Lijiang Old Town – UNESCO-listed Ancient Town of Naxi People

Written by Veronica | Updated January 07,2026

Lijiang Old Town in Yunnan Province, China, is a more than 800-year-old historical gem waiting to be explored. It is also named Dayan Old Town. In December 199, the Old Town of Lijiang, together with the Black Dragon Pool, Baisha Old Town and Shuhe Old Town were inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

Lijiang Ancient Town, from the general layout of the city to its architectural style combines the various elements of the Naxi, Han, Bai, Yi, Tibetan, and Han. The roads in the city are not strictly planned, and there are no strict city walls. With its cobblestone alleys, ancient wooden houses, and stunning Naxi ethnic minority culture, the beautiful Old Town of Lijiang is a must-see destination for any classic Yunnan tours.

Millions of tourists visit Lijiang Old Town each year, which has led to a commercialization of the area. Still, it’s well worth the trip. Read on to Lijiang Old Town facts, what to do, what to eat, and how to get to Lijiang Old Town.

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• Lijiang Old Town Facts
• Lijiang’s UNESCO Heritage Significance
• What to Do and See in Lijiang Old Town
• Lijiang Weather and Best Time to Visit Lijiang Old Town
• How to Get to Lijiang Old Town
• Accommodation Types & Where to Stay in Lijiang Old Town
• Lijiang Old Town Travel Tips
• How to Visit – Suggested Lijiang Old Town Itinerary
• Famous Tourist Attractions Nearby Lijiang Old Town
• FAQs about Lijiang Ancient Town
• Discover the Real Lijiang with China Xian Tour

Lijiang Old Town Facts

• In Chinese:丽江古城 (lì jiāng gǔ chéng), 大研古城 (dà yán gǔ chéng)
• Area: 27 km²(2.8 square miles)
• Opening hours: It can be accessed all day. You can enter from any entrance.
• Entrance fee: RMB50 per person
• Time Needed: 1-2 days to fully walk aroundthe town and appreciate the famous landmarks.
• Highlights: UNESCO-listed ancient city, traditional Naxi culture, ancient streets and architectures, stunning natural landscapessurrounding, and delicious local cuisine.
• Suited to: Anyone, including history buffs, culture enthusiasts,nature lovers, families with kids, and couples.

Lijiang’s UNESCO Heritage Significance

Lijiang is listed in the UNESCO Heritage in 1997 because of its extraordinary value in the following four aspects.

1. Ingenious urban layout and water system:Unlike the square and regular chessboard-like layout in most ancient cities in China, Lijiang Ancient Town is constructed according to the terrain completely. And the water from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is divided into three main rivers with numerous tributaries inside the town. The water system meander through streets and lanes, forming the picturesque scenery. It is still in use now.
2. Architectural treasure: Lijiang Ancient Town itself is a museum of folk architecture. The architecture integrates the technique and aesthetic elements of Han, Bai and Tibetan nationalities, meanwhile showing the distinct features of the Naxi group itself. The Mu’s Residence is a representative.
3. A living cultural heritage:The Naxi people still live here now, their festivals, customs, culture and art are the soul of the town. Besides, the intangible cultural heritages like Dongba hieroglyphics and Naxi ancient music are indispensable parts of the world heritage.
4. An outstanding example of post-disaster reconstruction:After the big earthquake in 1996, the reconstruction of the town follows the principle of “restoring the old as it was”. So its original layout and core architecture are preserved to the largest extent.

What to Do and See in Lijiang Old Town

Stroll through a Maze of Streets

The Old Town of Lijiang is like a huge maze connected by its narrow, winding cobblestone streets. One of the best ways to tour Lijiang Old Town during night or day time is simply wandering the streets, lanes and bridges to discover traditional wooden courtyards, Naxi heritages, and small boutique shops that are selling handicrafts, foods, and souvenirs. When walking around, don’t miss the famous Sifang Street, Mufu Mansion, Black Dragon Pool, Wangu Pavilion, etc. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the rich history and culture of this ancient town.

Most Popular tours to Lijiang Old Town:

• 6 Days Lijiang Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking
• 6 Days Yunnan Kunming Dali Lijiang Tour
• 7 Days Yunnan | Dali+Lijiang+Shangri-La Best Highlights Tour

Experience the Unique Naxi Culture and Art

The Naxi people have called Lijiang Old Town home for centuries. The Naxi language is a member of the Yi branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The Naxi people are renowned for their distinctive poetry, painting, sculpture, music, and dancing.

As you explore the old town of Lijiang, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Naxi people’s traditional dress, customs, ancient Naxi music, murals, and Dongba script – the last remaining hieroglyphic writing system in the world.

Admire Mu’s Residence (Mu Wood Mansion)

Mu’s Residence or Mufu Palace, the former home of Lijiang’s ruling family, is located at the foot of Lion Hill in Lijiang Old Town. Originally built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), it was rebuilt in 1998 as the Ancient City Museum.

