1. Tour Overview
Except the famous scenic areas such as Ancient Town of Lijiang, Baisha Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, there are some other important tourist attractions worth visiting. Here I will list them as below, aiming at allowing travellers to know more interesting places about Lijiang and maximize their travelling experience.
2. Why Do We Go To These Famous Tourist Attractions?
In addition to several major scenic spots, other natural scenic areas in Lijiang are also with some unique natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. They will also bring people unique visual enjoyment and allow them to enjoy the slow life pace and the ultimate food experience, their souls will also be purified.
3. Hightlights Of Other Important Tourisam Attractions In Lijiang
3.1 Dongba Valley(东巴谷)
Dongba Valley is situated in Baisha Town, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City. It is one of the famous cultural sites in Yunnan Province. Dongba Valley is famous for its unique Dongba culture all over the world.
Dongba characters are also known as "The only living hieroglyphics". Dongba scriptures written in Dongba characters are also widely spread in China and many European and American countries. The Naxi people mainly live in Dongba Valley. The Naxi nationality retains the characteristics of matrilineal clans, that is, women go out to work while men read books or do handicrafts at home. Therefore, exquisite handicrafts can be seen everywhere in Dongba Valley. There are also residents of ethnic groups such as Lisu, Pumi, Mosuo and Tibetan. Each ethnic group has its own characteristics, these ethnic cultures blend together and attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit them.
On top of Dongba culture, Dongba Valley is also a natural ecological grand canyon with a length of about 90 kilometers. It is a rift valley torn during the ancient orogenic movement. There are steep cliffs and numerous caves in the valley, as well as various natural landscapes such as stalactites, withered vines, strange trees and strange stones. The scenery is stunning. Dongba Valley perfectly integrates four core functions: natural canyon landscape, colorful ethnic culture, perfect cultural consumption and natural health preservation, thus it is a tourism and vacation complex integrating diversified experiences such as tourism, culture and performing arts.
Tourists can experience the traditional culture and handicrafts of the Naxi nationality in Dongba Valley, enjoy the performance of Naxi ancient music as well as taste local special delicacies such as Lijiang Baba. In addition, Dongba Valley is also one of the best places to view the panorama of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It provides multiple photo check-in spots, such as glass bridges and sky mirrors, allowing tourists to fully appreciate the magnificent scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The transportation methods to Dongba Valley include self-driving and public transportation. Self-driving can directly navigate to Parking Lot No. 3 of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. For those taking public transportation, they can take the 101 special line for snow mountains at Zhongyi Market to reach the tourist center. The ticket price is 30 yuan per person. For tourists who want to deeply understand Dongba culture and Naxi traditions and enjoy natural beauty, Dongba Valley is a place not to be missed.
3.2 Guanyin Gorge(观音峡)
Guanyin Gorge scenic resort is a scenic area integrating natural and human landscapes together. It is located at the "Yulong Pass" of Lijiang City. It is only 17 kilometers away from Old Town of Lijiang. The transportation is convenient, tourists can choose to go by bus or self-driving. It is also known as "the first scenic spot in Lijiang".
Natural Landscapes
The Guanyin Gorge scenic area is founded on natural landscapes such as mountains and waters, canyons, forests and lakes. It has natural beauties such as Huanglongtan and Guanyin Gorge. Huanglongtan is divided into upper, middle, and lower pools. The pool water is crystal clear, the reflections of ancient trees are in it, just like a moving picture scroll. In Guanyin Gorge, there is a rock shaped like a Buddhism godness Guanyin,the waterfall flows down directly, therefore forming the spectacular "Guanyin Waterfall".
Human Landscapes
There are also human landscapes such as Ancient Tea-Horse Street, Naxi villages, folk customs together with religious cultures in the scenic area. The Ancient Tea-Horse Street vividly presents the cultural heritage of the Naxi nationality. The Mu’s residences also fully reflects the architectural style of the Naxi nationality. In addition, there are scenic spots such as Fodihai, Huanglong Spring as well as amusement projects such as glass plank roads and cruise ships, which are suitable for tourists to experience and explore.
