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 & Middle Section |
| 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.
Unlock Mid-height Route
Brace yourself for a daring trek along narrow paths between towering cliffs. You might encounter a cascading waterfall that could add to the adventure.
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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Unforgettable 7 Day Travel Experience in Yunnan
Our 7 days Yunnan trip with China Highlights started at Kunming then took us all the way to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri La. Visiting Yunnan in December during winter time was interesting, less crowded and most importantly enable us to see Yunnan in a different landscape. A special mention to our fantastic guides, May (in Kunming) and Sunny (in Dali) and their respective drivers who were personable and shared a wealth of knowledge and insights of the places we visited. They spoke good English, helpful with our requests and ensured that we were comfortable and satisfied with our tours. We will not hesitate to use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! more
Jan 2025, Jess W
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Lijiang- family trip Dec 2024 Eleanor
My family really enjoyed our time with Eleanor in Lijiang. She was able to pass on a lot of knowledge about her city which made the trip lots more interesting! We enjoyed having her guide us to amazing places. She was really attentive when one of us were feeling sick at the top of the mountain and provided us all with adaquete preparation for the 4000km+ altitude ascension. more
Jan 2025, Nicole L
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Yunnan Province 2024
We spent a fabulous week traveling through Yunnan. Our guides, Jack (Shangri la) Alice (Lijiang) Frank (Dali) and Rosemary (Kunming) all have deep knowledge of their cities and did an excellent job showing us their home areas. Our driver Mr Liu was also excellent taking us safely from place to place. This China Highlights trip was as advertised and we highly recommend it. more
Dec 2024, Esteban C
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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.
Embark on a challenging trek from Tina's to Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge and back, conquering demanding ascents, treacherous descents, and precarious paths. Reward yourself with breathtaking views of the Jinsha River as it powerfully carves through towering cliffs.
Enjoy a private transfer to the pier and a scenic river crossing to Daju Town. From there, we'll embark on a 3.5-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.
Conclude our journey with a private transfer back to Lijiang.
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