It is said there is a fairyland beneath the colorful clouds of southern China. A place blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains, and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. Life in this fairyland is so peaceful, a fairyland called Lijiang, located at the hub of Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.
While the geographical position of Lijiang City is remote, it has the advantage of ensuring a pleasant year round climate and a wide variety of tourist resources in the 20,600 square kilometers area. The earliest recorded history of Lijiang can be traced back to the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC) but with the advent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the local economy reached a peak with the development of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road which made a great contribution to both commercial and cultural communication between Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
At present, Lijiang City is an attractive tourist destination in Yunnan Province that exercises jurisdiction over four counties and an Old Town District. Lijiang is the main region inhabited by Naxi Group, one of China's 55 minority ethnic groups. In its long history, the local residents have established their splendid Dongba Culture which has absorbed aspects of the culture of Tibet and the Central Plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The various souvenirs marked with these Dongba hieroglyphs are very popular with visitors from home and abroad.
Lijiang has the best preserved ancient town in China - the Old Town which has been listed in the World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO in 1997. The Old Town was once the center of Lijiang and continues to maintain the original flavor of the local lifestyle, the typical groups of buildings and the profound cultural heritage of the region. When wandering along Square Street or any other streets in the Old Town, you will be struck by the peaceful surroundings. From enjoying the sight of the setting sun from historic hotels to local farmsteads, there are many favorable things here for travelers. Naturally, there are a number of tour destinations to enhance your visit as well. Among them, the most famous is Mufu (Mu's Palace) which should not be missed during your trip.
Around Lijiang, there are a number of splendid natural beauty spots that will certainly astonish you. If you like to see superlative natural scenery, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which provides a majestic backdrop to the Moon-Embracing Pavilion at Black Dragon Pond will fulfill your desire. For those seeking an exotic experience in Lijiang, a visit to the Mosuo People beside Lugu Lake is a must. They are called the last 'Kingdom of Women' on earth. If you would like to experience the local lifestyle, then come and participate in one or more of their various festivals that are held throughout the year.
Lijiang does not have a direct rail link and is reached by travelers by air or by coach. However, having got to Lijiang, visiting round and about is easy with the help of the city buses, taxis or for the more energetic by bicycle. However, please don't forget to save some time to walk in Lijiang. Along your way, you must visit some of the souvenir shops and taste some local dishes and snacks. At night, the famous bar street in the Old Town is really worth a visit. No matter where you go, you will find a harmonious combination of tradition and fashion in Lijiang City.
Recommended Lijiang Package Tour Itineraries:
Fantastic Lijiang: 4 Days to Lijiang Old Town
Yunan Highlights: 9 Days Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La-KunmingMore Lijiang Tour Information:
Golf Tour: Detailed information about 4 Days Golf Tour in Lijiang
Hiking Tours: Information about hiking in Lijiang for your reference
Bicycle Tours: Offer information about cycling in and around Lijiang
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Travelers' Voices on Lijiang
1.
Nov. 2,2009 01:31 Reply
Ms.tan(singapore) said:
does anybody noes the weathe in LiJiang for this comin 6-14 december??i nid this urgently!!
Nov. 2,2009 04:55
Ms.Dora replied:
It is about 15-18 at daytime and as low as 1C at night. Need to weat sweater and overcoat. Not rainy at this period, but you still have to check the current weather forecast before leaving. have a nice trip.
2.
Oct. 28,2009 01:41 Reply
Mr.Ong(Malaysia) said:
I decide to go LiJiang this coming december.. but i dont know how to go there and which hotel is recommended..
Can u guys leave down the hotel contacts that u think its good ?
Service and tour travel..
Nov. 1,2009 03:09
Mr.Sandy replied:
You should get to Kunming first and then get to Kunming Nanyao Bus Station to catch the buses to Lijiang. For hotels:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/hotel/lijiang-hotels.htm
You can find some hotels and inns in Lijiang Old Town.
Nov. 1,2009 19:31
Mr.Liu(USA) replied:
the Lijiang have many hotels, this inn can fit about 20 people, in old town.
3.
Jun. 9,2009 17:42 Reply
Mr.Liu(USA) said:
Lijiang is the best place in my China trip, I spent 5 days there. I still feel live in dream. Special the orderly town is real ancient town, never see before in my life.the waterways, the bridges,the Nakhi people, give me a lot wonderful memories.
We just live a small Inn ( RUI CHUN INN ),not live 5 stars Hotel, BUT you fell live in home, 3 young girls work there, very friendly, them can help you get tickets, call Taxi, or teach you the NAKHI languages ....the Rate only 50Y ( $7.5 )for room of day. I back home over couple weeks, I still contact them, Xiao Mei, Xiao Ji and Xiao Su,,If some one want live the old system house. I can give you information.
Wonderful Lijiang, I will return back someday soon !!
Jun. 25,2009 19:27
Ms.Pam(Australia) replied:
I enjoyed reading your story and the bit about the modest lodgings at RUI CHUN INN. I shall be in Lijiang also for 6 days during August '09 and would like their contact details, address, telephone, e-mail..etc.
