Best Lijiang Day Trips & Things to Do

Lijiang, situated further north on the Yunnan Plateau, is a popular vacation destination like Yunnan itself. It boasts a well-preserved medieval townscape and a unique Naxi culture. Unlike most Chinese cities, the Old Town of Lijiang has no city walls and is defined by a 800 year old system of canals, stone bridges, and winding cobblestone alleys that once served as a vital hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. When visiting Lijiang, you must make your way to the perpetually snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, marvel at the turquoise waters of Blue Moon Valley, or listen to ancient Naxi music in a traditional courtyard. The nearby Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most dramatic river canyons in the world, is also a trekking destination in the region.