This Lijiang travel guide is designed to help you easily plan an unforgettable trip to Lijiang.
Lijiang, a fascinating city attracts tourists from all over the world due to its unique Naxi culture, magnificent snow-capped mountain landscapes and World Heritage status.
How to get Lijiang?
Airplane:
International flights: You will need to fly to a Chinese city such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu before connecting to a domestic flight to Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG).
Direct domestic flights: There are direct flights to Lijiang from cities such as Kunming (1.5 hours), Chengdu (2 hours), Chongqing (2 hours) or Shenzhen (2.5 hours).
Airport to downtown:
Airport bus: only 20 RMB, 30 minutes to the south gate of Lijiang Old Town.
Taxi/Internet car: it costs about 100 RMB and the ride takes 20 minutes.
High-speed train:
Kunming to Lijiang: there are more than 10 trains per day, the journey takes 3.5 hours, and the fare for a second class seat is 220 RMB.
Dali to Lijiang: it takes only 1.5 hours, second class ticket costs 80 RMB, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Sea along the way.
Train station to Old Town: Take bus No. 4 or No. 18 (RMB 2, 40 minutes) or take a taxi (about RMB 30).
Long-distance bus:
Kunming to Lijiang: 6-8 hours of travel, fare 150-200 RMB, suitable for travelers with limited budget.
Shangri-La to Lijiang: 4 hours journey, ticket price 80 RMB, you will pass through the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way.
Top sights in Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town (World Heritage Site)
Suggested playing time: 1-2 days
Cultural Characteristics: Once an important town on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road, it boasts the four-square street culture of the Naxi people.
Public Transportation:
Airplane: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport → Take the airport bus (RMB 20/person) directly to the south gate of the ancient city, or take a taxi for about RMB 100.
High-speed rail: Lijiang Railway Station → Take bus No. 4/18 (RMB 2) or take a taxi for RMB 30 to the ancient city.
Must-tour highlights:
Mufu: the “Forbidden City” of the Naxi Tusi, climb up the Wanjulou Tower overlooking the entire ancient city (RMB 40 for admission, about 2 hours of sightseeing).
Three-eyed well: experience the unique Naxi “three uses of water” wisdom (free).
Naxi ancient music: every night at 20:00 in the Sifang Street to enjoy a thousand years of ancient music performance (ticket 120 yuan).
Accommodation Recommendations:
Yale Residence Boutique Courtyard: Naxi traditional architectural style, elegant environment (RMB 280-360/night).
Naxi Pure Land Inn: Singer Xiao Yuguang theme inn, the price is friendly (50-220 yuan / night).
Food Recommendation:
Granny’s Pulled Pork Spare Ribs: copper pot pulled pork spare ribs hot pot with mint tea (RMB 60 per capita).
Dongba Haus: Chinese and Western restaurant offering burger sets and a snowy mountain viewing terrace (RMB 50 per capita).
No. 88 Snack Bar: Savor chickpea cold noodles and Lijiang poi (RMB 30 per capita).
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Recommended Playing Time: 1 day
Natural wonders: the southernmost glacier in the northern hemisphere, the sacred mountain of the Naxi people.
Public Transportation:
Snow Mountain Special Line: North Gate of Ancient City → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Visitor Center, RMB 15/person, 1 hour drive, every half hour from 8:00-17:00.
Chartered bus: 200-300 RMB for round trip from Ancient City to Snow Mountain, with flexible stops at Blue Moon Valley and Yak Ping.
Play Suggestions:
Glacier Park Grand Ropeway: climb to the top of the 4506-meter observation deck (admission + ropeway 140 yuan).
Blue Moon Valley: beautiful lake, the best shooting time is 11:00-14:00.
Yak Ping: hiking through the primitive forest, feel the charm of nature.
Accommodation options:
Cloud Steps Grampian Tented Camp: a luxurious experience directly facing the snow-capped mountains (1500RMB+/night).
Garden Inn in Shuhe Ancient Town: cost-effective and within walking distance to the Snow Mountain special line station (RMB 400/night).
Specialty Food:
Snow Mountain Stone Pot Fish: local cold-water fish stewed in spring water from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (RMB 80 per person).
Yak Yogurt Cheese: freshly made by Tibetan herders and served with barley cakes (15 RMB per person).
Shuhe Ancient Town and Baisha Ancient Town
Shuhe Ancient Town: It is recommended to visit Shuhe Ancient Town for 0.5-1 day, you can take a bus or taxi to visit the Museum of the Ancient Tea Horse Road and Hari Valley.
Baisha Ancient Town: It is recommended to play for 0.5 days, take bus or chartered car to go there to appreciate Baisha murals and enjoy the leisure time in Snow Mountain Café.
Accommodation recommendation:
Prague Café (Shuhe): offers a book bar and hostel beds (20 RMB/night).
