How many days do I need in Lijiang?

Three nights covers Lijiang itself: a dawn walk in Dayan, Baisha and Shuhe for the older Naxi clusters, Black Dragon Pool for the mountain reflection, and a full day for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with altitude pacing. Six to seven nights is the better shape if Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La are added. One night near the gorge changes the whole route. It turns a photo stop into a real mountain day.

Why Lijiang, and not just a general Yunnan circuit?

Lijiang is the only UNESCO inscription that covers three Naxi clusters as one property: Dayan, Baisha and Shuhe. It is also the canonical reference for the Dongba pictographic script, still in living use at the museum inside Black Dragon Pool. Kunming, Dali and Lijiang together read as the full Yunnan plateau, but Lijiang is the leg that carries the Naxi cultural weight. A trip that skips it ends up with the climate and the food but not the history those sit on top of.

It depends on the passport you hold. Ordinary Australian, British, New Zealand and Canadian passports enter mainland China visa-free for up to thirty days, confirmed through 31 December 2026. The scheme covers tourism, family visits, transit and short business. Most European Union passports also qualify under broader arrangements. United States passports need a tourist visa under current rules, and we manage the application end-to-end as part of your booking. Tell us your nationality before we quote and we will check the live entry wording against the embassy and the relevant foreign-affairs source for your country.

What about altitude and acclimatisation?

Lijiang sits on a plateau at about 2,400 metres. Most travellers feel it as a slight breath shortness on the first afternoon and adjust within twenty-four hours. We design the first day as a soft landing: a quiet inn afternoon, a slow walk before dinner, no rush north. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's upper cable-car platform is much higher again, and we carry oxygen canisters as a quiet matter of course on the ascent. We swap Glacier Park for the gentler Yak Meadow walk on the day if anyone in your companions is feeling it. Travellers with heart, lung, blood-pressure or pregnancy concerns should speak with a doctor before confirming the route.

When should I add Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and how do you handle the weather?

Jade Dragon usually goes on the second or third full day, after the body has adjusted to Lijiang's altitude. The mountain reads cleanest on dry autumn mornings (October through early November) and on cold-clear spring days (late March through May). Summer afternoons cloud over by lunchtime, and the upper platform closes about half of summer days by mid-afternoon. We pick the viewing route on the morning of, after looking at the live forecast and how everyone is feeling. On a mist day we move to Yak Meadow rather than burning the cable-car queue on a closed view.

How do payments work in Lijiang and Shangri-La?

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Both can bind overseas Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand and most other markets. The change took effect with the 2024 policy update. Cash is still useful at smaller old-town stalls, rural guesthouses, and mountain-road stops, and your guide carries a working float for those moments. Your agreed route, tickets and transfers sit inside the quote, so you are not solving the payment system at each gate.

What about the forced-shopping pressure in the old town?

The Lijiang old-town lanes carry heavy retail pressure: jade showrooms, silver demonstrations, tea-house pitches priced like jewellery, and free tours that end in a sales room. None of that is on a route we brief. No jade factory, no silver workshop, no tea-house sales pitch. The route you approve is the route we walk. If a driver or guide suggests an unscheduled detour, you have a named specialist to contact and we resolve it within the day. The figure on your quote is what you pay.

What is actually included when you quote a Lijiang trip?

Daily guide and driver, the courtyard inn or hotel category you approve, internal flights or trains where the wider trip needs them, daily breakfast, every entrance ticket on the agreed route, and the road sequencing through the gorge and Shangri-La if those legs are added. Priced per person, up front, in the currency you switch the site to. The route you approve is the route we brief. What you read is what you take.

Destination · China

Lijiang

the Naxi capital under Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Lijiang is the last great Naxi capital, at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The old town runs canals of mountain snowmelt under every doorway, and the Dongba pictographic script is still inked on paper at Black Dragon Pool.

Design my trip See the signature moments

Signature moments

Why people
come to Lijiang.

What to see

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain north of Lijiang, the snow ridges of the sacred Naxi peak rising above the pine forest at its foot — Jade Dragon Snow Mountain(Sacred Snow-Capped Peak)
Towering above Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of China's most breathtaking alpine landscapes.
Its thirteen snow-covered peaks, dramatic glaciers and pristine forests create a spectacular natural wonder revered by the local Naxi people for centuries. Whether admired from afar or explored up close, every view reveals the majestic beauty of Yunnan's highest mountain range.
We plan the visit for early morning, when the skies are usually at their clearest and the cable-car queues are short. With logistics handled for you, you'll have time to appreciate the mountain scenery and the views from the upper platforms.

