Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiaoxia Gorge) is located in Hutiaoxia Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It lies in the section of the Jinsha River between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The terrain of the scenic area is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with mountain peaks ranging in altitude from 3,000 to 5,596 meters. The entire gorge is 23 kilometers long, with the narrowest part of the river surface being more than 20 meters. The average flow rate is 1,800 cubic meters per second, the gradient is 213 meters, and the altitude difference is 3,900 meters. The relative height of the "V"-shaped gorge shoulders in the scenic area is 1,600 to 1,700 meters. The rock walls on both sides of the gorge have a steep slope, and nearly 90 degrees within 200 meters above the water surface.
Historical and Cultural Background
Before the Yuan Dynasty, Tiger Leaping Gorge was called Yuemi Gen Pass. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was named Snow Mountain Gate Pass. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was known as Hutiaojian (Tiger Leaping Gully), and during the Republic of China period, it was called Hutiaotan (Tiger Leaping Beach). In 1958, when the people's commune was established, it was renamed Tiger Leaping Gorge, and this name has been used ever since. This area is a settlement of the Naxi people, who have a long history and a unique culture. Their written language is one of the only surviving hieroglyphic scripts in the world and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Tiger Leaping Gorge is also an important section of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. In ancient times, people exchanged tea for horses and other goods on this road, promoting communication and integration among various ethnic groups. In 1931, Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American scholar, became the first Western explorer to hike through the entire gorge. In the 1940s, Mr. Li Lincan and his friend Li Chenlan crossed Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Li Lincan also composed the poem "Poem of Crossing the Gorge".
Major Scenic Spots
Upper Hutiaoxia
It is well-developed with complete supporting facilities, and its main attraction is the Tiger Leaping Rock. You can take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to the viewing platform, and then walk along the plank road to enjoy the surging river water. The whole journey takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Middle Hutiaoxia
It is one of the top 10 classic hiking routes in the world, with a total length of about 20 kilometers. It usually takes two days to complete, or you can choose to finish the essence section in one day. The scenery along the way is extremely beautiful, where you can see spectacular gorges and waterfalls, and also experience the fun and challenge of hiking. There is a popular social media check-in spot called "Halfway", which offers excellent photo-taking opportunities.
Lower Hutiaoxia
Compared with Upper and Middle Hutiaoxia, Lower Hutiaoxia has fewer tourists. The river water here is relatively calm, and the gorge scenery has a unique charm, making it suitable for tourists who like to enjoy the scenery quietly.
Tour Routes
Upper Hutiaoxia is suitable for tourists traveling with the elderly or children, or those with limited time. You can take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to the viewing platform and enjoy the river view along the plank road. If you don't want to climb, you can take the escalator. There are multiple hiking route options for Middle Hutiaoxia. For beginners, a friendly route starts from the Ancient Tea Horse Inn, passes through the popular check-in spot "Halfway" and Longdong Waterfall, and finally reaches Teacher Zhang's Inn. This route is 7 to 8 kilometers long and takes about 5 to 6 hours. For more experienced hikers, an advanced route can be completed in two days: on the first day, start from Naxi Ya Ge Inn, pass through the 28 Bends, reach the Ancient Tea Horse Inn, and then go to "Halfway" for accommodation; on the second day, start from "Halfway", pass through "Tinas" and the One-Line Sky, reach Middle Hutiaoxia, and finally return from the Sky Ladder or Teacher Zhang's Inn. This advanced route is 12 to 15 kilometers long and takes about 8 to 10 hours.
Travel Tips
- Choose a suitable travel route based on your physical strength and available time. If you are a beginner, you can opt for Upper Hutiaoxia or the beginner-friendly route of Middle Hutiaoxia.
- Prepare appropriate equipment for hiking, such as mid-high cut non-slip hiking shoes, quick-drying clothes and pants, waterproof and windproof jackets, hiking poles, and knee pads.
- Check the weather forecast in advance and avoid hiking during the rainy season (July-September) to prevent geological disasters such as mudslides and landslides. From December to March, the water of the Jinsha River presents a beautiful color, but the temperature is relatively low, so please keep warm.
Notes
- Some sections of Middle Hutiaoxia are steep, narrow, and close to cliffs. Please be sure to pay attention to safety and do not take photos while walking. Tourists with acrophobia should choose carefully.
- When taking photos, do not take risks for better photo effects, especially in dangerous locations.
- Abide by the scenic area regulations, protect the environment, and do not litter.
Transportation
- Shared Car: This is the most convenient way. Departing from Lijiang or Shangri-La, the round-trip cost is about 140-160 yuan. The driver will take you directly to the hiking starting point, and free luggage storage is also available. You can book through major travel platforms or local inns.
- Bus: Purchase tickets on the official WeChat account "Lijiang Transportation". The one-way fare from Lijiang is about 30-50 yuan. After arriving at Hutiaoxia Town, transfer to a local minivan or taxi to reach the hiking starting point.
- Self-Driving: Navigate to the Shangri-La Hutiaoxia Scenic Area Tourist Service Center. Depart early during the peak season. Some sections of the road are narrow, so drive carefully.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 08:30 to 17:30, and admission stops at 17:00. Please refer to the official announcement of the scenic area for the latest information.
Ticket Price
The ticket price for the scenic area is 45 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat account of the scenic area "香格里拉虎跳峡景区" on WeChat to get the latest updates. As of May 22, 2025, this official WeChat account does not provide an online ticket-purchasing function.