Where to stay in Lijiang
Written by China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Research basis: Editor research, fact-checked, last verified 2026-09-29 · Prices are tiers, not quotes — live rates on Trip.com · double-check = reconfirm foreigner booking before paying
The short answer
Dayan Old Town (大研古城 / 丽江古城) is the default first-timer base. 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.
Dayan Old Town 大研古城 / 丽江古城
| Hotel | Tier | Why it works | The honest trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yiwaxuan Inn (Dayan Ancient Town)丽江大研古城·一瓦涧客栈（光义街店） | Under ¥300 double-check | Naxi courtyard inn, steady ratings (4.7), old-town core - Mu Residence and Sifang are a walk | old houses without elevators, cobblestone luggage drag; core-area nights loud |
| Fuhuaju Inn（Dayan）富华居客栈（丽江大研古城店） | Under ¥300 double-check | rock-bottom rates on Qiyi Street near the Mu Residence, artsy end; for the frugal | economy, small rooms; plain surroundings |
| Huaqianyuexia Inn（Wuyi Street）丽江古城花前月夏客栈（五一街店） | Under ¥300 double-check | Wuyi Street value with indie shops, a step away from the bar street (quieter); all rooms non-smoking | economy, average facilities |
Who should not stay where
- Dayan old town for first-timers; Shuhe for families and quiet; Baisha for snow-mountain views and artists.
- Old-town inns mean cobblestone luggage drag and no elevators - the Beimen slope is the car-friendly compromise.
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