Lijiang Photo Gallery and Information Page
| Tours Featuring Lijiang: |
| Yunnan Highlands Local Culture 11-Day Tour (CIT004): Kunming – Shilin (Stone Forest) – Jiuxiang Caverns – Dali – Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Xianggelila (Shangri-la) |
| Taste of Yunnan 8-Day Discount Tour (CITYN8): Kunming – Shilin (Stone Forest) – Jiuxiang Caverns – Dali – Lijiang |
Nestled in the highlands of Yunnan Province, Lijiang is an ideal combination of modern and traditional China—a populous city with all the conveniences and comforts of modern life, as well as “old town” areas that retain the peaceful, quaint charm of traditional life. It has something special to offer every visitor: shopping, nightlife, local ethnic minority culture, and stunning natural scenery. As a result, in recent years it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.
BASIC FACTS:
Chinese Name: 丽江 (traditional characters: 麗江; pinyin: Lìjiāng)
Population (2010): 155,540 (urban population only)
Province: Yunnan
Weather: pleasantly warm but damp summers; mild, dry winters (below freezing conditions possible)
Lijiang Travel TipsConsider seeing the stirring Impression: Lijiang outdoor music and dance show, directed by the internationally acclaimed Zhang Yimou. The cast of the show is composed of local members of Lijiang’s ethnic minority groups in traditional costume, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain acts as a spectacular backdrop to the multi-level stage. If you would like to add Impression: Lijiang to your CIT itinerary, please let us know. With its many shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, and independent hotels in a carefully landscaped village setting, Dayan (大研) is the most popular “old town” area in Lijiang, but some travelers might find the Shuhe (束河) or Baishui (白水) old town areas more interesting because they are less commercialized and less frequented by foreign tourists. Please let us know if you’re interested in visiting one of these places instead of (or in addition to) Dayan. |
Lijiang-Related Blog Posts |
Lijiang Photos
The photos below show some of the sights and attractions that you will see on our tours that include Lijiang. Please refer to individual itineraries for specific information about the attractions featured on each tour.
Click on any photo below to open a full-sized version in a separate window.
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| Lijiang Valley, remote and stunningly beautiful… (photo by Gilad Rom) |
…despite the presence of a modern city (photo by Filipe Fortes) |
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| Flowers and mountains… (photo by Jeremiah Dow) |
…beauty everywhere (photo by Marco) |
Terrace farming in the mountains (photo by Jeremi Joslin) |
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| Descend into the valley… (photo by Marco) |
…and into Old Town… (photo by Hsing Hao Wang) |
…with its quaint buildings (photo by “The Tenth Dragon“) |
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| Visit Wangu Pavilion on Lion Hill… (photo by Filipe Fortes) |
…and the Mu Family Mansion (photo by Zheng Mao) |
An interior shot of the Mu Family Mansion (photo by Hsing Hao Wang) |
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| Beautifully painted ceilings (photo by Hsing Hao Wang) |
The courtyard of the Mu Family Mansion (photo by Hsing Hao Wang) |
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| Dayan, the most popular part of Lijiang Old Town (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
Walk under the Lijiang moon and think of your home far away… (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
…and admire the lovely lights and landscaping (photo by Filipe Fortes) |
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| Leave a message behind for others to read (photo by CIT) |
Stroll along Dayan’s lively streets (photo by CIT) |
Encounter local people with their horses (photo by CIT) |
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| Admire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance (photo by CIT) |
Listen to the tinkling music of Lijiang’s streams and canals… (photo by Utpala) |
…as you relax on a bench or in a cafe (photo by Tom Thai) |
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| Shop for souvenirs (photo by CIT) |
An enormous variety (photo by CIT) |
Check out local fashions (photo by Egor Grebnev) |
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| Find hidden treasures like this traditional paper manufacturer (photo by Utpala) |
Quaint architecture… (photo by G. Guillaume) |
…occasionally gruesome (photo by Filipe Fortes) |
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| Enjoy local or Western food at one of many restaurants (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
Spicy dishes your stomach won’t soon forget (photo by CIT) |
Quirky decor makes each restaurant unique (photo by CIT) |
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| Lively Lijiang nightlife: live music and dancing (photo by Utpala) |
Waitresses sing for your business, competing with other bars (photo by Utpala) |
Future gamblers: local children playing a game (photo by CIT) |
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| Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looms over Lijiang… (photo by Filipe Fortes) |
…a constant companion to the people of Lijiang (photo by Daniel) |
Approach the mountain from the “Dry Sea,” a vast open area (photo by CIT) |
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| Take a gondola up the mountain… (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
…and enjoy more and more spectacular views as you go (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
Be spellbound by the interplay of sunlight, clouds, and mountains (photo by CIT) |
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| Walk along a secluded forest path to Cloud Fir Meadow (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
Nature’s ancient meditative silence (photo by CIT) |
The only sounds: wind in the trees, birds, and squirrels (photo by CIT) |
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| The path takes you into a high mountain clearing… (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
…where you can soak up the atmosphere (thin though it is)… (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
…and take in close-up views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
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| Stop at White Water River (really “Clear Water River”) (photo by CIT) |
Admire the falls (photo by CIT’s Anna Qin*) |
Both artificial… (photo by CIT) |
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| …and natural (photo by CIT) |
Go ahead, stick your hand in – do it! (photo by CIT) |
Take a yak ride while you’re at it (photo by CIT’s Tracy Liu*) |
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| Sticking your hand in a yak’s mouth? Probably unwise. (photo by CIT) |
The bridge at White Water River (photo by CIT) |
The greenest green you’ve ever seen (photo by CIT) |
Next stop: Jade Water Village (photo by T.D. Xiang) |
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| A center of local Dongba and Naxi culture (photo by T.D. Xiang) |
A bird god sacred to the Naxi people (photo by T.D. Xiang) |
A Naxi dance performance at Jade Water Village (photo by T.D. Xiang) |
* Unlicensed photos are used by permission of the photographer.
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