Code: SHANGRI-LA02
5 Days Hiking of Tiger Leaping Gorge & Haba Snow Mountain
This is the most classic hiking route between Shangri-La and Lijiang. As the Yangtze River flows through Yunnan's Yulong County, it makes a great turn and heads north, squeezing through a gap between the Haba Snow Mountain and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to form one of the world's most spectacular and precipitous gorges, the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Countless previous adventurers have walked a classic trail along the mountainside in the gorge. Follow this route, you can go through the Tiger Leaping Gorge, climb up the Haba Snow Mountain, and explore in depth to the small mountain villages, virgin forests, meadows, and alpine lakes, appreciating the diversity of natural beauty.
► Route: Shangri-La/Lijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Haba Snow Mountain → Lanhuaping Camp → Black Lake → Haba Village → Shangri-La
► Hiking Distance: 50 km (31 mi)
► Difficulty: Beginners’ hike, with low to moderate difficulty
► Altitude Range: 1,800 to 4,100 m (5,906 to 13,451 ft)
► Best Time to Hike: In November and December, when the wind is light, it is suitable for climbing the Haba Snow Mountain. April to June, the flowering season with stunning scenery, is also a good time for hiking.
► Hiking Distance: 50 km (31 mi)
► Difficulty: Beginners’ hike, with low to moderate difficulty
► Altitude Range: 1,800 to 4,100 m (5,906 to 13,451 ft)
► Best Time to Hike: In November and December, when the wind is light, it is suitable for climbing the Haba Snow Mountain. April to June, the flowering season with stunning scenery, is also a good time for hiking.
Travel Tips:
1. You are recommended to arrive at Lijiang or Shangri-La one day in advance, and have a good rest for the next few tough days of hiking.
2. Prepare your hiking equipment, including a 30-35L backpack, a pair of trekking poles, outdoor gear, waterproof high-top mountaineering shoes, thick socks, hats, sunscreen, snow goggles, toiletries, and other personal items. If you plan to camp in the mountains, you will need sleeping bags. Tents can be rented there.
Day 1 Shangri-La or Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge
First, you need to travel from Shangri-La or Lijiang to the Tiger Leaping Gorge and start a 2-day hike in this gorge.
2. From Lijiang: Take the bus departing at 8:30 from Lijiang Bus Station to the Upper Gorge. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours and costs CNY 25. You can also hire a car to get there, which costs 200 for a single journey.
How to Get There
1. From Shangri-La: Take the bus departing at 8:40 from Shangri-La Bus Station to Hutiaoxia Town, which takes 2.5 hours and costs CNY 38. Here you can carpool with other tourists to the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge in 20 minutes.2. From Lijiang: Take the bus departing at 8:30 from Lijiang Bus Station to the Upper Gorge. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours and costs CNY 25. You can also hire a car to get there, which costs 200 for a single journey.
Facts of Tiger Leaping Gorge for Your Reference
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is 23 km (14.3 mi) in length, while the height difference between the river below and the snow mountains on both sides reaches more than 3,000 m (9,843 ft). The ‘highway route’ along the cliff, interesting and exciting, with breathtaking scenery, is considered one of the top 10 most classic hiking trails in China and attracts backpackers from all over the world.
► Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 days
► Ticket Price: CNY 45 for entry from Shangri-La; CNY 65 for entry from Lijiang; entry to Haba Snow Mountain included.
● You May Like: Guided Tiger Leaping Gorge Day Tour.
Hiking from Entry of Tiger Leaping Gorge to Halfway
► Hiking Route: Entry → Naxi Yage Guesthouse → Path with 28 Turns → Tea-Horse Inn → Halfway Guesthouse
► Hiking Distance of Today: 12 km (7.5 mi)
► Altitude: 1,800 to 2,350 m (5,906 to 7,710 ft)
At about 11:00, you would arrive at the entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge and start hiking. There are many inns and restaurants along the way where you can sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy the magnificent view of the towering snow-capped mountains on both sides. You can hear the raging river rushing through the boulders in the bottomless canyon below. Today's elevation is only a few hundred meters, with little discomfort. In the evening, you will arrive at the Halfway Guesthouse to rest for the night.
