Is Tiger Leaping Gorge worth planning around?
Tiger Leaping Gorge can be one of Yunnan’s best payoffs, but it is a real hiking-and-logistics decision. Weather, trail condition, transport and fitness matter more than the fact that it fits neatly between famous towns.
Answer
Do not add Tiger Leaping Gorge as if it were a viewpoint between Dali and Lijiang. The reward can be superb: steep walls, river noise, mountain air and a sense of Yunnan beyond old-town streets. But the trip depends on current trail conditions, weather, your fitness and how you handle luggage and onward transport. It is worth planning around if walking is a central pleasure of the trip. It is less sensible if the route is already stretched or if bad weather would leave you with no backup.
Recheck before you go
Conditions can change. Check current official advice before you travel.