Tiger Leaping Gorge and Haba | Songs of the Snowy Mountains and Canyons, May 6th | Golden Autumn in October

Day 1 Lijiang → Naxi Yage → Tea Horse Inn → Midway Inn → Walnut Garden

All day

Meeting time: 8:30-9:00 AM. During summer vacation and holidays, the departure time may be advanced to avoid traffic jams. The staff will contact you the day before the specific departure time.

Meeting place: Bailong Cultural Square

Hiking Information

Hiking distance: about 10km, with an altitude gain of about 470m and a descent of about 360m (Naxi Yage 2200m - Twenty-Eight Bends 2670m - Tea Horse Inn 2310m - Midway Inn 2400m), and a walking time of about 6 hours.

Luggage Information: It is recommended to travel light. A small bag can be used to carry supplies that may be needed during the hike. The rest of the luggage will be carried by the driver. The driver will drive to the end point of the hike and wait for you.

Meal Information: We plan to arrive at the starting point of the hike, Naxi Yage, around 10:00 AM. The distance from the starting point to the Tea Horse Inn is 5 km, and the estimated hike time is 2-3 hours. We recommend bringing your own supplies to replenish your energy along the way. You will have lunch at the Tea Horse Inn, and you can order your own dinner at the inn.


Tiger Leaping Gorge High Line Hike, with snow-capped mountains and canyons accompanying you all the way

We'll then head to Naxi Yage, located in Nuoyu Village, a small village of only a dozen households. The village still maintains its original lifestyle, relying primarily on growing crops like corn. The villagers are simple and kind, and the village, nestled against the backdrop of mountains and rivers, feels like a paradise. Here, you can experience the unique architectural style of the Naxi people, where every household is a quadrangle courtyard, with a two-story wooden building and courtyards dotted with flowers, plants, and fruit trees.

Led by a guide, explore Tiger Leaping Gorge along the Tiger Leaping Gorge High Route. This mostly flat route features a few descents. This section, considered one of the world's ten most iconic hiking routes, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and dramatic scenery (risk management is recommended). Experience breathtaking drops and breathtaking rock faces on the cliff path. Sunlight streams into the canyon, shimmering on the water at the gorge's more than ten-meter-wide mouth. Below, the river ripples in whitecaps, surging from the drop. Above, the illuminated cliffs, blue sky, and white clouds create a breathtaking, breathtaking scenery.

After passing 28 turns, we arrived at the Tea Horse Inn, had a break for lunch at the Tea Horse Inn, and then arrived at the final stop [Midway Inn].

Afternoon tea at the Midway Inn, with a drink in the distance from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

This is a must-see inn during the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike. Its "Stunning Balcony" is a popular spot, perfect for afternoon tea. Enjoy a cup of coffee, gaze at the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the opposite bank, and the surging river in the valley, and take in the tranquil beauty of nature. On a clear day, the sunset glow illuminating Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is even more spectacular.

Special note: The reception capacity of the afternoon tea at the Midway Inn is limited. If you are unable to make an appointment for afternoon tea at the time of registration or the Midway Inn coffee bar is closed due to other factors, afternoon tea will be arranged at the Tea Horse Inn Café (or the afternoon tea activity will be cancelled and the afternoon tea fee will be refunded). If the Midway Inn is closed, you will not be able to go to the balcony of the Midway Inn, and you will go to the balcony of the Tea Horse Inn Café instead.

Driving time: 85 km, 1.5 hours

Hiking: about 10km, with an altitude climb of about 470m and a descent of about 360m (Naxi Yage 2200m - Twenty-Eight Bends 2670m - Tea Horse Inn 2310m - Midway Inn 2400m), taking about 6 hours

Day 2 Walnut Garden → Midway Inn → Teacher Zhang's Inn → Teacher Zhang Trail → Walnut Garden

All day

Hiking Information

Hiking distance: about 8km, with an altitude drop of about 700m and an altitude gain of about 210m (from the Midway Inn at 2400m to Guanyin Waterfall at 2450m to Teacher Zhang's Inn at 1960m to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge at 1750m). It takes about 6 hours. The ladder section of Teacher Zhang's Trail is quite steep, so please be careful.

Luggage information: If you are staying at the hotel the night before, you do not need to pack any large luggage. Just bring the necessary items with you.

Meal Information: It is recommended to bring some snacks to replenish energy during the hike. You can order a formal lunch at Teacher Zhang's Inn.