► Hiking Route: Entry → Naxi Yage Guesthouse → Path with 28 Turns → Tea-Horse Inn → Halfway Guesthouse
► Hiking Distance of Today: 12 km (7.5 mi)
► Altitude: 1,800 to 2,350 m (5,906 to 7,710 ft)
At about 11:00, you would arrive at the entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge and start hiking. There are many inns and restaurants along the way where you can sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy the magnificent view of the towering snow-capped mountains on both sides. You can hear the raging river rushing through the boulders in the bottomless canyon below. Today's elevation is only a few hundred meters, with little discomfort. In the evening, you will arrive at the Halfway Guesthouse to rest for the night.
Day 2 Hiking from Halfway to Haba Village
► Hiking Route: Halfway Guesthouse → Guanyin Waterfall → Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse → Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge → Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge → Haba Village
► Hiking Distance of Today: 10 km (6.2 mi)
► Altitude: 1,800 to 2,700 m (5,906 to 8,858 ft)
You are suggested to start from the Halfway Guesthouse at about 8:00. Take the downhill path passing by the Guanyin Waterfall and Tina’s Guesthouse, and you’ll arrive at Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse in 2.5 hours. You can have lunch here and take a rest, and then set out to hike the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge for about 1 hour. Along the way approaching the bottom of the valley, you will experience the famous dangerous places like the Thin Strip of Sky, Ancient Plank Road, and Sky Ladder.
In the afternoon, hike along the Haba Path to go uphill to the Haba Village, an ancient Naxi ethnic village hidden deep in the Haba Snow Mountain. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lush forests, the village is just like a paradise. With an altitude of 2,700 m (8,858 ft), Haba Village is the base camp and tourist center for the hiking route to the summit of the Haba Snow Mountain. It has complete living facilities and basic medical services. There are tents and color steel houses for climbers and tourists.
You will arrive at the Haba Village at about 17:00. Watch the splendid sunset, enjoy dinner, and have a good night's rest before heading out to the mountains the next day.
► Hiking Distance of Today: 10 km (6.2 mi)
► Altitude: 1,800 to 2,700 m (5,906 to 8,858 ft)
You are suggested to start from the Halfway Guesthouse at about 8:00. Take the downhill path passing by the Guanyin Waterfall and Tina’s Guesthouse, and you’ll arrive at Teacher Zhang’s Guesthouse in 2.5 hours. You can have lunch here and take a rest, and then set out to hike the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge for about 1 hour. Along the way approaching the bottom of the valley, you will experience the famous dangerous places like the Thin Strip of Sky, Ancient Plank Road, and Sky Ladder.
In the afternoon, hike along the Haba Path to go uphill to the Haba Village, an ancient Naxi ethnic village hidden deep in the Haba Snow Mountain. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lush forests, the village is just like a paradise. With an altitude of 2,700 m (8,858 ft), Haba Village is the base camp and tourist center for the hiking route to the summit of the Haba Snow Mountain. It has complete living facilities and basic medical services. There are tents and color steel houses for climbers and tourists.
You will arrive at the Haba Village at about 17:00. Watch the splendid sunset, enjoy dinner, and have a good night's rest before heading out to the mountains the next day.
Day 3 Haba Snow Mountain Hiking from Haba Village to Lanhuaping
► Hiking Route: Haba Village → Lanjia Village → Yi Ethnic Village → Qingshui River → Yangfang Pasture → Lanhuaping Camp
► Hiking Distance of Today: 10 km (6.2 mi)
► Altitude: 2,700 to 3,700 m (8,858 to 12,139 ft)
After breakfast, start hiking at about 9:00. Today you will experience the power of walking and the real charm of nature. Instead of taking the traditional route, you are advised to hike along the northeast slope to Lanhuaping. This is the most beautiful part of the tour, with tranquil alpine meadows, pastures and small villages of the Yi ethnic group on the way.
It's about a 6-hour hike to reach the Lanhuaping. If you are not physically fit, you can choose to ride a horse, which usually costs CNY 350 per day. Lanhuaping is the perfect place to view the Haba Snow Mountain, which towers up in front of you, with the silver peaks shining under the sunshine. Spend the night at the Lanhuaping Camp.
► Hiking Distance of Today: 10 km (6.2 mi)
► Altitude: 2,700 to 3,700 m (8,858 to 12,139 ft)
After breakfast, start hiking at about 9:00. Today you will experience the power of walking and the real charm of nature. Instead of taking the traditional route, you are advised to hike along the northeast slope to Lanhuaping. This is the most beautiful part of the tour, with tranquil alpine meadows, pastures and small villages of the Yi ethnic group on the way.
