Daiwei Yuan Restaurant in Lijiang

Location and Transportation

Coordinates: No. 53, Jiaoyu Road, Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城教育路53号) (near Zhongyi Market (忠义市场) and Mufu (木府)).
Nearby Attractions:
  • 5-minute walk to the core area of Lijiang Ancient Town (Sifang Street (四方街), Bar Street);
  • En route: Convenient for visiting Black Dragon Pool Park and Shuhe Ancient Town (15-minute drive).
Transportation Guide:
  • By Car: Navigate to “Dai Wei Yuan” (傣味园). Free parking is available.
  • On Foot/By Bus: A 10-minute walk from Wuyi Street to Jiaoyu Road, or take bus No. 2 to “Zhongyi Market” station and walk for 3 minutes.

Restaurant Features

Authentic Dai Flavors with Local Ingredients

Chef’s Background: Led by experienced Dai chefs, the restaurant strictly selects local Yunnan ingredients to recreate the authentic flavors of Xishuangbanna and Dehong.
Ambiance Design:
  • Dai-Style Decor: Bamboo weaving screens, peacock tail decorations, and Buddhist niche elements create an immersive Southeast Asian atmosphere.
  • Open Kitchen: Guests can watch the preparation of traditional dishes like lemongrass fish and pineapple rice.

Must-Try Dishes and Experiences

Signature Dishes:
  • Lemongrass Fish: Local freshwater fish marinated and wrapped in lemongrass leaves, charcoal-grilled to perfection with a crispy exterior and tender interior, served with secret Dai dipping sauce.
  • Pineapple Sticky Rice: A specialty from Xishuangbanna, featuring a sweet combination of coconut milk and pineapple.
  • Dai-Style Spicy Chicken: Marinated with lemon juice, bird’s eye chilies, and cilantro, offering a tangy and refreshing flavor.
  • Hand-Torn Lemongrass Beef: Thin slices of beef grilled over charcoal and sprinkled with lemongrass powder, served with mint leaves.
Hidden Menu:
  • Bamboo Rice: Sticky rice and cured meat steamed in bamboo tubes, with a fragrant aroma.
  • Dai-Style Sour Bamboo Shoot Fish Soup: Fermented bamboo shoots and fresh fish simmered together, creating a tangy, spicy, and flavorful broth.

Service and Experience

Free Benefits:
  • Free WiFi throughout the restaurant, 24-hour hot water, and complimentary pick-up/drop-off service (reservation required in advance).
  • Daily complimentary Dai handicrafts (such as batik cloth and silver trinkets).
Special Services:
  • Dai Dance Performances: Free performances of peacock dance and elephant foot drum dance in the restaurant courtyard from 19:30 to 20:15 every evening.
  • Handcraft Classes: Participate in Dai weaving and bamboo craft workshops (¥80 per hour).

Business Hours

  • Daily: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Peak Hours: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (lunch), 18:00 PM – 20:00 PM (dinner)

Contact Information

  • Phone: 0888-5487008
  • Address: No. 53, Jiaoyu Road, Lijiang Ancient Town (near Zhongyi Market)

Customer Reviews

Review 1: “Absolutely authentic Dai cuisine! The lemongrass fish is even more authentic than what I had in Xishuangbanna. The service is super attentive, and they even gave me a batik handkerchief!”
Review 2: “The ambiance is amazing! Watching the Dai dance performance in the evening, the kids even joined in. The experience was perfect!”
Review 3: “Great value for money! Two people spent only ¥120 on dishes and beer. The food was delicious and the atmosphere lively.”

Nearby Attractions

Day-Trip Itinerary

  • Morning: Lijiang Ancient Town (Mufu, Sifang Street);
  • Afternoon: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Blue Moon Valley, Glacier Park);
  • Evening: Return to the restaurant for a Dai dinner and dance performance.

In-Depth Experiences

  • Dongba Cultural Village: Learn Naxi Dongba script and participate in traditional sky-worshipping ceremonies (1-hour drive).
  • Yuhu Village Horse Riding: Ride through the primeval forest and visit the lives of Naxi herdsmen (¥80 per hour).

Lijiang Dai Wei Yuan Restaurant

In the hustle and bustle of Lijiang, find a corner of Dai charm. Whether you are savoring authentic Dai cuisine or experiencing the unique allure of an exotic culture, this restaurant will satisfy your taste buds and enrich your journey!