Lijiang, You Can Travel Like This
As an experienced traveler, the Lijiang you choose is a Naxi secret realm at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, blending the charm of the ancient town, highland lakes, and ethnic beliefs. Here is a customized, in-depth, comfortable, and budget-friendly Lijiang travel guide for you, progressing geographically from near to far—from the ancient town to Lugu Lake, with a relaxed pace that balances nature and culture.
Itinerary Suggestion (5–6 days) | Lijiang Ancient Town → Shuhe → Lashihai → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Lugu Lake
Day 1: Leisurely Walk in Lijiang Ancient Town
Stay in a quiet guesthouse near the South Gate of the ancient town or on Wuyi Street (¥200–300/night), avoiding the noisy bar street. During the day, stroll around Sifang Street, the Mu Family Mansion (ticket ¥40, known as the "Little Forbidden City of Western Yunnan"), and climb Lion Hill Wangu Tower for a panoramic view. In the evening, visit Zhongyi Market local food market to try chicken bean jelly (¥8), Naxi barbecue (¥15), and butter tea (¥10). Experience the lantern-lit stone alleys at night, but avoid expensive quiet bars with live singing.
🌸 Suitable all year round: Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, clear skies and cool air in autumn, snow-capped peaks reflected in winter, and cool summer retreats.
Day 2: Tranquil Time in Shuhe Ancient Town
Walk or take a 15-minute bus to Shuhe Ancient Town (free), more original than Dayan, and one of the origins of the Tea Horse Road. Key sights include Qinglong Bridge, Jiuding Longtan, and the Tea Horse Road Museum (free). Relax at a riverside café, try tie-dyeing (¥30–50 for a small scarf), and avoid commercialized photo spots.
⚠️ Pitfall alert: Don’t trust “free guided tours,” often a cover for selling silverware or tea with commissions; the ancient town maintenance fee has been canceled, no need to pay anymore.
Day 3: Light Hiking at Lashihai Wetland + Horse Riding Pitfall Guide
Take the urban-rural bus to Lashihai (10 km from Shuhe, ¥5). We recommend the ecological trail from Jiyu Village to Nanyao Bay (free) to watch migratory birds (best in winter) and enjoy highland lake scenery. If you want to ride horses, only choose official stables (such as the “Tea Horse Road Station”), negotiate prices in advance (¥100–150/person, including a simple meal), and refuse mid-ride price hikes or forced purchases.
❌ Beware: “Low-price horse riding ¥80” roadside offers are often scams, including shopping fees, horse herding fees, and insurance layered on.
Day 4: Core Experience of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Main Cable Car + Blue Moon Valley)
Book the main cable car ticket (¥140, limited and hard to get) in advance via the “Lijiang Tourism Group” WeChat official account, aiming to reach the Glacier Park at 4,506 meters. It’s best to start before 7 a.m., take the park shuttle bus (¥20) up the mountain, and prepare for cold and altitude sickness (down jackets rental ¥50, oxygen tank ¥30). After descending, visit Blue Moon Valley (included in the ¥100 mountain entry fee), with mirror-like turquoise waters perfect for photography. The small cable cars at Yak Meadow or Spruce Meadow are not recommended due to limited views.
🧵 Reminder: The mountain entry fee includes the environmental shuttle bus, no extra charge needed; the Blue Moon Valley electric cart is ¥50 one way, but you can walk to save money.
Day 5–6: Two-Day In-Depth Tour Around Lugu Lake (200 km from Lijiang)
Take a shuttle bus to Lugu Lake (¥80, 4-hour ride), stay at guesthouses on Lige Peninsula or Daloushui Village (¥220–300/night). On the second day, rent a car for a lake tour (shared ride ¥80–100/person), going clockwise: Lige Viewing Platform → Xiaoloushui → Walking Marriage Bridge → Caohai → Goddess Bay for sunset. You can take a pig trough boat tour (¥50/person) and listen to Mosuo people explain the “matriarchal society” and “walking marriage” culture.
💡 Cultural highlight: The Mosuo are China’s only remaining matrilineal clan society. The “Asha walking marriage” is not promiscuity but an ancient practice of emotional freedom.
Authentic Food (per person ¥25–50)
Smoked pork rib hotpot (recommended “Apo Smoked Pork Ribs”), chicken stewed with mushrooms, Naxi baba bread, butter tea, buckwheat cakes
Lugu Lake specialties: silverfish fried eggs, sangfang vegetables
Pitfall Tips
Don’t buy “silverware” or “jade” in the ancient town: mostly out-of-town goods with heavy markups, not collectible quality;
Reject “low-price one-day tours”: especially snow mountain tours, often include shopping stops or hidden fees;
At Lugu Lake, don’t trust “private boat guides”: only take boats from official docks;
Respect Mosuo privacy: don’t casually photograph inside homes or mock the “walking marriage.”
The beauty of Lijiang lies in its layers—not just a popular ancient town, but a convergence of snow mountain beliefs, Naxi Dongba culture, and Mosuo matriarchal civilization. Measure the plateau with your footsteps, and with a modest budget, you can still encounter a genuine and heartfelt journey in northwest Yunnan.
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