Lijiang Travel Guide: Naxi Charm Through Time
Lijiang is a gathering place of the rich historical heritage, unique Naxi culture, and stunning natural landscapes. It is the place where the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau meets the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, with the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain towering in its northern part.
A top highlight of any Yunnan tour, Lijiang is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are Lijiang Old Town, the Three Parallel Rivers, and the ancient Naxi Dongba manuscripts.
The many Naxi ancient towns, with the Old Town of Lijiang as the best-known one, are the main reasons for most visitors travel to Lijiang. These towns and villages are where you can encounter numerous ethnic architecture and alleyways, feel the deep historical ambiance, experience authentic Naxi Dongba culture and cuisine, and try unique Naxi handicrafts and food.
The natural scenery in Lijiang is equally captivating. The snowy spectacle of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the serene Lugu Lake, the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the ecologically rich Lashi Lake Wetland Park are some of its top natural attractions, offering breathtaking scenery and a wealth of outdoor adventures.
Follow our Lijiang Travel Guide to explore Lijiang a bit more, for a comprehensive experience of its diversity.
- Chinese Name: 丽江 (lì jiāng)
- Location: In the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. At the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and in the eastern part of the Hengduan Mountains and the middle reaches of the Jinsha River.
- Population: 1,250,000 in 2023
- Altitude: 1,015 meters to 5,596 meters above sea level; The urban area is situated at an elevation of 2,418 meters.
- Area: 20,600 square kilometers
Why Visit Lijiang?
- Diverse Old Town of Lijiang: This over 800-year-old town well preserves its ancient water systems, distinctive architectural style, Naxi culture and artifacts, and sees the intersection of multiple cultures, including Naxi, Han, Bai, Yi, and Tibetan. In 1997, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Rich relics of the Ancient Tea Horse Road in Shuhe Ancient Town: As one of the best-preserved hubs along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Shuhe Ancient Town preserves many sites related to tea and horse trading and cultural exchange among different ethnic groups.
- Stunning natural scenery: Lijiang is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauties. Visitors can admire the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain clearly from certain spots of Lijiang Old Town. On the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, the First Bend of the Yangtze River and Tiger Leaping Gorge will wow all visitors.
- Experience unique Naxi Dongba culture: Naxi people are one of the oldest ethnic groups in Lijiang, who retain their unique script, language, music, and dance. As the birthplace of the unique Naxi culture, Lijiang is where you can closely observe ancient Naxi residences, the palace of former Naxi chieftain, and Naxi people’s traditional music, dance, etc.
Top Lijiang Tourist Attractions
Lijiang Old Town in the city center is the main reason for most people to travel to Lijiang. Around the city center, visitors can marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and immerse in the history and charming ambiance of Shuhe Ancient Town and Baisha Village. Outdoor adventurers and natural enthusiasts can travel further to the outskirt areas to see the Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lugu Lake, etc.
Lashihai Lake
Sitting at an elevation of about 2,400 meters, Lashihai Lake is where you can enjoy the ultimate beauty of a highland lake. Its surrounding mountains, crystal-clear waters, vast wetlands and grasslands make it home to many rare bird species, and have attracted numerous birdwatching enthusiasts and nature-loving travelers.
First Bend of the Yangtze River
This spectacular natural phenomenon is on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. After the Yangtze River flows through many continuous mountain gorges, the Hengduan Mountains in Lijiang suddenly obstruct it and force the river to make a nearly 90-degree turn, creating such a striking natural wonder.
Top Things to Do in Lijiang – In-depth Experiences
Besides visiting the popular Lijiang attractions mentioned above, there are also some in-depth activities and experiences in Lijiang for your immersive understanding of this charming city.
Visit a Naxi Family in Lijiang Old Town
A Naxi family visit allows you to walk into a traditional Naxi-style house and observe the architectural artistry closely. You can wear traditional Naxi clothing, interact with the family members, see their real-life conditions, participate in their daily activities, and experience their diverse handicrafts.
