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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Lijiang Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
China – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary. |
| Chinese New Year (January/February) |
Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations |
|---|---|
| National Day (1 October) |
National holiday with parades and festivities |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | DiDi, Uber |
| Other: | China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Lijiang, China
Chinese public holidays (Golden Week from 1 October, May 1 week, Spring Festival) bring heavy domestic crowds, with prices rising and hotels booked out early
Lijiang lies at 2,400 m and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reaches over 4,500 m, so altitude sickness is possible and the cable car should be booked ahead
Rainy season May to October, mostly short afternoon downpours, mountain views are best in the morning
Don't miss
- 🏘️ Wander the ancient streets of Lijiang Old Town
- 🌊 Admire the stunning Black Dragon Pool views
- 🏔️ Take a cable car to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- 🎎 Explore traditional Naxi culture and handicrafts
- 🏯 Visit the historic Mu Family Mansion
- 🌉 Stroll through the scenic Suocui Bridge area
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Lijiang?
Lijiang's Old Town is a maze of winding alleys, traditional Naxi architecture and lively markets. It's a place where history comes alive and every corner offers a photo-worthy view. The city is also a gateway to stunning natural landscapes, including the breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge. Whether you're exploring the past or hiking in the mountains, Lijiang has a timeless appeal.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🎈Events
-
Naxi Torch Festival (July)
-
Dongba Festival
-
Spring Festival Celebrations
-
Lijiang Snow Mountain Music Festival
-
Cultural Performances in Old Town
Knowledge before you go
- Download WeChat Pay; cashless payments dominate ancient town.
- Visit Black Dragon Pool at dawn for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflections without crowds.
- Wander Lijiang Old Town canals and Naxi architecture; watch evening square dances.
- Take cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; rent oxygen at high altitude for comfort.
How to travel to Lijiang
Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) has domestic flights from major Chinese cities. Trains and buses also connect Lijiang to Kunming, Dali and other parts of Yunnan Province.
Access summary
- From Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG): Shuttle bus or taxi, about 40–60 minutes.
- From Kunming: High-speed trains generally 3.5–5 hours to Lijiang.
- From Dali: Trains or buses usually about 2–3.5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Lijiang
Lijiang offers charming guesthouses and boutique hotels, many with traditional Naxi architecture. Staying in the Old Town or nearby Shuhe Ancient Town adds to the experience.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Lijiang
Walking is ideal in the Old Town, but for longer distances, taxis and local buses are available. Electric bikes and guided tours offer convenient ways to explore surrounding areas.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Lijiang are around 71% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Lijiang is generally safe, but petty theft can occur in crowded areas. Keep an eye on belongings and avoid poorly lit areas at night.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are available but may not be as advanced as in major cities. Carry basic medicines and consider travel insurance with medical coverage.
Accessibility
The cobblestone streets and steps in the Old Town can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Some newer areas and hotels offer better accessibility.
Tap water
Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks if unsure of the water source.
Packing recommendations for Lijiang
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
for high altitudes
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
👛
Cash in small denominations
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
for high altitudes
🏥
Portable oxygen
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for varying temperatures
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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