Tiger Leaping Gorge
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its steepness, one of the deepest gorges in the world and sits between Haba Snow Mountain in the north and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the south. The gorge consists of three parts: the upper section, middle section and lower section. The hiking route of Tiger Leaping Gorge is depicted as one of the top 10 classic hiking routes all over the world. Travellers mainly hike along the upper and middle section of Tiger Leaping Gorge.
The Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge
Compared to the upper section, middle section is more difficult and challenging, which attracts more and more backpackers. There are some rocks rolling from the mountain and no guardrail along the whole section. Since it’s underdeveloped and steep, good physical strength is required. It wound be the second day of Tiger Leaping Tour if travellers depart from the upper one. After the overnight stay in Halfway Guest House, continue to hike for an hour and a half, the Bamboo Forest is on the way, then you will arrive at Tina’s Guest House or Teacher Zhang’s Guest House. It’s best for travellers to take a rest and and grab some food there because the next part is the most challeging one that is well-known hiking route and no available road.
Some travellers go through the section by climbing the vertical ladder(天梯) built by the locals or hike along the Jinsha(Gold Sand) River and head to Walnut Grove between the middle section and the lower section of Tiger Leaping Gorge where the houses are constructed with rocks. It’s not recommended to climb the vertical ladder（天梯） because it’s kind of dangerous. Hiking along the section from Teacher Zhang’s Guest House to Walnut Grove via the vertical cliff takes about three hours. Travellers can enjoy the Ray of Sunshine（一线天） along the route and are able to take photos on Middle Tiger Leaping Stone(中虎跳石) by the river with water surging. taking a homestay in Walnut Grove is amazing experience, keeping away from the noise, seeing the bright star and vertical mountain, enjoying quiet night and great food. For some elderly people or who want a less challenging trip, hiking from Tina’s Guest House to Walnut Grove along the highway would be a good option, which is much easier and only takes nearly an hour.
How to get to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang and Shangrila
Car rental
It’s better for travellers to rent shuttle car with someone else because it would be more convenient and economic than taking a bus. You need to emphasize that you are going to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La and must go through Qiaotou Town(桥头镇) when negotiating on price.
Bus
Lijiang-Qiaotou-Tina’s
For more and more backpackers, the buses depart from Lijiang Ancient Town for Tina’s Guest House via Qiaotou Town(桥头镇). Hikers can get off the bus at Qiaotou(桥头) and leave belongings on the bus which would be kept in Tina’s for convenient hiking to travellers and it’s totally free. Travellers can pick up the baggages from Tina’s on the second day and have lunch there. The buses depart from Tina’s at 3:00pm for Shangri-La with the fee for 50RMB per person.
Shangri-La-Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge
There is a bus departing from Zhongxia International Youth Hostel(中峡国际青年旅舍) at 8:00am in Shangri-La for Tina’s Guest House（中峡客栈） via Qiaotou Town(桥头镇) with the fee for 50RMB per person.
Best time to travel Tiger Leaping Gorge
Between April and June in the late spring and early summer and the autumn time during September to October is the best time to travel. During these two periods it is suitable to go hiking on the Tiger Leaping Gorge, also can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenery. The late spring and early summer the temperature is moderate, flowers on the meadow blooming like a piece of brocade which is charming.
After about 20 days of Mid-Autumn Festival, the plateau is autumn secnery which is the most wonderful time of Diqing plateau.
From June to September is the rainy season of Diqing plateau, although the scenery is beautiful, but not suitable to travel.
After October the temperature is very low, if one wants to visit need to bring enough warm clothes.
Tiger Leaping Gorge even in August is also likely to fall a few snowflakes, and day and night temperature difference is very big, there is a saying that “there are four seasons in a day”, so every season need to pay attention to keep out the cold.
