Bring your ID card, which is required for taking planes, trains and checking into hotels.
If you have relevant discount certificates (such as student ID, military ID, senior citizen ID, etc.), bring them to enjoy ticket discounts.
Clothes
Lijiang has a low-latitude warm-temperate plateau mountain monsoon climate with a large temperature difference between day and night. In summer, bring light and breathable clothes, but still need to prepare a coat; in winter, bring thick cotton-padded clothes, down jackets and other warm clothes.
Comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes for easy walking in the ancient city and its surrounding areas.
Items
Sun protection products, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, etc., because the ultraviolet rays in Lijiang are strong.
Umbrellas or raincoats, as the weather is changeable and there may be rain.
Medicines
Stomach medicine to deal with possible gastrointestinal problems caused by acclimatization and unaccustomed diet.
Commonly used medicines such as cold medicine and antipyretics.
Transportation Guide
Arriving in Lijiang
By Plane: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport. There are various means of transportation to the urban area from the airport.
Airport Bus: There are multiple lines. You can choose the appropriate line according to your accommodation location. It is convenient and cost-effective.
Taxi/Online Car-hailing: It takes about 30 40 minutes to the urban area, and the price varies according to different destinations.
By Train: Lijiang Station. After getting off the train, there are buses, taxis, etc. to go to the ancient city and other places.
Urban Transportation
Bus: Some scenic spots can be reached directly, but the number of trips is relatively small, so you need to plan the time in advance.
Taxi/Online Car-hailing: It is more convenient for travel, but it may take a long time to wait during the peak tourist season.
Bicycle/Electric Bike: You can rent them around the ancient city and ride to enjoy the surrounding scenery, but pay attention to riding safety.
Scenic Spot Introduction
Lijiang Ancient City
Overview: It is a World Cultural Heritage site with unique Naxi-style architecture. The streets in the ancient city are built along the mountains and by the water, and most of the roads are paved with red breccia, which is not muddy in the rainy season and does not raise dust in the dry season, and the patterns on the stones are natural and elegant.
Tourist Tips
Sifang Street is the center of the ancient city, surrounded by many specialty shops, restaurants and bars. You can taste Naxi specialty foods here, such as Lijiang Baba and Jidou Jelly.
Walk along the river channel of Sifang Street to enjoy the ancient architectural scenery on both sides, and you can also take a boat tour.
The ancient city is brightly lit at night, and the bar street is very lively. You can experience the nightlife in Lijiang, but pay attention to choosing a quiet and comfortable bar and avoid noisy and chaotic places.
Yulong Snow Mountain
Overview: It is a snow-capped mountain near the equator in the northern hemisphere that is covered with snow all year round. Thirteen snow peaks are continuous, like a “giant dragon” flying and dancing, so it is called “Yulong”.
Tourist Tips
Tickets need to be reserved in advance. You can choose to join a tour group or go by yourself. Joining a tour group is relatively worry-free, and the travel agency will arrange transportation, tickets, cold-proof clothing and oxygen, etc.; going by yourself is more free, but you need to plan each link well by yourself.
You can take the big cableway to reach the Glacier Park at an altitude of 4,506 meters, and then hike along the plank road to a higher place (depending on your physical condition) to enjoy the magnificent snow scenery and glaciers.
Blue Moon Valley is located at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain. The lake water presents a unique blue color, like a sapphire inlaid in the mountains. You can take photos and enjoy the beautiful scenery here.
Lashi Lake
Overview: It is the first nature reserve named “Wetland” in Yunnan Province. The water plants are lush and the lake is beautiful, known as the cradle of life.
Tourist Tips
You can ride a horse to experience the Ancient Tea Horse Road and enjoy the rural scenery and Naxi villages along the way. There are different riding routes to choose from, and the prices are also different.
Row a boat in Lashi Lake, feel the tranquility of the lake, and watch migratory birds (seasonal).
