Old Town of Lijiang

丽江古城

Yunnan, Lijiang★ 4.6·26.9432°N, 100.1991°E

Ticket Price

Town entry free; combined attraction ticket CNY 100

Duration

2-4 hours

Rating

4.6 / 5.0

About Old Town of Lijiang

A UNESCO World Heritage old town of the Naxi people in Yunnan, threaded with canals, stone bridges and wooden courtyard houses, alive with teahouses, cafes and local music.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage old town of Naxi timber architecture and canals. • Sifang Street, Mu Palace and the Lion Hill Wangu Tower. • Lively bars, cafes and traditional music at dusk.

Suggested Route

Enter from Sifang Street, walk to Mu Palace, climb Lion Hill for a panorama, then wander the canals; allow 3-5 h.

Food & Lodging

Try Naxi grilled fish, cured pork-ribs hotpot and yak cheese. Hostels to heritage lodges fill the old town.

Facilities

Restrooms at squares, partial wheelchair access (uneven stone alleys), English/Chinese signage, a tourist info center and a shuttle bus from the gate.

Travel Tips

1) Lijiang sits on a high plateau with strong UV radiation—use sun protection and avoid direct sunlight to prevent sunburn; bring an umbrella in the rainy season. 2) The altitude is high—rest adequately to avoid altitude sickness. If symptoms arise, don't panic: breathe deeply and rest briefly to ease discomfort; eating fruit and drinking water also help. 3) The old town is heavily commercialized and crowded—watch your belongings and avoid buying things inside to prevent being scammed. 4) Don't take unlicensed taxis, and don't join tours blindly.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: Year-round (best March-May and September-October)

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.