How to Plan a Trip to Lijiang: Itinerary, Best Times, and Transport

Lijiang is an ideal destination for vacations owing to its relaxed atmosphere and wonderful scenery. We hope this article will give you some inspiration and helpful guidance if you are planning a trip to Lijiang.

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What Are the Top Attractions?

Must-Sees

Optional Choices

Find out more about them and other Top Attractions in Lijiang.

How Many Days for a Lijiang Trip?

Usually, it takes 3 days for an "essence of Lijiang" trip. Here is our suggested itinerary:

• Day 1: Lijiang arrival and Lijiang Old Town sightseeing
• Day 2: Baisha Village and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (by cable car)
• Day 3: Departure

On the first day of your arrival, after a brief rest, we suggest some light and relaxing activities, such as exploring Lijiang Old Town. Stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, admire the ancient architecture and the orderly system of waterways, visit some shops, and taste local snacks.

It is recommended to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the second day. After a night's rest, you would feel more energetic and better able to adapt to the high altitude of the snow-capped mountain.

After visiting the mountain, if you have enough time, you could visit Baisha Village at the foot to experience the lifestyles and traditional ways of the Naxi community.

If that looks good to you, check out more details of our 3-Day Essence of Ancient Lijiang Tour.

Instead of ending the itinerary on the third day, for those who wish to explore Lijiang more deeply, you could extend your stay. If you enjoy hiking, you could spend an additional 2–3 days at Tiger Leaping Gorge. If you are enchanted by Lijiang's romantic scenery, a 3-day Lugu Lake trip is recommended.

A Classic Yunnan Tour including Lijiang

Lijiang is usually a must-visit destination for a Yunnan tour with Kunming, Dali, and Shangri-La. Such a classic itinerary would take about 7–8 days.

• Days 1–2: Kunming (the Stone Forest)
• Day 3: Dali (Er Lake and Xizhou Village)
• Days 4–5: Lijiang (Lijiang Old Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain)
• Days 6–7: Shangri-La (Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Lamasery, and Pudacuo National Park)
• Day 8: Departure

See more details of our 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour if you are interested in this itinerary.

Best Times to Go

Our guest in Tiger Leaping Gorge

If you are looking for a time with dry and sunny weather, when it's not too cold and not too hot, and fewer crowds, late March, April, mid-to-late-May, and mid-October to November are ideal choices.

Summer (June to September) is the rainy season in Lijiang. Although it rains more than usual, it's not even in daily downpours, as you might imagine. The weather is variable, with thicker and more frequent clouds.

While overcast skies might diminish some scenic views, the rainy season also brings many surprises, such as rainbows and wild mushrooms.

Although there are occasional stretches of continuous rain, they usually don't last long. Most of the time, it rains for a few hours, then clears up. It's common to see the sun shining while it rains.

Unlike many southern regions, Lijiang's rainy season is neither hot nor muggy, with comfortable temperatures peaking at about 27–28°C (81–82°F). So, if summer is the only time you could choose to visit Lijiang, don't hesitate — Lijiang in the rainy season is still full of charm. 

Summer is the best time to admire the majestic scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge and to enjoy the sea of flowers at Lugu Lake by boat.

The high altitude and low latitude also result in dry and milder winters in Lijiang. The average temperature in Lijiang during winter ranges from 4°C (39°F) to 19°C (66°F), with daytime temperatures averaging about 15°C (59°F).

During the day, you could dress lightly with outfits like suits, jackets, or light sweaters. However, the temperature drops significantly at night, so it's advisable to bring a winter coat to stay warm. It is the best time to travel to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to see the snowfall.

How to Get to Lijiang

Lijiang has an airport and a railway station to connect with other cities in China and Yunnan.

Many domestic cities have direct flights to Lijiang, such as Beijing (3½ hours), Shanghai (4 hours), Hangzhou (3½ hours), Nanjing (3½ hours), Guangzhou (3 hours), Shenzhen (3 hours), Guilin (2 hours), Chengdu (1½ hours), and Chongqing (2 hours) .

Driving, bullet trains, and flights are the main ways to get to Lijiang from other cities in Yunnan.

From Kunming to Lijiang, it's a bullet train journey for 3½ to 4 hours or a 1-hour journey by direct flight.