Shuhe Ancient Town
Overview: It is quieter and more rustic than Lijiang Ancient City, with well-preserved ancient roads, springs and ancient buildings.
Tourist Tips
Walk on the flagstone roads in the ancient town and visit Jiuding Longtan. The water in the pond is clear to the bottom, and the surrounding trees are lush.
Find a characteristic coffee shop or teahouse, sit down and enjoy the leisurely time and feel the quiet atmosphere of the ancient town.
Food Recommendation
Special Dishes
Naxi Grilled Fish: Made from local fish, it is marinated and then grilled. The outer skin is golden and crispy, the fish meat is tender, and with unique Naxi seasonings, the taste is very delicious.
Preserved Pork Ribs Hot Pot: A traditional Lijiang cuisine. Preserved pork ribs are stewed into a hot pot. The soup is fresh and delicious, the pork ribs are firm, and the more it is boiled, the more fragrant it is.
Wild Mushroom Hot Pot: It can be tasted in the rainy season (generally from June to September). It uses a variety of wild mushrooms as ingredients. The boiled hot pot soup is fresh and delicious, but pay attention to choosing a regular restaurant to avoid eating poisonous mushrooms by mistake.
Special Snacks
Jidou Jelly: Made from Jidou, there are two ways to eat it, cold and hot. When eaten cold, add seasonings such as chili and vinegar, and the taste is smooth; when eaten hot, it is like fried noodles, with a strong fragrance.
Rice Sausage: Glutinous rice and pig blood are mixed and stuffed into pig intestines and then steamed for eating. The taste is unique and worth trying.
Flower Cake: A specialty of Yunnan Province. With flower fillings, the outer skin is crispy and the inner filling is soft and glutinous, with a strong fragrance of flowers. It is a good souvenir.
Accommodation Suggestions
Inside Lijiang Ancient City
There are many characteristic inns. You can choose an inn with Naxi style to experience the local flavor. However, most of the roads in the ancient city are flagstone roads, and it may not be convenient to drag suitcases. And at night, there may be music from the bars that will affect your rest.
Around Lijiang Ancient City
The transportation is convenient, and there are various accommodation conditions, including star hotels and budget hotels. The price is relatively stable compared with that in the ancient city, and it is not affected by the noise from the bars in the ancient city.
Shuhe Ancient Town
The environment is quiet, suitable for tourists who like a quiet atmosphere. The accommodation cost-effective is high, and there are many characteristic homestays to choose from.
Shopping Recommendation
Souvenirs
Dongba Paper Products: Dongba paper is a unique handmade paper of the Naxi ethnic group. You can buy notebooks, bookmarks, postcards, etc. made of Dongba paper, which are both commemorative and practical.
Naxi Handicrafts: Such as wood carvings, stone carvings, shawls, etc., with strong ethnic characteristics.
Specialties
Pu’er Tea: A famous specialty of Yunnan Province. If you are interested in tea, you can buy some.
Lijiang Snow Peach: The fruit is huge, with bright color and sweet and crisp taste. You can buy it to taste or give it as a gift in the marketing season (generally from September to November).
Travel Precautions
Altitude Sickness
Some areas in Lijiang are at high altitudes, especially Yulong Snow Mountain. When you first arrive in Lijiang, don’t exercise vigorously and pay attention to rest. You can prepare some anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance, such as Rhodiola rosea. If you have serious altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, vomiting, dyspnea, etc., seek medical attention in time.
Folk Taboos
The Naxi ethnic group is the main ethnic minority in Lijiang. We should respect their customs. For example, don’t make noise in the traditional activity places of the Naxi ethnic group such as “sacrificing to heaven”; when entering a Naxi family, follow the guidance of the host, etc.
Travel Consumption
During the travel process, such as horse riding, shopping, dining, etc., make sure to understand the prices clearly in advance to avoid unnecessary disputes. Be cautious about some low-cost tour groups to avoid falling into traps such as forced consumption.