A Naxi-style multi-tier tower in Lijiang's Dayan Old Town, the curved eaves rising against the snow ridge of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain beyond — Lijiang Old Town(UNESCO World Heritage Site)
With its cobbled streets, winding canals and beautifully preserved wooden architecture, Lijiang Old Town is one of China's most enchanting historic cities.
Built over 800 years ago, its lively squares, traditional courtyards and vibrant markets reflect the rich heritage of the Naxi people. Every narrow lane invites you to discover another piece of this timeless destination.
The old town is at its best in the early evening, when the lanterns come on and the day crowds thin out. Your guide leads you through hidden alleyways, local traditions and the quiet corners that make Lijiang a place worth lingering in.

Blue Moon Valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, four glacial-melt pools in true alpine blue — Blue Moon Valley(Glacial Valley)
Nestled beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise lakes and breathtaking alpine scenery.
Fed by glacial meltwater, its tranquil pools shimmer in shades of blue throughout the day, creating one of Yunnan's most photographed landscapes. Every stop offers a picture-perfect view surrounded by towering mountain peaks.
We visit in the late morning, when sunlight reaches the valley floor and the pools take on their brightest turquoise. Your guide leads you to the finest viewpoints along the four connected pools, with plenty of time for photographs.

Visitors crossing the white-stone bridge at Black Dragon Pool Park, walking toward the pavilion at the far end above the spring-fed pool — Black Dragon Pool Park(Historic Scenic Park)
Set against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool Park is one of Lijiang's most iconic landmarks.
Elegant pavilions, ancient bridges and tranquil waters combine to create a landscape celebrated by artists and photographers alike. On clear days, the mountain's reflection across the lake creates one of the region's most spectacular views.
We arrive early, when the pool is still and the reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is at its sharpest. Your guide shares the park's history and cultural context while you take in one of Lijiang's most photographed settings.

Tiger Leaping Gorge: the upper Yangtze rapids between snow peaks — Tiger Leaping Gorge(One of the World's Deepest Gorges)
Carved by the mighty Jinsha River, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the world's most dramatic natural landscapes.
Towering cliffs rise high above rushing waters, creating breathtaking scenery that has captivated adventurers for generations. From scenic lookouts to mountain trails, every viewpoint showcases the immense power and beauty of nature.
We begin early to catch cooler temperatures and quieter viewpoints along the upper trail. Your guide sets a comfortable pace along the gorge path, with plenty of opportunities to take in the scale of the rapids and the peaks on either side.

Lugu Lake at blue hour, the alpine water still and deep blue against the surrounding peaks — Lugu Lake(Highland Lake)
Surrounded by forested mountains and traditional Mosuo villages, Lugu Lake is celebrated for its crystal-clear waters and peaceful atmosphere.
Often called the "Pearl of the Plateau," the lake offers a rare glimpse into one of China's most unique cultural landscapes, where nature and local traditions remain beautifully preserved.
We build in time along the lakeshore and a slow boat ride across the calm water. Your guide introduces the culture of the Mosuo, one of the world's last matrilineal societies, while you take in the peaks around the lake.

Baisha Old Town on the Lijiang plain north of Dayan, the oldest of the three Naxi clusters and the original Mu chieftain seat — Baisha Old Town(Ancient Naxi Village)
Once the political and cultural heart of the Naxi Kingdom, Baisha Old Town offers a quieter glimpse into Lijiang's rich history.
Traditional stone streets, centuries-old temples and beautifully preserved murals reveal the artistic and cultural heritage of this remarkable village. Its peaceful atmosphere makes it one of the region's hidden treasures.
Baisha reads best in the morning, when the streets are still calm and the light is soft on the walls. Your guide shares the stories behind the Dabaoji Palace murals and the older Naxi traditions still practised in the village.

Shuhe Old Town, the quieter of Lijiang's three Naxi clusters and a former Tea and Horse Road waystation north of Dayan — Shuhe Old Town(Ancient Tea Horse Road Town)
A beautifully preserved stop along the legendary Tea Horse Road, Shuhe Old Town combines historic charm with a relaxed village atmosphere.
Stone bridges, flowing canals and traditional wooden homes create a peaceful setting where centuries of trade and culture still echo through its quiet streets.
Shuhe is walked at a leisurely pace, with time for the artisan lanes, a traditional tea break, and the slower village rhythm that survives here more than in Dayan. Your guide brings the Tea Horse Road context to life along the way.

