4-Day Lijiang Essential Tour

Tour Overview
Lijiang Old Town is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It differs from other ancient Chinese cities in architecture, history and the culture of its traditional residents - the Naxi people. The old town is famous for its orderly system of waterways and bridges.

Day 1 Lijiang (D)
Be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Later visit Black Dragon Pool Park, Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture and Lijiang Old Town.  Optional night show: Naxi Ancient Music

-Black Dragon Pool Park: where you can see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from afar and the reflection of the mountain in the pool in a clear day. This park is the source of the water system of the Old Lijiang Town as the clean spring from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain gathers here.

-Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture: Located inside the Black Dragon Pool Park, the museum has over 12,000 displays, among them more than 2,500 pieces are belong to the Naxi People. These cultural relics including clothing, artifacts, Dongba hieroglyphics, and the Dongba scriptures which have recorded the Naxi astronomy, geography, literature, art, history and religions.

- Lijiang Old Town: aka Dayan Old Town, built by Naxi people at over 800 years ago. The town is famous for its scientific architectural layout. The town consists of clean streams flowing freely through the road network, the colorful cobbled streets, swaying willow trees, historical buildings and stone bridges. There are 22 different ethnic minorities making Lijiang their home. Now and then you may see local folks in their own traditional dress. Rambling around this charming ancient town, you will be attracted by the unique atmosphere and surprised by its ancient yet simple sense of "Harmony of Heaven and Man."

Day 2 Lijiang (B, L)
Today, you will enjoy a full day trip to the Baisha Mural Paintings and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (with cable car from Ganhaizi)

-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: the mountain has 13 peaks extending for 35km from north to south, alongside the deepest gorge in the world: Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is snowclad year round, with grandeur and sublime. Fan Steep, its top peak, is 5,596 meters above sea level against the sky. The mountain is precipitous, picturesque, and peculiar, charming with the scenery sites of Spruce Meadow, River of White Water, River of Black Water, Dry Sea (Ganhaizi), Serac Forest etc.

-Baisha Mural Paintings: located in Baisha Township, 8km north of Lijiang, there are 53 groups of mural paintings in different temples with fine and smooth lines, bright colors, vivid patterns and harmonious composition. Painted from the early days of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), these mural paintings are an artistic representation of the different religious cultures such as Buddhism, Lamaism, Daoism and the Naxi Dongba religion.

Day 3 Lijiang (B, L)
Today, we will make an excursion to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

-First Bend of the Yangtze River: About 51km outside of Lijiang, the Yangtze River makes a sudden V-shaped bend and flow to the northeast. This extraordinary turn, nearly 180 degrees, creates breathtaking views that startle the imagination.

- Shigu Town: aka Stone Drum Town, is located on the opposite of the First Bend of the Yangtze River. Since ancient times, this town has been important, linking Tibet with the outside world. Here Tibetan people bring their quality fell, hide and herbal medicine and take home tea, salt, cloth and other necessities.

Day 4 Lijiang/Exit (B)
After breakfast, you are picked up to the airport for the flight to your next destination.

Services End