Transportation Information
There are various ways to reach Guanyin Gorge in Lijiang, including taking a bus, self-driving, taking a taxi or taking a shuttle bus of the scenic area.
Taking a bus: Take Lijiang Bus No. 107 and start from Bailong Square, pass through Nanmen Street, and finally arrive at Guanyin Gorge. Another bus route, Bus No. 28, is a special line connecting Black Dragon Pool and Guanyin Gorge in Lijiang.
Self-driving or renting a car: Choose to directly navigate to Guanyin Gorge. It is about 17 kilometers away from the urban area of Lijiang.
Taking a shuttle bus of the scenic area: The advantage of this way is that it directly reaches the spots area without worrying about transferring on the way.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Guanyin Gorge is spring and autumn (from March to May and from September to November). In these two seasons, the weather is pleasant and the natural scenery is the most enchanting, allowing tourists to fully appreciate the natural beauty of Guanyin Gorge, including landscapes such as canyons, forests, lakes, and the experience will be more enjoyable.
3.3 Scenic spots at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
3.3.1 Yuhu Village(玉湖村)
Yuhu Village is a beautiful ancient Naxi village, it is adjacent to the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This village not only has beautiful natural environment, but also is full of strong ethnic customs and mysterious cultural heritages. It is time-honored with the trace of Ancient Tea-Horse Road. The buildings in the village are mostly made of special folded glacial stones locally. Yuhu Village is renowned as "The first village at the foot of Jade DragonSnow Mountain" and is one of the ancient villages in Lijiang where the traditional architectural style is best preserved.
The main scenic spots in Yuhu Village include Yuhu and Longnv Lake. Among them, Yuhu is an artificial lake dug by people organized by the Mu family, the lake water is crystal clear and the snow-capped peaks are reflected clearly. In addition, it is one of the famous "Twelve scenic spots of Yulong". Tourists will enjoy strolling in the ancient village's stone alleys, admiring the blue tiles, listening to the flowing water of small bridges, and looking at Snow Dragon Snow Mountain from afar. Apart from this, Yuhu Village still retains the original ecological style of the Naxi nationality. Tourists can experience the peaceful and comfortable life of an ancient village and feel the unique charm differ from Ancient Town of Lijiang and Baisha Ancient Town. Tourists can ride horses, stroll, visit cultural relics, enjoy a delicious farm meal and experience the peaceful nights in the countryside. Yuhu Village is not only a tourist attraction, but also an ideal place for people to get away from the hustle and bustle and return to the nature.
Traffic Information
The main transportation methods to Yuhu Village in Lijiang include self-driving, taking a taxi, taking a bus and taking a sightseeing bus.
Self-driving and taking a taxi: Start from Ancient Town of Lijiang and go directly to the tourist center of Yuhu Village.
Taking a bus: In Lijiang, there is Bus No. 17. Starting from Xiangshan Market, the terminal is named Yuhu Village Square.
Sightseeing bus: The distance from the tourist center to Yuhu Village (Yuhu Square) is about 1.3 kilometers. It provides services for sections A and B. Section A is from the tourist center to the village center, and section B is from the village center to Longnv Lake. The cost of the sightseeing bus is 30 yuan and you can take sections A and B unlimited times.
Walking: The distance from Yuhu Square to Longnv Lake is about 1.8 kilometers. Tourists can choose to go on foot or by horse. For travelers who like hiking, this is a good opportunity to enjoy the scenery along the way.
The best seasons to visit Yuhu Village in Lijiang is spring and autumn( from March to May and from September to November). In spring, the climate is warm, everything revives and the scenery is picturesque. It is a good time to watch plateau flowers blooming such as azaleas. In autumn, the climate is cool and sunny, there are relatively fewer tourists, allowing people to better enjoy the tranquility and beauty of Yuhu Village.
