Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城), with its long history and rustic charm, is a beautiful blend of mountainous and water town features. The city’s layout is well-planned, with a natural flow that highlights both its scenic and architectural beauty. The traditional houses in Lijiang are intricately decorated, earning it the reputation as a “museum of residential architecture” by both Chinese and international experts. The architecture reflects a fusion of styles from various ethnic groups such as Han, Bai, Yi, and Tibetan, while showcasing the distinctive character of the Naxi people.
The streets of Lijiang Old Town are mostly built along waterways and paved with stone slabs, ensuring they remain free from mud during the rainy season and dust during the dry season. Over 300 bridges cross the Yuhe River system in the town, with many constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These bridges come in various forms, but the most iconic is the Dashi Bridge, located about 100 meters east of Sifang Street.
Travel Information about Lijiang Old Town
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets:
- Mu Mansion: ¥60
- Wangu Tower: ¥28
Opening Hours: The ancient town is open to visitors all day.
Best Time to Visit
Lijiang is a year-round destination, but spring and autumn are particularly ideal. In spring, the town is adorned with blooming flowers, creating a stunning landscape, and the off-peak season makes travel more convenient. Autumn offers refreshing weather and vibrant colors as the landscape transforms with the changing leaves.
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: Situated in the eastern part of Lijiang, at the center of the Lijiang Basin.
By Plane: Lijiang Airport is about 28 kilometers from the city center, with direct flights available from major domestic cities. A flight from Kunming to Lijiang takes approximately 40 minutes. Shuttle buses run between the airport and the city, and it takes only a few minutes to reach the ancient town by taxi or public transport.
By Train: High-speed trains from Kunming to Lijiang take about 3 hours. After arriving at the station, you can take bus routes 4 or 18 to Zhongyi Market and then walk to the ancient town.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★★
- Distinctiveness: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Adventure: ★★★
Useful Tips
- Dress Appropriately: In the mornings and evenings, Lijiang can be quite chilly. It is advisable to wear a light sweater or a windbreaker to stay comfortable.
- Drinking Water: The local drinking water comes from melted snow and ice, which can be quite cold. If you are sensitive to cold temperatures or have a weak constitution, it’s better to drink bottled water.
- Get a Hand-Drawn Map: Purchasing a hand-drawn map of Lijiang is essential, especially for first-time visitors to the ancient town. It can feel like a maze, and having a map will help you navigate more easily.
- Avoid the Rainy Season: The rainy season arrives in July and August, making this period unsuitable for travel to Lijiang. During these months, the roads can be prone to landslides, which may disrupt your travel plans.
Highlights of Lijiang Old Town
Wangu Tower
Wangu Tower is an iconic building in Lijiang, referred to in Dongba script as “the tower of a thousand years.” In Naxi language, it is called “Wengu Lun,” playing on its phonetic sound, which contributes to the name “Wangu Tower.” This name symbolizes the enduring beauty and timeless legacy of Lijiang.
The tower features four entrances, each adorned with pairs of stone lions in various shapes. Inside, you can find 2,300 auspicious patterns representing 23 unique stone carvings from Lijiang. Nearly 10,000 colorful dragon carvings decorate the entire structure, reflecting the belief that Lijiang is a beautiful home for descendants of the dragon. The coiled dragon design on the ceiling is said to represent the legend of dragons spitting water, serving as a reminder for fire safety.
From the top of Wangu Tower, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views: to the north lies the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, to the east the picturesque ancient town of Lijiang with its quaint bridges and flowing waters, to the west the vibrant new city of Lijiang, and to the south, scenic rural landscapes. Wangu Tower is one of the best spots to capture panoramic views of Lijiang Ancient Town.
Water Wheels of the Ancient Town
Upon entering Lijiang Ancient Town, visitors are greeted by two prominent water wheels. These are often referred to as “mother and child water wheels” or “lover’s water wheels” depending on local interpretations. Historically, these water wheels were vital to the community, providing a means to grind grains and fetch water, especially for those living at higher elevations.
Adjacent to the water wheels is a large “screen wall,” a common architectural feature in Lijiang, characterized by the three-entrance style known as “San Fang Yi Zhaobi.”
On the right side of the entrance stands the Water Dragon Column, symbolizing the dragon’s control over water. Locals believe that since fire poses a significant threat to timber buildings, the column serves as a protective charm, reflecting the residents’ wishes to be free from fire hazards. Over the centuries, the people of Lijiang have cherished their ancient town, treating it with the utmost care and respect, as if it were their own eyes.
Sifang Street
Sifang Street serves as the central square of Lijiang Ancient Town, covering approximately six acres. Its shape resembles a square official seal, and it was named by the local chieftain, reflecting the idea of “governing the four directions.” Alternatively, some believe it was named for its role as a hub for people and goods flowing in from all directions.