Will you advise / HELP, please.......Pam
Sep. 1,2009 13:16
Mr.BEN CHAN(Singapore) replied:
thank you for sharing the info, do you have the address,telephone and name of the contact person there???.....BEN CHAN.
Sep. 1,2009 22:26
Mr.Liu(USA) replied:
Hi, The address is 78 Ji Shan Xiang, Xin Yi street, old town, Lijiang. the phone # 0888-5120084 or cell#
13988875597 Zhang. enjoy your trip.
Nov. 1,2009 02:01
Mr.Ong(Malaysia) replied:
How many people can fit into the RUI CHUN INN ?
4.
Oct. 21,2009 01:39 Reply
Ms.Jean(USA) said:
Got to visit the Highland Gale show (no cover charge, for once). It's the only place with real local flavor and ethnic dancing. The food is better there too, and you can get some local specialties (such as buckwheat cake, Yak ganba fried fresh, real yak butter tea and so on) that just aren't available elsewhere in the Old Town. We had a much more enjoyable time there than at the other nightime establishments.
5.
Oct. 16,2009 06:12 Reply
Mr.aaron(singapore) said:
Hello, I m going to LiJiang this Dec 2009 with my mom (over 80 yrs old). Thought of brining her up to Jade Dragon Mountain for the spectacular scenery. I wonder it is safe for her to take the cable car ? whether the temp too cold ? need oxygen ? the path too slipery ..etc. Anyone been there care to share yr experience ?
Oct. 17,2009 21:46
Ms.Dora replied:
The cable car is a bit scaring, I think, and the weather at December is cold up to mountains. Yes, the altitude is high, above 4000 meters. To see the mountain, you also need to walk and it is hard to your mom, I think.
Oct. 18,2009 21:16
Mr.aaron(singapore) replied:
thks dora. I read from mr Ian earlier post mentioned cable is safe. May be I jus bring her up to mt top cable car station, take a view and come down (she never see snow b4). Get her a thermal coat and oxygen jus in case......
6.
Oct. 1,2009 00:31 Reply
Ms.XSTHER63(Singapore) said:
Confirm going to Lijiang around Dec 2009 and visiting Jade Dragon Mountain. Can anyone tell me the transportation and cable car like. Is it very dangerous to go up because my daughter has a heart problem. Is oxygen needed. How is temperature ?
Oct. 4,2009 06:22
Mr. Ian(Canada) replied:
I was in Lijiang in Oct 2007, The transportation is very comfortable, the cable car is very modern and safe, it goes up the mountain in several stages, upto the 1st stage you do not need anything special, at the 1st stage there are shops where you can have a snack, if you are going any further they suggest that you take oxygen with you, you can buy it there. The temperature gets cooler the higher you go, there is a glacier close by. I wore a thermal coat, which you can rent at store at the cable car entrance. There is a wide wooden walk way which is very safe and well maintained, which goes all the way to the top of the mountain. There are several places that you can stop and rest, and you can turn around to go back down at any time if you don't want to go to the top. The view is amazing, it would be worth visiting and go up as far as you can.
Oct. 5,2009 00:33
Mr.Esther(Singapore) replied:
Thank You Ian for your information. I have join a tour in Lijiang. They told me transport will send us up to the cable car station. Do you know how does the road condition like before travelling up to the cable car station. Is the cable car enclosed ? Do you have any photograph of the cable car. I understand there will a show called the Lijiang ---- Have you watch the show there ?
Oct. 9,2009 20:11
Mr.Ian(Canada) replied:
The best show that I saw was Impression Lijiang, have a look at their web site www.yx-lj.com
7.
Oct. 2,2009 08:13 Reply
Ms.George(NZ) said:
Hi
We are travelling to Dali and Lijiang tomorrow and are planning on doing the Tiger leaping Gorge trek. If it rains is it still possible to do this trek safely?
Thanks
8.
Sep. 16,2009 04:02 Reply
Mr.stephen(us) said:
I heard that we should pay a fee name ancient city protection fee, is that true?
Sep. 16,2009 04:42
Mr.Frankie replied:
Yes, it just like an entrance fee. Let me see~ The fare is 80RMB...
Sep. 30,2009 22:49
Mr.T(Australia) replied:
Yes and no.
If you visit the Snow Dragon Mountain, you ticket includes the Ancient City Protection Fee. Otherwise you pay nothing
9.
Sep. 24,2009 11:26 Reply
Mr.Young(UK) said:
Interesting info. Im in Lijiang right now. Its a wonderful place... Really beautiful. But coming here alone seems a little boring. Otherwise, its great. There are lots of modern hotels but I chose to stay in the "Old Town" area. There are lots of local inns in the old town area. But try to avoid coming here during Chinese holidays because hotels will be fully booked.
10.
Sep. 12,2009 21:02 Reply
Mr.Tobin(Australia) said:
Oh, I also proposed to my now fiance on the bridge at Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang. Such a beautiful place to visit. We stayed on the old town - cheap, clean hotels are easy to find!