouse or one of the many places that have popped up in the decade since I first hiked the trail.

One of the listings on Trip.com was translated as "Leaning against the small courtyard on the hill" and the cuteness of the name and place made us book it, although it actually was the highest guesthouse in the town, which required a bit more hiking.

While it was a very basic place, it was absolutely wonderful with a friendly family, cozy beds for the night, and some of the best homemade food we've eaten in China, which was sourced all from her garden along with some duck she got from a farmer nearby (this comes at an extra fee, but it is well worth it). While the hosts don't speak English, they are incredibly patient with their guests and using a translation app works fine.

There are a few other options nearby if you want something more upscale.

Day 2 (Day 2, Part 1): Halfway Guesthouse to Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse

This day is way easier than Day 1, if you give yourself time to take it slow and enjoy. Don't be like us and wake up extremely late 😉. We recommend getting out on the trail by 9 am latest.

Even though we had woken up late, we said goodbye to our lovely hosts and went down to Halfway Guesthouse for some breakfast and coffee and just to soak in the vibe of the place before getting on the road. After again spending too much time there, we got back on the trail.

A lot more flat and downhill. You pass through a few tiny villages, edge around jaw-dropping cliffsides, stumble through waterfalls, and the whole thing is just super peaceful. There is definitely a bit more of a crowd on this part, as some people get transported up to Halfway and start the hike there.

We cruised into Teacher Zhang’s Inn by early afternoon. Teacher Zhang’s is a solid place to end the hike or head on down to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, as the entrance is literally through the guesthouse. Good food, a chill vibe, an overnight stay if you need it, and they’ll help you book onward transport. This is where our big bags were waiting for us too. Success.

Optional Detour (Day 2, Part 2): The Middle Gorge

We recommend doing the zigzag path down to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, spending some time hanging out by the gorge and taking photos, and then climbing back up via the terrifying ladder path (known as the 168 Steps for the Brave). We opted to go up the ladders. It is broken into three parts with the middle part being the most steps, and honestly I felt like I was about to have a panic attack on the second part. If like me, the ladders are not your thing, you can also take the zigzags back up.

• Zigzags: steep but manageable
• Ladders: three stages of vertical metal death, the middle being the longest of the ladders, but so fun if you’re not afraid of heights

There are small entrance fees (15-30 RMB depending on whom you run into) and it’s not super regulated. You’re kind of on your own out there, but that’s what makes it cool.

Where to Stay in Tiger Leaping Gorge

During the actual hike, we only stayed one night at the halfway point, but if you have a bit more time to soak in the beauty of the area, you can stay one more night in the beginning and/or end of the trail. Back in the day, it was a bit easier to be spontaneous about showing up and getting a bed, but with more hikers now than ever, it is best to book in advance on Trip.com.

Lijiang

• Yueerxuan Secret Garden Beautiful Stay: great place to get some rest, explore Lijiang, and gear up for the bus-ride and hike

Tiger Leaping Gorge Park Area

Beginning of the trail (optional)

• Naxi Family Guesthouse: chill, basic, and the food is delicious to get you started for the hike

Halfway Point (where we stayed for one night)

• Halfway Guesthouse: great views, awesome place to meet others, decent beds. As this is really the most-famed guesthouse in the area, it is usually sold out a while in advance.
• “Leaning against the small courtyard on the hill”: kindest hosts, and fabulous food, immense views (where we stayed), just beware you will have to do a little more uphill to get there 😉
• Come Inn: A bit more upscale if you need something a bit more relaxing with lots of amenities midway through your hike

End of the trail (optional)

• Teacher Zhang’s Inn: end point, food, transport help, luggage storage

There are also a few nicer places you can book in advance through Trip.com if you want a little more comfort. Some rooms have balconies and huge windows overlooking the gorge.

Shangri-La

• Deyang Mansion: a seriously beautiful place to stay with a traditional Tibetan feel and one of the nicest and healthiest breakfasts you can get

What to Pack

• Layers (the weather changes fast)
• Day backpack (especially if you’re forwarding your luggage)
• Snacks and water (you’ll thank us), but again there are vendors if you run out along the way
• Good shoes (do not hike this in sandals)
• Toilet paper and hand sanitizer (the dream team)
• Cash - but this is just in case your phone dies or something, as we paid EVERYTHING with WeChat or Alipay - the service is quite good up there and everyone accepts these forms of payments. So it is more useful to have an extra powerbank and data.
• On that note, if you haven't gotten an eSIM yet, we highly recommend just getting one through Trip.com. It is cheaper, you won't need a VPN for posting on the Insta, and it was very reliable everywhere on the hike.

Food & Toilets

Every guesthouse sells food along the way. Kung Pao chicken, fried eggs, rice, fried potatoes… it’s simple but tasty and most places use very local ingredients.

Bathrooms along the route range from clean-ish to a hole in the floor with no privacy walls, but it’s all part of the experience. Your guest houses will have something a bit cleaner and more private.

Rough Costs (2026)

• Shuttle from Lijiang: 30-50 RMB
• Guesthouses: 100-150 RMB per night
• Entrance to Park: 45 RMB
• Meals: 30-60 RMB
• Guide to Head to Middle Gorge: 600 RMB (necessary as of Nov. 2025 if you'd like to go down to the Middle Gorge)
• Zhang’s to Shangri-La: 60-100 RMB

Tips from the Trail

• Don’t over pack. Forward your luggage and hike light.
• Use translation apps. You don’t need fluent Mandarin but a few phrases help.
• Do the ladder path if you when you head back up from the Tiger Leaping Gorge. It’s terrifying but unforgettable.
• Try to allot more time than expected for the second day, as we were rushing up and down the gorge to get back to our bus in time.
• Signage is pretty good on the trail. It isn't entirely easy to get lost, but when in doubt, follow other hikers. There are blue emergency poles along the way with a blue button you can press to get assistance if you need it.
• Book your nicer guesthouses early, especially during spring and autumn.
• You can do a tour to Tiger Leaping Gorge instead, but the hike is all part of the adventure. Nevertheless, if you are stretched for time, this could be a good option.s

Final Thoughts

Tiger Leaping Gorge is absolutely worth it. The hike is challenging but never boring, the views are next level, and the guesthouses have just the right amount of chaos. With a little prep (and this guide), it’s a super doable and memorable two-day adventure.

See you on the trail.