Hop on a Flight and Travel Through Time—A Landscape Adventure at Dongba Secret Realm in Lijiang
It seems Lijiang is perfect for travel all year round, with the tranquility of snow-capped mountains, the liveliness of the ancient town, and the exquisite charm of various unique guesthouses. Sometimes, even when looking up at the sky, you feel that every drifting cloud has a story to tell.
Whenever the scorching summer approaches, I can't help but feel the urge to go to Lijiang. Whether it's the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the ancient and mysterious Dongba culture, or the enchanting old town and the warm Naxi people, they always spark endless daydreams.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of modern cities? Why not escape to the ancient town of Lijiang, let go of your restlessness and worries, and calm your mind to explore the hidden summer moments. A close friend told me that a new treasure trove for travel photography in Lijiang has recently gone viral, so I couldn't wait to grab her and hop on a flight for a weekend getaway in Lijiang, where we encountered a landscape adventure through time at the Dongba Secret Realm.
Hop on a Flight and Travel Through Time in the Snowy Mountains and Gorge
This scenic area where you can "travel back to ancient Lijiang" is the Snow Mountain Gorge Performance Park, also renowned as the Dongba Secret Realm. Covering an area of 3,000 mu and located just over ten li from the ancient town of Lijiang, it is backed by the cloud-shrouded Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is the most distinctive highland wellness and cultural tourism resort in Lijiang, seamlessly blending natural scenery and ethnic culture, and earning fame as "the sacred Dongba paradise beneath the snowy mountains, the ancient village nestled in the gorge."
The park features diverse landforms—snow mountains, gorges, highlands, cliffs, forests, flower seas, and lakes. Whether it's the picturesque highland pasture, the poetic secret flower valley, the thrilling sky walkway, or the tranquil gorge forest, you can check in at all your favorite sights here!
What's worth mentioning is that this place faithfully recreates the landscape settings from the TV drama "The Storm of Mufu." Stepping inside, you can not only appreciate the historical heritage of the Mufu, experience Naxi customs and traditions, and feel the unique Dongba charm, but also enjoy the seven major themed performance shows—it's like being immersed in a spectacular audio-visual feast and a distinctive exotic cultural adventure.
[Encounter a Grand Ethnic Welcome Show at Dongba Secret Realm]
It is said that Dongba culture is the only living fossil in the world where both language and script are still in active use. Right from the entrance of the scenic area, the imposing gateway with strings of mani stones hanging in its center showcases the unique cultural identity of the Naxi people, symbolizing wishes for harmony with heaven and earth, making a striking impression.
At the entrance, the Source of Snow Mountain resembles an Egyptian pyramid and is regarded as a sacred belief of the Dongba people. It not only offers a distant view of the most beautiful Jade Dragon Snow Mountain but is also the place where the mountain god "Sanduo" is worshipped.
Upon entering the park, a grand ethnic welcome show takes you right into a festive celebration of Lijiang folklore. Mufu soldiers dressed in local ethnic costumes start the show with drumming, and soon, blue-clad fairies descend from the sky, dancing gracefully. With 100-meter wire work and a 30-meter-high stage, the performance blends breathtaking grandeur and ethereal beauty, making the stage look like a fairyland.
The local Lijiang figures "Master Mu" Mu Zeng and Aleqiu appear amidst the highly restored ancient architectural complex from "The Storm of Mufu," warmly greeting visitors and audience members beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
[By the Stunning Flower Sea, Experience a Naxi Blessing Show]
Walking on from the welcome show, you might stumble upon the internet-famous flower sea here. With cherry blossoms drifting down, nestled by snow mountains and forests, the contrasting blue and pink hues create an exquisitely elegant sight. Gesang flowers and cherry blossoms intertwine into a breathtakingly romantic and charming scroll, much like a real-life scene from "Eternal Love" on Peach Blossom Land.
