Hetaoyuan Village of Tiger Leaping Gorge

Hetaoyuan Village

Hetaoyuan Village or Walnut Garden Village is located in south of Qiaotou (Tiger Leaping Gorge town) 22 kilometre, East-south of Lijiang city 110 Kilometre ,north-west of Shangri-la (zhongdian) city120kilometre, 42 kilometre from Haba village and 70 kilometre from white water terrace (baishuitai), 20kms from Daju,40 minutes walk down to Jinsha River (Gold Sand River)driving car from Lijiang or Shangri-La takes about 2-3 hours, 1 hour walk down to the middle Gorge. It’s named as Hetaoyuan because there are many walnut trees in the village.

Walnut Garden Village, a scatter of low houses made of rough stones and worn timbers, above the bending river, is the heart of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. people trek through the gorge to Walnut Garden Village and it’s great to stay in Sean’s GH(山泉客栈) or Woody's Guest House（山白脸客栈）in the quiet village with the most spectacular view of Tiger Leaping Gorge, listening to the deafening voice of water flapping at the stones. For the energetic there are plenty of hiking opportunities; walk the plunging forest tracks to the gorge itself or venture off on the high trail to plunge yourself into a gushing waterfall. Otherwise sit back, relax and soak in the truly awe inspiring views of this remarkable natural wonder.

How to get to Walnut Garden Village

Hiking

From Middle Gorge to Walnut Garden Village
There are three ways hiking from the Middle Gorge. For the first one, walk down to the Jinsha River from Tina’s via Teacher Zhang’s. The trail is challenging because of no available road. The path is narrow and very steep. Descend down to the Middle Tiger Leaping Stone, enjoy the Ray of Sunshine, hike along the river path to Walnut Garden Village takes nearly three hours. For another one, trek to the Middle Tiger Leaping Stone and the Ray of Sunshine, then head to the highway via a Vertical Ladder(天梯), kind of risk and not recommended, sepecially for people with acrophobia. The third way is to walk along the highway from Tina’s to Walnut Garden Village, which is much easier and a good choice for some elderly people.

From Daju to Walnut Garden Village
Depart from New Ferry Port in Daju for New Village after the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, walk along the highway for 2-3 hours, then you will arrive at Walnut Garden Village.

White Water Terrace-Haba Village- Walnut Garden Village
Hike for 6-7 hours from the foot of Haba Snow Mountain after visiting White Water Terrace to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, Walnut Garden Village is on the way.

Bus or Car Rental

White Water Terrace- Walnut Garden Village
The bus daily departs from White Water Terrace for Lijiang via Walnut Garden Village where travellers can get off the bus. Otherwise renting a van from Haba Village or White Water Terrace to Walnut Garden Village would costs 150RMB.

Lijiang/Shangri-La-Walnut Garden Village
Travellers can take a bus from Lijiang or Shangri-La to Tina’s, then hike along the highway or take a car to Walnut Garden Village.

Tiger Leaping Gorge 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