Top 10 Things to Do in Lijiang

Lijiang lies in the northwest of Yunnan Province. It is listed as one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China. There are twelve minority ethnic groups living in Lijiang, presenting unique charms of colorful multi-ethnic culture and long history.

This is a place filled with all kinds of imagination, snow mountains, ancient towns, people coming and going... Countless stories rise and fall again.

Don’t miss the following 10 things if you’re about to explore this mysterious ancient city.

1. Go on a Hike along Tiger Leaping Gorge

• Opening hours: 07:30-16:30 from April to October, 8:00-16:00 for the best time of the year.
• Getting there: Take one of two shuttle buses running between Lijiang Bus Station and Hutiaoxia Town. And then walk in the direction of Qiaotou (桥头) Town to enter the gorge.

With a maximum depth of 3,900 meters from the river to mountain peaks, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest river canyons in the world. Trekking along the gorge, travelers can see the fabulous views of the gorge, roaring water, and snow mountains.

The gorge is formed by the narrowing of the fast-flowing Jinsha River (the upper stretches of the Yangtze River) as it is forced between the 5,596-meter Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the 5,396-meter Haba Snow Mountain.

A story goes that a fierce tiger could easily leap the gorge while being hunted down the mountain and thus the name - Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike Guide>>

2. Climb Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

• Opening hours: 09:00-18:00
• Getting there: There’s a bus running from Lijiang Old Town to Ganhaizi  (the tourist center of the mountain). It leaves at 9 am and comes back at 5 pm.
• Must-visit attractions in the area: Ganhaizi, Glacier Park, Spruce Meadow, Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang Impression Show

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. The continuous 13 peaks make the mountain look like a giant jade dragon.

The views of the mountain vary with seasons and different weather. Some days the snow-capped peaks peep out of the clouds like a shy young lady while on clear sunny days they shine like a dazzling crystal.

Travel tips:

• The ropeway of Yulong Snow Mountain is not open in the face of strong wind. Generally speaking, it gets windy in the afternoon.
• If you are afraid of high altitude sickness, you can prepare oxygen bottles in advance. The oxygen bottles will be more expensive on the mountain. In addition, you can prepare some chocolate.
• Taking the ropeway, you can only go up to 4506 meters sea level. You have to climb up if you want to reach the highest point 4680 meters sea level.

3. Leisurely Tour Around the Pretty Lugu Lake

• Add: Lugu Lake, Yongning Town, Ninglang County, Lijiang, Yunnan
• Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
• Getting there: Take a bus from Lijiang Coach Station to Da Luoshui (大洛水) Village for about 4 hours.
• Carefree tour with us: The lake is incredibly gorgeous but the transportation to and around the lake is bad and unfriendly for visitors. Contact us and we can create a carefree one-stop Lugu Lake tour for you.

Lugu Lake, known as the mother lake by the local Mosuo People, is surrounded by mountains and high hills and can expect snow for three months of the year.

It is a rare unpolluted lake in the country: hardly touched surroundings, crystal clear water, clean air, fresh breeze, and charming scenery- making the area a real wonderland.

The lake goes with an interesting “Kingdom of Women” culture because the mysterious Mosuo people formed a matriarchal society here in ancient times.

Today the “Walking Marriage Bridge” on the lake becomes an important symbol of this unique custom.

4. Walk Around Lijiang Old Town Day and Night

• Opening hours: 24/7, usually active at night
• Getting there: take bus nos. 2 or 13 and get off at the parking lot of the ancient town, or take bus nos. 2, 3, or 12 to Nanmenjie (南门街) Station.

Lijiang Old Town (also called Dayan Ancient Town), included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, is an ancient district of Lijiang City. The town is full of old wooden houses and criss-cross antique stone alleys, against a stunning backdrop of mountains and plateau.

What makes the place unique, however, is its local ethnic culture. It gathers a variety of ethnic customs and entertainment activities, including Naxi Ancient Music, Dongba Ceremony, Divination Culture, and Naxi Torch Festival.

The best time to walk around the old town is during weekdays mornings when it is quiet and not crowded. Don’t miss the landmark here, Mufu Palace (木府), which was the official residence of the Lijiang ruler in ancient times.

Regarded as the mini Forbidden City, it is a large complex mansion integrating the architectural style of the Han, Bai, and Naxi people in the 13th century.

