Best Places to Visit Lijiang

A guide of Best Places to Visit in Lijiang can help you plan your Lijiang travel better. As a popular tourist destination in Yunnan Province, Lijiang always surprises people by its profound culture and breathtaking scenery. See below a list of the top things to do in and around Lijiang. 

1. Lijiang Ancient Town

Lijiang Ancient Town is a well-preserved Naxi ancient town, listed as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. It is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China. The unique geographical location, historical background and multiracial inhabitants make it one of the most popular travel destination in China. 

2. Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake, at the border between Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces and about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Lijiang city, is an alpine lake renowned for its stunning scenery and unique Mosuo culture. Lugu is called the “mother lake” by the local Mosuo people, who comprise what is sometimes described as the last matriarchal society in the world.

3. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

With thirteen perennial snow peak, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name. Featured by its magnificence, precipitousness, uniqueness and beauty, the scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain changes in accordance with seasons and weathers. 

4. Tiger Leaping Gorge

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges with spectacular sceneries on the planet such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the west and Haba Snow Mountain to the east. It is one of the finest hikes China has to offer. Besides, two strenuous treks blending Tiger Leaping Gorge and Haba Snow Mountain are also favored by hikers.

5. Shuhe Ancient Town

Along with its sister town Lijiang, Shuhe Ancient Town is also part of the UNESCO Heritage site. Shuhe is the earliest settlement of Naxi people in Lijiang when their ancestors first moved to this region.

6. Lashihai Lake

Located 10km west of Lijiang city, it is the largest plateau lake in Lijiang and the first nature reserve named “wetland” in Yunnan province.Every year, tens of thousands of waterbirds come here to live through the winter. December to February of the following year is the best time for bird watching in Lashihai. Lake.

7. Black Dragon Pool 

Black Dragon Pool  is not only the water source of Lijiang’s ancient city, but also the place where Lijiang’s state-level protected cultural relics are most concentrated. Black Dragon Pool is the best place for shooting Yulong Snow Mountain.

8.Mu’s Residence

Located at the southwest part of Lijiang, the Mu’s Residence was the mansion of the Mu family, the ruler of Naxi people that ruled Lijiang for about 470 years in ancient China, as well as the government office of Lijiang, which was built symmetrically according to imperial palace of Han minority ethnic group.

9. The First Bend of Yangtze River

The Yangtze River Bend, as its name denotes, is the spot where the south running river suddenly turns northward due to changes in the shape of the nearby mountain ranges which form a mammoth V shape at this spot.

10. Baisha Murals

There, one of the most valuable treasures of Chinese painting – Baisha Murals is kept and displayed in the old but splendid temples. Featured with unique rel igious subjects and superb painting skills, these murals serve as one of the important forms of Lijiang Dongba culture.

11. Blue Moon Valley and Baishuihe River

Blue Moon Valley originated from melting snow and ice on snowy mountains, flowing down cliffs, and finally forming a crystal clear and extremely cool river in the deep valley on the upper reaches of Blue Moon Valley. Moreover, the valley is crescent-shaped. From a distance, it looks like a round of blue moon inlaid at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, hence its name is Blue Moon Valley.

12. Ganhaizi Meadow

Ganhaizi Meadow is an open meadow and a natural pasture. The vast meadow is littered with low pine trees. Yaks pass by from time to time. It is a landscape of highland pastures. It is the closest and best place to look up the whole picture of Yulong Snow Mountain. There is the longest fairway in the world, the highest elevation in Asia and the only golf course at the foot of snow mountain.

13. Three Parallel Rivers

The Three Parallel Rivers refer to the three rivers of the Jinsha River, the Lancang River and the Nujiang River, which originate from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and run more than 170 kilometers from north to south in Yunnan Province, cross the mountains between Dandang Lika Mountain, Gaoligong Mountain, Nu Mountain and other high mountains and lofty hills.

There are still many scenic spots waiting for you to explore and discover！