Recommended Lijiang Tours with Naxi Family Visit:
5 Days Dali & Lijiang Family tour with Boutique Hotels
Watch Large-scale Culture Show: Lijiang Eternal Love or Impression Lijiang
“Lijiang Eternal Love” (丽江千古情) is a large-scale indoor performance showcasing the soul of Lijiang and Naxi culture. The show utilizes high-tech stage design, and dance and music performances to reappear the highlights of Naxi culture. Audiences will be introduced to many Naxi myths, bustling scenes of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, traditional Naxi wedding ceremonies, and the development and change of Lijiang Old Town.
Different from Lijiang Eternal Love, Impression Lijiang (印象丽江) is a live-action performance with real scenery of the Yulong Snow Mountain as its background. The show is directed by Zhang Yimou, and most of its performers are local farmers, showing more authentic folk culture and customs. Not following a specific storyline, the show uses various scenes and acts to show the audience local traditional life and cultural characteristics.
Explore Lijiang Old Town at Night
It’s highly recommended to stay overnight in Lijiang Old Town for at least one night to experience a distinctly different charm from the daytime. At night, the old town will be transformed into a dreamy world by the glowing lights and lanterns, exuding a more romantic ambiance. Streets are filled with various stalls and bustling with crowds of people and excitement. It is also the time to enjoy entertainment when pubs and bars come alive, echoing with music.
Visit Zhongyi Market to Go Deep into Local Life
Visiting a local market is always one of the best ways to go deep into local life. When in Lijiang, Zhongyi Market near Dayan Old Town (Lijiang Old Town) is the place where you can catch the scene of locals’ daily life. Every morning, crowds of local Naxi people will flock to the market to do their daily groceries, ranging from veggies, fruits, and meats to various dried goods and everyday household items. Taking a leisurely stroll in the market, you can encounter some people wearing their traditional clothing and bargaining in the Naxi language or Lijiang dialect.
How Many Days for a Lijiang Trip?
We recommend planning for 3 days to explore the best cultural and natural highlights of Lijiang. You can take one day to arrive at Lijiang and explore Lijiang Old Town. On the second day, visit Jada Dragon Snow Mountain and explore the authentic Naxi lifestyle and Baisha murals at Baisha Village. If time is limited, you can depart Lijiang on the third day. >> Check out details of our 3 Days Lijiang Tour: Cultural & Natural Experiences
With more days available, you can extend your Lijiang travel with more in-depth experiences. An additional 2-3 days Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking tour is recommended for those who like hiking and outdoor adventures. Or, you can plan an additional 2-day Lugu Lake tour to explore the captivating lake scenery and touch the customs of the Mosuo people. >>
Related Reading: How to Plan a Lijiang Tour – A Step-by-Step Trip Planner
Recommended Yunnan Tours including Lijiang
Lijiang Weather and Best Time to Visit
Thanks to its low-latitude and high-altitude location, Lijiang enjoys a distinct weather pattern combining plateau characteristics and monsoon climate. Generally, its annual temperature averages from 12.6°C to 19.8°C, and exhibits a small variation between different seasons. While the temperature differences between day and night are extremely significant, sometimes can even reach up to 25.1°C.
Rainfall in Lijiang is abundant but unevenly distributed. The rainy season can span from May to October, with July and August seeing the most rainfall. November to April are the period to see more clear weather in Lijiang.
The comfortable temperature makes Lijiang being suitable to visit all year round, while spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are widely considered the best times to visit Lijiang. Both of these two seasons offer pleasant temperatures. Also, it’s recommended to travel to Lijiang during some traditional festivals, such as the Sanduo Festival on the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month, the Torch Festival on the 24th and 25th days of the 6th lunar month, and the Dongba Festival on the 5th day of the 3rd lunar month.
How to Go to Lijiang & Travel Around
How to Get to Lijiang?
Visitors can reach Lijiang conveniently by flights, high-speed trains, and long-distance buses.