Recommended Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Routes
| Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Routes | Time |
| • Lijiang – Qiaotou – High Trail – Middle Tiger Leaping Stone – Ferry – Daju – Yulong Snow Mountain (Maoniuping) – Lijiang | 3-4 Days |
| • Lijiang – Qiaotou – High Trail – Middle Tiger Leaping Stone / Upper Tiger Leaping Stone – Qiaotou – Lijiang / Zhongdian | 2 Days |
| • Lijiang – Qiaotou – High Trail – Middle Tiger Leaping Stone – Baishuitai , Haba Village – Zhongdian | 3-4 Days |
Travel Tips
1.It’s rainy season from July to September, Please pay attention to some clastic rocks rolling down from the mountain and don’t get too close to the river with water surging.
2.It’s dry season from December to February, strong wind or flocks of sheep may bring about the clastic rocks. Get perpared before hiking.
Hiking Tips
1. It usually hot in day time, you can bring shorts and T-shirt. As hiking will consume lots of physical strength, you could take some high calorie food such as chocolate, malted milk, sliced dried beef and so on.
2. When you hiking to the Shenzhou Waterfall located between Walnut Garden and Zhongxia Hotel, you must be very carefull, as it may fall stone with the waterfall which is very dangerous.
3. Each year from June to September is the rainy season of the Diqing Plateau. You’d better avoid this period as it may occurs debris flow and mountain rock fall.
4. Located at the high altitude area, surrounded by Hengduan Montains, the climmate in Tiger Leaping Gorge is complicate and changable. The temperature difference between day and night is big. Take think coat, down jacket, gloves, anti-skidding boots with you.
What to Eat in Tiger Leaping Gorge
All of the guesthouses provide local food and simple western food because it has been a long history of Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking for international tourists.These tourists taught local people how to cook western food with local food.So it is very convenient to enjoy very nice food along the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Nearby Attractions
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Haba Snow Mountain
The First Bend of Yangtze River, Lijiang
The Upper Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge (Lijiang Side)
Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan
Why is Sanxian Cave So Special
Sanxian Cave is located in Sanjiaoyan Village, Mengga Town, Mangshi, 41 km southeast of Mangshi. It has a natural cave on the cliff of the Hillside. The cave is named after three rocks resembling foxes. The cave is divided into upper and lower floors. The road is winding and the landscape is unique. The interior is 30 meters high and spans 50 meters. There are 16 halls. There are stalagmites, stalactites, stone pillars, sheets, stone flowers and other landscapes in the cave, which look like the icy trees and flowers, animal shapes in different poses and with different expressions and beautiful scenery.There are pavilions in front of the cave, and there are corridors with beautiful scenery, which is a good place to enjoy pleasure for people.
Where is Sanxian Cave-Location
It is located in Sanjiaoyan Village, Mengga Town, Mangshi, 41 km southeast of Mangshi.
How to Get Sanxian Cave
It is more than 40 kilometers from Luxi Passenger Station, which goes through Fengping, Fapa, Mengga. It can also be from the Dagang to Sanjiaoyan, which is about 34 kilometers. It is convenient to get to Sanxian Cave by taxi or self-driving.
History of Sanxian Cave
Sanxian Cave is located in the southern part of Mangshi, 41 kilometers away from Mangshi. It was first developed in the 28th year of Qing Daoguang. According to the historical record “Longling Record” contains: “The cave has a stone three Buddhas, which are naturally generated, not carved. The local call it as Sanxian Cave. It is said that there are goddess in the moon, a fox and a monkey, these three celestial beings in the cave. They often made their presence to bless the villagers. Later, the temple was built in the cave to enshrine and worship a buddhism goddess Guanyin, known as “Sanxiandong Guanyin Temple”, referred to as “Sanxian Temple. “With the wonders of the caves, Sanxian Cave once became the famous spot of “the tourists are moving and the incense is endless”. However, in the long river of history change, “Fairyland” has been ignorant for several times. Now Sanxian Cave is once again displayed in the world.
Best Time to Go
It is suitable to visit Sanxian Cave at any time. Every season has its own unique beauty.