Spruce Meadow on the slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Naxi sacred high pasture below the snowline — Spruce Meadow(Alpine Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)
Surrounded by towering spruce forests beneath the slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Spruce Meadow offers a peaceful alpine escape unlike anywhere else in Yunnan.
Sweeping grasslands, crisp mountain air and spectacular panoramic views create an unforgettable natural setting throughout the seasons.
We visit early in the day, when the mountain scenery is often at its clearest and the meadow is quiet. Take time to breathe in the alpine air and take the landscape in from every angle, with your guide sharing the Naxi legend behind the site.

What to eat

A Lijiang la pai gu pot, cured pork ribs simmered with mountain vegetables in a clear broth — La pai gu(Lijiang cured pork rib)
La pai gu, the Lijiang cured pork rib, is the dish most Naxi households serve when the cold sets in.
Ribs are dry-cured for weeks above the wood stove until the smoke has worked into the meat, then simmered in a clear mountain-vegetable broth with shiitake, tofu skin, and seasonal greens. The smoke is deep and woody, the meat falls off the bone, the broth salty and savoury with a faint sweetness from the vegetables underneath.
Booked at a family kitchen the guide knows, with the pot timed for the second-hour broth rather than the photo-ready first hour. The cured rib comes from a household smoker rather than the commercial supplier most central-square kitchens use.

Yunnan xianhua bing rose flower cake, the crisp pastry split to show the sugared rose-petal filling — Xianhua bing(Yunnan rose flower cake)
Xianhua bing, the Yunnan rose flower cake, is a small pastry layered like a Chinese puff and filled with sugared rose petals from the Yunnan highlands.
The petals come from the Heqing and Mile rose fields, harvested in May and pressed into jam the same week. The flavour is the surprise: floral and lightly sweet rather than perfumed-syrup heavy, the crisp pastry shattering against the soft rose centre.
We take you to a Lijiang bakery that presses xianhua bing fresh in the morning, not the central-square chain shop. The eating window is right after the trays come out of the oven, when the pastry is still warm against the soft rose centre.

A Yunnan wild mushroom hotpot with porcini, matsutake and broth at a restaurant table — Wild mushroom hotpot(ye sheng jun, June to October)
Ye sheng jun huo guo, the wild mushroom hotpot, is the summer-and-autumn dish, available June through October when the wild mushrooms come down from the mountains.
A free-range chicken broth carries porcini, matsutake, and jian shou qing, the bolete the Naxi prize for texture. The broth turns deep and woody as each species goes in, savoury and earthy with a clean sweetness from the chicken underneath.
Booked at a Yunnan kitchen the guide trusts on cook timing, with the species and cooking order handled by the chef rather than left to the table. Reserved only in the season the mushrooms are genuinely fresh; trips outside June through October swap onto the cured-rib pot instead.

Shows and experiences

Impression Lijiang outdoor performance at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Zhang Yimou's open-air show with the sacred peak as the backdrop — Impression Lijiang(Zhang Yimou's outdoor show at the foot of Jade Dragon)
Impression Lijiang is Zhang Yimou's outdoor performance, staged at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with the mountain itself as the backdrop.
Over 500 Naxi, Bai, Lisu, and Yi performers carry the 70-minute show across an open mountainside stage at 3,100 metres, with horses, drums, and the singing voices of the ethnic groups whose cultures it is built from. The performance is daytime, weather permitting.
Higher-tier seating goes in with the booking, so the mountain forms the upper edge of the stage view rather than sitting behind a row of heads. The performance starts after the cable-car queues have cleared the morning, so a Glacier Park morning pairs naturally into an early-afternoon show.

Lijiang Romance, the Songcheng indoor evening show, performers on the tiered stage of the Lijiang Theatre — Lijiang Romance(Lijiang Qiangu Qing, the Songcheng evening show)
Lijiang Romance is Songcheng's indoor evening show, an hour-long production that tells the long Naxi story through music, dance, and large-scale stage effects.
The arc runs from the Tea and Horse Road caravans through the Mu chieftain era, the 1996 earthquake, and the present-day old town. Entertainment first, history second.
Centre-tier seating goes in with the booking, for the clearest sightlines. We time the show for the second evening of your stay, after the old town has been walked and the historical references read at human scale.