Mufu Palace is an architectural marvel that showcases the finest elements of Naxi and Han Chinese design. Listen to your local guide telling the history and stories that happened at this palace. Explore its ornate courtyards, halls, pavilions, and gardens, which offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Lijiang’s past kings.

View Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the Black Dragon Pool

Located just outside Lijiang Old Town, the Black Dragon Pool is a picturesque park featuring a serene pond, ancient temples, and a stunning mountain backdrop. Be sure to bring your camera, as the pool offers the most breathtaking views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Lijiang Old Town.

Ascend Wagu Tower

There is a mountain in the southwest corner of Dayan Ancient City of Lijiang, which looks like an evil sleeping lion guarding the ancient city, that is Lion Mountain. Wangu Tower is a five-star classical wooden structure built on the top of the Lion mountain, with a height of 32.8 meters and 16 24-meter-long wooden columns leading to the top. There are 12,600 Naxi style dragon heads on the upper floor, which has the largest number in the world.

Feast on Local Flavor of Lijiang

Looking for what to eat in Lijiang Old Town? Lijiang cuisine, influenced by Naxi and Tibetan cultures, boasts a variety of local flavors offered at the authentic neighborhood restaurants or a simple vendor’s stand.

Don’t miss the popular local foods like Lijiang baba (pan-fried barley bread), Chicken bean jelly, Er Kuai (rice-flour cake), Naxi hot pot, Preserved pork ribs, Naxi barbecue, Paoluda, etc.

Top dishes in Lijiang:

1. Preserved pork ribs hot pot: The pickled and air-dried ribs are moderately salty and fragrant. After stewing with tomatoes, bean sprouts and Chinese leek roots, the broth is milky white and tastes rich and delicious.
2. Naxi Grilled Fish: The fresh fish is pickled with special spices first, and then it is roasted, fried or pan-fried. The outer skin is golden and crispy and the meat remains tender and juicy.
3. Steam Pot Chicken: The chicken is cooked with the purple clay steam pot. The entire process does not add water at all. But the soup tastes exceptionally fresh and rich and the meat is tender.

Recommended Tour: One Day Lijiang Naxi Food Cooking Class Tour

Where to Eat:

To taste the above dishes, you can try to find the restaurants on Wuyi Street and Qiyi Street. Apoqing Preserved Pork Ribs Hot Pot and Heshi Lijiang Preserved Pork Ribs earn a good reputation among both locals and tourists. For tourists who want to try more kinds of specialties in one time, Yunxueli Restaurant and Xiaoxike Restaurant are popular choices. In Zhongyi Market and Sifang Street, tourists can taste all the traditional snacks at one go.

Related Reading: How to Plan a Lijiang Tour – A Step-by-Step Trip Planner

Lijiang Weather and Best Time to Visit Lijiang Old Town

The climate of Lijiang Old Town is influenced by the South Asian plateau winds. Therefore it has distinct dry and wet seasons and little change in temperature for most months. Monthly minimum temperature in the annual average of 7.75 degrees Celsius, monthly maximum temperature in the annual average of 19.33 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature in 24 degrees Celsius.

Due to its special geographical location, it is in the sunshine zone throughout the year and snow-capped mountains are visible all year round.

The best time to visit Lijiang Old Town is the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) months. During these months, Lijiang weather is mild and pleasant, and the scenery is really stunning.

However, if you don’t mind cold temperatures, the winter months (December to February) offer a peaceful atmosphere on Lijiang Old Town, with fewer tourists.

How to Get to Lijiang Old Town

By air: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport is the primary gateway to Lijiang Old Town. Fly to Lijiang from Kunming, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, or many other cities. From the airport, take a taxi or shuttle bus directly to Lijiang Old Town.

By train: Alternatively, you can take a normal / high sleep train to arrive Lijiang Railway Station, which connects the city to popular Chinese destinations such as Kunming, Dali, Chengdu, and Shangri-La. From the railway station, you can take a taxi or public bus to reach Lijiang Old Town.

By Bus: Lijiang is located at the intersection of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet provinces. Roads are the most common way to get in and out of Lijiang. There are several bus and passenger stations in Lijiang, where you can take a taxi or public bus to the old town.

Accommodation Types & Where to Stay in Lijiang Old Town

The accommodation types in Lijiang Ancient Town are mainly traditional Naxi courtyard inn, boutique inn, and high-end and chain hotel. You can choose the hotel according to location. Generally, it can be categorized into three areas:

The first area is near Sifang Street, Wuyi Street and Qiyi Street. It is located in the town center. Just outside the door are scenic spots, restaurants and bars, with a strong sense of life. However, it might be a bit noisy at night.

The second area is on the Lion Mountain. This area is quieter and offers a bird-eye’s view of the town and a distant view of snow mountains. It is quite suitable for photography. But you need to climb up the mountain.

