Lijiang Ancient Town City Walk: The Ultimate Snow Mountain Route

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 I'll be waiting for you in Lijiang Ancient Town! Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Ancient Town) is one of the most charming ancient towns in Yunnan, blending Naxi culture, Tea Horse Road history, and a romantic, artistic atmosphere. This guide covers **must-see attractions, recommended routes, food, accommodation, and tips to avoid common pitfalls**, helping you efficiently explore the ancient town! --- ## **📅 Best Time to Visit** - **Season**: Spring and autumn are best (March-May for flowers, September-November for crisp air). Summer is the rainy season and slightly humid, while winter has fewer tourists and warm sunshine. - **Time of Day**: ✅ **Morning (7:00-9:00)**: Fewer crowds, soft light, ideal for photos. ✅ **Evening (19:00-23:00)**: Lively bar street, lanterns create a great atmosphere. ❌ Avoid midday tour group rush hours. --- ## **📍 Must-See Attractions & Route Recommendations** ### **[Classic One-Day Itinerary]** **Water Wheel (Entrance) > Square Street > Mu's Residence > Lion Hill (Wangu Tower) > Wuyi Street/Qiyi Street (Shopping) > Bar Street (Nightlife)** **1. Water Wheel** - The iconic entrance to the ancient town, a must-visit for photos. Wishing Tree and Dongba Culture Wall are nearby. **2. Square Street** - The heart of the ancient town, formerly a Tea Horse Road trading market, now filled with shops and cafes. - **Naxi dancing performances every morning** (free to watch). **3. Mu's Residence (Entry Fee: ¥40)** - The "Forbidden City" of the Naxi Tusi chiefs, filming location of *Mu Mansion*, climb for panoramic views of the ancient town. **4. Lion Hill & Wangu Tower (Entry Fee: ¥35)** - The highest point in the ancient town, the best spot for panoramic photos (alternative: purchase from a mountaintop cafe to waive the entry fee). **5. Wuyi Street/Qiyi Street** - Artistic alleys, home to unique shops: - **Dongba Paper Workshop**: Experience the intangible cultural heritage of Dongba papermaking. - **Da Bing's Hut**: A famous folk music bar. **6. Bar Street (Xinhua Street)** - The liveliest place at night, recommendations: - **Sakura House**: A long-standing bar with a vibrant atmosphere. - **Jianghu Bar**: Listen to folk music and enjoy Wind Flower Snow Moon beer. --- ## **🍜 Lijiang Ancient Town Food Recommendations** | **Food** | **Recommended Restaurant** | **Remarks** | |----------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------| | Cured Rib Hot Pot | Grandma's Cured Ribs (Chain) | Savory and flavorful, approx. ¥50 per person | | Chicken Pea Jelly | 88 Snack Shop | Sour, spicy, and refreshing, a Naxi specialty | | Naxi Grilled Fish | Yunxueli Restaurant | Fragrant, spicy, and tender, with local spices | | Lijiang Baba | Street vendors | Sweet or savory, best eaten hot | | Butter Tea | Tibetan Tea House | Sweet or savory, can alleviate altitude sickness | **Avoid**: Some restaurants in the ancient town are overpriced. Choose local favorites frequented by locals. --- ## **🏠 Accommodation Suggestions** - **Central Area (near Square Street)**: Convenient but expensive, suitable for short stays (Recommendation: **Yuegulou Inn**). - **Outskirts (South Gate/North Gate)**: Cost-effective and quiet (Recommendation: **Backpackers Ten Hostel**). - **High-end Guesthouses**: Lion Hill or Shuhe Ancient Town, with snow mountain views (e.g., **Anyu Hotel**). --- ## **⚠️ Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls** 1. **Ancient Town Maintenance Fee**: Officially canceled, but some attractions (like Mu's Residence) still require entry tickets. 2. **Shopping Traps**: - Be wary of fake silver and Pu'er tea, choose reputable shops. - Braid-weaving ladies may try to upsell expensive tours, refuse directly. 3. **Altitude Sickness**: The ancient town is at an altitude of 2400m. Generally, it's not a problem, but avoid strenuous exercise. 4. **Weather**: Large temperature difference between day and night, bring a jacket. Bring an umbrella during the rainy season (July-August). --- ## **🚗 Nearby Attractions** - **Shuhe Ancient Town** (6 km from the ancient town): Quieter than Dayan, perfect for relaxing. - **Jade Dragon Snow Mountain** (30-minute drive): Glacier Park + Blue Moon Valley day trip. - **Lugu Lake** (4-hour drive): A 2-day/1-night trip is recommended to experience Mosuo culture. --- ### **📌 Summary Tips** ✅ **Wear comfortable shoes**: The ancient town's stone roads are uneven. ✅ **Sunscreen! Sunscreen!** Strong UV rays at high altitude. ✅ **Bargain**: Shawls, small accessories, etc., can be bargained down by half. ✅ **Respect local customs**: Don't step on doorsills, don't point at sacred mountains. The charm of Lijiang Ancient Town lies in its slow pace of life—enjoy a cup of coffee, bask in the sun, listen to some folk music, and feel its romance. If you have more time, consider combining it with Shuhe and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain!