The Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge

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