Nearby Attractions
Menghuan Silver Pagoda
The Menghuan Silver Pagoda, known as the Menghuan Qianfo Silver Pagoda, is located on the hilltop opposite the Grand Silver Pagoda and a contemporary new-built Pagoda.The Pagoda is an important building of the Dehong Branch of Yunnan Buddhist College.
Menghuan Golden Pagoda
Menghuan Grand Golden Pagoda is located at Leiyarang Mountain in the southeast of Luxi (Mangshi), the capital city of Dehong Prefecture. It’s the best place to bird-eye view the town of Mangshi and those picturesque Dai villages around. Being 73 meters high, the pagoda is a three-storied octagonal but hollow one. The ground floor is the most impressive. With an area of 2,000 square meters, it’s spacious enough for nearly 2,000 pilgrims to pray at the same time. Enshrined in the hall are mainly Buddhist figures such as Sakyamuni in the east, Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) in the south, Medicine Buddha in the west, and Maitreya (the Future Buddha) in the north, etc. all of which are made from Myanmar white marble to present grandeur and magnificence.
Mengba Naxi Rare Park
Mengba Naxi Rare Park is at the national AAAA state-level. “Mengba Naxi” in Dai language means “a magical, beautiful and fertile place,” which is just the legendary “heaven.” Situated in Xianchi Road in Mangshi City, the park covers an area of 618 mu, and was built in 2001. It is an ecological park that boasts rare ancient trees, plants and rocks. There are poems to praise it saying that “Ancient trees and rare flowers are planted in the park. There is no parallel with such beautiful scenery, and for such beauty, there is no need to visit a fairyland.” Another poem says that “the universe is full of myths. Stones in the park show its understanding of the nature, and the extraordinary workmanship of nature creates miracles.”
Why is Fengping Buddhist Pagoda So Special
Fengping Buddhist Pagoda is one of the scenic spots in Dehong Prefecture. It is tall and majestic with exqusite and magnificent style, novel building design. It is characterized by the unique ethnic feature, which is a treasure in the Dai people’s architecture of Hinayana. The reconstructed Fengping Buddhist Pagoda, with 225m2 of the pagoda footing and 23-meter main pagoda is surrounded by 28 small pagodas, as if all the stars bend towards the moon to protect the main pagoda, which forms the tall and magnificent main pagoda. Its shape is complex, rigorous and magnificent its shape Complex, rigorous and magnificent. The main pagoda and the sub-pagoda have a delicate golden umbrella at the tip of the pagoda. The umbrella has a silver bell, which sways in the wind, creaking and pleasant.
When the sun sets, the sunset glows like fire, the scene is more spectacular, and the glittering golden pagoda, with the sun shining, is eye-catching.
Where is Fengping Buddhist Pagoda
It is located in 9 kilometers west of Mangshi, the right side of the road from Mangshi to Ruili.
How to Get to Fengping Buddhist Pagoda
When you arriving in Mangshi, you can charter a car or take a taxi, which takes about 20 minutes.
History of Fengping Buddhist Pagoda
The pagoda has a long history. According to historical records, the earliest Fengping Buddhist Pagoda has two pagodas, the East Pagoda and the West Pagoda. In the 6th year of Qing Emperor Yongzheng (1728), the Mangshi Tusi Fang Ren accepted the initiative of several local Buddhists to build a large Buddhist temple in the center of Mangshiba, for the worshipers of all sects to worship Buddha. The Buddhist temple was built and the Buddha statue was molded. The Tusi personally presided over the Great Buddha’s opening ceremony. In the 25th year of Emperor Qianlong (1760), the Tusi was placed as a pagoda (known as the West Pagoda) on the west side of the Buddhist temple and repaired the Buddhist temple. In the late Qing Dynasty, the mother of Tusi Fang Keming hosted a pagoda on the east side of the Buddhist temple (the Jinbao Pagoda, also known as the East Pagoda). After several wars, the temple pagoda was destroyed, but it was repaired in time and was destroyed in 1966. In 1986, the current Buddhist Pagoda was rebuilt.