To sum up, Yuhu Village is famous for its original natural scenery, profound cultural heritage and simple folk customs. Tourists can explore Yuhu, visit ancient Naxi houses, climb to the snow mountain viewing platform, and experience various activities such as horseback riding around the lake, agricultural experience and learning local handicrafts etc.
3.3.1.1 Longnv Lake( 龙女湖)
Longnv Lake is located in Yuhu Village, it is a secret place known as "Little Switzerland in Lijiang". This lake is located next to the large lawn, the water is as blue as the sky and has a wide field of vision, providing tourists with an opportunity to be in close contact with nature. The transportation to Longnv Lake is very convenient. Starting from Dayan Ancient City or Shuhe Ancient Town, you can reach it by bus. After arriving, tourists can choose to ride horses around the lake to feel the sparkling surface of the lake, or they can choose to hike to enjoy the pleasure of hiking. In autumn and winter, tourists also have the opportunity to encounter villagers herding and calves by chance and experience the peaceful time of living in harmony with nature.
There are a variety of activities at Longnv Lake, suitable for tourists of all ages. Travelers who like adventure and discovering new scenic spots can take this place as a must-see scenic spot. Tourists who drive by themselves can go up along the mountain road,which is at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you can appreciate the whole picture of Lijiang Dam. In the middle of a large green shade is a small lake, the green hills meander into the distance under the blue sky and white clouds. In addition, Longnv Lake is also a popular place for taking wedding photos. Many couples choose to record unforgettable moments here, if you have chance to come here, you will be amazed by it.
Transportation Information
Public transportation: Take Bus No. 17 directly from the north gate of Ancient Town of Lijiang to the tourist center of Yuhu Village.
Sightseeing bus: From the tourist center to Yuhu Village,it costs 30 yuan per person.
Walking or horseback riding: From Yuhu Village Square to Longnv Lake, you can choose to walk or ride a horse, but horseback riding allow you to experience the local customs.
The best time to go to Longnv Lake is spring and autumn. In spring, especially from March to May, peach blossoms and pear blossoms are in full bloom, which is very beautiful. In autumn, the weather is clear and the climate is cool from September to November, which is very suitable for sightseeing and hiking.
Last but not least, this attraction is open to the public for free without tickets or reservations. It offers a variety of activity options including hiking, horseback riding, camping, photography, etc. It allows tourists to fully enjoy close contact with nature and experience the unforgettable moments.
3.3.2 Jade Dragon Flower Sea(玉龙花海景区)
Jade Dragon Flower Sea is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is a 520,000-square-meter fairyland paradise of flower seas with snow mountain scenery. Flowers bloom continuously here all year round. Especially in the blooming season of Gesang flowers, tourists can meet the most beautiful snow mountain and experience the romantic and fairy-tale-like flower sea . It also creates a tourist attraction that combines natural beauty and humanistic feelings based on respecting the natural environment and regional culture.
Best time for visit: It is the spring, especially from March to May. During this period, the climate in Lijiang is pleasant and sunny. Moreover, flowers such as cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, camellias, and azaleas are in full bloosm, the scenery is thus really picturesque, making this season an ideal choice for visiting.
Transportation
Public transportation: You can take Bus No. 17 at Xiangshan Market and get off at Gouluo Village. Then walk 1.8 kilometers to reach it.
Self-driving: Self-driving is more convenient. There is a free parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area, which is a very convenient choice for car owners.
The opening hours of Yulong Huahai Scenic Area are all day long, providing tourists with an excellent place to get close to nature and feel the flower sea. It's pretty good for couples looking for romance or art lovers who love photography, this is a perfect place not to be missed.