Emerging from the internet-famous flower sea, you'll be greeted by a solemn and sacred Naxi blessing ceremony. The resplendent "Golden Summit of Snow Mountain" complements the main peak, surrounded by hundreds of totem poles. Actors, also clad in elaborate Naxi ethnic costumes, wear five-blessing crowns on their heads and hold ancient drums, offering prayers in the most ancient way to convey the sincerest blessings to all visitors. It is said this ritual, handed down for a thousand years in Lijiang, now has fewer than 300 Dongba masters left to pray to the Naxi guardian deity on behalf of humanity.
On a nearby corridor, numerous Dongba wishing bells are densely hung. On the thin wooden plaques, visitors personally write down their wishes. With gentle breezes, the crisp ringing of the bells mingles with the blue sky and white clouds. Even before finishing the tour of the park, you already feel the romance of the Naxi people.
[Internet-Famous Photo Spots: Check In at a Different, Charming Lijiang]
Under the snowy mountains on the other side, a carefully arranged Instagram-worthy photo spot awaits.
Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, all the natural scenery is reflected in this "Mirror of the Sky." Wearing a long dress and dancing freely on it, whether standing or sitting, facing the camera or showing your back, in static poses or dynamic motion, it will surely satisfy your love for beauty.
The Mirror of the Sky, reflecting the distant mountains and clouds, seems suspended above the blue sky. Walking on it feels like strolling among the clouds, suspended in the air, with the dreamlike sky all around—as if you could reach out and touch it, like a fairyland.
Moreover, several photo spots have been thoughtfully prepared nearby. Whether it's the transparent white glass ball or the white staircase reaching towards the sky on the rooftop, it seems every snap captures an Instagram-worthy masterpiece.
If you grow tired of these internet-famous sky mirrors, don’t miss the costume-changing experience next door. Whether it's Hanfu, ethnic-style attire, or costumes from "The Storm of Mufu," you can perfectly transform here and travel back in time in a second!
While Hanfu can be found elsewhere, in the Snowy Mountain Gorge, I sincerely suggest you try the costumes from "The Storm of Mufu"! This is an experience exclusive to this place. A few years ago, the TV series "The Storm of Mufu," created by Mr. Yu Rongguang and his team, aired on multiple CCTV channels, consistently topping ratings and achieving unprecedented success. This phenomenal drama later became a must-visit spot in Yunnan Lijiang for many fans.
After much deliberation, I chose a relatively elegant outfit to change into, then took a paper umbrella and walked past little bridges and flowing water. Just lowering my gaze was enough to soften the landscape tenderness of the snowy mountains. A perfect photo, isn't it!
After finishing the costume change, on your right is the first glass skywalk bridge on the Northwest Yunnan highlands. With a net length of 137 meters, a deck width of 4 meters, and a maximum drop to the valley floor of 97 meters, walking along it offers a thrilling sense of suspension with expansive views. In the distance, jagged ridges and steep cliffs are outlined, and the mountain forest beauty unfolds before your eyes, as if the snow mountain is faintly visible right beneath your feet. Pausing quietly on the glass skywalk lets you enjoy the exhilaration of walking on clouds, and if you're lucky, you might encounter a sea of clouds.
A gentle breeze filters through the thin clouds, passing through the lush greenery, caressing the verdant hills and trees like a picturesque landscape. In this serene, lofty, magnificent, and peaceful beauty spot, every day seems light and carefree~
The red suspension bridge spans the entire Lumeile Grand Canyon, not only satisfying your thirst for a thrilling challenge but also serving as a superb vantage point, offering 360-degree unobstructed views of the stunning scenery of this hidden paradise, the Lumeile Grand Canyon. If you have time, it's worth descending into the valley to experience the lush, shady coolness up close.
[Encounter the Gold Mine Robbery Show and the Love Sacrifice Flower Valley Show]
Long ago, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was known as the "Gold Mountain," as the range holds rich deposits of gold and silver. At that time, gold mines were an important source of wealth for Mufu. Today, the park has restored scenes such as a group sculpture of gold miners and a statue of Xu Xiake guiding the way in search of gold. Interestingly, everyone who passes by here is stopped and questioned by Mufu soldiers, allowing visitors to have a fun interactive experience with the soldiers of Mufu.
