Hotels in Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La

I've never embarked on such a thrilling journey. The hotel is spectacularly perched on the side of the Jinsha River Grand Canyon, halfway up the mountain, with a sheer cliff face on one side and the deep canyon on the other. When booking, I honestly didn't pay much attention to the exact location. I simply looked for a hotel near Tiger Leaping Gorge, as we planned to visit it the next day. But as we navigated there in the afternoon, driving up the mountainside, even my husband, a very experienced driver, started to get nervous. The road was incredibly steep – perhaps a 40-50 degree incline? – and what made it truly terrifying was that on one side was the sheer drop into the Jinsha River Grand Canyon, with the powerful river rushing below. It was an extreme test of nerve. I was so scared I couldn't utter a word, my mind racing with thoughts of unfinished business. When we finally reached the hotel, perched precariously on the mountain, we met other guests who confessed they were too scared to drive back down and needed the hotel owner to take them. Despite the adventurous journey to get there, the hotel's scenery is absolutely unparalleled. It truly embodies the saying, 'the most spectacular views are found in the most treacherous peaks.' This hotel has deep roots in the ancient Tea Horse Road. It's situated in a pivotal location along the Tea Horse Road, attracting many international trekkers and hikers. The owner himself is an avid hiking enthusiast. It was such an unforgettable experience that my husband said he wants to make a special trip back. Next time, with this experience under our belts, we'd definitely park our car at the foot of the mountain and have the hotel pick us up. Alternatively, you could arrange for the hotel to drive your car up for you. Of course, if you're an adventure-seeker, you might enjoy the challenge! Haha.

Nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lulin Mountain Lodge is a delightful retreat, just a two-minute walk from the entrance to the scenic area, making it easy to transfer to the scenic bus. From the window, you'll be greeted by breathtaking mountain views, and the rolling sea of clouds feels almost palpable. The B&B's design blends natural charm with comfort. The rooms are warm and clean, and the suite we selected boasts a terrace with stunning views. The host is welcoming and attentive, offering practical hiking tips. The breakfast is delicious, and afterward, coffee and milk are provided, including a delicious Yunnan small-grain coffee latte. Nights are tranquil, and the starry sky shimmers in your dreams. With its prime location and tranquil, pristine atmosphere, it's an ideal choice for hiking enthusiasts or those seeking a tranquil mountain retreat. It offers excellent value and is highly recommended for travelers who value both scenery and scenic beauty.

Located just across the street from the popular Halfway guesthouse. This guesthouse is very new and clean. The view from the rooms is real and not photoshop. We were quite happy with the view and location. The dinner was good, it was the best 虎皮青椒 I've had. The family who runs the guesthouse is extremely kind. It was slow season, so the hotel seemed a bit understaffed. It was sometimes hard to find people working. But they have wechat and you can contact them. The cafe and rooftop are quite nice. I think this guesthouse will become very popular, especially in the high season. The price is very good.

We had a great time at Guanguan Di hotel on a cliff. It is definitely not the run of the mill hotel. A family owned business and the whole family is involved running the place. The daughter takes care of the administrative side of the business while the parents takes care of the hospitality. The family treated us as old friends. They could not do enough to make us comfortable. The minute we stepped into the place, tea and a warm seat were offered near the fire stove. We knew it was difficult to go out to eat, so we had requested to eat at their dining room that night. Prices were higher than normal, but then they slaughtered a fresh chicken and picked fresh vegetables from their garden for our meal. I do not think I have anything to complain about. The cabins are beautifully designed but the lights were dimming at times, and we could not understand why. They tried to give you the best that could be installed in the cabin. The view is awesome. In the morning, due to torrential rainfall in the city, we had no power during breakfast, but they managed to still provide us with hot yams, corn, eggs and buns. On our way out, they gave us a big bag of clementines. Thank you for such a memorable stay.

We had the best view EVER here of any stay. We slept in the cubicle room with two floors (smart room) and could see the whole tiger leaping gorge from above. It's your own personal sightseeing platform! You have 2 huge windows towards the gorge and a big terrace to sit outside and enjoy the views. The bed is super comfortable and there is a huge ceiling window. We fell asleep watching the stars above us, magical. It has everything you need from a room, amenities, a couch and even huge TV, which we didn't need to use at all. The best thing about this place is the host. He is so friendly and helpful with any request you might have. He arranged transport for us, showed us a great hiking route to the lower tiger leaping gorge and even dropped us off at the trailhead. Best host ever! The breakfast was delicious and you can also order dinner there. One of the best places we have EVER stayed!

Finally made it to the Shangri-La Moye Snow Mountain Cliffside Hotel I've been dreaming about! Truly a 'hotel on the cliff,' its location is absolutely breathtaking. For a photography enthusiast like myself, there are endless opportunities here; you could change into ten outfits and still not get enough shots! Beyond the stunning cafe with its floor-to-ceiling windows, the restaurant here was an unexpected delight. While I initially came for the views, I was genuinely surprised by how delicious the food was. As a Sichuan native, I absolutely loved it!

Beautiful Stay with Amazing Mountain Views A great location before Halfway, now with a new hotel building. The room was very spacious, clean, and comfortable. Our kids enjoyed watching TV while admiring the mountain view — the scenery was so stunning we didn’t want to close our eyes. The bathroom was also very clean. The owner was very kind and helped us book our return bus tickets from Tina’s Guesthouse back to Lijiang. He speaks good English, which made communication with tourists so much easier. As Muslims, we brought our own packed food, and only ordered rice and boiled eggs from the restaurant as additional meals. We are already planning to come back here again next year!

Thank you for an unforgettable experience. I had heard from several sources that this is one of the most touristy places in China, and I was worried I might encounter a tired or indifferent staff, as I have in some hostels along famous trails. But instead, I found not only welcoming people, but somehow they’ve created, in this “empire” they built on top of the world, an incredible family-like atmosphere that I did not expect and that truly warmed my heart. The view is absolutely breathtaking. The glowing café, where everyone plays games and drinks beer surrounded by nature, with only the light from the glass lodge shining against the stars, created an unforgettable feeling I will always remember. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Superb guesthouse with stunning scenic views. The guesthouse is relatively new, so everything looked clean, modern, and well-kept. It was the only place during my 8-day trip in Yunnan that had an auto-bidet toilet — which I genuinely appreciated! 😆 This place is also less crowded compared to Halfway Guesthouse, making it perfect for those seeking peace and quiet. The owner is very friendly and helpful. She even helped me book my return bus ticket to Lijiang. Since we didn’t come here for trekking, she kindly arranged transport for us to Middle Gorge/Tina’s Guesthouse, where the bus station is located, at a small fee — much cheaper than the local taxis.

A very new hotel in the Tiger Leaping Gorge halfway village, with very helpful and friendly staff and a menu in English which is very helpful. Great views from everywhere! One important note for Western travelers - the bathrooms are doorless, so may not be suitable if you're not traveling with someone you're quite close with (this hotel is very very new and I wouldn't be surprised if they added some doors after receiving some feedback)