7 days in Lijiang 丽江
Naxi old town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the gateway to Shangri-La.
By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026
The plan
One headline sight a day, with the evening left for food. Crossing a Chinese city takes longer than the map suggests; this plan does not pretend otherwise.
Day 1
Lijiang Old Town (Dayan)
Eat: Naxi baba flatbread
Day 2
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Eat: Lijiang rice noodles
Day 3
Baisha village murals
Eat: Yak meat hotpot
Day 4
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Eat: Mushroom hotpot
Day 5
Black Dragon Pool
Eat: Rose flower cake
Day 6
Shuhe old town
Eat: Naxi baba flatbread
Day 7
Slow morning, neighbourhood walk and a long lunch before departure
Eat: Lijiang rice noodles
Where to stay
Lijiang has no metro. Stay in the central old town or a hotel on a main road where DiDi can stop, and agree the meter with a street taxi.
Getting there
Lijiang to Kunming 3h by high-speed rail; to Dali 1h30.
The main airport is Sanyi International (LJG).
When to go
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, September, October. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period.
- January — not a peak month
- February — not a peak month
- March — recommended
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June — not a peak month
- July — not a peak month
- August — not a peak month
- September — recommended
- October — recommended
- November — not a peak month
- December — not a peak month
What it costs
Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 7 for this trip.
| Tier | Daily | Sleeping | Eating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥300–500 | Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | Street breakfast, noodle shops |
| Mid-range | ¥800–1,500 | 3–4★ hotel near a metro | Sit-down restaurants, one splurge |
| Comfort | ¥2,500+ | 5★ or boutique courtyard hotel | Fine dining and tasting menus |
Questions people ask
Is 7 days enough for Lijiang?
Yes. The city page budgets 3 nights, so 7 days leaves room for one headline sight a day plus a slower neighbourhood or food afternoon.
When is the best time to visit Lijiang?
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, September, October. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period unless your dates are fixed.
How do I get to Lijiang?
Lijiang to Kunming 3h by high-speed rail; to Dali 1h30. The main airport is Sanyi International (LJG).
What should I budget for 7 days?
Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 7; hotels drive the difference more than food.
Do I need a visa?
Visa policy is national, not city-level. Check your passport against the current visa-free and transit routes before booking.