Top Things to Do in Lijiang: Cultural & Natural Highlights

Written by Catherine | Updated July 11,2025

Lijiang, the shining pearl inlaid on the the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, attracts countless tourists with its unique natural scenery, rich ethnic culture and long historical sites. What to do in Lijiang? It has several distinctive ancient towns, as well as the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Here are some top things to do in Lijiang during your Lijiang travel, which will definitely leave you with unforgettable memories.

Must-Visit: Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang Old Town, a place with a romantic and mysterious name, attracts countless tourists to experience the leisurely slow life! This Old Town with a history of eight to nine hundred years is a landmark attraction in Lijiang. As a world cultural heritage, the Old Town of Lijiang not only carries a rich history and culture, but also is famous for its unique Naxi customs and romantic night scenes.

You can take photos and make wishes next to its iconic building – Big Water Wheel. Stroll through the Square Street to taste local cuisine and discover some unique handicrafts. Visit the Mu Palace to feel the charm of Naxi palace architecture. In the tavern and bar of Lijiang Old Town, listen to folk singers singing, chatting and telling stories, and spend a slightly drunken night. Listen to Naxi ancient music and explore the Dongba culture. Ascend Lion Rock to overlook Lijiang and visit Great Stone Bridge.Visiting nearby ancient towns is one of top things to do in Lijiang. You can also rent a bicycle and travel around the surrounding ancient towns, such as Baisha and Shuhe.

panoramic view of Lijiang Ancient town with Mufu — A Panoramic View of Lijiang Ancient Town from Mu Palace

Baisha Ancient Town

Located 13 kilometers north of the Lijiang Old Town, Baisha Village is the ancient capital of the Naxi people, a world-class “ancient Naxi Kingdom”, and an important birthplace of Naxi culture. You can visit Baisha Ancient Town to admire the historical and shocking Baisha murals, and purchase famous tie-dye crafts as souvenirs.

Shuhe Ancient Town

Shuhe Ancient Town is located 8 kilometers northwest of the Lijiang Old Town, with a history of 1000 years. It is an important post station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, known for its tranquility, antiquity, and profound cultural heritage. This ancient town boasts well preserved ancient roads, markets, and traditional residences, with the main residents being the Naxi ethnic group.

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Can’t Miss: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

One of top things to do in Lijiang is to embrace the stunning scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost snow capped mountain in the northern hemisphere, located in the north of Lijiang, Yunnan. It consists of thirteen continuous peaks. The main peak Shanzidou (扇子陡) has an altitude of 5,596 meters, which is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round and is an unconquered virgin peak yet. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as the sacred mountain of the Naxi people, is said to be the embodiment of the Naxi protection god “San Duo”.

The main landscapes in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area include snow covered areas, glaciers, alpine meadows, primitive forests, and snow mountain waterscape, which vary in scenery throughout the four seasons. Climbing to the mountain top of 4,680 meters, you can get up close to the million-year-old glacier and experience the magnificence of nature. Please note that there may be some high altitude sickness~

Blue Moon Valley

Blue Moon Valley is a dreamlike blue lake scenic area located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The lake water is clear to the bottom, presenting a distinct blue-green gradient color, complementing the snow mountain and resembling a fairyland on earth. From a distance, it looks like a blue moon embedded at the foot of the Snow Mountain, hence the name “Blue Moon Valley”.‌

Yuhu Village

Yuhu Village, an ancient village at the foot of Snow Mountain, is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi ancestors and the place where explorer Joseph Rock lived for 27 years. The houses, roads, etc. are all built with stones, which are very distinctive. There is also a legendary and beautiful Dragon Lady Lake here. And even better, Yuhu Village has not been overdeveloped, preserving the most primitive style.

Black Dragon Pool Park

Going to Black Dragon Pool Park to see the reflection of Snow Mountain is absolutely one of top things to do in Lijiang. Accumulated water forms a pond, because the spring water is like jade and can reflect the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as Jade Spring Park. There are also some unique-styled buildings and historical relics here, and you can overlook the Snow Mountain in the distance.

Hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge

Located in the north of Lijiang City, Tiger Leaping Gorge is a steep canyon on the Jinsha River, known as one of the “Top Ten Most Beautiful Canyons in China”. With a total length of 17 kilometers and a vertical height difference of over 3,900 meters, it is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Tiger Leaping Gorge attracts a large number of tourists and explorers to start Yunnan tours due to its steep terrain and magnificent natural scenery.

Departing from Lijiang City, take a bus or charter a car to reach the Tiger Leaping Gorge, which takes about 1.5 hours. After arriving at the scenic area, walk along the sightseeing boardwalk for about 2-3 hours. The scenery on both sides of the boardwalk is picturesque, with steep cliffs and clear river water, making people enjoy its magnificence so much as to forget to leave.

First Bend of the Yangtze River

Visiting the First Bend of the Yangtze River is one of top things to do in Lijiang too.

After the Yangtze River (upper reach also called Jinsha River) rushes down the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and enters Yunnan, along with the Lancang River and the Nu River, it flows through the mountain ravines of the Hengduan Mountains, forming a magnificent landscape of “three rivers flowing together”. When arriving at Shigu Town in Lijiang, the Yangtze River suddenly makes a sharp turn of over 100 degrees and flows northeast, forming a huge V- shaped sharp bend. People call this natural wonder “the First Bend of the Yangtze River”.

Tourists usually drop by to see the scenery there on their way from Lijiang to Shangri-La. It is about 50 kilometers west of Lijiang City, free of charge.

Watch Impression Lijiang Show

The most unmissable show is undoubtedly Impression Lijiang. This large-scale performance vividly showcases the historical changes, ethnic customs, and natural scenery of Lijiang through various art forms such as dance, acrobatics, martial arts, stage machinery, and panoramic stunts, combined with high-tech means and original ecological art. The performance venue is 7 kilometers away from the Lijiang Old Town, adjacent to Wenbi Hill.

Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake in Lijiang, Yunnan is like a mysterious world. The deep blue lake is surrounded by mountains, and amidst the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, there are hardworking and kind Mosuo people (a Naxi branch) who still follow the ancient matrilineal clan tradition to this day.

Lugu Lake is about 200 kilometers away from Lijiang City. The lake water is clear and blue, with a visibility of up to 12 meters. There is a small white flower called “Shuixing Yanghua”(水性杨花) in the lake, which blooms from May to October every year, adding beauty to this lake.

Experiencing the unique charm of Lugu Lake is absolutely one of top things to do in Lijiang. You can take a boat trip and learn about the mysterious Eastern Women’s Land. Or ride a battery bike around Lugu Lake, letting the wind blow away all your troubles. Or participate in the bonfire party to relax and unwind during your Yunnan travel.‌

Lashihai Wetland Park

Lashihai Wetland Park is located 10 kilometers west of Lijiang City and is the first nature reserve in Yunnan Province named after a wetland.‌

Lashihai Wetland is a wintering ground and migration route for many migratory birds, with about 100,000 birds flying here every winter, creating a spectacular scene. Especially when the sun sets, the lake surface shimmers and migratory birds fly low, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Here, you can also ride horses and row boats to fully enjoy tranquility.

Taste Lijiang Local Food

Tasting authentic cuisine is also one of top things to do in Lijiang. Preserved pork ribs, Naxi grilled fish, salad of Jidou pea jelly, butter tea, and Lijiang rice cake are all unique specialties of Lijiang and should not be missed!

Zhongyi Market is a great place to taste traditional Naxi food, with grilled milk fans, rice-flour cakes, local chicken rice noodles… each one is mouth watering. You can buy some Lijiang local specialties at Zhongyi Market to bring home.