Tiger Leaping Gorge Upper Trail Viewpoint, Yunnan
Tiger Leaping Gorge in northwest Yunnan is one of the deepest river gorges on Earth, with the Jinsha River — a headwater of the Yangtze — churning 3,900 metres below the snowcapped peaks of Jade Snow Mountain. The upper trail rewards hikers with a series of jaw-dropping overlooks that few other landscapes in China can match.
The upper trail experience
The two-day upper trail runs 22 km from Qiaotou village to Walnut Garden, passing guesthouses, terraced corn fields and a series of named viewpoints including the famous 28 Bends — a relentless zigzag ascent that pays off with panoramic views of the gorge and Haba Snow Mountain on the opposite bank.
The most celebrated viewpoint sits near Halfway Guesthouse at around 2,670 metres elevation, where the full sweep of the gorge opens up before you. Sunrise here, with alpenglow on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain peaks, is genuinely unforgettable.
Logistics and safety
The trail is well-marked but involves significant elevation gain; a reasonable level of fitness is required. Altitude can affect some visitors — take it slowly on the first day and stay hydrated.
Several family-run guesthouses along the trail offer beds and home-cooked Naxi meals for around 100–150 CNY per night including dinner and breakfast. Halfway Guesthouse and Sean's Spring Guesthouse are perennial favourites with reliable reviews.
The best seasons are April to June and September to November. Summer brings heavy rain and landslide risk; winter is cold but often clear and uncrowded. Entry to the gorge costs 65 CNY.
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