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Lijiang

A UNESCO old town of canals and Naxi wooden houses, beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Stay2–3 days

Best timeMar–Jun · Sep–Nov

GatewayLJG airport · Lijiang station

RegionSouthwest

Altitudeabout 2,400 m

Why go

Highlights of Lijiang

Lijiang's old town is a maze of cobbled lanes and streams. Beyond it are quieter Naxi villages and a glacier-topped mountain.

Wander early in the morning before the shops open.

A cable car to a glacier viewing point at over 4,500 metres.

Quieter villages with Ming-dynasty murals and Naxi music.

Getting there

To / from	By	Time
Dali	High-speed train	about 1½ hours
Shangri-La	Train	about 1½ hours

Times are typical and vary by service.

Good to know

Bring sunscreen and layers; the high-altitude sun is strong even when it's cool.

Combine with

Giant pandas, teahouses and the spiciest, most addictive food in China.

The world's largest stone Buddha and a sacred mountain of monasteries above the clouds.

A vertical megacity of cliffs, bridges and neon, and the start of the Yangtze River cruise.

Tailor-made

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