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丽江South-West China26.87° N · 100.23° E
A canal-laced Naxi old town beneath a glacier-capped mountain, with quiet villages close by. Here is what to see, where to stay and how to plan around the crowds and the altitude.
Lijiang sits at about 2,400 metres in northern Yunnan, below the jagged peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Its old town, Dayan, is a maze of stone lanes, small bridges and streams fed by mountain springs, with tiled roofs stacked up the hillside. It has been the home of the Naxi people for centuries, and it was listed by UNESCO in 1997 for its townscape and water system.
The old town is also one of the most visited places in China, and its main lanes are lined with shops, bars and music from morning until late. The quieter Lijiang appears early in the day, in the back lanes, at Black Dragon Pool, and in the villages of Shuhe and Baisha just outside town. Pair them with a day on the mountain and Lijiang is a highlight of any Yunnan journey.
Our Lijiang journeys are private and tailor-made, often combining the old town and the mountain with Dali, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La.
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The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
A maze of stone lanes, waterways and wooden houses. Come early in the morning or late at night to see it at its calmest, and climb to Lion Hill for a view over the rooftops.
A park of willows, bridges and a white marble bridge on the edge of town, with the classic reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on still, clear mornings.
A mountain range of glaciers and peaks north of town. A cable car climbs to a viewing area above 4,500 metres, while lower meadows offer easier walks with big views.
Turquoise pools and terraces of glacial meltwater at the foot of the mountain, usually combined with a visit to the snow mountain.
An older Naxi settlement north of town, known for its Ming-era murals and quiet lanes. It feels far less touristy than the old town, with the mountain looming above.
A smaller old town with streams and stone bridges, about 15 minutes from Dayan. Calmer than the main old town, especially in the early morning.
Learn about the Naxi pictographic script and the Dongba priests who keep it, through museums, workshops and traditional Naxi music.
One of the deepest gorges in the world, where the Jinsha River squeezes between huge mountains. Visit the viewpoint on a day trip or walk part of the high trail.
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Customise My TripLocal specialities worth seeking out, and when the locals eat them. Your guide will know the best places to try each one.
Add a food experience →Each neighbourhood has its own rhythm. Pick the one that sounds like you, or let us surprise you.
Courtyard hotels in the middle of the old town, close to everything. Lively until late, so choose a quieter lane.
A smaller old town about 15 minutes from Dayan, with streams, courtyards and quieter evenings.
Village hotels with mountain views, about 20 to 30 minutes north, closer to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Tell us your style and our consultants will hand-pick a stay you would never find on your own.
A restored heritage house, a quiet lakeside villa or a family-run boutique: we match the hidden gem to you, and reveal it with your itinerary.
Ask for a surprise stayLijiang has direct flights from many large Chinese cities. Trains link Lijiang station with Kunming, Dali and Shangri-La, and a driver can meet you at the station or the airport.
Needed for the mountain, Baisha, Shuhe and Tiger Leaping Gorge; included on our journeys.
Best for: Day tripsThe old town is car-free and best explored on foot, though the stone lanes are uneven and hilly in parts.
Best for: Old townDiDi works for short trips between the old town and Shuhe or Black Dragon Pool.
Best for: Short hopsPlaces that pair well with Lijiang, with approximate travel times.
Spring and autumn bring the best chance of clear views of the mountain, with mild days and cold nights. Summer is the rainy season, green and fresh but often cloudy. Winter is dry, sunny and cold, with the clearest skies of the year, while Chinese holidays fill the old town.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, but plan around the crowds. The old town is beautiful early in the morning and late at night, and the surrounding villages, Black Dragon Pool and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are outstanding. If you only see the busy central lanes at midday, it can feel like a shopping street.
The highest peak rises to about 5,596 metres and has never been fully climbed. Visitors take a cable car to a viewing area above 4,500 metres, where the air is thin. Walk slowly, avoid the trip on your first day if you have arrived from the coast, and turn back if you feel unwell.
Two or three nights works well: one day for the old town, Black Dragon Pool and Baisha, one for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and a third for Shuhe or Tiger Leaping Gorge. Many travellers then continue to Shangri-La or Dali.
A major earthquake in 1996 damaged many buildings, which were repaired or rebuilt in traditional style, while the street plan and waterways are historic. The UNESCO listing followed in 1997. Today it is a lived-in but heavily touristic place, and Baisha and Shuhe give a quieter sense of the old Naxi way of life.
The clearest views are usually from October to May, especially in the morning. In the rainy season, roughly June to September, cloud often covers the peaks by midday. Book cable car slots early in holiday periods, as daily numbers are limited.
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