My 5-Day Trip to Lijiang and Shangri-La: The Most Beautiful Time in Lijiang

Prologue: While I was going through the same old 9-to-5 grind in a city of towering buildings, a saying began circulating online: 'The world is so big, I want to see it.' That short but inspiring phrase awakened my long-buried travel bug. So, I just up and left. I grabbed my backpack and headed straight for Lijiang.

Feeling the breeze by Erhai Lake can make you forget all your worries~

In Shuanglang, I saw many people cycling by Erhai Lake, and it looked amazing. But since our next stop was Lijiang, we didn’t spend too much time in Shuanglang~ In the afternoon, we set off for Lijiang~

The inn maintained a local style with a small wooden building and courtyard, planted with all sorts of greenery—very comfortable to stay. But during the rainy season in Lijiang, it was a bit damp~

In the evening, we couldn’t wait to explore Lijiang Ancient Town. Since our inn was right inside the old town, it was super convenient~

The ancient town at night was bustling and lively~

There were also quiet alleys~ The nighttime ancient town gained an alluring charm mixed with an enduring sense of antiquity. We wandered through many alleys, and after a while, following the crowds would lead us back to the main streets.

The archway at the entrance of Mu’s Residence reads 'Tian Yu Liu Fang,' which means 'go read books'~ Walking through here takes you straight to the center of the old town, Square Street~

Square Street is the central point, and then you come to Bar Street~

Bar Street runs along the crystal-clear river in the old town~ Sitting by the river with a drink, listening to music~ That’s probably the most enchanting part of the ancient town~

There were also lively shows with singing and dancing~

After leaving the bar, we continued exploring the ancient town~ Here’s the famous Big Waterwheel—couldn’t get a good photo! By the time we reached it, we had walked the main thoroughfare from south to north. To explore every alley, you’d need much more time~

Going up the snow mountain requires oxygen and a down jacket~ If you join a tour, these are usually included~ When we went, there was still plenty of snow on the mountain~

The water at Blue Moon Valley is blue~

I found the hustle and bustle and garish colors of Lijiang Ancient Town not quite my style, while Shuhe Ancient Town was just the right blend of quiet and unhurried. The stream water was clear, with water plants tracing the reflection of the blue sky—beautiful as an oil painting.

The most praised thing here is definitely the food. The small-pot rice was the most amazing meal I’ve had in Yunnan—its fragrance lingered on my lips and teeth for a long time. The small-pot rice and crispy tofu were a perfect match, along with the Naxi grilled fish and water shield (a local aquatic vegetable). All delicious and generous portions. The owner treated us to ice jelly, which was really refreshing. The owner was a beautiful lady and so thoughtful—I just couldn’t help but adore her! If I return to Lijiang, it won’t be for the scenery, but to eat the food in Shuhe.

Skipping the scenic overlooks along the way, here are the photos of Tiger Leaping Gorge directly~

After getting off the car and walking down into the gorge, we saw this sight~

When we went, there were no floods, so the water was clear. I heard that when it rains, you can see the river turn yellow~ On the way, someone explained to us, so we learned more about the legend of Tiger Leaping Gorge and other fascinating stories about the scenic area.

A super furious tiger~ The roar of the water was deafening as it cascaded down, truly spectacular. Viewing this tiger with the legend in mind gave it a whole new experience!

After leaving Tiger Leaping Gorge, we had lunch at a local eatery and continued on to Shangri-La. Our first stop in Shangri-La was Dukezong Ancient Town~

We explored Dukezong Ancient Town, then rested in the evening. Because the next day we needed to get up early for Pudacuo. Day 4 ended.

Day 5: Pudacuo. We got up early and arrived at Pudacuo National Park by 9 a.m.

We went in summer, so the meadows were full of tiny blossoms.

I loved it so much, I couldn’t help posting another picture~ The animal even knew I was taking a photo and turned its head to pose—so clever, thumbs up! Haha~

A real, vast forest, untouched and primitive. Walking here makes you want to take deep breaths—looking up, I took one deep breath after another, wishing I could bottle some air to take home~

Walking through the lush forest and along the grassy paths, I came close to little animals several times, and spotted squirrels again and again~

If you don’t want to walk, you can take a boat out, but personally, I think you must hike. The hike to the exit isn’t that far, and the scenery along the way is completely different.

Coming out of Pudacuo, I felt cleansed by nature. The best journeys are those where you’ve walked a lot, seen many landscapes, and yet feel even more relaxed and at ease~ Then our spiritual journey has already been wonderful enough.

Postscript: This trip to Lijiang was unforgettable and beautiful. I hope to give myself at least one holiday every year. I can’t help but start looking forward to the next journey!

Travelogue Directory: 1. Shuanglang 2. Lijiang Ancient Town 3. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 4. Lijiang Eternal Love 5. Shuhe Ancient Town 6. Shangri-La 7. Lijiang Ancient Town Travel Information Hotel Index, Strategy Index, Flight Index, Website Navigation, Travel Index, Cruise Index, Corporate Travel Index Affiliate Program Distribution Alliance Friendly Links Corporate Gift Card Procurement Insurance Agent Agency Cooperation Hotel Affiliate Destination and Scenic Spot Cooperation More Affiliate Cooperation About Ctrip: About Ctrip, Ctrip Hotspots, Contact Us, Career Opportunities, User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Business License, Security Center, Ctrip Content Center, Intellectual Property, Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure