Lijiang is a popular tourist destination in Yunnan Province, China.

It is famous for its ancient city, snow-capped mountains, Naxi culture, and natural scenery. Here's a detailed Lijiang travel guide covering attractions, food, accommodation, and things to note: ✅Must-See Attractions 📍Lijiang Old Town (Dayan Ancient Town) ✨ Features: A World Cultural Heritage site, well-preserved Naxi architecture. Sifang Street, Mu's Residence, and Wuyi Street are the core areas. ☘️ Suggestion: Visit early in the morning or at night when there are fewer people. The night view is beautiful. 🎫 Tickets: Free (but a maintenance fee of CNY 50 is required; the policy may have changed in 2023). 📍Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ✨ Highlights: Snow mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Ganhaizi Meadow, and the "Impression Lijiang" show. ✌️ Things to do: Take the cable car to the Glacier Park (4,680m above sea level). Take the middle cable car to Yak Meadow or the small cable car to Spruce Meadow (suitable for those concerned about altitude sickness). The Blue Moon Valley at the foot of the mountain has stunning blue water, perfect for photos. 🎫 Tickets: Mountain entry fee: CNY 100 + cable car ticket (book in advance on the official "Lijiang Tourism Group" WeChat account). 📍Shuhe Ancient Town ✨ Features: Quieter than Dayan Ancient Town, less commercialized, suitable for relaxing and enjoying coffee. 👉 Recommendations: Jiuding Dragon Pond and Sifang Tingyin Square. 📍Baisha Ancient Town ✨ Features: A pristine Naxi village with views of the snow mountain. The Baisha Murals are worth seeing. 🌿 Experience: Tie-dye workshops and enjoying the snow mountain view from a cafe terrace. 📍Lugu Lake (2-3 days recommended) 🚗 Transportation: Approx. 4 hours by car from Lijiang. ✌️ Things to do: Cycle around the lake, take a pig trough boat, visit Mosuo families. Lige Peninsula and the Walking Marriage Bridge are recommended. 📍Tiger Leaping Gorge (a hiker's paradise) 🌱 Routes: Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge (easy), Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge (challenging hike). 🌈 Season: May-September (highest water levels and most impressive views). 🍱Food Recommendations 🥗Naxi Specialties Cured pork rib hot pot (recommended: "Grandma's Cured Pork Ribs"). Chicken pea jelly, Naxi grilled fish, and "watery flower" (a local vegetable). Fresh flower cakes (best eaten fresh from the oven). 🥙Snack Areas Zhongyi Market: A local night market with affordable barbecue, rice noodles, and fruit. Inside the Old Town: No. 88 Snack Bar and Dianxi Prince (popular restaurant). 🍹Drinks Butter tea (sweet or salty), Lijiang yogurt. 🏨Accommodation Suggestions ◆Inside the Old Town: Advantages: Great atmosphere, convenient for exploring the night scene. Disadvantages: Inconvenient to drag luggage on the stone roads, the bar area can be noisy. ◆Recommended areas: Near the South Gate (convenient transportation), Wuyi Street (quiet). ◆Shuhe Ancient Town: Suitable for those who prefer peace and quiet. ◆Luxury hotels: Jinmao Purelax Mountain Hotel (at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, excellent for stargazing). 🚗Transportation Guide ●Airport to Old Town: Airport bus (CNY 20/person) to the city center, taxi approx. CNY 80. ●City transportation: Walking within the Old Town is recommended. Taxis or chartered cars are available for surrounding attractions (e.g., Snow Mountain, Shuhe). ●Long distance: Tourist buses are available to Lugu Lake/Shangri-La (approx. 4-5 hours). 📝Things to Note ①Altitude sickness: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has a high altitude. It is recommended to prepare oxygen tanks in advance (CNY 20/tank at pharmacies in the Old Town) and avoid strenuous exercise. ②Sun protection: UV radiation is very strong. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. ③Weather: Large temperature difference between day and night. Bring a jacket even in summer. Prepare rain gear for the rainy season (July-August). ④Avoid scams: Avoid cheap one-day tour traps. Choose reputable travel agencies. Be cautious when buying silver and tea in the Old Town. Shop wisely. ④Respect local culture: The Naxi and Mosuo people have unique customs. Ask for permission before taking photos. 🗓Recommended Itineraries ●3-day short trip: Day 1: Lijiang Old Town + Mu's Residence + Wangu Tower on Lion Hill (panoramic view). Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Blue Moon Valley + Glacier Park). Day 3: Shuhe Ancient Town + Baisha Ancient Town. ●5-day in-depth tour: Add Lugu Lake or Tiger Leaping Gorge (each requires 2 days). Lijiang is best explored at a leisurely pace. Allow enough time to experience its laid-back and poetic atmosphere. If you have more time, you can extend your trip to Shangri-La or Dali!