Lijiang

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 26.873199
• Longitude: 100.231407

On Travellerspoint

• 11 Lijiang Guesthouses
• 16 Lijiang Hostels
• 9 Lijiang Hotels

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Introduction

Lijiang Park

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Lijiang (丽江) is the historic capital of the Naxi people. Left almost derelict following a major earthquake in 1996, the past 10 years have seen the town restored, cleaned and polished up by the Cultural Tourism Agency. Lijiang old town (including Dayan, Baisha and Shuhe) was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 4 December 1997 and lies in the Himalayan foothills at an altitude of 2400m. It has the feel of a living museum, a pulsating network of tiny winding streets, canals, ancient bridges, water wheels, wells, shrines and temples. The centre of Lijiang looks like a fairy tale in the evening, when the small canals, bridges, cobble stone streets and wooden houses are lit up by red Chinese lanterns. It almost feels like going back in time. Looming in the distance is the enormous and captivating mass of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - the best view is from the lovely Black Dragon Pool park. This is the most photographed location in China, with its temples and white mountain tops reflected in the lake.

Sights and Activities

• Canals, water wheels, bridges and tiny winding streets in the Old Town.
• The Mu Palace, a very well preserved palace/fortress of the Naxi.
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - three cable cars run to different points on the mountain (or it's a very long and challenging hike).
• Black Dragon Pool Park - a very well kept and serene park with amazing views over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and a great tea house next to the pool.
• Visiting surounding Naxi Villages, a particularly good day out by bike.
• Listening to a performance by the Naxi Orchestra.
• Take a short bus ride to the start point for the Tiger Leaping Gorge trek

Events and Festivals

• Snow Mountain Music Festival, a Chinese Rock festival.

Getting There

By Plane

Lijiang Airport is served by a limited number of scheduled regional and national flights, particularly to Kunming and Chengdu.

By Car

Lijiang is currently the last point on the major highway network though the road to Shangri-La is being improved.

By Bus

Buses are available to many destinations, including Dali, Kunming, Shangri-La and Hutiaoxia Town (for Tiger Leaping Gorge).

Getting Around

By Public Transport

Local buses connect important locations across the new town, though no traffic is allowed in the old town.

By Foot

The best, and only, way of exploring the fascinating old town is on foot.

By Bike

Many guesthouses hire out cycles, and this is a good way of getting out of town, particularly to visit traditional local villages.

Eat

Lijiang isn't the cheapest place in China to eat, but does have a good range of eateries, including many restaurants serving Naxi specialities as well as flash international restaurants and standard Chinese fare.

A particularly nice area to eat is the line of cafes with balconies hanging over a small canal to the Southwest of Sifang Square.

A favourite for travellers is the Prague Cafe, which has a nice cosy atmosphere and serves good, reasonably proced food despite being in quite a touristy area.

Drink

There are several bars located along the apty named "bar street" which face each other across the narrow canal. A unique experience during the evenings is hearing how men and women sing limericks to each other, often from one side of a canal to another. It’s quite a lively scene and there is singing, screaming, drinking and dancing. This is not only done by the Naxi, Chinese and Western tourists often also join in adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Sleep

Budget

• Lao Shay Youth Hostel is a very nice hostel in the old city. Check out the website for a map to find this guesthouse, because the alleyways can be very maze like. The people that own this guesthouse also own a satellite guesthouse located on a lake in a nearby village.

• Lijiang inn reservation. $10-$20 per room / per day. Airport pick up. For more information, please contact lijiangtravel@hotmail.com.

Mid-Range

There are plenty of traditional-style guesthouses in the Old Town. The Moon Inn is particularly good value.

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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