Lijiang Travel Guide
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-23 · Research basis: Editor research
At a glance
UNESCO old town of cobbled lanes and canals beneath the 4,680 m Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - home of the Naxi people and the springboard to Shangri-La. Lijiang Station is 1.5 h from Dali by rail.
Suggested stay: 2-3 days · Airports: LJG (Sanyi International) · Train hubs: Lijiang Station (the only passenger stop)
What is Lijiang known for?
- Dayan Old Town
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Black Dragon Pool
- Shuhe Old Town
What do you eat in Lijiang?
Naxi hotpot · chickpea jelly (jidou liangfen). Naxi hotpot and chickpea jelly below the snow mountain.
How do you arrive in Lijiang?
LJG (Sanyi International) handle the international arrivals; Lijiang Station (the only passenger stop) is the high-speed rail entry point.
Where should you stay in Lijiang?
Dayan Old Town is the default first-timer base — first-timers — step into the UNESCO core. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Lijiang →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Dayan Old Town | first-timers — step into the UNESCO core | lively and loud at night; canals and cobbles |
| Shuhe Old Town | families and drivers — bigger rooms, free parking | 20 min out; ~30% more room for the money |
| Baisha Old Town | photographers — snow-mountain views, quiet | thinnest dining and transport; 30-40 min out |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-23 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
LJG is 28 km out - bus or taxi, 40-60 min (¥20-80 (about $3-12)). High-speed arrivals use Lijiang Station, 7-10 km from the old town: bus 4/18 in 25-40 min (¥2 (about $0.30)), taxi ¥15-30 (about $2.25-4.50). Buses stop after 21:30 - use a ride-hailing app.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 The 3-day route that never doubles back
- 🔍 Do you even need a visa?
- 🔍 The Kunming-Dali-Lijiang rail run
- 🔍 Which hotels can foreigners book
- 🔍 Paying without a Chinese bank card
- 🔍 Landing with data: eSIM setup
Explore the Lijiang guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.