The last area is near the South Gate and Zhongyi Market. It is about 10 minutes’ walking distance to the core area. The environment is quieter and the price is acceptable. Below are the recommended hotels for you.

Recommended Hotels

1. InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort

• Location: No. 276, Xianghe Road, near South Gate of Lijiang Ancient Town
• Feature: Its design combines the architectural style of the Naxi ethnic group with modern luxurious facilities and beautiful garden landscapes. Some rooms face the snow mountain directly.
• Price: CNY 1,200 – 2,000

2. Serenity HavenHotel

• Location: No. 58, Huangshan Upper Section, Xinhua Street, Dayan Sub-district
• Feature: Located on the Lion Mountain, the hotel has a viewing terrace, which is suitable to take photos. The design integrates Moroccan and Naxi styles
• Price: CNY 300 – 700

Lijiang Old Town Travel Tips

• Best photography spots: The best places to take a panoramic photo of the whole town are the Wenchang Palace and Wangu Tower on the Lion Mountain, the highest place of the town. Another recommended place is the Big Stone Bridge near Qiyi Street, where tourists can take poetic photos of “bridge,flowing water and cottages”.
• Recommended walking route for a one-day tour:The following route allows you to cover all the main scenic spots in one day in a leisurely pace: Big Waterwheel and Yuhe Square (the landmark of Lijiang Ancient Town) – Mu’s Residence – Sifang Street – Lion Mountain – Special lanes (such as Xianwen Lane and Dayan Flower Lane) – Bar Street / Big Stone Bridge
• Advice about altitude:The altitude of Lijiang is about 2,400m. Most tourists will not feel discomfort, but just in case, it is not advised to take a shower or wash your hair on the first day after arrival. And drinking some butter tea will be helpful for adapting to the altitude. During the tour, walk slowly all the time.
• Avoid peak times:National Day, May Day, Spring Festival and summer vacation usually have a larger population of tourists. You can avoid these periods.
• Safety tips:The roads inside the town are all uneven cobblestone paths, so please watch out for it and remember to wear comfortable and anti-slippery shoes.

How to Visit – Suggested Lijiang Old Town Itinerary

Usually, one or two days will be needed to explore Lijiang Old Town and the famous scenic areas to feel the city charm completely. For a one-day tour, it is recommended to spend half a day in Lijiang Old Town, then explore one nearby scenic spot, such as Black Dragon Pool or Shuhe Ancient Town. For a two-day tour, plan a side trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or Tiger Leaping Gorge on the second day. The brief itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1: Wangu Tower on Lion Hill – Mu’s Residence – Sifang Street – Shuhe Ancient Town/Black Dragon Pool
• Day 2: Spend a whole day exploring Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or Tiger Leaping Gorge

Recommended tour: One Day Lijiang Highlight Tour

Famous Tourist Attractions Nearby Lijiang Old Town

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: About 20km away from Lijiang Old Town, the majestic Snow Mountain can be seen from the old town area. Enjoy breathtaking natural beauty and exciting cable car rides.

Tiger Leaping Gorge: One of the world’s deepest and most dramatic gorges, Tiger Leaping Gorge is a must-visit in Lijiang for adventure seekers. It usually takes 1 to 2 days to hike Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Shuhe Ancient Town: Another well-preserved ancient town near Dayan Old Town of Lijiang, Shuhe boasts a similar charm yet with less tourist crowds. It’s an excellent addition to your Lijiang tour itinerary.

FAQs about Lijiang Ancient Town

What are the three old towns in Lijiang?

They are Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town and Baisha Ancient Town.

Is Lijiang Old Town the same as Dayan Old Town?

Yes. Dayan Old Town is another name for Lijiang Ancient Town.

What are the must-see landmarks within Lijiang Old Town?

The Big Water Wheel, Mu’s Residence and Wangu Tower are unmissable landmarks.

Can I see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Lijiang Old Town?

Yes. On the Lion Mountain and some inn rooftops and in alleys with wide views, tourists can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

How is the nightlife in Lijiang Old Town?

The night life in Lijiang Old Town is very abundant. When night falls, the Sifang Street and Bar Street are very lively with plenty of dynamic modern bars and quiet bars. And the locals also form a circle to dance in Sifang Street. Tourists can take part in dancing together. Besides, there is a show in the Mu’s Residence called “Meet the Mu’s Residence”.

What are some traditional festivals celebrated by the Naxi people?

Sanduo Festival is the grandest traditional festival of Naxi ethnic group. It is held in lunar February 8^th to worship their protection god San Duo.

Discover the Real Lijiang with China Xian Tour

Lijiang is a city with strong cultural atmosphere and beautiful natural wonders. To experience its charm deeply, it is important to know about its long history and profound culture. If travelling with China Xian Tour, we will arrange a guide to introduce the knowledge and stories about the town. You will have a more immersive experience with us. In addition, to ensure you enjoy a satisfactory trip, we can tailor an itinerary based on your needs. Do not hesitate to contact us.