Lijiang Travel Guide

Accommodation Recommendations: - Old Town Inns: Experience Naxi dwellings, recommended near Wuyi Street and Qiyi Street. - Shuhe Ancient Town: Relatively quiet, suitable for longer stays. - Baisha Ancient Town: Pristine Naxi village. Must-See Attractions: 1. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Best Season: November to April Suggested Activities: - Glacier Park Cable Car (book in advance, tickets sell out quickly) - Blue Moon Valley (most beautiful on sunny days) - Impression Lijiang live performance 2. Lugu Lake Transportation: Chartered car or bus, approximately 4 hours. Must-Do Experiences: - Sunrise at Lige Peninsula Viewing Platform - Pig trough boat tour on the lake - Visit a Mosuo family 3. Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Routes: - Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge (easy) - Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge (moderate difficulty) - Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge (expert level) Food Recommendations: 1. Dried Rib Hot Pot: Recommended at Xiangshan Market 2. Chicken Pea Jelly: Old Town snack stalls 3. Naxi Grilled Fish: Served with mint leaves 4. Fresh Flower Cakes: Jia Hua freshly baked is recommended Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities: 1. Wenhai Village: High-altitude lake and grassland 2. Stone Town: Ancient village on the banks of the Jinsha River 3. Laojun Mountain: Danxia landforms Things to Note: 1. Sun Protection: Strong UV rays at high altitude 2. Warm Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night 3. Altitude Sickness Prevention: Avoid strenuous exercise 4. Old Town Maintenance Fee: Required for entry to some attractions Transportation Tips: 1. Airport bus directly to the Old Town 2. Walkable within the Old Town 3. Chartered cars or carpooling available for surrounding attractions Best Time to Travel: - Spring (March-May): Flower season - Autumn (September-November): Stable weather - Winter (December-February): Snow-capped mountains at their most beautiful Suggested Itinerary: Days 1-3: Old Town and surrounding areas (Black Dragon Pool, Mu's Residence) Days 4-5: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Days 6-8: Lugu Lake Days 9-10: Tiger Leaping Gorge hike Days 11-15: Baisha Ancient Town + in-depth exploration of off-the-beaten-path attractions