5. Relax at Shuhe Ancient Town

• Admission: 80 RMB/person for the maintenance fee of the ancient city
• Opening hours: 24/7, usually active at night
• Getting there: take bus nos. 2 or 13 and get off at the parking lot of the ancient town, or take bus nos. 2, 3, or 12 to Nanmenjie (南门街) Station.

Some may love the well-developed Dayan and enjoy a bustling night there, while some prefer the quiet Shuhe and its slow life. Shuhe is smaller but quainter than Lijiang (Dayan) Old Town, but compared with Baisha, it may be more touristy.

You can casually stroll around the rock pavements, hit or miss an obscure café and try some local snacks at a small restaurant. Read more on Shuhe Ancient Town

6. See Lijiang Murals in Baisha Ancient Town

• Admission: free, but 30 RMB/person for the murals
• Opening hours: 24/7, usually active during 11:00-15:00
• Getting there: take bus no. 6 to Baisha, or ride a rented bike from Lijiang Old Town to Baisha.
• Carefree tour with us: Please feel free to create your Lijiang ancient town tour with us.

Baisha Ancient Town was the earliest settlement for the Naxi people in Lijiang. It's the original hometown of the Mu family, who later moved to Lijiang Old Town. And then it became rulers of Lijiang during the 13th to 18th centuries.

Retaining to the original Naxi culture, Baisha is the oldest and most primitive preserved in the three ancient towns of Lijiang (the other two are the aforementioned Dayan and Shuhe).

Today you can still see the real Naxi people wearing their own ethnic costumes and leisurely living in the small town, selling their handmade artifacts. The murals in Baisha, remarkable for their distinctive painting style and historic value, are another highlight of the ancient town.

7. Enjoy Lijiang Impression Show with Snow-Capped Mountains

• Showtime: 11:00, 13:00
• Ticket: 190 RMB/person for the general seats, 260 RMB for VIP
• Getting there: take the tourist bus within the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area.

Lijiang Impression Show is performed in an open-air theatre in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area. It was designed by the acclaimed film director Zhang Yimou, and the main director and staff are from the same group that presents the Impression Sanjie Liu in Yangshuo.

The show is presented during the daytime, with beautiful snow-capped mountains in the background and an altitude of over 3100 meters (10,170 ft).

All 500 actors in the show are drawn from local villages. They represent 10 ethnic minorities with their unique and colorful costumes and depict the Lijiang way of life.

8. Experience a Horse Ride in Lashihai Wetland Park

• Opening time: 09:00 - 19:00
• Ticket: CNY 30 per person
• Getting there: take NO.32 bus and get off at Lashi Resort(拉市度假村); rent a taxi and the price is about CNY 70 per taxi; 

With fresh air, beautiful scenery, and rich natural resources, Lashihai Wetland Park is a place where many animals like to live.

The natural environment here is excellent. December to February of the second year is a good season for bird watching here, with thousands of birds gathering here.

Nearby Lashihai Wetland Park, there are many Naxi Minority villages with ethnic customs. These villages close to the lake, have horse farms. So when you travel to Lashihai Wetland Park, you can watch birds; you can ride horses; you can also row boats; it is very fun!

9. Explore the LandMark of Lijiang - Mufu Mansion

• Opening time: 08:30 - 17:30
• Ticket: CNY 40 per person
• Getting there: take NO.23 bus and get off at Minzhu Road(民主路)

The building is a landmark of the ancient city, combining the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty with the craftsmanship of the Bai and Naxi ethnic groups.

After centuries of glory, most of it was destroyed by war, and the remaining part was badly damaged in the 1996 earthquake, and most of it is now rebuilt.

It is the "Grand View Garden" of the Old Town of Lijiang. If you come to Lijiang and don't see Mufu Mansion, you almost don't come to Lijiang.

10. Take the Best Picture in Black Dragon Pool

• Opening time: 07:20 - 21:00
• Ticket: free of charge if you have paid the maintenance costs of Lijiang Ancient City
• Getting there: take the NO.13/NO.4 bus and get off at Xiangshan Road(象山路口)

Black Dragon Pool is originally a Dragon King Temple in Lijiang. There are many springs beside the temple, which form pools of water. It can reflect Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as "Jade Spring Park".

It is not only the water source of the old town of Lijiang but also the most concentrated place of national protected cultural relics in Lijiang.

Black Dragon Pool is the best place to take photos of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is best to take photos in the morning and evening when the snow mountain has the best light.

Back to Lijiang Travel Guide