A traveller in full Naxi ethnic dress and silver headdress, photographed in Lijiang's Old Town courtyards — Naxi photoshoot(Lijiang zhuangzao, the ethnic-dress portrait afternoon)
Lijiang's costume-and-photo studios let you walk the old town and the lakes in the dress of the region's ethnic minorities: Naxi, Mosuo, Yi, or Tibetan, heavily embroidered jackets, silver headdresses, braided hair.
A morning runs through hair, makeup, and dressing, then a photographer follows you through the locations the studio knows by light and angle.
We book the studio that uses authentic regional pieces rather than the costume-rental shortcuts on the central square, with Naxi, Mosuo, Yi, or Tibetan styling chosen on the morning of. The locations are chosen for the early-afternoon light, so the photographs read warm rather than midday flat.

How long to stay

Recommended
5 to 7 days.

A seven-day menu for Lijiang, the gorge and Lugu Lake. Take the days that fit, or run all seven.

Old town
Day 1: Lijiang Old Town and Local Culture
Begin early in Lijiang Old Town, before the shops open and while the canals still carry the morning quiet. Wander into Sifang Street as the market stalls wake. After lunch, Black Dragon Pool Park offers the classic reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with the Dongba Culture Museum in the same grounds. As evening falls, follow the lantern-lit lanes, then climb Lion Hill for a night view across the tiled rooftops.
Morning
1. Explore Lijiang Old Town before the shops open
2. Wander Sifang Street as the market wakes
Afternoon
1. Visit Black Dragon Pool Park
2. Look through the Dongba Culture Museum
Evening
1. Stroll the lantern-lit lanes of the old town
2. Climb Lion Hill for a night view over the rooftops
Jade Dragon
Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Private car north, a short morning drive
An early start puts you on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ahead of the day's queues, with the cable car rising to Spruce Meadow and its forest-ringed pasture. Blue Moon Valley waits below, its glacial pools at their bluest once the sun reaches the valley floor. In the early afternoon, cross the open pasture at Ganhaizi, where the Impression Lijiang performance is staged outdoors against the mountain, weather permitting. Return to the old town for a slow courtyard dinner.
Morning
1. Head up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
2. Ride the cable car to Spruce Meadow
Afternoon
1. Walk the glacial pools of Blue Moon Valley
2. Cross the open pasture at Ganhaizi Meadow
3. Watch Impression Lijiang at the mountain's foot (weather dependent)
Evening
1. Return to the old town for a courtyard dinner
Baisha and Shuhe
Day 3: Baisha and Shuhe Old Towns
Spend the morning in Baisha Old Town, the oldest of the three Naxi settlements, where the Baisha murals blend Buddhist, Daoist and Naxi imagery on the same walls. In the afternoon, continue to Shuhe Old Town, a former staging post on the Tea Horse Road, and cross the old stone arch of Qinglong Bridge. As evening settles, linger beside Shuhe's canals and stone bridges, where the village keeps a slower pace than Dayan.
Morning
1. Explore Baisha Old Town
2. See the Baisha murals at Dabaoji Palace
Afternoon
1. Explore Shuhe Old Town
2. Cross Qinglong Bridge
Evening
1. Linger by Shuhe's canals and stone bridges
The gorge
Day 4: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Private car north, a mountain-road morning
The day belongs to Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Jinsha River runs between two snow mountains. Begin at the Upper Gorge, where a walkway leads down toward the rapids. In the afternoon, walk a stretch of the gorge trail, stopping at viewpoints high above the river. Stay the night near the gorge, or return to Lijiang for the evening; your guide plans the timing around the light and the road.
Morning
1. Walk the boardwalk down to the Upper Gorge rapids
Afternoon
1. Hike a stretch of the Tiger Leaping Gorge trail
2. Stop at viewpoints high above the Jinsha River
Evening
1. Stay overnight near the gorge, or return to Lijiang
Lugu Lake
Day 5: Lugu Lake
Private car northeast, a half-day mountain drive
A morning drive climbs northeast to Lugu Lake, the highland lake the Mosuo people call home. Arrive at Lige Peninsula, where the village sits on a spit of land ringed by clear water. In the afternoon, cross the lake in a traditional Mosuo wooden boat and land at Lover's Beach. As evening comes, the shore empties and quietens; dinner is at a family guesthouse, and the night is spent by the water.
Morning
1. Arrive at Lige Peninsula on Lugu Lake
Afternoon
1. Cross the lake in a Mosuo wooden boat
2. Land at Lover's Beach
Evening
1. Settle in for a lakeside evening at a family guesthouse
Lugu Lake
Day 6: Lugu Lake Culture and Return
Begin at Goddess Bay, looking across the water toward Gemu Goddess Mountain, then wander through the Mosuo villages along the shore, where households still follow the matrilineal line. After lunch, walk the Walking Marriage Bridge across the Grass Sea before the drive back to Lijiang. The evening is yours in the old town, which is at its liveliest after dark.
Morning
1. Look across the water from Goddess Bay
2. Wander the Mosuo villages along the shore
Afternoon
1. Walk the Walking Marriage Bridge across the Grass Sea
2. Drive back to Lijiang
Evening
1. Enjoy the old town's evening at your own pace
Jade Dragon foothills
Day 7: Yuhu, Wenhai and Farewell
Spend the morning in Yuhu Village, the stone-built settlement closest to the mountain. Visit the former residence of Joseph Rock, the botanist who introduced the Naxi world to Western readers. In the afternoon, drive up to Wenhai, where an alpine meadow and a seasonal lake sit high above the plain. Return for a final sunset walk through the old town before the trip moves on.
Morning
1. Explore Yuhu Village
2. Visit the former residence of Joseph Rock
Afternoon
1. Drive up to Wenhai's alpine meadow and seasonal lake
Evening
1. Take a final sunset walk through the old town

