• Lijiang

• Name in Chinese characters: 丽江市
• Name in Pinyin: Lìjiāng Shì
• Status: Prefecture-level city

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  Lijiang is the home-town of the Naxi ethnic minority group. It once sat proudly on the Tea-horse Trail, a route that allowed this precious commodity to be traded from the Pu'er District of Xishuangbanna up to Tibet. That trail is no longer used but Lijiang has found fame once more; it was listed by UNESCO back in 1997 and is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan Province.

  Travel

  Lijiang (Airport code: LJG) has an airport though it is well outside of the town (about 40 kilometres). Most flights are to Kunming though there are an increasing number of other options withing Yunnan and beyond.

  Lijiang is now connected to Dali (Xiaguan, the New town) and Kunming by rail. The journey takes 1 hour 26 minutes to the former and 9 hours 22 to the provincial capital.

  There are also many buses which are not such a bad option now that most of the journey is by expressway and there are more departure options.

  Attractions For Visitors

  For many visitors the delightful Old Town is sufficient reason to make it to this far corner of China. The maze of alleys is now lined with shops and cafes and can keep some visitors entertained for days.

  

  Other options within town include:

  Black Dragon Pool;

  Yuquan Park; and

  the Naxi Music Show. This performance includes much local music but also a fair amount of information about Naxi Culture which some find distracting. The performers wear traditional outfits which really add to the intense atmosphere.

  

  Impression Lijiang is also performed every evening (weather permitting). This borrows the grand concept from the Impression San Jie Liu light show in Yangshuo but has yet to become as popular.

  Excursions further afield can take you to:

  Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

  Lijiang Murals

  Shuhe (Old Town)

  Baisha Quarter (Old Town)

  The following can be visited from Lijiang in a day but is best enjoyed as overnight stays, or longer:

  Tiger-Leaping Gorge

  Lugu Lake

  The following China Journeys includes a stay in Lijiang:

  • Going Cloud Way
  • Yunnan And Yangtse
  
  
  
  
  
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