Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Hutiaoxia Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, along the Jinsha River section between Yulong Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. It 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 gorge is 23 kilometers long, with the narrowest point of the river surface being more than 20 meters. The average flow is 1,800 cubic meters per second, the fall 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 1,600-1,700 meters, and the slopes of the rock walls on both sides of the gorge are steep, with almost 90 degrees within 200 meters above the water surface.
History and Culture
Before the Yuan Dynasty, Tiger Leaping Gorge was called Yuemiegen Pass. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was named Snow Mountain Gate Pass. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was called Hutiaojian, and during the Republic of China, it was called Hutiaotan. In 1958, when the People's Commune was established, it was renamed Tiger Leaping Gorge and has been used ever since. This area is a settlement of the Naxi people, who have a long history and unique culture. Their script is one of the only surviving pictographic 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 supplies on this ancient road, promoting exchanges and integration among various ethnic groups. In 1931, Austrian-American scholar Joseph Rock became the first Western explorer to hike through the gorge in its entirety. In the 1940s, Mr. Li Lincan and his friend Li Chenlan crossed Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Li Lincan wrote Poem of Crossing the Gorge.
Main Attractions
Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge
Well-developed with complete supporting facilities, the main highlight is the Tiger Leaping Stone. Sightseers can take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to the viewing platform and enjoy the surging river along the plank road, which takes about 1-2 hours in total. For those who don't want to climb mountains, escalators are available, with a round trip costing 70 yuan, an upward trip costing 50 yuan, and a downward trip costing 30 yuan.
Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge
One of the world's top ten classic hiking routes, the entire journey is about 20 kilometers, usually completed in two days, or you can choose to finish the essence section in one day. The along the way scenery is stunning, with spectacular gorges and waterfalls, allowing you to experience the fun and challenge of hiking. There is a popular online check-in spot called halfway's "Shuangsini Balcony," which offers excellent photo opportunities.
Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge
Compared with the Upper and Middle Tiger Leaping Gorges, the Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge has fewer tourists. Here, the river is relatively gentle, and the gorge scenery has a unique charm, suitable for tourists who prefer to enjoy the scenery quietly.
Food
Yak Meat
Local yak meat is tender and nutritious, with various cooking methods such as braising, stewing, and barbecuing, all of which are very delicious.
Highland Barley Cake
Made from highland barley flour, it has a crispy texture and a light highland barley fragrance, being one of the local characteristic staple foods.
Butter Tea
Made from butter, tea leaves, salt, and other raw materials, it has a rich taste, helps tourists resist the high-altitude cold, and is also an important part of experiencing local Tibetan culture.
Admission
The admission ticket for the scenic area is 45 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "香格里拉虎跳峡景区" to get the latest updates. As of May 22, 2025, this official public account does not provide an online ticket booking function.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are 08:30-17:30, with the last entry at 17:00. Subject to the scenic area announcements.
Tour Routes
Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for tourists with elderly people or children or those with tight schedules. You can take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to the viewing platform and enjoy the river along the plank road. If you don't want to climb mountains, you can take the escalator. There are multiple route options for hiking in Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. The novice-friendly route can start from Chama Inn, pass through the online check-in spots halfway and Dragon Cave Waterfall, and finally reach Teacher Zhang's Inn, with a total distance of 7-8 kilometers and a duration of about 5-6 hours. The advanced route can be divided into two days: on the first day, start from Naxi Yard, pass through 28 Turns, reach Chama Inn, and stay at halfway; on the second day, start from halfway, pass through tinas and One-Line Sky, reach Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, and finally return via the ladder or Teacher Zhang's Inn, with a total distance of 12-15 kilometers and a duration of 8-10 hours.
Transportation
- Carpooling: The most convenient way. It costs about 140-160 yuan round trip from Lijiang or Shangri-La. The driver will directly take you to the hiking spot and provide free luggage storage. You can book it on major travel platforms or local inns.
- Bus: Purchase tickets through the "Lijiang Jiaoyun" public account. It costs about 30-50 yuan from Lijiang. After arriving at Hutiaoxia Town, transfer to a local van or taxi to the hiking starting point.
- Self-driving: Navigate to Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge Tourist Service Center. Start early in the peak season, and drive carefully as some sections of the road are narrow.
Must-See Attractions
- Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge: With the Tiger Leaping Stone as the main highlight, you can closely observe the surging river and feel the steepness of the gorge.
- Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge: The hiking route offers stunning scenery, including magnificent gorges and waterfalls. The "Shuangsini Balcony" is a popular online check-in spot with great photo-taking effects.
Tour Tips
- Choose a suitable tour route according to your physical strength and time. If you are a novice, you can choose the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge or the novice-friendly route in Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge.
- Prepare appropriate equipment for hiking, such as mid-high top non-slip hiking shoes, quick-drying clothes and pants, waterproof and windproof hard-shell jacket, trekking poles, and knee pads.
- Check the weather forecast in advance. Avoid hiking during the rainy season (July-September) to prevent geological disasters such as mudslides and landslides. The water of the Jinsha River looks beautiful from December to March, but the temperature is low, so keep warm.
Notes
- Some sections of Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge are steep and narrow, and close to cliffs. Be sure to pay attention to safety, do not take photos while walking, and tourists with acrophobia should choose carefully.
- When taking photos, do not take risks to pursue good photos, especially in dangerous positions.
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area, care for the environment, and do not litter.