Day 1: Lijiang Old Town and Local CultureOld town

When to go

When to visit,
and how it feels.


Daily max (°F)	57°	60°	64°	69°	74°	76°	74°	74°	71°	69°	63°	59°
Rainfall (mm)	5	5	13	20	69	147	253	229	157	57	12	2
Crowds	Quiet	Crowded	Quiet	Steady	Busy	Steady	Busy	Busy	Steady	Crowded	Quiet	Quiet

April

Mild · Dry · Steady

Warm, dry and comfortable. The Qingming holiday in early April brings one short peak.

Temperature and rainfall are China Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991 to 2020. Crowd levels follow the Chinese public-holiday calendar and the school-holiday season.

Everonia

the Naxi capital under Jade Dragon Snow MountainLijiang

A seven-day itinerary, with practical notes for every day.

Download free
Lijiang travel guide

Best time

March to June · September to November

Days needed

3 nights for Lijiang · 6 to 7 nights with the gorge and Shangri-La

Where it sits

Northwest Yunnan, after Kunming or Dali, before Shangri-La

Before you enquire

Questions worth
answering early.

Three nights covers Lijiang itself: a dawn walk in Dayan, Baisha and Shuhe for the older Naxi clusters, Black Dragon Pool for the mountain reflection, and a full day for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with altitude pacing. Six to seven nights is the better shape if Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La are added. One night near the gorge changes the whole route. It turns a photo stop into a real mountain day.
Lijiang is the only UNESCO inscription that covers three Naxi clusters as one property: Dayan, Baisha and Shuhe. It is also the canonical reference for the Dongba pictographic script, still in living use at the museum inside Black Dragon Pool. Kunming, Dali and Lijiang together read as the full Yunnan plateau, but Lijiang is the leg that carries the Naxi cultural weight. A trip that skips it ends up with the climate and the food but not the history those sit on top of.
It depends on the passport you hold. Ordinary Australian, British, New Zealand and Canadian passports enter mainland China visa-free for up to thirty days, confirmed through 31 December 2026. The scheme covers tourism, family visits, transit and short business. Most European Union passports also qualify under broader arrangements. United States passports need a tourist visa under current rules, and we manage the application end-to-end as part of your booking. Tell us your nationality before we quote and we will check the live entry wording against the embassy and the relevant foreign-affairs source for your country.
Lijiang sits on a plateau at about 2,400 metres. Most travellers feel it as a slight breath shortness on the first afternoon and adjust within twenty-four hours. We design the first day as a soft landing: a quiet inn afternoon, a slow walk before dinner, no rush north. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's upper cable-car platform is much higher again, and we carry oxygen canisters as a quiet matter of course on the ascent. We swap Glacier Park for the gentler Yak Meadow walk on the day if anyone in your companions is feeling it. Travellers with heart, lung, blood-pressure or pregnancy concerns should speak with a doctor before confirming the route.
Jade Dragon usually goes on the second or third full day, after the body has adjusted to Lijiang's altitude. The mountain reads cleanest on dry autumn mornings (October through early November) and on cold-clear spring days (late March through May). Summer afternoons cloud over by lunchtime, and the upper platform closes about half of summer days by mid-afternoon. We pick the viewing route on the morning of, after looking at the live forecast and how everyone is feeling. On a mist day we move to Yak Meadow rather than burning the cable-car queue on a closed view.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Both can bind overseas Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand and most other markets. The change took effect with the 2024 policy update. Cash is still useful at smaller old-town stalls, rural guesthouses, and mountain-road stops, and your guide carries a working float for those moments. Your agreed route, tickets and transfers sit inside the quote, so you are not solving the payment system at each gate.
The Lijiang old-town lanes carry heavy retail pressure: jade showrooms, silver demonstrations, tea-house pitches priced like jewellery, and free tours that end in a sales room. None of that is on a route we brief. No jade factory, no silver workshop, no tea-house sales pitch. The route you approve is the route we walk. If a driver or guide suggests an unscheduled detour, you have a named specialist to contact and we resolve it within the day. The figure on your quote is what you pay.
Daily guide and driver, the courtyard inn or hotel category you approve, internal flights or trains where the wider trip needs them, daily breakfast, every entrance ticket on the agreed route, and the road sequencing through the gorge and Shangri-La if those legs are added. Priced per person, up front, in the currency you switch the site to. The route you approve is the route we brief. What you read is what you take.

