Lijiang 丽江
Lijiang is a UNESCO-listed Naxi old town at about 2,400 m, with cobbled lanes, canals and views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Use it as a base for Dayan, Shuhe and Baisha, plus easy trips to the mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Sights in Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town (Dayan) 丽江古城
Mu Palace 木府
Wangu Tower 万古楼
Black Dragon Pool Park 黑龙潭公园
Lijiang Museum (Dongba Culture Museum) 丽江市博物院
Shuhe Ancient Town 束河古镇
Baisha Murals 白沙壁画
Yuhu Village 玉湖村
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 玉龙雪山
Glacier Park 冰川公园
Blue Moon Valley 蓝月谷
Spruce Meadow 云杉坪
Yak Meadow 牦牛坪
Impression Lijiang 印象丽江
First Bend of the Yangtze River 长江第一湾
Baoshan Stone City 宝山石头城
Sifang Square 四方街
Lijiang Romance Park 丽江千古情景区
Lashi Lake 拉市海
Tiger Leaping Gorge 虎跳峡
Prices are approximate and hours change. Sights without a page haven't been checked yet.
Where to stay
Dayan Old Town (Lijiang Old Town) 大研古城
Most convenient first-timer base, with guesthouses, restaurants and canals inside the old town.
Good for: First-time visitors, nightlife, sightseeing on foot
Shuhe Ancient Town 束河古镇
Quieter Naxi town with guesthouses and cafés, a short taxi or bus ride from Dayan.
Good for: Couples, slower pace, local food
Baisha Ancient Town 白沙古镇
Village base closest to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, known for murals and artisan cafés.
Good for: Mountain views, cycling, quieter stays
Getting there
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport 丽江三义国际机场
Airport shuttle bus to the city takes about 40 min (~¥20); taxi/Didi takes about 40–50 min (~¥100–150).
Lijiang Railway Station 丽江站
Trains to Dali and Kunming; the station is about 8 km south of Dayan Old Town, roughly 20–30 min by taxi/Didi.
Getting around
Walking
Exploring Dayan, Shuhe and Baisha old towns
Cars cannot enter the old-town cores; wear grippy shoes because polished stone lanes are slippery when wet.
Taxi/Didi
Airport, railway station, cross-town and old-town edge transfers
Didi works well, but have your destination in Chinese and a phone number ready for the driver.
City bus
Cheap local trips and some services toward Shuhe/Baisha
Routes and stops change; ask your guesthouse for the current bus number rather than relying on old maps.
Bicycle/e-bike rental
Shuhe–Baisha countryside and nearby villages
Rent from guesthouses or shops, check brakes and battery range, and avoid main roads after dark.
Good to know
- Alipay accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and Diners cards. Payments under ¥200 carry no Alipay service fee; payments of ¥200 or more carry a 3% fee. Verify your passport in the app to raise limits. Source
- A travel eSIM or home SIM on roaming reaches Google, WhatsApp and Instagram without a VPN; a Chinese SIM or hotel Wi-Fi does not. Keep your home SIM active for SMS codes. Source
- Lijiang charged a ¥50 Ancient Town maintenance fee from 1 Aug 2025; several 2026 sources say it has since been scrapped and the streets are free. Mufu ¥40, Wangu Tower ¥35, Black Dragon Pool free. Carry ¥50 in case a checkpoint still asks. Source
- Lijiang sits at about 2,400 m: take the first day easy, hydrate, and save Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for later in the trip.
- Old-town guesthouses are often down car-free lanes; pack light or arrange luggage help with your guesthouse.
- Book Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tickets and check cableway status ahead; last-minute old-town tours can be crowded and poor value.
- UV is extreme at this altitude even in winter, so bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- For quieter streets and better-value Naxi food, spend time in Shuhe/Baisha or local neighborhoods outside Dayan rather than only the main old-town lanes.
What to eat in Lijiang
腊排骨火锅
Là páigǔ huǒguō
Cured pork rib hotpot · Naxi signature: salty cured ribs simmered with vegetables and dipped in chili.
纳西烤鱼
Nàxī kǎoyú
Naxi grilled fish · Whole river fish grilled and topped with spicy herbs, common in old-town restaurants.
黑山羊火锅
Hēi shānyáng huǒguō
Black goat hotpot · Rich, warming hotpot; goat meat is a local specialty.
鸡豆凉粉
Jīdòu liángfěn
Chickpea jelly · Cool chickpea jelly in chili-vinegar dressing; ask for no meat sauce.
水性杨花
Shuǐxìngyánghuā
Aquatic flower vegetable · Stir-fried Ottelia aquatic plant from local lakes; mild and crunchy.
丽江粑粑
Lìjiāng bābā
Lijiang flatbread · Layered wheat flatbread, sweet or savory; choose plain/sweet if avoiding meat.
野生菌火锅
Yěshēngjūn huǒguō
Wild mushroom hotpot · Seasonal wild mushrooms in broth; often chicken-based, so confirm for vegetarian.
米灌肠
Mǐ guàncháng
Rice sausage · Naxi rice-and-blood sausage, sliced and fried; savory and rich.
Weather by season
| Months | Day | Night | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar-May | 20 °C | 6 °C | Sunny, dry and breezy; strong UV and cold nights. |
| Jun-Aug | 24 °C | 15 °C | Rainy season with afternoon showers; lush but humid. |
| Sep-Nov | 20 °C | 8 °C | Clear, crisp and dry; the most reliable travel weather. |
| Dec-Feb | 13 °C | -1 °C | Sunny days but freezing nights; snow possible on the mountains. |
Typical averages, not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Lijiang?
Mar-May and Sep-Nov
Which sights in Lijiang should I book in advance?
Mu Palace, Wangu Tower, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow, Impression Lijiang, Sifang Square, Lijiang Romance Park.
Which airports serve Lijiang?
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG).
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