Lijiang, in northwest Yunnan Province, is one of China's most scenic and culturally rich towns. Famous for its ancient town, UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and the surrounding natural beauty, Lijiang offers travelers a mix of historical exploration and outdoor adventure. The town is home to the Naxi ethnic group and features cobblestone streets, flowing canals, and traditional wooden houses, making it a must-visit destination.
Overview
Location: Lijiang is located in Yunnan Province, about 150 kilometers from Dali and 500 kilometers from Kunming.
Famous For: Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Naxi culture, and outdoor adventure opportunities.
Getting There
From Kunming: You can fly directly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport (1-hour flight) or take an overnight train (8-9 hours).
From Dali: A bus or train ride from Dali to Lijiang takes about 2-3 hours.
Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit Lijiang are from March to May and September to November when the weather is mild and dry.
Top Attractions in Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town (Dayan Ancient Town): A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang Old Town is known for its well-preserved ancient buildings, narrow stone streets, and vibrant Naxi culture. You’ll find traditional wooden houses, small canals flowing through the town, and plenty of small shops and restaurants.
Mu's Residence (Mu Fu): This grand residence was the home of the Mu family, who ruled Lijiang for centuries. The residence is a fine example of Ming Dynasty architecture combined with Naxi design. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the Old Town.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan): A towering mountain range just outside Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is perfect for hiking, cable car rides, and stunning glacier views. The mountain is sacred to the Naxi people and a symbol of their culture.
Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan Park): Located just outside Lijiang Old Town, this park offers a peaceful retreat with a beautiful view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the lake. It's a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers.
Shuhe Ancient Town: A smaller, quieter ancient town about 4 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town. Shuhe offers a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds, featuring similar architecture and charm.
Cultural Experiences
Naxi Culture: Lijiang is home to the Naxi ethnic group, who have a rich cultural heritage. Visit the Dongba Cultural Museum to learn about the Naxi language, religion, and customs. You can also witness traditional Naxi music performances at various venues around town.
Naxi Ancient Music: This unique musical form dates back to the Tang and Song dynasties. A performance of Naxi ancient music is a great way to experience the traditional sounds of the region, often accompanied by cultural storytelling.
Local Delicacies
Lijiang Baba (丽江粑粑): A thick, crispy pancake made with wheat flour and stuffed with either savory or sweet fillings. This local snack can be found in street markets and small restaurants throughout Lijiang.
Sanyue Rice Noodles (三月丽江米线): A popular rice noodle dish typically served with a spicy broth, pork or beef, and fresh herbs.
Naxi BBQ: Grilled meats and vegetables, served with local spices and dipping sauces. It’s a common street food, especially in Shuhe Ancient Town.
Butter Tea (酥油茶): A staple among the Naxi and Tibetan people in the region, butter tea is a rich, savory drink made from tea leaves, yak butter, and salt.
Rose Petal Cake (玫瑰饼, méiguī bǐng): Similar to XiZhou, Lijiang also features the famous rose petal cake. It's a delicately sweet pastry filled with locally sourced rose jam, and it's a popular souvenir for visitors.
Where to Stay
Local Guesthouses: Lijiang has many family-run guesthouses located within the Old Town, offering traditional architecture and a cozy atmosphere. These are ideal for an authentic cultural experience.
Boutique Hotels: For a more luxurious stay, boutique hotels with modern amenities are also available, often featuring beautiful views of the mountains or the Old Town.
Tips for Visitors
Language: Mandarin Chinese is spoken by most people, but the local Naxi dialect is also common. English is not widely spoken, so it’s helpful to have a translation app or basic Mandarin phrases.
Respect Local Customs: When visiting religious sites or interacting with locals, be respectful of their customs. Dress modestly, especially when entering temples or Naxi family homes.
Shopping: Lijiang is known for its handcrafted silverware, Naxi embroidery, and traditional wood carvings. Support local artisans by purchasing souvenirs from the local shops or markets.
Nearby Attractions
Tiger Leaping Gorge: One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge is a popular trekking destination about 60 kilometers from Lijiang. The hike offers dramatic views of the gorge and the Jinsha River below.
Baisha Village: An ancient Naxi village about 10 kilometers from Lijiang. It’s famous for its ancient murals, which depict scenes from Naxi mythology and daily life. The village is much quieter than Lijiang, making it a peaceful side trip.
Conclusion
Lijiang is a destination that seamlessly blends cultural heritage with breathtaking natural landscapes. Whether you’re exploring the ancient streets of Lijiang Old Town, hiking the trails of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, or learning about the unique Naxi culture, Lijiang offers something for every traveler. Plan your visit carefully to experience the best of both worlds—ancient history and outdoor adventure.