Designed around you and your companions

You enjoy the trip,
we do the rest.

From your first enquiry to your last airport pickup, our specialists design your trip and stay in contact every step of the way. The guides, drivers and hotels you'll meet are part of our trusted network we've worked with for years, briefed to the same standards.

Dedicated specialists, start to finish
Guides briefed to our standards
Fully transparent, no hidden costs
No deposit until you confirm

How we look after your trip

Often combined with

Stretch the trip. Stitch in another.

Read further

Useful before
you enquire.

Jack Guo

Your travel specialist

Jack has spent ten years working with the guides, drivers and hoteliers across China. He'll be your contact from first enquiry to final airport pickup.

Design your Lijiang trip

Tell us your preferences and we'll plan a private itinerary in Lijiang that fits how you like to travel.

Lijiang

Why peoplecome to Lijiang.

What to see

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain(Sacred Snow-Capped Peak)

Lijiang Old Town(UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Blue Moon Valley(Glacial Valley)

Black Dragon Pool Park(Historic Scenic Park)

Tiger Leaping Gorge(One of the World's Deepest Gorges)

Lugu Lake(Highland Lake)

Baisha Old Town(Ancient Naxi Village)

Shuhe Old Town(Ancient Tea Horse Road Town)

Spruce Meadow(Alpine Meadow at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)

What to eat

La pai gu(Lijiang cured pork rib)

Xianhua bing(Yunnan rose flower cake)

Wild mushroom hotpot(ye sheng jun, June to October)

Shows and experiences

Impression Lijiang(Zhang Yimou's outdoor show at the foot of Jade Dragon)

Lijiang Romance(Lijiang Qiangu Qing, the Songcheng evening show)

Naxi photoshoot(Lijiang zhuangzao, the ethnic-dress portrait afternoon)

Recommended5 to 7 days.

Day 1: Lijiang Old Town and Local Culture

Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Day 3: Baisha and Shuhe Old Towns

Day 4: Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 5: Lugu Lake

Day 6: Lugu Lake Culture and Return

Day 7: Yuhu, Wenhai and Farewell

When to visit,and how it feels.

Download freeLijiang travel guide

Questions worthanswering early.

How many days do I need in Lijiang?

Why Lijiang, and not just a general Yunnan circuit?

What about a visa?

What about altitude and acclimatisation?

When should I add Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and how do you handle the weather?

How do payments work in Lijiang and Shangri-La?

What about the forced-shopping pressure in the old town?

What is actually included when you quote a Lijiang trip?

You enjoy the trip,we do the rest.

Stretch the trip. Stitch in another.

Kunming

Chengdu

Guilin

Useful beforeyou enquire.

When to visit China, month by month

China tourist visa for US travellers

Health, safety and accessibility

Payments and connectivity in China

Jack Guo

Design your Lijiang trip

Lijiang

Where in China do you want to go?

Why people
come to Lijiang.

Recommended
5 to 7 days.

When to visit,
and how it feels.

Download free
Lijiang travel guide

Questions worth
answering early.

You enjoy the trip,
we do the rest.

Useful before
you enquire.