Major city · China
Lijiang丽江
Give Lijiang 2 nights: one full day in Dayan Old Town and Mu Palace, one for Shuhe or Baisha. Skip it as a base for Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Lijiang is a UNESCO-listed Naxi old town at 2,400 m in northwestern Yunnan, once the seat of a small kingdom and now a busy tourist town of cobbled lanes, canals and wooden courtyards. It works as a 2-night stop between Dali and Shangri-La, or as a base for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the villages of the Lijiang Valley. The altitude is the first thing to plan around, the crowds the second.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season), Chinese public holidays
- Airport
- LJG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lijiang110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lijiang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyLijiang is a safe tourist town; the real risks are altitude on arrival, slippery cobblestones and canal edges without handrails…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLJG Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (About 40 min from the city; official fixed taxi fare ¥100 (≈ US$14), airport bus ¥20 (≈ US$3) to the Blue Skies Hotel area…
- Getting aroundWalking is the only way inside the old town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in the old town¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or Naxi pie¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop¥25–40 (≈ US$4–6)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, city ride¥9–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥50–120 (≈ US$7–17)
- Museum or sight ticketMu Palace entry2026 estimate from a 2019 fee; Lion Hill adds ¥40 (check).¥40 (≈ US$6) (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double in a Naxi courtyard, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double in a Naxi courtyard, a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LJG Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (About 40 min from the city; official fixed taxi fare ¥100, airport bus ¥20 to the Blue Skies Hotel area, then a short taxi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jul (21 rain days), driest Dec (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lijiang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
17 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
21 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
20 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking is the only way inside the old town. Taxis cover the rest of the city, meter from about ¥9; drivers often do not know small addresses, so have the location in Chinese. Public buses run within the city, and shared mini-vans serve nearby villages for ¥1–5 — village fares are separate from city bus fares. For a day of outlying sights, hiring a taxi or mini-van runs roughly ¥100–300 depending on your Chinese and bargaining.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shuhe Old Town
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus 5a/5b from the old town, bus 6 from Xiangshan Market or bus 11 from the bus station
Quieter and less commercial than Dayan; the Old Tea Horse Road Museum is free.
Baisha Ancient Town
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus 6 from near the north entrance of Black Dragon Pool, or about 40 min by rented bike
Former Naxi capital 12 km (7.5 mi) north; Baisha Murals ¥30, half a day is enough.Former Naxi capital 7.5 mi (12 km) north; Baisha Murals ¥30, half a day is enough.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Mini-van from Hongtaiyang square (¥20 (≈ US$3), waits until full), then park shuttle
Park entry ¥130 plus ¥20 shuttle; cable car ¥170 round-trip. Go early, watch for altitude sickness.
Shangri-La
overnightDoor to door: About 4 h (check)
Bus from Lijiang Bus Station, or continue by road
Too far for a return day; sleep there and acclimatise. Bus times vary with stops — check the day before.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Bus or hired van toward Qiaotou, then local transport to the trailheads
A trek, not a day trip; plan at least one night in the gorge area.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dayan Old Town (Gucheng)
The classic stay: Naxi courtyards, canals and lanes. Taxis cannot enter, so you carry bags from a gate or ask the guesthouse to send a cart.
Shuhe Old Town
About 8 km (5 mi) north, quieter and less commercial; bus 5a/5b or 11 from town, roughly 30 min.About 5 mi (8 km) north, quieter and less commercial; bus 5a/5b or 11 from town, roughly 30 min.
New town (around the old town gates)
Cheaper, easier for taxis and luggage; a 10–20 min walk to the old town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–700 (≈ US$50–100) excl. bed
- High
- ¥700 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double in a Naxi courtyard1 × 2 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥500 | CN¥2,000 |
| Airport taxi, one way1 × CN¥100 | CN¥100 |
| Airport bus, one way2 × CN¥20 | CN¥40 |
| Jade Dragon Snow Mountain day (entry, shuttle, cable car)2 × CN¥320 | CN¥640 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥80 | CN¥160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥364 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,001 per person per day, bed included | CN¥4,004≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in the old town | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Noodle soup or Naxi pie | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ¥25–40 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi, city ride | ¥9–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Mu Palace entry2026 estimate from a 2019 fee; Lion Hill adds ¥40 (check). | ¥40 (≈ US$6) (check) |
| Black Dragon Pool entryFree for seniors over 60. | ¥50 (≈ US$7) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥50–120 (≈ US$7–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: Lijiang sits at about 2,400 m. Take the first day or two easy, especially if you flew in from sea level.
- Cobblestones are slippery when wet and many canal-side walkways and bridges have no handrails.
- Old Town entry is free; the maintenance fee was abolished in 2017, but some sights inside still charge.
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable cars can be cancelled in high wind; the park entry ticket does not include cable cars or shuttle.
- Taxis at the railway station often refuse the meter and ask ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6); ¥15 (≈ US$3) may be possible with bargaining.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Lijiang丽江
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Lijiang; the US embassy and UK embassy are in Beijing, with consulates-general in Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- LJG airport → city, taxi: ¥100 (≈ US$14) fixed, about 40 min
- LJG airport → Blue Skies Hotel, airport bus: ¥20 (≈ US$3), then ¥7–10 (≈ US$1–2) taxi to the old town
- Lijiang → Kunming, bullet train: ¥210–220 (≈ US$30–35) second class, 3–3.5 h
- Lijiang → Dali, K-class train: ¥34 (≈ US$5) hard seat, about 2 h
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīngbudǒng)
Old town lanes are pedestrian-only; taxis stop at the gates.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lijiang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season), Chinese public holidays · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LJG: taxi ¥100 fixed, airport bus ¥20 plus short taxi, luggage-cart fallback inside the old town.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Dayan Old Town and Mu Palace, Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Museum, Shuhe, Baisha.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (Mu Palace, Black Dragon Pool, Baisha Murals, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) and eat pages with last orders.
- Altitude and weather fixtures so arrival days A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialLijiang Sanyi International Airport
- officialLijiang Old Town official site
- officialMu Palace official site
- officialShuhe Old Town official site
- officialLijiang municipal government
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lijiang, revision 5236561 (CC BY-SA 4.0)