Best Time to Go
It is suitable to visit Fengping Buddhist Pagoda all year around. Every season has its own beauty. Of course, you can experience the piety of those Buddhists.
Nearby Attractions
Menghuan Silver Pagoda
The Menghuan Silver Pagoda, known as the Menghuan Qianfo Silver Pagoda, is located on the hilltop opposite the Grand Silver Pagoda and a contemporary new-built Pagoda.The Pagoda is an important building of the Dehong Branch of Yunnan Buddhist College.
Menghuan Golden Pagoda
Menghuan Grand Golden Pagoda is located at Leiyarang Mountain in the southeast of Luxi (Mangshi), the capital city of Dehong Prefecture. It’s the best place to bird-eye view the town of Mangshi and those picturesque Dai villages around. Being 73 meters high, the pagoda is a three-storied octagonal but hollow one. The ground floor is the most impressive. With an area of 2,000 square meters, it’s spacious enough for nearly 2,000 pilgrims to pray at the same time. Enshrined in the hall are mainly Buddhist figures such as Sakyamuni in the east, Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) in the south, Medicine Buddha in the west, and Maitreya (the Future Buddha) in the north, etc. all of which are made from Myanmar white marble to present grandeur and magnificence.
Mengba Naxi Rare Park
Mengba Naxi Rare Park is at the national AAAA state-level. “Mengba Naxi” in Dai language means “a magical, beautiful and fertile place,” which is just the legendary “heaven.” Situated in Xianchi Road in Mangshi City, the park covers an area of 618 mu, and was built in 2001. It is an ecological park that boasts rare ancient trees, plants and rocks. There are poems to praise it saying that “Ancient trees and rare flowers are planted in the park. There is no parallel with such beautiful scenery, and for such beauty, there is no need to visit a fairyland.” Another poem says that “the universe is full of myths. Stones in the park show its understanding of the nature, and the extraordinary workmanship of nature creates miracles.”
About Haba Snow Mountain
Haba Snow Mountain is a mountain rising above the northwest side of Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China. It rises opposite the higher Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and towers 3,500 metres above the upper reaches of the Yangtze River(Jinsha River). The summit of the mountain is a popular destination for amateur mountaineers and its lowest slopes are crossed by the popular Tiger Leaping Gorge trail. Its massif is considered the southernmost extent of the expansive Shaluli Mountains, themselves a component range of the Hengduan Mountains.
About Camp 1 of Haba Snow Mountain
Camp 1 is located just before the 2nd grey slab at about 4800m. Usually people did not stay there but from what you could observe it seems quite uncomfortable due to the very rocky and uneven surface. A small pond nearby provides water.
About Guishan Park
Standing on the Guishan park, you can look up to see the majestic and continuous snow mountain, and down to have a panoramic view of Shangri-la city. The park consists of the Giant Prayer Wheel, Dafo Temple(Guishan Temple), Red Army Long March Museum, Diqing History Museum, etc.
About Guishan Temple
The Guishan Temple of Tibetan Buddhism is located on the Guishan Park near the ancient city of Dukezong in Shangri-la. It was built during the reign of emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty. Many prayer flags around the Dafo temple are printed with scriptures and Buddha images. To those who believe in Tibetan Buddhism, the fluttering of the prayer flags in the wind is a chanting, which constantly conveys people’s wishes to the god and asks for the protection of the god. In this way, prayer flags serve as a link between god and man. The prayer flag is where the god is, and where the prayer is, which reposes the people’s good wish. The right side of the Dafo temple is the world’s largest prayer wheel and it’s a must-see attraction of Shangrila tour. It offers a wonderful vantage point for looking over the Shangrila city.
