While Dali is no longer the somewhat off-the-beaten-path place it once was and Lijiang is a popular domestic and international tourist favorite, Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hǔtiào Xiá, 虎跳峡) is still a place where travelers can escape the crowds and find a cheap bed to sleep in. A thin, winding trail hugs the side of the Haba Xue Shan (Hābāxuě Shān, 哈巴雪山) range as the white-capped waters of the Jinsha River (Jīnshā Jiāng, 金沙江; part of the Yangtze River) swirl far below and the steep mountain slope and craggy peaks of the Yulong Xue Shan range rise on the other side.
The trek along the high trail (essentially the only trail since the lower trail was paved) starts near Qiaotou (Qiáotóu, 桥头) and goes up and down the side of the mountains until it descends again at the far side near Middle Tiger Leaping Stone (Zhōng Hǔtiào Shí, 中虎跳石). Hiking the trail will tire any traveler, especially sections like the upward-climbing 24 Bends (24 Dàoguǎi, 24道拐) and takes about two days from one far end to the other.
Several reasonably-priced guesthouses can be found at both ends of the trail and along the way. For more information, see our full Tiger Leaping Gorge guide.
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