Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Guide | A Life-Changing Canyon Adventure You Must Experience

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of China's deepest canyons, located at the border between Shangri-La City and Lijiang City in Yunnan's Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It's famous for its steep, magnificent natural scenery and world-class hiking trails. Here's a detailed travel guide:

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### **1. Basic Information**
- **Entrance Fee**: 45 yuan/person (may change during peak season)
- **Opening Hours**:
- Peak season (May-November): 7:00-19:00
- Off-peak season (December-April): 7:30-18:00
- **Best Time to Visit**: April-June (late spring to early summer), September-October (autumn), avoid the rainy season from June to September
- **Altitude**: 1,800-2,600 meters, generally no altitude sickness

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### **2. Transportation**
**From Lijiang**
- **Bus**: Daily buses from Lijiang Bus Station to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town (Qiaotou), fare about 20-40 yuan, 2-hour journey
- **Private car**: Round trip about 200-500 yuan, suitable for group sharing
- **Self-driving**: Follow G214 National Highway, about 80 km, 2 hours to arrive

**From Shangri-La**
- **Bus**: Buses from Shangri-La Bus Station to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, fare about 50 yuan, 2.5-hour journey
- **Private car**: One-way about 600-700 yuan, suitable for in-depth exploration

**Transportation within the Scenic Area**
- **Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge**: Can walk or take scenic area shuttle (some sections have escalators)
- **Middle and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge**: Require hiking, some sections are challenging

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### **3. Main Attractions**
- **Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge**: The most developed area, features the iconic "Tiger Leaping Stone," suitable for regular tourists
- **Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge**: A paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with challenging sections like "Sky Slit" and "Sky Ladder"
- **Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge**: More gentle terrain, fewer tourists, ideal for in-depth hiking

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### **4. Recommended Hiking Routes**
**Classic 2-Day Hiking Route**
- **Day 1**: Qiaotou → Naxi Yage → 24 Bends → Tea Horse Inn → Halfway Guesthouse
- **Day 2**: Halfway → Tina's → Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge → Walnut Garden → Daju (cross river by boat)

**Light Half-Day Hike**
- Visit only Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, round trip on the plank road takes about 2-3 hours

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### **5. Accommodation Recommendations**
- **Qiaotou Town**: Budget accommodations (80-150 yuan/night), suitable for the first night
- **Halfway Guesthouse**: Hikers' favorite, beds 40-80 yuan/person
- **Riverside Guesthouses**: Such as "Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge Mountain River View Guesthouse," offering pickup services

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### **6. Important Notes**
- **Hiking Gear**: Non-slip hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, high-calorie snacks
- **Safety Tips**: Landslides are common during rainy season (June-September), proceed with caution
- **Ticket Discounts**: Available for students, seniors, military personnel, etc.

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Tiger Leaping Gorge is suitable for tourists with different needs, whether for casual sightseeing or in-depth hiking, you can experience its magnificent scenery. It's recommended to plan your route in advance and choose appropriate transportation and accommodation for the best experience!