Historically, Sifang Street has been a bustling marketplace, teeming with activity. From its corners, four main streets extend outward, connecting to the northeastern, southeastern, southwestern, and northwestern outskirts. These main streets branch off into numerous alleys, creating a complex network.
The streets of Sifang are paved with colorful stones, ensuring a smooth and clean surface. During dry weather, there is no dust; during rain, water drains efficiently without pooling. Alongside nearly every street flows a gentle stream, adding to the serene atmosphere of this vibrant gathering place.
Related Details:
- Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, Sifang Street hosts lively bonfire dance parties, where both locals and visitors gather to enjoy traditional music and dance under the stars.
- In addition to its cultural events, Sifang Street is home to numerous bars and teahouses, many of which are operated by foreign owners. As night falls, the street transforms into a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular gathering spot for tourists.
Mu Mansion
Mu Mansion, an expansive palace complex built by the Mu clan of the Naxi people, is said to be modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Today, it serves as a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all directions.
This magnificent architectural gem showcases the rugged elegance of Ming Dynasty construction. It combines traditional architectural styles from the central plains with the unique craftsmanship of the Naxi and Bai ethnic groups. The mansion harmoniously blends the refined beauty of nature with the grandeur of a royal palace, reflecting the Naxi culture’s openness to diverse influences.
Visitors to Mu Mansion can explore its intricate carvings, spacious courtyards, and rich history, making it a significant cultural landmark in Lijiang. The complex not only offers a glimpse into the region’s architectural heritage but also celebrates the multicultural essence of the Naxi people.
Fengshui Theory:
When the Mu chieftains constructed their grand palace, Mu Mansion, they chose a direction that deviated from the traditional “facing south” principle of Feng Shui prevalent in the Central Plains. Instead, they oriented the mansion toward the east, the direction of the rising sun. In Naxi Dongba culture, the east is associated with the element of wood (Mu), and both the sun and wood are revered in their belief system.
Dashi Bridge
Dashi Bridge, built during the Ming Dynasty, boasts a history of over five to six hundred years. As the largest stone arch bridge in Lijiang Old Town, it serves as a vital thoroughfare connecting the eastern and western parts of the ancient city. This bridge is a central hub for local street food vendors, with many snack stalls located on the street adjacent to it.
Known for its scenic beauty, Dashi Bridge is also referred to as “Yingxue Bridge” (映雪桥) because the water beneath the bridge reflects the stunning image of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Constructed by the Mu chieftains of the Ming Dynasty, this double-arch stone bridge is not only a transportation link but also a focal point for cultural and commercial interactions.
Located at the heart of the ancient city, where Mishi Lane, Wuyi Street, and Sifang Street converge, Dashi Bridge has been a key artery for trade and social exchanges for centuries. It stands as the most significant among the many bridges in Lijiang Old Town, embodying the rich history and vibrant life of the area.
Visitor Guide for Lijiang Old Town
Transportation Within Lijiang Old Town
In Lijiang Old Town, transportation is exclusively by foot, as vehicles are not allowed, and even bicycles must be pushed rather than ridden. Fortunately, the ancient town is compact, making it easy to reach most destinations within a 30-minute walk. For trips to Shuhe Ancient Town (束河古镇) and Baisha Village (白沙古镇), visitors can take a bus or ride a bicycle.
Accommodation in Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Old Town is renowned for its unique guesthouses, which are considered the soul of the city, each filled with local stories and culture. The old town boasts over a thousand guesthouses, primarily renovated Naxi-style residences, featuring traditional wooden architecture with courtyards. Prices vary widely, ranging from dozens to thousands of yuan, allowing visitors to choose based on their budget.
Sifang Street (四方街): Located at the heart of the old town, Sifang Street and its nearby bar street are lively but can be noisy. It’s best to avoid this area if you prefer tranquility.
- YunDuan Boutique Resort (云端·精品度假庭院): This guesthouse is built alongside water features, offering picturesque views with simple yet elegant room decor.
Location: 120 Chongren Alley, Qiyi Street (七一街崇仁巷120号), Lijiang Old Town. - Lao Xie Che Ma Youth Hostel (老谢车马占青年旅舍): Just a street away from the ancient town, it takes about a 10-minute walk to Muwang Palace. The hostel features 22 rooms.
Location: 885 Minzhu Road (丽江古城民主路885号), Lijiang Old Town. - Lijiang Wangfu Hotel (丽江王府饭店): Situated at the south gate square of the old town, this hotel is built on the site of the original Wangfu and offers 155 rooms.
