10 Historic Sites in Lijiang That You Shouldn't Miss

December 10, 2021 Venice Greaves

Lijiang is a beautifully preserved ancient Chinese town, infused with cultural flavor. Strolling along the 800-year-old bridges and waterways of the world-famous Old Town district is like stepping back in time. Don’t miss the views atop Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the Dongba cultural center of Jade Water Village.
Restaurants in Lijiang

1. Jinlong Brige

On the Jinsha River, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100 China
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Jinlong Brige

2. Lugu Lake

300 km (186 miles) from Lijiang Yongning Town, Ninglang County, Lijiang 674300 China
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 888 reviews

Lugu Lake

Reviewed By Sijia22 - Sydney, Australia

One of the last female dominant societies in China, nested away around a fully natural lake, outside the busy cities and approx. 3000m above sea level. We stayed here for one night during April 2019 and whilst everything looks old, the lake is a beautiful light blue-ish silk colour that we have never seen before. It is truly unique and we have been to many famous lakes around China and all around the Asia Pacific. No lake is as tranquil or natural as the Lugu lake. We came via car from Lijiang (4 hour drive) but it's also possible to enter from the eastern Chengdu side. We went around the lake, took the boat to a famous little island where they shot a popular entertainment show, crossed the wedding bridge, experienced the bonfire dance at night and stayed at a nice hotel at the edge of Da Luo Shui. The hotel was called 'San Se Yun' or 'three colour cloud' but I couldn't find it on TripAdvisor. If you don't mind the long drive (or you can fly here from Kunming or Chengdu) and want to experience going back in time to a nice hideaway tribal village, then spending a day (or a few days) at Lugu Lake would be a nice choice.

3. Mufu Palace

Southwest of the Old Town, Lijiang 674100 China +86 888 518 1468 http://www.ljmufu.com
Excellent
42%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 455 reviews

Mufu Palace

Reviewed By jtaylor946 - Guangzhou, China

Make sure to climb to the top of Lion Hill for the best views of Lijiang Old Town! You have to pay 65¥ to enter the palace and an extra ¥50 to climb to the top of Lion Hill but it’s worth it! There are a lot of steps to climb. Go slow and appreciate the view and the beautiful temples.

4. Lijiang Mural in Baisha Village

Baisha Yulong County, Lijiang 674101 China
Excellent
33%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 209 reviews

Lijiang Mural in Baisha Village

Reviewed By YvonneH2903

This village is what I imagine the two other old towns would have been, before refurbishment exercise to clean up and gloss over the rough edges to cater to tourists. The murals have degraded due to age, but are still beautiful and unique. The residents going about with their daily routines and selling fresh/seasonal produce (some foraged) gives real soul to the place. Embroidered art pieces (some done by refugees to raise funds) and handwritten ancient dongba messages/posters make great souvenirs.

5. Stone Drum (Shigu) Town

Shigu Town, Lijiang 674113 China
Excellent
35%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
9%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

Stone Drum (Shigu) Town

Reviewed By KCrC2011 - Brisbane, Australia

Great history here at the first bend of the Yangtze River and you get a great view of the terraced rice fields. You can walk across the iron chain bridge. You get a real sense of how life really is in this village by walking through to the bridge and drum.

6. Shuhe Ancient Town

2 Miles North West of Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang 674100 China
Excellent
47%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,160 reviews

Shuhe Ancient Town

Shuhe is a small village a couple miles to the north of Lijiang, in Yunnan province. It has similar old architecture as Lijiang with similar places to buy Naxi woven cloth and products from local artisans. A major advantage over Lijiang is that it is relatively unknown so the streets are much less crowded and food and lodging is cheaper. In addition to woven goods, there are stores selling wood carvings, Naxi style pottery and silver filigree jewelry. There was an elderly artist whose paintings were all done with the edge of his thumb producing quite astonishing images.

Reviewed By Passportalwaysready - Athens, Greece

And a river runs through it surrounded by trees and flowers. Shops are varied, horses with and without carts for seeing the sights stroll by, and street vendors tease you with the smells of roasting corn, Chinese sausage, and local foods. Stores offer souvenirs and high end goodies. A lovely way to spend a day or two or three....and you are likely to encounter rival couples posing for photos!

7. Deyue Tower

Yuquan Park, located in the South of Lijiang, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100 China
Excellent
33%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 6 reviews

Deyue Tower

8. Lijiang Mural

Baisha Village, Baisha Country, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674101 China
Excellent
42%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 57 reviews

Lijiang Mural

9. Feihudui Airport

Inside Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100 China
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

1.0 based on 2 reviews

10. Assia Marriage and Matrilineal Family

Hugu Lake, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100 China

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.