Lijiang is a highland town in northwest Yunnan, under a range of snow peaks, and it’s the home of the Naxi people. The Old Town, with its cobbled lanes, canals and wooden houses, is the reason most visitors come. The mountain behind it is the reason to stay a few days.
| Old Town | UNESCO 4 December 1997, above 2,400 m |
|---|---|
| Jade Dragon Snow Mountain | 5,596 m, 35 km long |
| City wall | none (a short-lived earth wall after 1723) |
| Age | more than 800 years |
Lijiang Old Town
The Old Town, also called Dayan, is in the middle of the Lijiang basin, at an elevation of more than 2,400 meters. It’s more than 800 years old, and UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site on 4 December 1997. It’s often described as the only historic Chinese city without a city wall. A popular story says the ruling Mu family declined to build a wall because a frame around the character mu (wood) produces kun (trapped), but historians say this has no basis, and a short-lived earthen wall was built after 1723. The Naxi name for the town means “granary and market,” which fits its history as a trading place.
Today the center is busy, with shops and cafes along the canals. For a quieter experience, walk the outer lanes early in the morning or late in the evening, and use the town as a base rather than the main event.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rises north of the town to 5,596 meters. The range is 35 kilometers long and 13 kilometers wide, and it’s the southernmost mountain in Eurasia with snow all year round. It’s sacred to the Naxi, who call it “silver rock,” and it’s a national 5A scenic area. Most of the summit is for mountaineers, but visitors reach viewpoints and meadows on the lower slopes.
The Naxi people
The Naxi have lived in the area for more than a thousand years; Chinese records place their settlement around the mountain from about the 7th to the 8th century. Their culture is known for its pictographic script, which is used mainly by priests. Ask your guide to arrange a visit to a Naxi family or a music performance rather than relying on the shops in the Old Town.
Altitude and weather
At more than 2,400 meters, Lijiang is high enough that some visitors notice shortness of breath on the first day. Take it easy on arrival, drink water, and think carefully before heading to higher viewpoints. Nights are cool even in summer.
How long to stay
Three days is comfortable: one in the Old Town, one on the mountain, and one for a nearby village or the gorge. See our guides to Tiger Leaping Gorge, Kunming and Shangri-La, and our China tours.
Planning Lijiang with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. In Lijiang that means a guide who knows Naxi culture, a driver for the mountain and the surrounding villages, and a gentle first day for adjusting to the altitude. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. Tell us your dates and we’ll plan from there.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 丽江市, 丽江古城, 玉龙雪山, 纳西族. Last checked November 2026.
Lijiang: FAQ
Is Lijiang Old Town a World Heritage Site?
Yes, UNESCO listed it on 4 December 1997.
Why does Lijiang have no city wall?
A popular story blames the ruling family’s surname, but historians say there’s no evidence for it. A short-lived earthen wall was built after 1723.
How high is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
5,596 meters, the southernmost year-round snow mountain in Eurasia.
How high is Lijiang?
The Old Town is above 2,400 meters, so allow time to adjust.
Who are the Naxi?
The ethnic group native to the Lijiang area, known for their own pictographic script and music.
How many days do you need in Lijiang?
Three days for the town, the mountain and one nearby excursion.
Photo: chensiyuan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