Location: 9 Yigu Alley (南门街依古巷9号), Lijiang Old Town. - Yi Mi Yang Guang Guesthouse (一米阳光客栈): Located on Sifang Street, this guesthouse is split into two courtyards—Shui Ling Ju (水灵居) and Ya Yuan (雅院), with the former being a famous residence gifted to actor Sun He. It has a total of 13 rooms, perfect for families or couples.
Location: 41-43 Jin Xing Alley (金星巷41-43号), diagonally across from Guang Yi Street, Lijiang Old Town.
Wuyi Street (五一街): Adjacent to Sifang Street, it features a variety of quiet bars and unique shops, offering a cozy atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle.
Qiyi Street (七一街): This area is quieter and on the outskirts, with notable guesthouses like Yue Ban Wan (月半弯客栈) and Lao Mo Fang (老磨坊客栈), known for their Naxi-style architecture.
- Yue Ban Wan Guesthouse (月半弯客栈): Owned by a travel-loving couple from Northeast China, this guesthouse has 15 rooms.
- Location: 54 Xingwen Alley (兴文巷54号), Qiyi Street, Lijiang Old Town.
Guangyi Street (光义街): Located near Mufu, it offers a serene environment and proximity to Lion Hill, making it suitable for those seeking peace.
- YiZhan (亿栈): This guesthouse features distinct areas with eight rooms in the “Flower Blooms and Falls” section, while the “Clouds Roll and Unroll” area offers great views of the old town.
Location: 25 Guangbi Alley (光碧巷25号), Lijiang Old Town. - Jiang Free Life Hostel (江自由生活旅宿): Close to Sifang Street and the Mufu Palace, this hostel has a tea room for tasting Pu-erh tea and a café for reading in its lovely garden.
Location: 127 Zhongyi Alley (忠义巷127号), Lijiang Old Town.
Lion Hill (狮子山): The hill offers excellent views of the entire ancient town, though climbing can be strenuous. The main guesthouse here is Yue Gu Lou (阅古楼).
- Lijiang Tinghua Tang Private Garden Guesthouse (丽江听花堂私人花园客栈): Located on Lion Hill, it features uniquely decorated rooms with soundproofing for a peaceful stay.
Location: 51 Huangshan Lower Section (黄山下段51号), Xinhua Street, Lijiang Old Town.
Food in Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Old Town is renowned for its delicious snacks and hot pot. Among the snacks, popular options include chickpea cold noodles (鸡豆凉粉), Naxi grilled fish (纳西烤鱼), Lijiang pancakes (丽江粑粑), and Dongba grilled meat (东巴烤肉). For hot pot lovers, the must-try varieties include dried rib hot pot (腊排骨火锅), potato chicken hot pot (洋芋鸡火锅), black goat hot pot (黑山羊火锅), and mushroom hot pot (菌类火锅).
Must-Try Dishes
- Lijiang Pancakes (丽江粑粑): Famous for their unique flavor, Lijiang pancakes are made from local fine wheat flour mixed with ham, lard, and sugar. The dough is layered and shaped into round pancakes, about the size of a plate and an inch thick, then baked on a flat pan over low heat. This is considered the most iconic snack in Lijiang.
- Chickpea Cold Noodles (鸡豆凉粉): These can be found in small alleys and are often made by local Naxi women. You can choose between fried or cold versions. If you can find Shigu cold noodles (石鼓凉粉), it’s considered the best among the chickpea varieties.
- Blown Pig Liver (吹猪肝): A traditional Naxi dish served during banquets, it features a special preparation method. The main ingredient is pig liver mixed with cilantro, roasted peanuts, salt, vinegar, chili oil, and sesame, resulting in a flavorful and refreshing dish.
Food Streets and Restaurants
Most snacks can be found around the Dashi Bridge area and the Sifang Snack Street. However, prices here are generally higher compared to the new town. The main concentration of restaurants is located around Qiyi Street.
- Sifang Street (四方街): This famous snack street features a narrow passage lined with dozens of small restaurants, each offering Yunnan’s signature dish – rice noodles (米线). This street is often referred to as “Lijiang Rice Noodle Street.”
- Qiyi Street (七一街): This street is home to many restaurants, including Sakura Food Plaza (樱花美食广场) at the entrance, which is beautifully decorated. Signature dishes here include Mufu Joyful Snow Mountain Goat (木府欢腾雪山羊), Morel Mushroom Stewed Chicken (羊肚菌炖土鸡), Naxi Grilled Meat (纳西烤肉), Chickpea Cold Noodles (鸡豆凉粉), and Naxi Rice Sausage (纳西米肠).
