2 Day Tiger Leaping Gorge treking tour.

Day 1: The Ascent and the 28 Bends

Route: Qiaotou (Bridge Town) → Naxi Family Guesthouse → Tea Horse Guesthouse (Lunch) → 28 Bends → Halfway Guesthouse (Overnight)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

• • morning guide pickuo  from Lijiang or Shangri-La to Qiaotou, Lijiang take about 2 hours.

  • In Qiaotou, you can leave your large backpack at one of the shops (for a small fee) and just carry a daypack for the trek. You can arrange for it to be sent directly to Tina’s Guesthouse for pickup tomorrow.

The Hike Begins

1. • Continue to the Tea Horse Guesthouse, a popular lunch stop. Enjoy a meal on their terrace with your first real panoramic views of the gorge.

2. The 28 Bends (The Challenge):

   • After lunch, the trail begins the infamous “28 Bends” – a steep, zig-zagging ascent. This is the most physically demanding part of the trek.

   • Take your time, rest often, and drink water. Local entrepreneurs often wait at the top with their horses, offering rides for those who need a break (negotiate the price, usually ¥100-200).

   • The Reward: At the top of the 28 Bends, you are greeted with one of the most spectacular views of the entire trek—the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain towering over the deep gorge.

3. Final Stretch to Halfway:

   • The trail evens out and becomes mostly flat or downhill. You’ll walk along the mountainside with incredible views all the way.

   • Your destination for the night is the legendary Halfway Guesthouse. Its “Sky Terrace” offers an unbeatable view of the mountain range, especially at sunset. Book this in advance during peak season!

Day 2: The Descent and the Gorge Bottom

Route: Halfway Guesthouse → Waterfall → Tina’s Guesthouse → Descend to the Gorge → Tiger Leaping Rock → Tina’s → Return to Qiaotou/Lijiang/Shangri-La
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

1. Morning at Halfway:

   • Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise on the mountains from the terrace. Have a hearty breakfast.

2. Hike to Tina’s Guesthouse:

   • The trail continues past Halfway, leading you through a beautiful section that passes behind a small waterfall.

   • The path is mostly downhill or flat from here, winding through forests and farms.

   • You’ll end this section of the hike at Tina’s Guesthouse (also called “Tina’s Inn”). This is a major transport hub.

3. Optional: Descent to the Gorge Bottom & Tiger Leaping Rock:

   • This is highly recommended if you have the energy! It’s a steep descent (about 40-60 minutes down, longer to come back up) via a system of trails and ladders.

   • At the bottom, you’ll reach the roaring Jinsha River and the famous Tiger Leaping Rock—the legendary stone the tiger supposedly leaped onto.

   • Feel the power of the river and take in the sheer scale of the cliffs around you.

4. The Journey Back:

   • Climb back up to Tina’s. You can collect your stored luggage here.

   • Crucial: Pre-book a seat on one of the daily buses departing from Tina’s. They typically leave for Lijiang and Shangri-La at around 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM. You can book this at Tina’s or through your guesthouse the night before.