China’s Sanchahe Nature Reserve in Mengla County, Yunnan Province, is located in a tropical rain forest corridor that stretches from China into neighboring Burma and Laos. Sanchahe Nature Reserve is famous for its biodiversity and undisturbed habitats for both animals and plants. To better facilitate the scientific study of these habitats and to provide sustainable access to tourists without unduly interrupting the activity of the animals (interrupting the wild elephants can in fact be life-threatening, so one is advised never to attempt to approach these shy animals) or trampling the flora under foot, a 2½-kilometer-long aerial walkway was constructed with the help of a $300,000 grant from a U.S. wildlife organization.
Chinese Name:西双版纳望天树空中走廊
English Name: Air Corridor of Wangtianshu Scenic Area in Mengla County, XishuangBanna
The aerial walkway was an integral part of the eco-tourism plans of Sanchahe Nature Reserve, as it was felt that providing visitors an open-air museum, as it were, helps to raise awareness of the plight of the tropical rain forest (there are a number of rare tropical plants here which scientists believe may hold the key to the cure of known as well as yet-to-be-known diseases) on the one hand, and, on the other hand, provides income to the local population, thus obviating the need to exploit the rain forest for the purpose of a livelihood, which exploitation could very well result in the irrevocable loss to mankind of potentially beneficial, medicinal plants.
The walkway, or footbridge, is suspended between a series of very straight and very tall (up to 80 meters high) indigenous trees, the Parashorea chinensis* (aka “the giant of the rain forest”), by means of steel cables onto which are attached the ropes which support the walkway itself. Below one may be lucky enough to spot any of a number of endangered animal species such as the golden monkey or the wild peacock or – if one is very, very lucky – a flock of wild elephants, though these tend to be quite shy, as indicated.
For those who wish to overnight in Sanchahe Nature Reserve a tourist villa in the shape of a bird’s nest can be rented for the night. There is also an elephant show at Sanchahe that will delight anyone who enjoys watching these amazingly quick-learning, intelligent animals perform.
There is a tree called the Wang Hsie Tian, or simply Wang Hsie, after the botanist who identified it in 1992 (aka the “species authority”), but the tree is better known in Sanchahe Nature Reserve by its pictoresque monikers, the “looking-up-to-the-sky tree” and the “cloud-kissing tree” (a tree’s equivalent of “sky scraper”?). Prince Philip, President Emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund, paid a visit to Xishuangbanna in 1986, where he planted a specimen of the Wang Hsie Tian. The tree’s botanical name is, as indicated, Parashorea chinensis (or simply Shorea chinesis), but it is sometimes referred to as Shorea wangtianshuea, in deference to its identifying authority.
How to get there:
Take the regional bus from the city of Jung Hong to Meng La county. From there one must take a special mini-bus out to the Sanchahe Nature Reserve Aerial Walkway via a 20-kilometer gravel road. Price: 3.00 yuan to 5.00 yuan, depending on where one boards the regional bus.
Why is Mangling One Tree Forest So Special
Mangling One Tree Forest grows on the side of No. 320 National Highway. It is lush and tall and towering. It seems to stand there to wait for visitors from distant places. Because the One Tree Forest is grown from a banyan. The branches on the stock plant grow in the surrounding area, they also grow aerial roots downwards. After thousands of years of growth, it is composed of this amazing forest. Therefore, the people in Ruili also call it as “Welcoming Banyan”. In Mangling Village in Jiele Township, Ruili City, Dehong Prefecture, visitors can see the stalwart verdant banyan forest is composed by one banyan along the roadside, which seems to wait for its visitors from distant places.
Where is Mangling One Tree Forest-Location
Mangling One Tree Forest grows on the side of No. 320 National Highway. It is lush and tall and towering. It seems to stand there to wait for visitors from distant places. Therefore, people in Ruili call it “Welcoming Banyan”. The banyan is a unique landscape in Dehong Yunnan. No matter whether it is seen between the dams, the villages, or the roadsides, the locals regard the banyan trees as god trees, and only plant them without chopping.
How to Get to Mangling One Tree Forest
It is 16 kilometers from Ruili Passenger Station to Mangling One Tree Forest. Vistors can charter a car or take a minibus to Mangling One Tree Forest.