Shopping in Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Old Town is filled with narrow alleyways lined with numerous shops selling handcrafted items. Most crafts are handmade, so prices may be a bit higher, but bargaining is accepted. Tourists can not only choose their desired products but sometimes also witness the entire production process of these crafts.
Within the ancient town, you will find many unique shops primarily selling items such as silverware, wood carvings, batik, mountain goods, Pu’er tea, and ethnic clothing. Connected to Zhongyi Street is Zhongyi Market, located deep within Dali Ancient Town. This market caters to locals and offers more affordable items like Yunnan medicinal herbs, mushrooms, and small handicrafts.
- Batik (蜡染): Featuring a strong ethnic flair, some batik items come adorned with Dongba script. Products range from large scarves to cloaks and clothing, starting at just a few dozen yuan, and are negotiable in price.
- Dongba Tie-Dye (东巴扎染): A must-buy in Lijiang, Dongba tie-dye incorporates elements from the Bai ethnic group’s tie-dye and Miao wax dyeing techniques while adding Dongba cultural elements. The fabrics created through this process boast both aesthetic appeal and functionality.
- Dongba Paper (东巴纸): Known as the thickest and most durable handmade paper in China, Dongba paper can be written on both sides. Visitors can even try their hand at making Dongba paper at local paper workshops, providing a great sense of accomplishment.
- Naxi Murals (纳西壁画): For art enthusiasts, purchasing local Naxi murals is highly recommended. These pieces are worthy of collection and make excellent decorative items when displayed on tables.
- Camel Bells (驼铃): Traditionally used by caravan drivers on the ancient Tea Horse Road, these bells were typically tied around the lead camel’s neck. When the bell jingles, other camels would follow. The top features a Yunnan straw hat, the middle contains a copper bell, and the bottom has a wooden plaque inscribed with Dongba scriptures, usually conveying auspicious blessings.
- Pu’er Tea (普洱茶): Known for its milder properties compared to other teas, Pu’er tea is gentle on the stomach and can lower blood lipids. It’s especially recommended for the elderly, as it promotes gastrointestinal motility and aids digestion.
- Candied Fruits (蜜饯): Lijiang’s candied fruits are famous for their variety, including flavors like apple, chili, hawthorn, sweet potato, and pineapple, all made by hand. The only shop selling candied fruits in the ancient town is hidden in a deep alley, not far from Puxian Temple (普贤寺).
Entertainment in Lijiang
Many people say that visiting Lijiang brings a sense of relaxation, freeing them from the constraints of city life. The collective mindset here seems to harmonize in a wonderful way, which might explain why Lijiang is so beloved. The city’s bars are particularly famous; aside from its stunning scenery and rich local culture, the vibrant nightlife is another key attraction.
Xinhua Street Bars (新华街酒吧): The official name of the bar street is Xinhua Street, which becomes quite lively at night. If you enjoy a bustling atmosphere, this is the place to be. Notable bars here include In the Water (在水一方), Little Bar Li (小吧黎), That Year We Were in Lijiang Story Music Bar (那一年我们在丽江故事音乐酒吧), Sakura House (樱花屋), and One Meter of Sunshine Bar (一米阳光酒吧总店).
Wuyi Street Bars (五一街): This street primarily features smaller bars that offer more affordable prices than those on Xinhua Street. The ambiance here is more rustic, often located in quiet alleys where patrons gather around a fire to chat and enjoy music. These are known as “cleansing bars” (清吧). Notable ones include Cloud Gathering Bar (云集酒吧), Story Bar (故事酒吧), I Am Waiting for You in Lijiang (我在丽江等你), and Big Ice’s Cabin (大冰的小屋), where you can listen to music, watch movies, and enjoy tea in a relaxed setting.
Dining Bars (餐酒吧): Straddling the line between restaurants and bars, dining bars like Wood King Banquet (木王宴语) and Autumn Moon Pavilion (秋月阁) are representative of this category. Located on Xinyi Street, these places feature live performances from singers and offer meals. The food and drink prices here are only a fraction of those on the bar street, making them quite affordable.
Lijiang Golden Sands (丽水金沙) showcases Yunnan’s ethnic charm through a large-scale musical gala, featuring elements such as the Naxi Bangbang Club, the Yi Torch Festival, and the Mosuo “walking marriage” tradition. The show is divided into four acts: “Prologue,” “Water,” “Mountain,” and “Emotion,” making it a stunning spectacle. The performances take place at the Lijiang National Cultural Exchange Center Theater, located opposite Red Sun Square. It takes about seven or eight minutes to walk there from the ancient town exit. The shows start at 19:30 each evening, with additional performances during peak seasons. Ticket prices vary, costing 180 yuan, 160 yuan, or 140 yuan, depending on the seating.