Lijiang Travel Guide — InfoseekChina

📖 About Lijiang

Lijiang (丽江) sits in northwestern Yunnan Province at an altitude of around 2,400 metres, cradled by the towering Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the north. Home to over 1.25 million people, the city is the heartland of the Naxi ethnic minority, whose picturesque cobblestone Old Town earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.

The Old Town — known interchangeably as Dayan (大研) — spreads across 7.3 km² of winding canals, wooden-fronted houses, and stone-paved lanes that date to the Song Dynasty. A former hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road, it once connected Tibet to Southeast Asia through the mountains of Yunnan.

Beyond the Old Town, Lijiang serves as the gateway to some of China's most dramatic scenery: the glaciated peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the mirror-blue pools of Blue Moon Valley, and the vertiginous Tiger Leaping Gorge — one of the world's deepest river canyons.

ℹ️ Quick Facts

Province

Yunnan (云南)

Coordinates

26.87°N 100.23°E

Time Zone

CST (UTC+8)

Currency

RMB / Yuan (¥)

Language

Mandarin, Naxi

Airport Code

LJG (Sanyi)

Best Season

Sep – Nov & Mar – May

Old Town Entry

¥80 per person

📍 Lijiang on the Map

26.8721°N 100.2299°E · Yunnan Province, Southwest China

Sights & Attractions

景点

Hotels & Stays

住宿

Food, Drink & Dining

美食

Activities & Experiences

活动

Shopping

购物

Day Trips & Excursions

周边游

When to Go & Weather

气候

🌤 Monthly Climate Overview — Lijiang (alt. 2,400m)

Month	Season	Avg High	Avg Low	Rainfall	Crowds	Notes
January	Winter	13°C	-2°C	Low	Low	Sunny days; cold nights; quiet and affordable
February	Winter	15°C	0°C	Low	Low–Mod	Chinese New Year brings domestic tourists
March	Spring	18°C	4°C	Low	Moderate	Flowers bloom; great hiking; pleasant skies
April	Spring	21°C	7°C	Low	High	Peak spring — ideal weather for all activities
May	Spring	24°C	10°C	Moderate	High	Warm, fresh; snow mountain views still clear
June	Summer	26°C	14°C	High	Very High	Rainy season begins; festivals; busy
July	Summer	26°C	15°C	Very High	Very High	Peak season; short sharp showers; vibrant
August	Summer	25°C	14°C	High	Very High	Lush green landscapes; mushroom season
September	Autumn	22°C	11°C	Moderate	High	Rains taper; crisp air; highly recommended
October	Autumn	19°C	6°C	Low	High	⭐ Best month: clear skies, autumn colours
November	Autumn	15°C	2°C	Low	Moderate	Dry and clear; fewer crowds; good value
December	Winter	13°C	-1°C	Low	Low	Sunny and quiet; electric blankets in rooms

General Information

实用信息

🚍 Getting Around

Old Town is best explored on foot — cars are not permitted inside
Electric bikes and bicycles available to hire (¥20–50/day)
Didi (滴滴) ride-hailing app works well in Lijiang
Minibus #7 departs from near the Mao statue to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Private drivers or tours easily booked through hotels for day trips
Shuhe village is just 4km north — taxi or electric bike ride

💰 Money & Costs

Old Town entry fee: ¥80 per person (valid for multiple days)
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain entry starts from ¥100 + cable car fees
Hostels from ¥50/night; guesthouses ¥150–400; boutique hotels ¥400–1,500+
Street meals from ¥10–25; restaurant meals ¥50–150 per person
WeChat Pay and Alipay widely accepted; carry some cash for markets
ATMs available in Old Town and near the train station

📱 Practical Tips

Download WeChat before arrival — essential for payments and communication
Install a VPN before entering China to access Google Maps, Gmail etc.
Baidu Maps is the best navigation app for in-China use
Altitude awareness: 2,400m — take it easy on arrival if unaccustomed
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reaches 4,680m — bring warm layers and sunscreen
Tourist police speak basic English in the Old Town area

🌐 Visas & Entry

Most international visitors require a Chinese tourist visa (L visa)
Transit travellers from 54 countries can stay up to 10 days visa-free (from Dec 2024)
Apply at the Chinese embassy in your home country before departure
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond planned stay
Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) serves direct international and domestic routes

🍄 Local Culture Notes

Naxi people are the dominant ethnic group — respectful curiosity is appreciated
Dongba script is one of the world's last pictographic writing systems still in use
Naxi Ancient Music performances held nightly in the Old Town
The Mosuo people near Lugu Lake practice a matrilineal "walking marriage" tradition
Yunnan is famous for wild mushrooms — mushroom hot pot is a must-try
Pu-erh tea is a staple of the region; buy from specialist tea shops for authenticity

🏥 Health & Safety

Altitude: acclimatise for 1–2 days before strenuous hiking
Altitude sickness medicine (Diamox) available at pharmacies
Tap water is not potable — buy bottled or boiled water
Medical facilities: Lijiang People's Hospital (丽江市人民医院)
Emergency: 120 (medical), 110 (police), 119 (fire)
Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly advised

Getting There

如何前往

✈️

By Air

Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG) is 28km from the Old Town. Direct domestic flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Kunming. Taxis to Old Town cost around ¥80. Airport shuttles also available. Some regional international routes operate seasonally.

🚄

By High-Speed Train

High-speed rail now connects Lijiang with Kunming (3–4 hours) and Dali (under 2 hours). Lijiang Railway Station is a short taxi or bus ride from the city centre. Book tickets on the 12306 app or via Trip.com. Avoid taxis directly outside the station; take the buses for ¥3 to Old Town.

🚌

By Bus

Long-distance buses link Lijiang to Kunming and Dali, but trains are faster and more comfortable. Local buses within the city are cheap (¥3). For Tiger Leaping Gorge, take the public bus from Lijiang Bus Station (buy at least a day in advance; passport required).

🚗

Private Car / Hire

Many travellers hire a private driver for day trips to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, or Shangri-La. Arrange through your hotel for the most trust-worthy options. Didi works within Lijiang city and to nearby towns like Shuhe and Baisha. Mopeds and e-bikes available for hire.