3.3.3 Snow Mountain Rose Manor(雪山玫瑰庄园)
Snow Mountain Rose Manor is located in Baisha Town, Yulong County, Lijiang City. It is close to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it covers nearly 1,000 acres and fully displays the magnificent plateau flowers and ethnic characteristic cultures. It is a flower ecological tourist attraction integrating flower culture sightseeing and recreation activities together. The main flower varieties in the manor include roses, sage, lupine, sunflowers, etc., providing tourists with an environment full of natural beauty and cultural experience. In addition, the manor also provides a variety of DIY experience activities, such as flower arrangement, handmade soap making, fresh flower cake baking, etc., so that tourists can make and take away a special gift by themselves. For tourists who like outdoor activities, the manor also provides outdoor expansion activities such as RV camping and wilderness survival, which are very interesting. In terms of food and accommodation, the manor provides a variety of accommodation options, including RV hotels, wooden villas, etc. At the same time, there are also many homestays and hotels nearby for selection.
Meanwhile, there is a restaurant in the manor that provides local specialties and drinks. It is recommended to taste special delicacies such as fresh flower cakes and wild mushroom soup. In addition, the barbecue area in the manor also provides barbecue services, allowing tourists to enjoy the fun of delicious food outdoors.
Traffic Information
By plane: After tourists arrive at Lijiang Airport, they can take the airport shuttle bus to Old Town of Lijiang and then transfer to a bus to the manor.
By chartered car/renting a car: Starting from Old Town of Lijiang, it takes about 40 minutes to drive to the manor.
By long-distance bus: Take the shuttle bus to Snow Mountain Rose Manor from Lijiang Passenger Transport Terminal.
In addition, the best time to visit Lijiang Snow Mountain Rose Manor is on weekdays, especially in spring and autumn. It should be noted that the ultraviolet rays in Lijiang are relatively strong. Tourists should take sun protection measures and bring sunscreen, sun hats and other items.
3.3.4 Lijiang Eternal Love Scenic Area(丽江千古情景区)
Lijiang Eternal Love scenic area is a comprehensive scenic area integrating performing arts, culture, tourism and commerce. It is located on Yuxing West Road, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is not far from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and it has a superior geographical environment.
This scenic area mainly includes multiple themed areas such as Ancient Tea-Horse Street, Nachohai, Snow Mountain Beach, ethnic villages, and Eternal Love Square. Its core product is the large-scale song and dance "Lijiang Eternal Love". Through high-tech means and stage expressions, it presents the praise of life in the Naxi genesis, the romantic feelings of the daughter country of Lugu Lake, the glorious prosperity and harmony of the Mu Mansion, the thrilling and shocking legend of the caravan, together with the swan song of life in the Third Country of Yulong. It brings an extremely shocking visual feast to the audience.
In addition, the scenic area also has a rich variety of performances and experience projects such as the large-scale live-action performance "Love Song of Lijiang" and the live-action experience drama "The Great Earthquake".
Not only is the Lijiang Eternal Love scenic area a great place to watch performances but also a charming tourist destination, the architectural style in the scenic area is unique and the environment is beautiful. There are amusement facilities such as roller coasters and bumper cars, very entertaining, the scenic spot also provides special delicacies such as Lijiang grilled fish and buttered tea, allowing tourists to feel the historical and cultural heritage and unique charm of Lijiang while enjoying a visual feast. Apart from that, the scenic area also has multiple commercial blocks selling commodities with ethnic characteristics, such as ethnic costumes and handicrafts. It is a great place for shopping.
Transportation Routes
Public transportation: Bus routes near the Lijiang Eternal Love scenic area include Loop Line 11, Loop Line 16, Route 8, Route 9, Route 6, Route 13, Route 3, etc.
Special line bus: There are boarding points for special line buses in Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Ancient Town. Tourists can take the special line bus for free.
This scenic area can be visited all year round and the opening hours are from 12:30 to 21:00. Currently, it attracts countless tourists with its unique charm and rich connotations, really a good place worth visiting.