Muddle Nest Inn (Baisha): fully equipped with underfloor heating, suitable for winter (RMB 600+/night).
Cultural Exploration Places
Lugu Lake (Mosuo matriarchal society)
- Suggested itinerary: 2 days and 1 night tour around the lake
- Direct Program:
- Bus: Lijiang Bus Station → Lugu Lake Dalushui Village, RMB 70/person, 4-hour drive, two daily flights at 8:00/9:30.
- Chartered bus: RMB 600-800 for a round trip for 4 people, via Jinshajiang River Observation Deck and Yi Village in Ninglang.
- Airplane Connection:
- Lijiang→Ninglang Lugu Lake Airport: flights are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. After landing, take the Airport Express (RMB 30) to the lake area.
- Unique Experience:
- Wedding Bridge: Visit the custom of “men don’t marry women don’t marry”.
- Mosuo family visit: listen to grandmother’s family history by the fire (50 yuan / person)
- Accommodation recommendation:
- Zhaman Holiday Hotel: 270-degree lake view room, net red star empty room (700 yuan + / night)
- Songtsen Gampo Hotel: Tibetan style, providing horse gang culture experience (900 RMB/night)
- Food must try:
- Pork fat: three-year air-dried pipa meat, sliced and fried (RMB 40/serving)
- Surima Wine: low barley wine inherited by Mosuo people for thousands of years (20 RMB/cup)
Tiger Leaping Gorge (World Class Trekking Sanctuary)
- Suggested tour time: 1 day
- Transportation options:
- Upper Tiger Leaping: Lijiang Passenger Station → Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, RMB 40/person, 2-hour drive, 1-hour hike to and from the viewing platform.
- Route options:
- Primary: Upper Tiger Leaping Observation Deck (1 hour round trip, entrance fee 45 RMB)
- Advance: Tiger Leaping “Stairway to Heaven” hike (5 hours, need a guide)
- Recommended Accommodation:
- Halfway Inn: a gathering place for global hikers, with a terrace facing the snow-capped mountains (RMB 80/bed)
- Genting Guesthouse: Stargazing Chalet at the top of the mountain (RMB 300/night)
- Energy supply:
- Slate Roasted Matsutake Mushrooms: Fresh Matsutake Mushrooms + Local Rock Salt (RMB 120/serving)
- Naxi Baba: barley flour baked with ghee tea (RMB 15/pc)
Laojun Mountain (Danxia landform and Lisu culture)
- Suggested visiting time: 1-2 days
- Public Transportation:
- Bus: Lijiang Bus Station → Laojun Mountain Scenic Spot, RMB 60/person, 3 hours drive, two classes daily at 7:30/13:00.
- Chartered bus: Lijiang→Laojunshan 500 RMB one way, via the First Bay of Yangtze River in Shigu Town.
- Exploration highlights:
- Thousand Tortoise Mountain: red sandstone forming the “tortoise armor” landform (admission 80 yuan)
- Lisu bonfire party: participate in the “knife pole festival” song and dance (free of charge, need to book in advance)
- Recommended Accommodation:
- Yunding Inn: Danxia observation room, providing hiking poles rental (RMB 200/night)
- Zhaxi Ranch: private lakeside cabins, experience yak milking (500 RMB/night)
- Specialties:
- Mountain treasures and wild game casserole: matsutake mushrooms + wild bamboo fungus stewed with local chicken (RMB 60 per capita)
- Acorn cold noodles: Lisu traditional snacks, hot and sour appetizer (RMB 10/bowl)
Classic 7-day itinerary reference
Day 1 to Day 2: Lijiang Old Town (1 day) → Shuhe Old Town (0.5 days)
Day 3: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (1 day)
Day 4 to 5: Lugu Lake cycling around the lake (2 days)
Day 6: Tiger Leaping Gorge (1 day)
Day 7: Laojun Mountain (1 day)
Lijiang Travel Guide Practical Tips and Notes
Ancient City Maintenance Fee: Entering the Black Dragon Lake Park, Wooden Mansion and other attractions requires checking the 80 RMB Ancient City Maintenance Fee ticket.
Plateau reaction: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is at a high altitude, it is recommended to carry oxygen cylinders and avoid strenuous exercise.
Sun protection and warmth: Lijiang ultraviolet light is strong, need to use SPF50 + sunscreen; snow mountain temperature is low, please have a good punching jacket or down jacket.
Last bus time: the last bus time for Shuhe and Baisha is 20:00, and it is recommended to take a taxi at night.
Payment: Most of the merchants in the Old Town support Alipay (Google Play or Apple App Store)and WeChat payment, but it is recommended to prepare a small amount of cash for remote attractions.
Cultural Respect: During the Naxi Torch Festival, please avoid touching ritual objects.