Best Time to Visit
It is suitable to visit Mangling One Tree Forest all year around. Every season has its own unique beauty.
Nearby Attractions
Zhaduo Waterfall
Moli Waterfall is located in Moli Valley, also called Zhaduo Waterfall, and hides in deep mountains and forest. the clean water falls from 40-meter cliff, it’s like a white silk flying and dancing in the wind, you can hear the falling sound of water far away. There is a small brook flowing under the waterfall. The whole part of the waterfall is the soul of the scenic area, it’s very enjoyable to watch and feel the waterfall in the morning when the sun rises. It’s also very worthy to go there in summer, you can feel splashes from the waterfall and splash on your face, it’s very nice and cool.
Moli Tropical Rainforest
Moli Tropical Rainforest, is known as its tropical rainforest view and Buddhist holy land, the whole scenic area is 1.5 kilometers long. Moli, also known as Zhaduo, refers to a grand waterfall. Moli is known as a natural oxygen bar, which is healthy for people.
Jiegao Border
Jiegao, an old town refurbished taking on a new look, has become an export-oriented economic experimental zone in Yunnan, thus won its name “Shenzhen in Yunnan”, a most important port in Southwest of our motherland. It can be predicted that the rapid rise in Jiegao will be an emerging new international business and tourist city, with the border characteristics, ethnic characteristics and modern facilities competing with cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai and so on.
Why is Xiahuicun Mosque So Special?
Xiahuicun Mosque is located in the middle of Xiahuicun Village, Hexi Town, Tonghai County. The year when the old mosque was built needs to be verified. But in the Guang Xu Period of Qing Dynasty, it was burned, people donated money to build 3 main halls. In the nine years from 1914 to 1922, three more halls and six wing rooms were built, and the platform of the main hall was expanded. The earthquake in 1970 damaged the main hall, and in 1979, it was repaired and expanded again, and a new minaret(叫拜楼) was built. In 2003, Believers again donated money to build a magnificent building with an area of 3102 square meters, which can accommodate more than 1000 people. It is called Chao Zhen Temple(朝真殿).
The Xiahuicun Mosque, with Chao Zhen Temple and minaret as main body, has formed a certain scale Islamic cultural courtyard at the village level through the struggle of each historical stage. There are also necessary classroom, staff dormitory, basketball court, kitchen, dining room, senior learning room, water room and other supporting facilities. Over the years, mosque schools have trained more than 200 middle and primary talents and more than 60 senior talents. Since 2003, 120 imams have been trained, making positive contributions to promoting harmony, health and sustainable development of religious undertakings.
Where is Xiahuicun Mosque?
Xiahuicun Village(下回村) is located in the west of Tonghai County(通海县) and the east of Hexi Town(河西镇). It is about 14 kilometers from Tonghai County and 2 kilometers from Hexi Town. There are 456 families and a population of 1424 in the village. It is a natural village inhabited by Hui ethnic groups. The villagers believe in Islam, have a simple style of people, live in harmony with their neighbors and have a peaceful religion. Besides, there is a famous mosque with high reputation inside and outside Tonghai county in the village. This famous mosque is Xiahuicun Mosque.
Nearby Attractions
Sansheng Palace in Tonghai County, Yuxi
Hexi Confucius Temple in Tonghai County
Xiushan Mountain Park in Tonghai County
The Last Mongols in Yunnan
Best Time to Visit
If you are interested in Xiahuicun Mosque, you can visit it at all seasons.
How to Get There
Xiahuicun Mosque is about 14 kilometers from the county seat of Tonghai County. After arriving in Tonghai County, you can take a taxi to Xiahuicun Village, Xiahuicun Mosque is in the village.
1. By Long-distance Bus
There are long-distance buses from Kunming to Tonghai County.