3.4 Qiangui Mountain(千龟山)
Qiangui Mountain is located in Liming Township, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City. In the southwest of Liming Village, there are many beautifully cracked mountain bodies formed by the weathering surface of red rocks. One of the slopes is shaped like thousands of little turtles, and then superimposed to form a big turtle. The arrangement is natural and orderly. Currently, it is the largest and highest-altitude Danxia terrain discovered in China.
Transportation Methods
Self-driving route: Start from Lijiang Old Town, follow Fuhui Road to Dali Expressway. The only wonders of Danxia landform is distributed here in southwest China.
Taking a special line bus: It includes picking up people in places such as Old Town of Lijiang and Shuhe Ancient Town, which provides a lot of convenience for tourists. This special line provides tourists with more travel time and allows stopping, taking pictures and playing at scenic spots along the way. Moreover, there are no mandatory consumption items in the itinerary.
Hiking: Choose to start from the Liming scenic area of Laojun Mountain in Yulong Autonomous County of Lijiang and explore the topography and landforms of Qiangui Mountain along the designated hiking route. This route requires a certain amount of physical strength and time, but it can provide a more in-depth exploration experience.
The best time to visit Qiangui Mountain in Lijiang is spring and winter.
Spring: The beautiful flowers blooming among the fiery red rocks form a sharp contrast with the Danxia terrain, providing tourists with a colorful visual feast.
Winter: Looking south from Qiangui Mountain, you can see Laojun Mountain covered with white snow, forming a beautiful winter landscape painting. At this time, the masterpiece of freeze-thaw climate makes the Danxia terrain even more spectacular and endows this land with unique charm.
4. Food And Accommodation
There are a wide variety of delicacies in Lijiang, including Lijiang baba, Naxi stewed chicken, hot and sour fish, chicken bean jelly, hot pot, Naxi grilled fish, mutton hot pot, etc. These delicacies not only represent Lijiang's food culture but also are an important way for tourists to understand Lijiang.
In spring, it is recommended to taste Lijiang baba and Naxi stewed chicken. Lijiang baba has two flavors, sweet and salty. Naxi stewed chicken is made by stewing local native chickens with a variety of Chinese herbal medicines and has a very good nourishing effect.
In summer, you can try hot and sour fish and chicken bean jelly, the fish is made by local fresh carp with hot and sour seasonings. Chicken bean jelly is an excellent summer cool-down food in Lijiang.
In autumn, it is suitable to taste hot pot and Naxi grilled fish. Lijiang's hot pot is mainly made of mutton and beef. Naxi grilled fish is a seasonal delicacy.
In winter, you can enjoy mutton hot pot and Lijiang baba. Mutton hot pot uses high-quality mutton and is matched with tofu, vegetables and other ingredients. It is steaming hot and warms the body and stomach.
As a tourist destination, Lijiang has a rich selection of accommodations, ranging from economy inns to high-end hotels. The accommodations are mainly concentrated around Lijiang Old Town.
5. What To Pack?
When traveling in Lijiang, the selection of clothing should be dictated by the season, activities, and personal comfort level. Here are some specific suggestions:
Spring and autumn: Long-sleeved shirts, delicate sweaters or hoodies, when paired with jeans or casual trousers, offer a blend of comfort and style. If you plan to venture to higher-altitude regions, be sure to equip yourself with a long-sleeved windbreaker or down jacket to counter the frigid temperatures in those regions.
Summer: In Lijiang, the summer climate is moderately warm, you can opt for lightweight tops like short-sleeved T-shirts and shirts, and combine them with denim shorts or casual shorts. Choose colors that exude freshness. Additionally, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are indispensable.
Winter: The temperature is relatively low, you need to wear thick garments such as down jackets, sweaters, and thermal underwear. Pay close attention to keeping your feet warm. Select warm shoes like boots to ensure comfort and coziness.