Tiger Leaping Gorge Highline Hike, Encounter Guanyin Waterfall

Depart at the appropriate time and take a bus to the starting point of the Zhongdu Inn hike. Continue the Tiger Leaping Gorge High Route Hike, hiking from Zhongdu Inn to Teacher Zhang's Inn (following the 2,350-meter contour line). Arrive at Teacher Zhang's Inn around noon and have lunch at your own convenience. Along the way, we'll encounter Guanyin Waterfall, which, during the rainy season, resembles a silver chain hanging from the mountain, its cascading water a truly spectacular sight.

Hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge, Get the Photo of Your Life√

After lunch, hike the Zhang Laoshi Trail (Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge), a trail carved by Zhang Laoshi's family and gradually becoming a signature feature of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Starting from Zhang Laoshi's home, descend to the valley floor, where you'll experience the mighty Jinsha River up close. Then, take on the Warrior Ladder to return to the highway.

[Special Note] According to the Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area's notice prohibiting tourism activities in the undeveloped area of ​​the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge has officially closed on April 22, 2025. The reopening date is unclear (updated on April 22, 2025). After this date, the following batches will be registered: Day 2 Walnut Garden - Tiger Leaping Gorge High Road Hike (from the Halfway Inn to Teacher Zhang's Inn) - Tiger Leaping Gorge Observation Deck - Accommodation near Walnut Garden

Driving time: No car needed that day

Hiking: about 8 km, with a descent of about 700 meters and an ascent of about 210 meters (from the Midway Inn at 2400 meters to Guanyin Waterfall at 2450 meters to Teacher Zhang's Inn at 1960 meters to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge at 1750 meters), taking about 6 hours

Day 3 Walnut Garden → Old Medicine Mountain → New Medicine Mountain → Walnut Garden

All day

Hiking Information

Hiking distance: about 10km, with an altitude gain of about 359m and a descent of about 570m (Laoyao Mountain 3381m - Yikeshu 3535m - Ranch Ridge 3740m - Manxingyu C1 Camp 3530m - Zhongcun 3170m), taking 6-7 hours;

Luggage information: If you are staying at the hotel the night before, you do not need to pack any large luggage. Just bring the necessary items with you.

Meal Information: There are supplies near Laoyao Mountain on the day, but you will miss lunch time if you hike. It is recommended to bring your own lunch and drinking water. You can order dinner after returning to the inn.


Wandering around Laoyaoshan Ranch, Haba and Yulong present

Laoyao Mountain is located on the southern slope of Haba Snow Mountain, high above the clouds on the banks of the Jinsha River. Hiking through lush pastures, you can overlook the Jinsha River flowing gently into Tiger Leaping Gorge, with views of Haba Snow Mountain to the north and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the south. The hike, with these two snow-capped mountains as its companion, is a truly fascinating experience. The scenery changes with each season. In April and May, azaleas bloom in abundance, creating a sea of ​​pink flowers that complement the snow-capped mountain pastures. In June, the purple blossoms of southwestern irises sway in the breeze, creating a unique atmosphere of lush green pastures shrouded in mist. In autumn, the forest begins to color, creating a vibrant display of colors.

We will start our hike from Laoyao Mountain, pass a tree, cross the pasture along the pastoral path, wander among the forest and pasture, and finally exit the mountain from Xinyao Mountain and return to Tiger Leaping Gorge Hotel by car.

Special note: Yunnan enters the rainy season from mid-June to mid-August. Leeches will appear on some sections of Habaxi Slope (they will not appear on sunny days). It is recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and long socks. The team leader will carry salt and other supplies for emergency treatment.

Driving distance: about 72 km, about 2.5 hours

Hiking: about 10 km, with an altitude gain of about 359 meters and a descent of 570 meters (Laoyao Mountain 3381 meters - Yikeshu 3535 meters - Ranch Ridgeline 3740 meters - Manxing Island C1 Camp 3530 meters - Zhongcun 3170 meters), taking 6-7 hours;

Day 4 Walnut Garden → Orchid Flats → Haba Snow Mountain Tented Camp

All day

Hiking Information

Hiking distance: about 10 km, with an altitude climb of about 550 meters and a descent of about 550 meters (Haba Snow Mountain Tented Camp 3250 meters - Orchid Ping 3800 meters - Haba Snow Mountain Tented Camp 3250 meters), and it takes about 6 hours;

Luggage Information: The driver will drive to the Haba Snow Mountain Tent Camp and wait for you. You can carry your daily supplies in a small bag on foot.