Kunming East Bus Station-Tonghai Bus Terminal
Departure Time: 6:58-18:00
Ticket Price: 42 CNY
Distance: 138 Kilometers
Consume Time: About 2.5 hours
2. By Train
Kunming Railway Station-Tonghai Railway Station
Departure Time: 7:45, 11:02, 12:30, 15:41
Ticket Price: 21.5 CNY
Distance: 139 Kilometers
Consume Time: About 2 hours
Accommodation Around Xiahuicun Mosque
Xiahuicun Mosque is not far from the county seat of Tonghai County. You can stay in Tonghai County for Overnight.
Useful Travel Tips
1. If you are not a Muslim, learn something about Muslims, mosques and local Hui People in advance;
2. Respect Muslim Culture and do not make noise in the mosque.
3. Know some general situation of Xiahuicun Village in advance.
4. You can participate in some cultural activities during festivals.
Tours Including Tonghai County
2 Days Jianshui Ancient Architecture Tour from Kunming(Xingmeng Mongolian Village in Tonghai County of Yuxi)
2 Days Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Tour at a glance
6 Days Yunnan Small Group Tour with Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
Chinese Name:建水县纳楼长官司署
English Name: Nalou Zhangguansi Shu in Jianshui County, Honghe
Location:
The Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge
Hiking across the “Huashiban landslide”(滑石板) which is a landslide in the Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge, you will find the Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge. There is a 1 km (0.621 miles) deep gully lying at the Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the best place for enjoying the sight of the whole gorge. there are two ferries in the section-New ferry and Old ferry, a vital place wherever you head to. Xincun Village lies in its north and Daju Village lies in its south.
People who want to hike more kilometers from Hetaoyuan Village to Xincun Village via the Old Ferry would trek northwards the Haba Village. However, visitors who want to head to Lijiang can take a boat to cross the Jinsha river at the two ferries range from 20 to 30 yuan per passenger. The new ferry will not be in service if it rains a lot. Then it is another 2-hour walk to the old ferry. Follow the roadmark. After crossing the river, walking to Daju from new ferry takes 2 hours, from old ferry takes only one hour. Sometime there are mini buses waiting for the traveler near the ferry.The final ferry of the day typically runs around 5pm. Your guesthouse in Tiger Leaping Gorge can help you arrange the ship.
How to Get to Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang and Shangrila
Car rental
It’s better for travellers to rent shuttle car with someone else because it would be more convenient and economic than taking a bus. You need to emphasize that you are going to Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La and must go through Qiaotou Town(桥头镇) when negotiating on price.
Bus
Lijiang-Qiaotou-Tina’s
For more and more backpackers, the buses depart from Lijiang Ancient Town for Tina’s Guest House via Qiaotou Town(桥头镇). Hikers can get off the bus at Qiaotou(桥头) and leave belongings on the bus which would be kept in Tina’s for convenient hiking to travellers and it’s totally free. Travellers can pick up the baggages from Tina’s on the second day and have lunch there. The buses depart from Tina’s at 3:00pm for Shangri-La with the fee for 50RMB per person.
Shangri-La-Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge
There is a bus departing from Zhongxia International Youth Hostel(中峡国际青年旅舍) at 8:00am in Shangri-La for Tina’s Guest House（中峡客栈） via Qiaotou Town(桥头镇) with the fee for 50RMB per person.
Best time to travel Tiger Leaping Gorge
Between April and June in the late spring and early summer and the autumn time during September to October is the best time to travel. During these two periods it is suitable to go hiking on the Tiger Leaping Gorge, also can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenery. The late spring and early summer the temperature is moderate, flowers on the meadow blooming like a piece of brocade which is charming.
After about 20 days of Mid-Autumn Festival, the plateau is autumn secnery which is the most wonderful time of Diqing plateau.
From June to September is the rainy season of Diqing plateau, although the scenery is beautiful, but not suitable to travel.
After October the temperature is very low, if one wants to visit need to bring enough warm clothes.
