13 September 2024
The plan for Day 2 of our Tiger Leaping Gorge hike was to walk from Tea Horse Guesthouse to Tina's Guesthouse. Tina’s Guesthouse is located in the center of the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge and is the largest and most fully-equipped hostel in the entire Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area. Most people who hike the trail will either stay the night at this hostel or take public bus from there to Lijiang or Shangrila.
The distance of our hike on this day is about 9.8 km and is mostly flat until towards the end where we descended the mountain to Tina’s Guesthouse.
My son and I woke up at 7 AM hoping to see a beautiful sunrise over the mountains but the sky was cloudy. We had a leisurely breakfast of spicy noodle soup and banana pancake, coupled with nice views of the gorge.
We started our hike at 9 AM. I enjoyed the easy morning walk through the village with scenic views of corn fields, villagers’ huts and the mountains.
Leaving the village, we came to a fork in the road where some hikers may chose the wrong path. The correct path is the left fork with narrower path that leads uphill. There is a sign with Chinese words that is not very prominent.
We continued on a mountain trail with views of the Jinsha River and the surrounding mountains.
This part of the trail from Tea Horse Guesthouse to Halfway Guesthouse is extremely scenic. I am glad we stayed in Tea Horse Guesthouse and hiked this part of the trail in the morning. The rays from the morning sun shining though the clouds and over the mountain made the scenery so much better.
Like the earlier part of the trail, there are stalls selling drinks, snacks and stuff along the way. Some of the stalls provided chairs to hikers to rest. It was OK to rest on these chairs even though we did not buy anything from them.
Village woman came rounding up her goats. 
We arrived at Bendiwan village and Halfway Guesthouse at about 11 AM. Halfway Guesthouse is one of the originals in the valley and most well-known. There are quite a few construction of new guesthouses taking place. In the years to come, this place would be overrun by tourists who will come by cars and maybe even tour buses without any need to hike.
In fact, this is already happening on a small scale today. People could travel by cars using the narrow switchback road we saw to Halfway Guesthouse to have lunch We actually saw paid parking lots next to Halfway Guesthouse!
Halfway Guesthouse is popular place for an overnight stay for those doing the 2-day hike. We stayed at Tea Horse Guesthouse because we were not abe to book a room at Halfway Guesthouse.
Like Tea House Guesthouse, there is a big terrace overlooking the gorge and has splendid views of the mountains.
There were many people at the terrace posing for photos. We had to wait for our turn to take photos at the terrace with the iconic H A L F W A Y signage.
We also went to check out and use the toilets which has a nice view of the mountains too.
From Halfway Guesthouse, we continued our hike on a paved road for a while.
This part of the trail is busier compared to the earlier section. Some hikes on a shorter 1 day hike may choose to start their hike from here.
The path continues along the gorge and we soon saw a beautiful waterfall after rounding a bend in the mountain.
We have to walk across the waterfall, over water flowing though the rocks and stones beneath our feet.
Further up, there is a smaller waterfall.
Once past the two waterfall, the trail is mostly downhill, with some parts pretty steep and narrow.
We arrived at Tina’s Guesthouse at 2 PM. Overall, it has taken us about 5 hours to hike from Tea Horse Guesthouse to Tina’s, including an hour break at Halfway Guesthouse.
Entrance to Tina’s Guesthouse. For those who have more time, there are trails from Tina Guesthouse to the Middle Rapids of the Jinsha River where it is said that a tiger once jumped across the river, hence the name. It would take about 2 to 3 hours to hike down and up the steep cliffs from the vehicular road down to the river bank.
We had our lunch at Tina’s Guesthouse. Here, we met the same solo hiker whom we met at Naxi Guesthouse on Day 1. He told us he had made it down to the Jinsha River. Unlike him, we had to forego this since we do not have time (and energy) to do this on the same day. Instead, we will have a close look at the raging Jinsha River at the Upper part of the gorge. This is where most visitors on group tours will go when they visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
On the way to the Upper Gorge, we made a brief stop at an observation deck to view the Jinsha River at the Middle Gorge.
Next post: Our visit to the upper part (touristy) of the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Statue of a tiger, next to the roaring Jinsha River, can be seen at the Upper Gorge Area. In fact, there are a couple of statues of tiger at this area.
View of the Jinsha River at the Upper Gorge area as seen from the high mountain trail on Day 1 of our hike.
Preview of the Jinsha River as we walked down the stairs. We could hear the roar of the rapids as we made our descend.
Our guide told us the bridge and road on the opposite bank is now unused and reconstruction is taking place.
This is the narrowest part of the river and start of the rapids. The river was quieter and smooth flowing further upriver.
The Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is the narrowest section, and in the center of the river is a huge rock called Tiger Leaping Rock. 
Imagining how the tiger could have made it across the river using the big rock in the middle. 
Amulets that visitors can buy to leave their wishes.
Observation decks on the shores of the roaring river. 
The noisy turbulent water forcing its way over the large obstructing boulders in this deep gorge is a breath-taking sight!
Another statue of a tiger on the opposite bank.
The iconic Harmony Tower in Shangri-La. Our guide told us there is a smaller stupa within the large white stupa. 
Is this a replica or the real fifth meteorite in the glass case?
This hotel has very local Tibetan decor. 
The large room is equipped with oxygen regulator and a heating humidifier. 
Entrance to the Three Brother’s Cafe. The restaurant is on the second floor.
Sizzling yak meat on a hot plate for 58 RMB. Yak meat taste like lean beef. 
Three Brother’s Vegetable Balls with Sauce for 38 RMB. The menu included an option for these without the sauce. This is a tasty dish with delicious sauce.
Tibetan Yak Momo for 48 RMB. The menu included Yak Cheese Momo as well, available for the same price. 
The yak momo is like the steamed pork buns we had in Singapore except the meat is yak instead of pork.
Our host served us some home-made chilli sauce that went very well with the food. 
The restaurant provided beautiful tableware that came hygienically wrapped in paper envelopes.
From left to right: Songa, Fat Dolma and Tibetan Pale Ale.
The cafe has a terrace with views of the street and the town square. 
We watched the locals dancing in the town square while waiting for the orders to the prepared. 
Excellent food and beer at this cafe.
Stall selling Grilled Durians from South-East Asia. This is not the way we consume durians in South East Asia. 
Food Street in the old town for those looking for local street food which included yak meat on skewers.
Interesting souvenirs include the small hand-held golden prayers wheels, bells and even traditional Tibetan swords!
Stupa in the middle of Dukezong Old Town. 
The prayer wheel should be turned clockwise.
Big Buddha Temple (大佛寺) on Guishan. 
Beautifully lit Buddhist Temple on Guishan Park.
Colourful prayer flags could be seen all round. 
A must-see attraction in Shangri-La.
Outside surface of the Prayer Wheel.
Is this a picture of Songzanlin Monastery?
Many hands needed to work together to turn this 60-ton prayer wheel. We joined in too.
Panoramic view of Shangri-La city.
Sifang Square in Dukezong Old Town.
On our way back to the hotel, located next to the north gate of the old town.