Dayan Old Town 大研古城
Follow canals and lanes through the heritage town.
- Plan around
- Half-day
- Combine with
- A Naxi meal
All destinations
Southwest China
Lijiang travel guide
Explore Dayan’s waterways, Shuhe, Baisha and Black Dragon Pool to learn about Lijiang’s Naxi heritage. Reserve a separate day for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and choose the route to suit your walking ability.
Include Lijiang in my trip ↗
What to see in Lijiang
Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.
Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭
A waterside landscape associated with the old town.
- Plan around
- A few hours
- Combine with
- Dayan
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 玉龙雪山
A substantial mountain excursion, not a quick photo stop.
- Plan around
- Separate excursion day
- Combine with
- The access route chosen for your group
More places to consider in Lijiang
Shuhe Old Town 束河古镇
Compare a different historic settlement and street pattern.
· Half-day
Baisha Old Town and murals 白沙古镇与壁画
Explore Naxi cultural heritage beyond the main old town.
· Half-day
First Bend of the Yangtze River 长江第一湾
A different river landscape outside the city.
· Separate road-journey option
Watch before you go
Lijiang on film
Watch a few places and experiences you can include in your own visit.
0:56Lijiang
Lijiang and its wider region
Culture, landscapes and the wider Lijiang region, with English captions.
Read the Lijiang guide ↗
1:25Lijiang
Lijiang: Dongba culture and old-town life
Dongba artwork, local culture and the lanes of Lijiang’s old town.
Read the Lijiang guide ↗At the local table
What to eat in Lijiang
Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.
Preserved pork-rib hotpot 腊排骨火锅
A hotpot made with cured ribs.
Chickpea jelly 鸡豆凉粉
A bean-jelly snack with different seasonings.
Lijiang baba 丽江粑粑
A local flatbread with different fillings.
Naxi grilled fish 纳西烤鱼
A fish preparation associated with Naxi cooking.
For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.
Where to stay
Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Dayan Old Town / its accessible edge | A first stay with evening walks | Cobblestones, steps and possible luggage access limits |
| Shuhe | A smaller historic-town atmosphere | A transfer for Dayan-focused sightseeing |
| Modern Lijiang | Straightforward vehicle access | Less immediate historic-town atmosphere |
Getting there & around
Lijiang Airport and the railway station require onward transfers to the old-town areas. Tell the driver the property’s accessible meeting point, especially for luggage. Keep mountain access separate from an arrival afternoon; elevation, weather and walking ability should shape that outing.
Choose your time, then make it yours
How many days do you have?
Start with a day in Lijiang or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
A day in the destination
Lijiang’s canals and mountain backdrop
One full day, starting from a Lijiang hotel and keeping the route within the city.
Make this my own 1-day trip ↗- Day 1
One day of Lijiang’s old-town life
Connect Dayan’s lanes and canals with Black Dragon Pool, pausing for a Naxi-style lunch. Choose a few quieter streets rather than fitting every old town into one day.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
A short stay
Lijiang and its nearby old towns
Three full days for canals, Baisha and one carefully chosen mountain-area outing.
Make this my own 3-day trip ↗- Day 1
Dayan lanes and Black Dragon Pool
Explore Dayan’s canals and lanes, then visit Black Dragon Pool for a different perspective. Pause over a Naxi-style meal and keep the later afternoon open.
- Day 2
Baisha at a slower pace
Give Baisha a substantial visit for its lanes, cultural context and mountain backdrop. Take time for lunch and conversation, with an easy return to your Lijiang base.
- Day 3
A mountain-area day near Lijiang
Choose a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain area route around weather, altitude and walking preferences. A Blue Moon Valley focus can shape a gentler plan; keep the evening free.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Lijiang and Dali, with fewer hotel moves
Begin in Lijiang and finish in Dali, leaving arrival and onward-travel space.
Make this my own 7-day trip ↗- Day 1
Continue to Lijiang
Travel to Lijiang and settle in before a light old-town walk. Keep the first evening gentle, with time to rest after the journey and a nearby meal.
- Day 2
Dayan lanes and Black Dragon Pool
Explore Dayan’s canals and lanes, then visit Black Dragon Pool for a different perspective. Pause over a Naxi-style meal and keep the later afternoon open.
- Day 3
Baisha at a slower pace
Give Baisha a substantial visit for its lanes, cultural context and mountain backdrop. Take time for lunch and conversation, with an easy return to your Lijiang base.
- Day 4
A mountain-area day near Lijiang
Choose a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain area route around weather, altitude and walking preferences. A Blue Moon Valley focus can shape a gentler plan; keep the evening free.
- Day 5
Continue to Dali
Travel to Dali and settle into your chosen base. Spend the remaining afternoon in the old-town lanes, with an easy dinner rather than a lakeside circuit.
- Day 6
Xizhou and one lakeshore stretch
Give Xizhou time for Bai courtyard architecture and a local lunch. Pair it with one nearby Erhai shore section, keeping the return unhurried and the route compact.
- Day 7
Depart from Dali
Keep time for breakfast and packing before the station or airport transfer. Add a final short walk only when it fits your confirmed departure arrangements.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Lijiang, Dali and Kunming
A southbound Yunnan journey with room for both landscape days and local life.
Make this my own 10-day trip ↗- Day 1
Continue to Lijiang
Travel to Lijiang and settle in before a light old-town walk. Keep the first evening gentle, with time to rest after the journey and a nearby meal.
- Day 2
Dayan lanes and Black Dragon Pool
Explore Dayan’s canals and lanes, then visit Black Dragon Pool for a different perspective. Pause over a Naxi-style meal and keep the later afternoon open.
- Day 3
Baisha at a slower pace
Give Baisha a substantial visit for its lanes, cultural context and mountain backdrop. Take time for lunch and conversation, with an easy return to your Lijiang base.
- Day 4
A mountain-area day near Lijiang
Choose a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain area route around weather, altitude and walking preferences. A Blue Moon Valley focus can shape a gentler plan; keep the evening free.
- Day 5
Continue to Dali
Travel to Dali and settle into your chosen base. Spend the remaining afternoon in the old-town lanes, with an easy dinner rather than a lakeside circuit.
- Day 6
Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas as the day’s two main visits. Leave time for courtyards, a meal and rest instead of collecting more stops.
- Day 7
Xizhou and one lakeshore stretch
Give Xizhou time for Bai courtyard architecture and a local lunch. Pair it with one nearby Erhai shore section, keeping the return unhurried and the route compact.
- Day 8
Continue south to Kunming
Travel to Kunming and settle in before a short neighborhood walk. Keep the afternoon flexible for arrival delays and a relaxed meal near your accommodation.
- Day 9
Green Lake and old Kunming
Walk around Green Lake, then explore nearby streets at a comfortable pace. Continue to the old-city lanes for lunch, with space for a café and browsing.
- Day 10
A final Kunming morning
Enjoy a short neighborhood walk or breakfast before transferring to your actual station or airport. Keep the last activity close enough to allow a comfortable departure.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
Make Lijiang part of your private journey.
Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.
Discuss my Lijiang plans ↗