My 5-Day Lijiang and Shangri-La Trip: The Best Moments in Lijiang

Foreword: As I continued my routine 9-to-5 life in a city of towering buildings, a saying became popular online: "The world is so big, I want to see it." This short yet inspiring phrase sparked my deeply buried desire to travel. So, I decided to just go. I packed my bag and headed straight to Lijiang.

Blowing the breeze by Erhai Lake, you can forget all your worries~

In Shuanglang, I saw many people cycling along Erhai, which looked great, 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 was styled in the local tradition, with a small wooden courtyard and all kinds of green plants—very comfortable. But in the rainy season, Lijiang is slightly damp~

In the evening, we couldn't wait to explore the Old Town of Lijiang. Since our inn was right inside the old town, it was super convenient to walk around~

At night, the old town was bustling and lively~

There were also quiet alleys~ The nighttime old town had an added allure yet kept its timeless rustic charm. We strolled through many alleys, and after wandering a bit, we could follow the crowd back to the main street.

The archway at the entrance of Mu's Residence, inscribed with "Tianyu Liufang," meaning "Go and read"~ From here, walking straight in leads to the center of the old town, Sifang Street~

Sifang Street is the central hub, and just beyond is Bar Street~

Bar Street runs alongside the clear river of the old town~ Sitting by the river, sipping a drink, listening to music~ This is probably the most enchanting part of the old town~

There were also lively performances with singing and dancing~

After leaving the bar, we continued exploring the old town~ This is the famous Big Waterwheel—apologies for the blurry photo! Here, we had walked the main street of the old town from south to north. If you want to cover all the alleys, you'd need much more time~

Going up the snow mountain requires oxygen and wearing a down jacket~ Joining a tour included these. When we went, there was still plenty of snow on the mountain~

The water in Blue Moon Valley is blue~

I discovered that the hustle and bustle and bright colors of Lijiang Old Town weren't quite for me, while Shuhe Ancient Town was just right—quiet and unhurried. The clear stream, water plants, and the reflection of the blue sky were as beautiful as an oil painting.

What's most worth raving about is definitely the food. The small pot rice was the most stunning meal I had in Yunnan—lingering fragrance and unforgettable taste. The small pot rice and crispy tofu were truly a perfect match, along with Naxi grilled fish and water cress (a local vegetable)—delicious and generous portions. The owner gave us ice jelly as a treat, which was really refreshing. The owner is a beautiful woman and so thoughtful, it's hard not to adore. If I come back to Lijiang, it won't be for the scenery but to eat in Shuhe.

I'll skip the lookouts along the way and go straight to the photos of Tiger Leaping Gorge~

Getting off the bus and walking down into the gorge, this is what we saw.

When we visited, there was no flooding, and the water was clear. We heard that on rainy days, you can see the river turn yellow. A guide explained things, so we learned more about the legends of Tiger Leaping Gorge and other fascinating stories of the scenic area.

The extremely imposing tiger statue~ The roar of the water was deafening as it cascaded down—a spectacular sight. Combining the legend with seeing this tiger gave us a whole new experience!

After leaving Tiger Leaping Gorge, we had lunch at a small local restaurant, then continued to Shangri-La. First stop in Shangri-La: Dukezong Ancient Town~

We strolled around Dukezong Ancient Town and then rested in the evening because we had to get up early the next day for Pudacuo. That ended Day 4.

On Day 5, we went to Pudacuo, arriving at Pudacuo National Park by 9 AM.

It was summer when we went, so the meadows were covered with little flowers.

I loved it so much, I couldn't resist sharing another photo~ It knew I was taking a picture and even turned its head to cooperate—so clever, a like for that! Haha~

A true forest, primeval and deep. Walking here, you can't help but want to breathe more, taking one deep breath after another, almost wishing you could pack some air to take home~

Strolling through the lush forest and along the grassy paths, I had several close encounters with little animals, and spotted squirrels several times~

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

Emerging from Pudacuo felt like being cleansed by nature, relaxed and refreshed. The best trips are those where you've walked many roads and seen many sights, yet feel more at ease than ever~ Then our spiritual journey was already wonderful enough.

Postscript: This trip to Lijiang was unforgettable and beautiful. I hope to give myself at least one vacation every year, and I can't help but look forward to the next trip already!

Travelogue contents: 1. Shuanglang 2. Old Town of Lijiang 3. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 4. Lijiang Eternal Love 5. Shuhe Ancient Town 6. Shangri-La 7. Old Town of Lijiang Travel info Hotel index Guide index Flight ticket index Website navigation Travel index Cruise index Corporate travel index Affiliate partnership Distribution alliance Friendly links Corporate gift card procurement Insurance agency Agency cooperation Hotel affiliation Destination & scenic spot cooperation More affiliate partnerships About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip news Contact us Careers User agreement Privacy policy Business license Security center Ctrip content center Intellectual property Trip.com Group Algorithm announcement