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport is its major airport, offering direct flights to many domestic cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc. The airport is about 28 km from Lijiang city center, from where visitors can reach Lijiang Old Town by shuttle bus (CNY 20 per person) or taxi (about CNY 100) conveniently.
Most cities in Yunnan offer direct high-speed trains to/from Lijiang. Generally, the high-speed train journey takes about 3.5 hours from Kunming, about 2-2.5 hours from Dali, and about 1.5 hours from Shangri-La.
If your city has no direct flights to Lijiang, a recommended cost-effective option is to fly to Kunming first, then, take a bullet train or long-distance bus to Lijiang.
Long-distance buses are mostly chosen for transfers between Lijiang and other cities in Yunnan.
How to Travel around Lijiang?
For transfers in the Lijiang city area, taxis and buses are both convenient. The bus ride has a flat fare of CNY 1 per person per ride. And taxis have a starting fare of CNY 9 for the first 2 kilometers, beyond the initial 2 kilometers, the fare is CNY 3 for each kilometer.
To travel around the Old Town of Lijiang, walking is the best way, allowing you to fully experience its charm.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is about 30 km from Lijiang Old Town. From Lijiang to Jade Snow Mountain, visitors can take the 101 bus from Zhongyi Market in around 1 hour. The fare is CNY 15 per person. A taxi ride is more flexible and efficient, costing about CNY 90.
Taxis and buses also offer convenient transportation from the old town to other attractions like Black Dragon Pool Park, Shuhe Ancient Town, and Lashi Lake.
To ensure you a hassle-free travel experience, we highly recommend booking a guided tour with land transfers and other logistics all included.
Lijiang Food: What to Eat in Lijiang
When you travel to Yunnan, you can embark on a culinary adventure as diverse as its landscapes and ethnic culture. Each of its cities, counties, and townships offers its own unique flavors. In Lijiang, you can expect to indulge in a gastronomic feast that beautifully integrates the characteristics of various ethnic groups.
- Lijiang Baba (丽江粑粑): A time-honored Naxi delicacy, Lijiang Baba is a popular snack in Lijiang. It is available in both sweet and savory flavors.
- Jidou Jelly (鸡豆凉粉): Features a cool, spicy taste and slightly dark color.
- Naxi Grilled Meat (纳西烤肉): A traditional Naxi dish that is popular along the ancient Tea Horse Road, the grilled meat features tender, juicy, and aromatic flavors.
- Dongba Grilled Fish(东巴烤鱼): Prepare the fish by grilling, frying, and pan-frying, making it have a mildly spicy and delicious taste.
Hotels in Lijiang: Where to Stay in Lijiang?
From locally featured Naxi-style inns and homestays to star-rated and boutique hotels, and luxurious resorts like Lijiang Club Med near Yulong Snow Mountain, Lijiang offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit people of different travel styles and budgets.
Below is a brief overview of some of the best areas to stay in Lijiang:
- Dayan Ancient Town (Lijiang Old Town): Accommodation options in the old town are primarily inns, guesthouses, and homestays of traditional Naxi architectural styles. Suitable for people who want to feel the lively nightlife of the old town.
- Shuhe Ancient Town: This area offers a quieter environment than Lijiang Old Town and most hotels are also distinctive inns and boutique guesthouses.
- Yulong Snow Mountain Area: This area is embraced by stunning natural beauty and a serene setting. Luxurious resorts and 4 or 5-star hotels are more frequently seen in this area, like Lijiang Club Med, Pullman Lijiang Resort and Spa, etc. Homestays and inns are also available here.
- Lijiang New Town Area: The new town area is just adjacent to the Dayan Old Town. Though this area is not worth visiting, it offers more upscale hotel options. And it is within walking distance to Lijiang Old Town.
- Baisha Ancient Town: This area offers a more authentic Naxi lifestyle experience than Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Ancient Town. It sees fewer tourists.
Other Popular Destinations in Yunnan
