Qiaotou Town or Hutiaoxia Town in Shangrila

Why is Hutiaoxia Town so special?

It is known as the southern gate of Diqing and next to Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Where is Hutiaoxia Town?

Hutiaoxia Town is a famous town in the southeastern part of Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The whole town covers an area of 831 square kilometers and about 97 kilometers away from county

How to Get to Hutiaoxia Town?

By plane

There are fights linking Lijiang and Kunming, and also direct flight from Shanghai to Lijiang. For a detailed schedule and fares of the flights, refer to the table at the bottom of the page. In peak season, there are be extra flights and schedules may alter accordingly. When you get to Lijiang airport, you can choose or taxi to Lijiang Passenger Transport Station (40 minutes). Then take a bus to Hutiaoxia Town (Qiaotou) from Lijiang Passenger Transport Station (about 2 hours).

By Train

Kunming is the transportation hub of Yunnan province. You can take the train to Kunming first and then transfer the high speed train to Lijiang Train Station. It will take you 2-3 houses. When you get to Lijiang Train Station,you can choose or taxi to Lijiang Passenger Transport Station (40 minutes) then take a bus to Hutiaoxia Town (Qiaotou) (about 2 hours)

By bus

Buses from Kunming West Bus Station take about 4-5 hours and cost about 100 yuan for an ordinary bus and around 130 yuan for an express luxury bus.
When you get to Lijiang Train Station,you can choose or taxi to Lijiang Passenger Transport Station (40 minutes) then take a bus to Hutiaoxia Town (Qiaotou) (about 2 hours)

What to See at Hutiaoxia Town?

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Best Time to Visit Hutiaoxia Town

You can choose all the season, except June October. June to August is the rainy season and the road is sloppy. Try to avoid the rainy season. After October the weather turns to cold, if you want to go, bring warm clothes.

Accommodate at Hutiaoxia Town

There are hundreds of hotels situate in  Hutiaoxia Town. Travelers could choose from international standard hotels or local economic hotels. You can find more hotels next to Tiger Leaping Gorge, such as:
Tinas International Youth Hostel(中峡国际青年旅舍/中峡客栈)
Naxi Family Guesthouse(纳西雅阁) 
Sean’s Spring Guest house(山泉客栈)
Woody Guesthouse (山白脸客栈)
Zhuoma Guesthouse (卓玛客栈)
Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse (张老师客栈)
Halfway Guesthouse (中途客栈)
Daju Guesthouse (大具客栈)

Nearby Attractions

Haba Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a mountain massif near Lijiang. It is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. There are 13 peaks all together and the group of mountains stretches about 35 kilometers from north to south. The highest peak is named Shanzidou at an altitude of 5,596m.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Haba Snow Mountain is a mountain in southeast of Shangri-La, rising above the northwest side of Tiger Leaping Gorge, opposite off Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with the highest peak of 5,396 m. It boasts glaciers, lakes and waterfalls and contains one of the best preserved nature reserves.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge is spectacular and crown as the deepest gorge in the world. Foreign backpackers started hiking in the area in the 1980s and now Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour has been one of the most famous hiking tour all around the world.

Useful Travel Tips

1. Best Time to Travel

If you want to hike Tiger Leaping Gorge, April, May and June is the finest time. You can choose all the season, except June October. June to August is the rainy season and the road is sloppy. Try to avoid the rainy season. After October the weather turns to cold, if you want to go, bring warm clothes.

2. Accommodation Tips

There are hundreds of hotels situate in  Hutiaoxia Town. Travelers could choose from international standard hotels or local economic hotels.

3. Safety

Take care of your luggage and important things, such as passport and visa.
Check out the weather report before your travel. Do not go sightseeing in bad weather.
Respect and follow local custom and avoid conflicts.