Meal Information: It is recommended to bring some snacks and drinking water to replenish energy during the hike, and have a simple lunch at Orchid Flat Ranch.


Hike to Orchid Terrace, pass through pastures and forests, and see Haba Snow Mountain again

After breakfast, we will head towards Haba Snow Mountain. After reaching the foot of Haba, we will start hiking at Orchid Flat Pasture, passing through the forest covered with lichen, passing by meadows and streams. The azaleas in the mountains bloom in April and May, and the mountains are lush and green in summer. In October, the autumn colors come into play. The leisurely cattle and sheep are accompanied by the deep blue sky and white clouds of the plateau, as well as the snow-capped mountains right in front of us, embracing the mountain mist and wind.

Orchid Terrace, located west of the main peak of Haba Snow Mountain, is a great place to see the mountain up close. Upon arrival at Orchid Terrace, enjoy a cup of drip coffee or hot tea, contemplating the snowy mountain. Then, stroll through the surrounding meadows and forests while your guide prepares a local lunch. After lunch, depart at an appropriate time, following another route through a forest covered in lichen, returning to the starting point.

PS: Lunch needs to be made fresh, which requires a certain amount of waiting time. At the same time, the conditions are limited and the ingredients are relatively simple. It is recommended that you bring some dry food with you. Please understand.

Luxurious camping at the Snow Mountain Camp, enjoying afternoon tea and dinner facing the snow-capped mountains

That night, we'll stay in a tent camp, a hidden gem untouched by the vastness of the world. Nearby meadows and forests, and distant snow-capped mountains, are reflected in the camp's pond, creating a seamless connection with the surroundings. We'll enjoy afternoon tea and dinner facing the snowy peaks, toasting to them and absorbing their pristine tranquility and vast beauty. At night, if the weather is good, we can enjoy stargazing with the naked eye, or we can retire early to await the golden glow of the Haba Snow Mountain the following day.

Summer Exclusive | Hunting for Wild Mushrooms and Savoring Yunnan Flavors

July and August are the seasons for wild mushrooms in Yunnan. After a rain, wild mushrooms of various colors and shapes emerge from the soil like elves. There are well-known wild mushrooms such as the green hand and the boletus, as well as some native mushrooms of Haba. Led by a local guide, we will go deep into the forest to search for wild mushrooms, identify edible species, and select relatively safe mushrooms to bring back to the camp to cook and enjoy. (Picking wild mushrooms is a bit of luck. Weather and altitude will affect the time when wild mushrooms emerge from the ground. If you can't find edible wild mushrooms, please be patient.)

[Special Note] Tonight's accommodation will be in a tent at the campsite, which comes with an air mattress and linens. The bathroom is shared and provides electric blankets and hot water. The campsite's electricity supply is from 19:00 to 24:00. Outdoor afternoon tea is greatly affected by the weather. If it rains, snows or is too cold, the afternoon tea will be moved to the cabin. The fee remains the same.

Driving distance: 40 km, about 1 hour

Hiking: about 10 km, with an altitude climb of about 550 meters and a descent of about 550 meters (Haba Snow Mountain Tent Camp 3250 meters - Orchid Ping 3800 meters - Haba Snow Mountain Tent Camp 3250 meters), taking about 6 hours

Note: Lunch will be prepared by the team leader in the cabin at Lanhuaping. Due to limited conditions and simple ingredients, it is recommended to bring some dry food with you.

Day 5 Haba Snow Mountain Tented Camp → Baishuitai → Lijiang ★ Dismissal Day

All day

Get up early and watch the golden sunset on Haba Snow Mountain

Today, we'll rise early and watch the golden glow of the Haba Snow Mountain. Our tent camp faces the mountain, and as soon as we open our tent, we'll see the ice cream-like snowcapped peak. In ideal weather, the peak slowly turns golden. When the summit is open, you can see teams of people striving for it, and we can't help but admire human courage.

Baishuitai geological wonder, Pamukkale of the East

After breakfast, depart for Baishuitai (White Water Terrace). Located at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, Baishuitai is a natural wonder formed by calcium carbonate dissolved in spring water. Its terraced appearance has earned it the nicknames "Immortal's Fields" and "China's Pamukkale." In the Naxi language, Baishuitai is called "Shibuzhi," meaning "growing flower." This area is also the birthplace of the Naxi Dongba religion. Hike to the observation deck to marvel at this breathtaking natural wonder.

Driving distance: 135 km, about 3 hours