From Dali to Lijiang, driving is recommended (2½ hours) for greater flexibility, as it allows for a door-to-door pickup service and transfer directly from your hotel in Dali to your hotel in Lijiang. If you choose to take a bullet train, the travel time is also roughly 2 to 3 hours.

From Shangri-La to Lijiang, it's a journey of 1 to 1½ hours by bullet train.

Where to Stay in Lijiang

The main accommodation areas in Lijiang are:

Lijiang Old Town Area — Top Choice

Lijiang Old Town at night

Staying in Lijiang Old Town is very convenient, with easy access to various attractions. There are many nearby restaurants and the area is lively at night, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a bustling atmosphere. However, if you prefer a quieter environment, you might consider Shuhe Ancient Town.

If you choose to stay in Lijiang Old Town, you could opt for accommodation outside the town (North Gate, South Gate, or Zhongyi Market) or within the old town itself.

Staying inside the old town might be noisier and cars are not allowed in, making the uneven cobblestone roads challenging for dragging luggage. If you book a hotel inside the old town, it's advisable to ask the hotel owner in advance if they could assist with carrying your luggage.

Shuhe Ancient Town — Quieter for Relaxation

Shuhe Ancient Town

Shuhe Ancient Town is quieter and has a more rustic village feel. Compared to Lijiang Old Town, transportation, especially public transportation, is less convenient there. However, if you are taking a taxi or have booked a tour service that includes transfers, this won't be much of an issue.

The ancient town is perfect for leisurely strolls and photography due to having fewer tourists. It is ideal for couples who enjoy a quiet vacation and a relaxed pace.

The town has many unique inns and guesthouses that offer an authentic local experience. There are also numerous small shops and cafés nearby where you could enjoy local food and drinks.

Yuhu Village — Close to the Snow Mountain

Yuhu Village

Yuhu Village is situated at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It serves as the starting point for hiking the mountain, making it the perfect place to stay if you plan to hike. The hotels there provide excellent close-up views of the snowcapped peak.

Tiger Leaping Gorge — Hikers' Stopovers

If you plan to hike Tiger Leaping Gorge, you would need to stay there overnight. The hotel facilities and services in Tiger Leaping Gorge are relatively basic compared to those in city areas, and there aren't many options.

The most popular choices are Halfway Guesthouse and Tina's Guesthouse. If you're just there for a brief visit, staying overnight isn't necessary.

Lugu Lake

To fully explore Lugu Lake, you would need 2–3 days, so staying at least one night is necessary. Accommodation at Lugu Lake is located in several villages around the lake.

The recommended villages are Daluoshui Village and Langfang Village. Daluoshui Village was the first to be developed, so it has more complete facilities, including restaurants and convenience stores.

Langfang Village has newer hotels, with a greater number of high-end options that often include meals and transportation services.

What and Where to Eat

The cuisine of the Naxi ethnic minority is a highlight of Lijiang, featuring:

• Cured pork rib hot pot: a steaming shared broth made with marinated, air-dried pork ribs
• Chickpea jelly (jidou liangfen): a cold dish made from chickpeas, served with a dressing of vinegar and soy sauce
• Lijiang baba: sticky rice dumplings filled with sesame seeds and walnuts
• Rice sausage: Made by mixing pig's blood, rice, and various spices, and then stuffing the mixture into cleaned pig intestines, it is steamed before eating.
• Naxi barbecue: A favorite among the Naxi people, this is fresh pork belly marinated with spices, then grilled in an oven.

You could discover a variety of food options around Lijiang Old Town. Additionally, Yumihe Street (鱼米河步行街) is a hidden gem for food lovers. Most of the eateries there are favored by locals, many having been well-established for over a decade.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Fascinating Lijiang We had a great time in Lijiang and around. Our guide Alice was very enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable as well. Wonderful two days organised by China Highlights. more Oct 2024, B.Feldman

Experience Wonderful Yunnan Much appreciation goes to our guides- the energetic Lina in Kunming; the experienced Frank in Dali; the knowledgeable Peter in Lijiang; and the earnest Sonam in Shangri-la! All ensured a smooth journey, and were enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge of the history, culture and customs of the various places. more Sep 2024, Chewie T

Jade Dragon Adventure. Visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a great experience but also come with a little risk of altitude sickness. Our guide Alice has taken good care of us for the whole journey. Truly a memorable trip! more Sep 2024, Dax S