Lijiang in northwest Yunnan pairs a 800-year-old Naxi old town of canals and tiled roofs with the glaciated peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is a crossroads of Naxi, Bai and Tibetan cultures on the old tea-horse road.
Why visit Lijiang
Lijiang in northwest Yunnan pairs a 800-year-old Naxi old town of canals and tiled roofs with the glaciated peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is a crossroads of Naxi, Bai and Tibetan cultures on the old tea-horse road.
Top highlights
Lijiang Old Town — Lose yourself in the UNESCO old town's stone lanes, canals and Naxi courtyard houses beneath the Lion Hill view tower.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain — Ride the cable car toward 5,600 m glaciers and the alpine meadows of Spruce Meadow.
Blue Moon Valley — Walk the turquoise terraces and white-sand riverbeds at the mountain's foot.
Tiger Leaping Gorge — Trek one of the world's deepest river gorges on the nearby Yangtze.
The tiled lanes of Lijiang Old Town.Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's glaciated peaks.The turquoise pools of Blue Moon Valley.Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze.
Spend a night in the old town to enjoy it after day-trippers leave, and acclimatize in Lijiang (2,400 m) before the mountain cable car to avoid altitude sickness.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 — arrive Lijiang, wander the old town and Lion Hill. Day 2 — Jade Dragon cable car, Spruce Meadow and Blue Moon Valley. Day 3 — Tiger Leaping Gorge day trek or shuttle, evening flight out.
