丽江 · Travel Guide
UNESCO Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the Naxi culture of Yunnan.
Lijiang sits in Yunnan province at 2,400 m elevation, where the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山, 5,596 m) towers over a UNESCO-listed Old Town built along canals and stone bridges by the Naxi minority. The Old Town is fully pedestrianized — 5 sq km of cobblestone lanes, wooden shop-houses, and over 350 bridges. Most travelers base themselves in the Old Town for 2-3 days. A day trip up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (cable car to 4,506 m) and another to Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡, one of the deepest gorges in the world) round out the trip. Lijiang is the gateway to the deeper Yunnan circuit — Shangri-La, Dali, and the Three Parallel Rivers — but the town itself deserves 3 days minimum.
The must-see places locals will tell you are unmissable, with photos and a direct link to the in-depth guide for each.
UNESCO-listed, 5 sq km pedestrian zone built by the Naxi minority along canals. Walk the stone lanes, climb Lion Hill for the rooftop view, stay in a Naxi courtyard hotel.
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Cable car to 4,506 m; the summit is 5,596 m but not open to tourists. Allow a full day; book the Impression Lijiang outdoor show (¥280) for sunset.
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Two-hour drive from Lijiang. The upper trail is a 2-day hike; the lower viewpoint is 90 minutes. One of the deepest gorges in the world at 3,900 m from peak to river.
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A park in the north of the Old Town with the classic Jade Dragon reflection photo spot. Free entry; best at sunrise before crowds arrive.
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Performed nightly in the Old Town — a 1,000-year-old tradition of Taoist-influenced classical music. The Naxi Orchestra at the Old Town stage is the main venue (¥140-180).
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We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
Trip.com
From $30/night Naxi-courtyard boutique inns in the Old Town to $300+/night luxury at the Banyan Tree Lijiang and Amandayan — plus 1,500+ more across the Old Town, Shuhe, and the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Filter by district and tier on Trip.com.
$30 – $300+/night
Plan your Lijiang trip on Trip.com — the only platform we've verified for mainland China. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.
Trip.com
The best platform for mainland-China hotels and high-speed rail tickets. English interface, accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7
Search Lijiang on Trip.com →Year-round, but spring (March–May) for rhododendrons on Jade Dragon, autumn (October–November) for clear mountain views. Winter is dry and cold but crowds are smaller.
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A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.
