6 x Things to do
in Lijiang

Take a stroll
at Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang is a charming town with a twisting labyrinth of cobbled streets. Walking alongside the canals and appreciating the local architecture is the best way to soak up the vibe of this photogenic place. We loved getting lost in the back alleways specially around the canals.

For the photography lovers, dusk is probably the best time to capture the beauty of the ancient streets and waterways.
Also, if you´re a tea aficionado there are plenty of shops to visit.

Visit Mufu Palace

Located in the southwest part of the old town, this is a must-see place. Known as the residence of the ruler of Naxi ethnic people, this ancient building was the center of politics and wealth for hundreds of years.

Its layout was designed to resemble that of the Forbidden city and although it was mostly destroyed during Qing Dynasty the residence was rebuilt based on the original site.
You can also get great views of the old town.

Explore Zhongyi Market

Located on the southwest edge of the old town, this market will give you a glimpse into the lives of many locals, the produce and food. It extends through paths in the back and you can find endless options of vegetables, snacks, kitchen utensils, spices, you name it.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is about 18 kilometers long and is one of the deepest gorges on the planet with some parts being popular with westerns hikers.

In Lijiang there are many tourist agencies scattered in the old town, offering day trips to visit Tiger Leaping Rock.

A bus will take you from Lijiang to Yangtze river. Once there, you have the option to pay extra to go on a boat trip down the river.
We opted to go by bus which dropped us at a picturesque bamboo forest where there´s a trail up to a small museum of Naxi people.

Finally, we were taken to Tiger Leaping Rock which is impressive for the amount of water and its powerful rapids. Legend has it that a tiger crossed the Golden Sand river by jumping on the rock.

We also stopped for lunch and although we´d recommend low expectations with the meal, the whole trip was definitely worthwhile.

We initially thought of reaching the place by ourselves, but we were glad we didn´t risk it. Communication can be hard if you don´t speak mandarin and there are controls at the entrance to the complex.

Try Baba

Travelling and exploring new places always need to come with tasting some local yummy food!

You can easily find this popular snack made by street vendors in town. Baba is a flat bread made without yeast and can be served either with savoury or sweet fillings. We mainly saw it with sweet bean paste, eggs or pork with spring onions.
Don´t miss out.

Visit Dragon Pool Park

This is a famous tourist attraction in Lijiang located less than 20 min walk from the Old town. The park is surrounded by a scenic area and it also includes ancient monuments such as the Dragon God Temple and Suocui Bridge.