"ShuHe Ancient Town, known as "ShaoWu" in NaXi language, was formed by the JuBao Mountain behind the village, which is shaped like a pile of peaks. It is also an important well-preserved market town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, a living specimen of the NaXi ancestors’ transition from farming civilization to commercial civilization, and a model of market town construction formed by opening up to the outside world and caravan activities. ShuHe Ancient Town, BaiSha Ancient Town and DaYan Ancient Town together form the World Heritage Site of LiJiang Ancient Town.
Xu XiaKe once passed by ShuHe River when he visited JieTuo Forest in ZhiShan. "Ten Harmonies" is the ancient name of today's ShuHe."
Featuring KunMing, the provincial capital, LiJiang, the outdoor show 'Impression LiJiang', BaiSha village, ShiLin Stone Forest, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La ...
Don't miss this great film !
LiJiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; "LiJiang is an exceptional ancient town set in a dramatic landscape which represents the harmonious fusion of different cultural traditions to produce an urban landscape of outstanding quality."
Yu Long Xue Shan (玉龙雪山), near LiJiang, in YunNan province.
The highest peak is named ShanZiDou (扇子陡) - 5,596 meters / 18,360 feet. On the far side of the mountain lies Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hu Tiao Xia / 虎跳峡).
The exquisitely beautiful LiJiang (丽江) is located in YunNan province in south west China and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is populated mainly by the NaXi ethnic minority. LiJiang lies close to Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Snow Dragon Mountain.
LiJiang lies in the north of YunNan province, close to bordering SiChuan province.
Winter is still a good time to visit LiJiang as it is the dry season (2mm / month rainfall in January compared with 250mm in July) with a not-too-bad day-time high of 15C (0C during the night). Some of the lakes might be dry, but with plenty of sunshine there's still lots to see and do ...
The marathon routes around LiJiang. passing the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge.
This film is of the 2013 event which took place at the end of march (2013).
Impression LiJiang is a one hour, open-air musical based on local folklore and song, directed by famed film director Zhang YiMou, with Wang ChaoGe and Fan Yue.
Featuring a cast of over 500 performers, it is staged in front of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in YunNan province. The most famous music item is the Naxi song 'Return Home'.
The ancient town of LiJiang, in YunNan province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 800 years of history. It was an important hub of the South Silk Road, along which many items were traded, including tea. It is home to the NaXi ethnic minority.
LiJiang has lots of boutique hotels and cosy hostels in traditional architecture. The town, with its cobbled streets, streams and bridges, features many crafts (embroidery, silverware, drums and more) plus a wide variety of street snacks and restaurants.
The first film features KunMing and ShiLin (YunNan province), GuiLin and YangShuo (GuangXi province); the second LiJiang, Shangri-la and DaLi (YunNan province); and the third ZhouZhuang and SuZhou (JiangSu province) ...
With CCTV's Travelogue.
About two thirds of China's 56 ethnic groups are to be found in Yunnan.
The name YunNan means 'south of the clouds'; it lies in south China and borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.
LiJiang has a history of more than 800 years.
The old town, with its picturesque streams and bridges, traditional architecture and cobbled streets, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The second film shows the 'Black Dragon Pool'.
Filmed in February 2010.
The peak of the mountain range is 5,600 meters. The view of the mountains from the gardens at the Black Dragon Pool (HeiLong Tan) in LiJiang is regarded as one of China's finest. On the far side of the mountains lies Tiger Leaping Gorge (HuTiao Xia).
LiJiang is a city with nearly 1.5 million inhabitants, yet LiJiang Old Town has the architecture and atmosphere of times past; indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Old Town, with its waterways and ornamental bridges, dates back over 800 years.
LiJiang is an historic Chinese town in the province of YunNan.
Dayan, LiJiang's old town, contains an intriguing variety of canals and waterways that developed at the beginning of the 12th century, during the Late Song dynasty.
Filmed in summer 2009.
Places include:
1: BeiJing and the Great Wall
2: PingYao, Xi'An
3: XiaHe, ChengDu, LiJiang, ZhongDian, DaLi
4: ShiLin, YangShuo
5: YangShuo, Hong Kong
A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
LiJiang old town is one of the best preserved in China and is home to the Naxi minority.
Nearby attractions include the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lugu Lake.
A clip of the outdoor show.
It is one of a series named 'Impression ...' in different places around China that highlight traditional folk culture and natural scenery. Part directed by acclaimed film director Zhang Yimou, who also directed the 2008 Beijing Olympics ceremonies.
The location here is in front of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan).