It's about a 6-hour hike to reach the Lanhuaping. If you are not physically fit, you can choose to ride a horse, which usually costs CNY 350 per day. Lanhuaping is the perfect place to view the Haba Snow Mountain, which towers up in front of you, with the silver peaks shining under the sunshine. Spend the night at the Lanhuaping Camp.
Day 4 Lanhuaping - Azalea Valley - Black Lake – Haba Village
► Hiking Route: Lanhuaping Camp → Azalea Valley → Couple Lake → Black Lake → Dajianshan Waterfall → Haba Village
► Hiking Distance of Today: 15 km (9.3 mi)
► Altitude: 2,700 to 4,100 m (8,858 to 13,451 ft)
Get up in the morning to enjoy the scenery of Lanhuaping, and then continue to hike to the Black Lake. If traveling in May or June, you can the largest sea of azalea flowers in Shangri-La. More than 200 species of azaleas are in full bloom, making it praised by biologists as the ‘Mother of World Gardens’.
After about an hour, you'll reach the Black Lake, the highest point of this trip, at about 4,100 m (13,451 ft) above sea level. It is the most beautiful moraine lake in the Haba Snow Mountain. The blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the clear water of the lake, and there is a large forest of azaleas and fir trees around the lake. There is a beautiful wishing tree beside the lake, you can make your wish to the beautiful lake and snow mountains. This afternoon, return to the Haba Village and stay overnight.
● Note: The Black Lake is the best stargazing spot in the Haba Snow Mountain. If you have camping equipment and experience, and weather conditions are good, you can arrive here the day before to camp and photograph the spectacular starry sky.
► Hiking Distance of Today: 15 km (9.3 mi)
► Altitude: 2,700 to 4,100 m (8,858 to 13,451 ft)
Get up in the morning to enjoy the scenery of Lanhuaping, and then continue to hike to the Black Lake. If traveling in May or June, you can the largest sea of azalea flowers in Shangri-La. More than 200 species of azaleas are in full bloom, making it praised by biologists as the ‘Mother of World Gardens’.
After about an hour, you'll reach the Black Lake, the highest point of this trip, at about 4,100 m (13,451 ft) above sea level. It is the most beautiful moraine lake in the Haba Snow Mountain. The blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the clear water of the lake, and there is a large forest of azaleas and fir trees around the lake. There is a beautiful wishing tree beside the lake, you can make your wish to the beautiful lake and snow mountains. This afternoon, return to the Haba Village and stay overnight.
● Note: The Black Lake is the best stargazing spot in the Haba Snow Mountain. If you have camping equipment and experience, and weather conditions are good, you can arrive here the day before to camp and photograph the spectacular starry sky.
Tips for Climbing Up the Summit of Haba Snow Mountain
If you are physically fit and have enough hiking experience and professional equipment, you can try to reach the summit of the Haba Snow Mountain. The main peak of the Haba Snow Mountain is 5,396 m (17,703 ft) above sea level, which is the highest peak in Shangri-La. However, the hiking route above the snow line is relatively gentle, making it an entry-level destination for mountaineering enthusiasts. If you plan to climb up to the summit, you can save energy by renting a horse from the Haba Village to the base camp at 4,200 m (13,780 ft), and then finish the climb after a night of rest. There are rest stops and sheds in the middle of this section for you to have simple meals and take a break. You can also hire a local climbing guide to assist you, which usually costs CNY 500 a day.
Day 5 Haba Village to Shangri-La
There is a shuttle bus from Haba Village to Shangri-La, which takes 4 to 5 hours. Please consult the local bus station for specific departure time. Otherwise you can carpool with other travelers to Shangri-La.
Upon arrival, you can visit the Dukezong Ancient Town. If you plan to stay more days in Yunnan, you can explore other Shangri-La hiking trails, like:
4 Days Shangri-La Hiking to Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Village
If you need to return home, you can fly from Shangri-La to Lijiang or Kunming for connecting your homebound flight.
Upon arrival, you can visit the Dukezong Ancient Town. If you plan to stay more days in Yunnan, you can explore other Shangri-La hiking trails, like:
4 Days Shangri-La Hiking to Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Village
If you need to return home, you can fly from Shangri-La to Lijiang or Kunming for connecting your homebound flight.