Lijiang Old Town
Lanes and squares that change from quiet mornings to illuminated evenings.
- No booking
Our takeRevisit a few streets in the morning and after dark to see both sides of the old town.
Lijiang 丽江
A Yunnan city with Naxi old towns and access to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The 6 places most first visits are built on
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The mountain north of Lijiang, separate from the old-town streets.
- 1 day
- Book ahead
Our takeGive the mountain its own outing rather than fitting it between old-town stops.
Mufu Mansion
The former administrative residence behind Lijiang's old-town history.
- 1.5–2.5 hours
Our takePair it with an old-town lunch and lane walk; keep the longer climb optional.
Shuhe Ancient Town
Water lanes, a bridge and cafés in a smaller old-town setting.
- 2–3 hours
- No booking
Our takeChoose one café or craft stop and a meal instead of trying to cover every lane.
Baisha Murals
Paintings connecting religious traditions and the region's history.
- 1–1.5 hours
Our takeRead a brief introduction first, then continue into Baisha's streets after looking closely at the murals.
Spruce Meadow
Forest and open grass with views towards the snow mountain.
Our takeChoose the meadow for its setting; its cable-car product is separate from the glacier route.
Things to do
Thing to doWatch Impression Lijiang beneath the snow mountain
1 dayPair Glacier Park with Blue Moon Valley
1–2 hoursPut the bridge and snow mountain in one frame
1.5–2 hoursHear a musical tradition instead of another bar set
Half a dayBaisha: old lanes and coffee beneath the snow mountain
9.5 hoursUpper Tiger Leaping Gorge and the First Bend of the Yangtze
7 hoursJade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley
Ways to spend your days
In LijiangOnly this city
Lijiang + moreItineraries that include Lijiang
3 areas, 3 different trips
Dayan Old Town North Edge
Old-town evenings with easier arrival access
- Dayan lanes and cafés
- Old-town sightseeing
- Road access at the edge
Trade-off: Stone lanes make luggage awkward; bars and wooden rooms can be noisy.
Shuhe Old Town
A slower stay with shops and cafés
- Historic lanes
- Courtyard stays
- Cafés and relaxed walks
Trade-off: Still tourist-oriented; Dayan and the station need separate transfers.
Baisha
Naxi village life and slower cultural visits
- Village streets
- Naxi cultural setting
- Mountain views in clear weather
Trade-off: Fewer hotel services and evening options; farther from central Lijiang.
Our takeOne check before you book: Ask where the car stops and who handles the luggage from the road to the room.
Landing in Lijiang, and moving around
Shuttle 35–45 minutes (¥20–25) or DiDi about ¥60–80.
DiDi about 20 minutes (¥25–35) or bus 11 in 30–40 minutes. Tell the driver which gate: Water Wheel (north) or the east entrance.
- Dayan Old Town lanes are pedestrian-only around the clock; hotels meet you at the nearest gate with a luggage cart.
- For city buses, select Lijiang in Alipay and activate 丽江电子交通卡 before boarding.
Our takeOne move after you land: keep your hotel's address in Chinese to show the driver. Make an address card →
Lijiang practical card →Best: Apr–May · Oct–Nov
Spring and autumn generally bring less rain than midsummer, but nights can be cold.
Jan13°-1°6% wet
Feb14°1°9% wet
Mar16°4°13% wet
Apr19°7°13% wet
May21°11°27% wet
Jun23°14°52% wet
Jul22°14°70% wet
Aug22°13°67% wet
Sep21°12°57% wet
Oct19°8°30% wet
Nov16°3°7% wet
Dec14°-1°3% wet
Typical daytime high, night low and share of wet days (1991–2020 averages, not a forecast). Golden Week (1–7 Oct 2026): expect crowds; check the official dates for other years.
Coming up in Lijiang
No published sessions in the next weeks. Ask what fits your dates.
Lijiang questions travellers ask
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