Secrets of the Yangtze
The great mountain ranges in the western corner of Yunnan create incredible scenery, attracting hikers to explore. The Haba Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain massifs, which rise to more than 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level, narrow the Jinsha (upper Yangtze) River and create one of the most magnificent gorges in China.
In this 4-day adventure tour, hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge and the enigmatic Stone Village, uncovering hidden gems along the Jinsha River.
Utilize our complimentary itinerary planning service to design your inaugural Lijiang adventure and embark on a memorable journey with us.
Suggested 4-Day Lijiang Hiking Tour
Day | Highlights |
---|---|
1-2 Tiger Leaping Gorge |
Trek the Highway |
3-4 Baocheng Stone Village |
Stone Village Awaits |
Lijiang Hiking Tour Map

Tour 'Wow' Points
Trek Highway Route
Ascend the challenging 28 Bends trail, a 15-kilometer trek offering breathtaking panoramic views of the gorge and rushing river against the backdrop of the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.


Visit a Castle on the Cliff
Explore the Stone Village and marvel at their ingenuity in transforming stone into everything from stairs to beds, showcasing their deep connection to their environment.


China Highlights' Special Discovery Experience
Discover the best-kept secret of the Jinsha River. Hike to find an exclusive view, which is not seen by most visitors.

Enjoy a beer (or soft drink) prepared by us on Halfway Guesthouse's viewing terrace for a beautiful sunset experience.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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12 day trip to Kunming, Dali and Lijiang
![]() Our tour guide cum driver for Kunming, is Jack Lee. He took good care of us, especially when there is any descending or ascending hike during the trip. He gave excellent suggestion for dinner and even show us the authentic way to eat the food. We had a fantastic 6 days in Dali area. Our guide, 王立婷, is from the Bai ethnic group. She is very knowledgeable in the custom and history of Yunnan as well as the different Ethnic group of the area. We learn a lot of interesting things from her. If I were to go to Dali again, I will definitely look for her. The last stretch of our trip, is 3 days in Lijiang with our guide , 和绍春. He is from the Naxi Ethnic group. He shared with us his knowledge of his people and also how to handle high altitiude. Luckily for us, we had him to look out for us as some of us were unwell during and after the ascent of Yulong snow mountain. Last but not least, our driver, 卞师傅,spent 9 days with us and is a safe driver and a friendly person. more
Apr 2025, Boon Keow L
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Lijiang and Kunming
![]() Thanks to Camillia Jiang from China Highlights who created our itinerary we had a wonderful holiday in Lijiang and Kunming. Our guides in Lijiang Alice and Lulu in kunming were wonderful in taking care of our needs from the word go and made our holidays so much better. more
Apr 2025, Chng S
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Amazing 9D8N Yunnan Experience!
![]() Our group of 8 had an amazing time in Yunnan with China Highlights!We’re on 9D8N tour in Shangrila, Lijiang, Dali and Kunming. Special thanks to Liberman (key coordinator) for his patience in meeting our many requests and changes, I’m really impressed with his good English competency, prompt responses and follow-up. We were blessed with great weather, sunshine when we visit Pudacuo and Songzhanlin, Hotel Indigo is an excellent choice for hotel stay in Shangrila. We were able to ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang too, it was snowing slightly and the mountain was covered by thick white snow, making our experience a very special one. Thumbs up to Lijiang guide Jack, he’s one of the few guides who would hike up the mountain side by side with guests. Our special thanks goes to our guides - James (Shangrila), Jack (Lijiang), Alice (Dali), Lydia and May (Kunming). They have worked very hard to ensure our Yunnan experience is an amazing one with beautiful scenery, delicious food, great shopping! I will definitely travel with China Highlights again andwill highly recommend them to my friends. more
Apr 2025, savvy Traveler
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Itinerary Quick Look
This is a sample itinerary. Feel free to let us know what you'd like to see and do, and we'll create a personalized tour just for you.
We'll start our adventure with a scenic drive from your Lijiang hotel to Qiaotou Town, the gateway to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Our first-day hike covers approximately 15 kilometers, taking us about 5 hours to reach Halfway Guesthouse.
Our hike starts at Naxi Family Guesthouse and takes you up the challenging 28 Bends, a 2-hour climb leading to a spectacular Lookout Point.
Continue your trek for another 2-3 hours until we reach Halfway Guesthouse, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Jinsha River.
Start your day with a refreshing hike down to Tina's Guesthouse. This 2-hour trek takes you through the picturesque Guanyin Waterfall and offers breathtaking canyon views.
Enjoy a private transfer to the pier and a scenic river crossing to Daju Town. From there, we'll embark on a 3-hour journey to the picturesque Baoshan Stone Village.
Reach Baoshan, an engineering marvel, is perched on a massive, half-square-kilometer boulder surrounded by sheer cliffs. Despite its small scale, the town is a colossal sculpture carved into the rock face, harmonizing with its natural setting. Spend the night in the village.
Explore Baoshan Stone Village, hike the terraced fields, and climb over the ridge to find the incredible Taiziguan ('Prince Pass'), which will make you exclaim "Wow." The Jinsha River is calm in this section, like a beautiful ribbon. The huge mountains dive into the river and form a narrow gorge, and the Jinsha River flows towards you from this perilous pass. Why is it called 'Prince Pass'? Let your guide reveal the answer.
Discover this unique village at your own pace during your free time, then enjoy another overnight stay within its charming confines.
Utilize your last bit of free time for one more discovery before your guide and driver pick you up for the Lijiang hotel transfer.
Hotel Selection
—The Icing on the Cake
Guest houses are recommended to enrich your travel experience.


Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking hiking guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- A 24/7 helpline is available throughout your trip
Tour code: lj-3