Tiger Leaping Gorge even in August is also likely to fall a few snowflakes, and day and night temperature difference is very big, there is a saying that “there are four seasons in a day”, so every season need to pay attention to keep out the cold.
Recommended Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Routes
| Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Routes | Time |
| • Lijiang – Qiaotou – High Trail – Middle Tiger Leaping Stone – Ferry – Daju – Yulong Snow Mountain (Maoniuping) – Lijiang | 3-4 Days |
| • Lijiang – Qiaotou – High Trail – Middle Tiger Leaping Stone / Upper Tiger Leaping Stone – Qiaotou – Lijiang / Zhongdian | 2 Days |
| • Lijiang – Qiaotou – High Trail – Middle Tiger Leaping Stone – Baishuitai , Haba Village – Zhongdian | 3-4 Days |
Travel Tips
1.It’s rainy season from July to September, Please pay attention to some clastic rocks rolling down from the mountain and don’t get too close to the river with water surging.
2.It’s dry season from December to February, strong wind or flocks of sheep may bring about the clastic rocks. Get perpared before hiking.
Hiking Tips
1. It usually hot in day time, you can bring shorts and T-shirt. As hiking will consume lots of physical strength, you could take some high calorie food such as chocolate, malted milk, sliced dried beef and so on.
2. When you hiking to the Shenzhou Waterfall located between Walnut Garden and Zhongxia Hotel, you must be very carefull, as it may fall stone with the waterfall which is very dangerous.
3. Each year from June to September is the rainy season of the Diqing Plateau. You’d better avoid this period as it may occurs debris flow and mountain rock fall.
4. Located at the high altitude area, surrounded by Hengduan Montains, the climmate in Tiger Leaping Gorge is complicate and changable. The temperature difference between day and night is big. Take think coat, down jacket, gloves, anti-skidding boots with you.
What to Eat in Tiger Leaping Gorge
All of the guesthouses provide local food and simple western food because it has been a long history of Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking for international tourists.These tourists taught local people how to cook western food with local food.So it is very convenient to enjoy very nice food along the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Nearby Attractions
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Haba Snow Mountain
The First Bend of Yangtze River, Lijiang
The Upper Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge (Lijiang Side)
Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan
Guanyin(Goddess of Mercy) Waterfall of Tiger Leaping Gorge
The most wonderful waterfall and cliffs during the hiking tour of Tiger Leaping Gorge
Guanyin Waterfall is the largest waterfall during the hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge, it is located in the cliffs on the way of hiking from Halfway Guesthouse in Bendiwan Village to Tinas Hostel in the Middle Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge. The name of Guanyin Waterfall is from the name of the Guanyin Temple(观音庙) here. Guanyin or GuanYin is an East Asian bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by Mahayana Buddhists. She is commonly known as the “Goddess of Mercy” in English. Guanyin Temple here is only few meters from the waterfall hanging in the cliffs.
Hiking Tips
1. It usually hot in day time, you can bring shorts and T-shirt. As hiking will consume lots of physical strength, you could take some high calorie food such as chocolate, malted milk, sliced dried beef and so on.
2. When you hiking to the Shenzhou Waterfall located between Walnut Garden and Zhongxia Hotel, you must be very carefull, as it may fall stone with the waterfall which is very dangerous.
3. Each year from June to September is the rainy season of the Diqing Plateau. You’d better avoid this period as it may occurs debris flow and mountain rock fall.
4. Located at the high altitude area, surrounded by Hengduan Montains, the climmate in Tiger Leaping Gorge is complicate and changable. The temperature difference between day and night is big. Take think coat, down jacket, gloves, anti-skidding boots with you.
Nearby Attractions
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Haba Snow Mountain
The First Bend of Yangtze River, Lijiang
The Upper Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge (Lijiang Side)
Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan
Chinese Name:建水黄龙寺
English Name: Huanglong Temple in Jianshui County, Honghe
Historical Evolution
Architectural Layout and Features
Temple Culture
Related Activities
Surrounding Scenery
Location:
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