In "The Storm of Mufu," the forbidden love between Mu Zeng and Aleqiu was heartbreaking. At the Love Sacrifice Flower Valley Show, you can witness up close the poignant scene where they, dressed in wedding attire, jump off a cliff at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, choosing to die together for love—truly moving.
[Culinary Time Travel: Savor All the Authentic Snacks in One Go]
After a day of fun, fatigue quickly sets in. This is when only good food can cure us! When you come to the Snowy Mountain Gorge, don’t forget to visit Mucun Flower Street for a taste of authentic and delicious local cuisine: Kunming braised noodles, Cross-bridge Rice Noodles, grilled stinky tofu, papaya water, brown sugar tofu pudding, and more… These eateries gathered under the traditional Lijiang-style courtyard houses at Mucun Food Court are not only tasty but also super affordable!
The immersive ancient-style atmosphere offers a refreshing visual experience, with shop assistants dressed in ancient costumes cheerfully calling out to customers—so much fun.
Of course, the food center in the scenic area not only gathers cuisines from all over Yunnan but also features a restaurant under Yu Rongguang's own brand—Chef Yu's Kitchen. For fans, it's worth checking in.
After eating and drinking your fill, and with some time left before the next show, why not settle down for a leisurely afternoon tea at the nearby Hua Miao tea house? With a cup of Pu'er tea, a flower cake, and a few delicate pastries, the texture is fine and soft, the jam filling moist and aromatic. The fragrance of roses mingles with sweet honey, lingering on your lips and teeth, leaving a long aftertaste—simply too good to resist! Spend a wonderful afternoon immersed in the scent of flowers!
[Snow Mountain Myth: An Unmissable Live Performance]
As they say, in a thousand years of Lijiang, there has only been one show like this!
The grand Dongba fantasy epic masterpiece "Snow Mountain Myth" was the indoor live show I was most looking forward to before coming. A performance of Snow Mountain Myth presents ancient ethnic customs and culture in innovative forms, re-integrating and reconstructing the Naxi Dongba culture of Lijiang, interpreting it with modern and trendy performance methods. Creatively blending the three great epics "The Creation of the World," "The Battle between Black and White," and "Luban Lurao," the gripping storyline offers visitors a fully immersive atmosphere and experience.
With magnificent stage settings and a theater-in-the-round viewing experience that is utterly breathtaking, the combination of naked-eye 3D, holographic projection technology, and perfect coordination of sound, lighting, and electricity gives the stage art a completely liberated space. Meanwhile, the performance also extends the stage into the audience seating area using various technologies, paired with exquisite stage lighting—truly a masterpiece.
The story begins with Ajiang, a modern young man who travels back to ancient Lijiang. He rescues the tribal princess Ali and falls in love with her. With the help of gods, he builds an army of justice, defeats the evil demon king, restores peace to the world, and ultimately reunites with "Ali" in modern times, bringing the story to a perfect conclusion! The entire plot transcends time, full of highlights and earning rounds of applause!
[Practical Tips]
(1) Address: Baishuihe Section, Baisha Town, Yulong County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province;
(2) How to get there:
A. By car: The Snowy Mountain Gorge scenic area is 20 kilometers from the city center. You can drive yourself or book a car service to the park.
B. By bus: Lijiang has opened a bus route to the Dongba Secret Realm Health Resort. You can take the scenic area shuttle bus from the ancient town entrance (first bus at 7:00, last bus at 16:00), get off at Dongba Valley Station. The fare is 10 yuan.
C. By bicycle: Rent a bicycle from the ancient town and ride there; the price is about 30 yuan per bike per day.
D. Transport inside the scenic area: The distances between scenic spots are relatively long; there are sightseeing buses available.
(3) Opening hours: 09:00–18:00 year-round.
Outdoor situational performance times: 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00 every day.
(4) Tickets: Admission + outdoor situational performances + round-trip sightseeing bus (each ride 5–8 minutes) total 220 yuan; Sky Walkway Glass Bridge 60 yuan (free trail available); Snow Mirror 20 yuan (costume rental available at the visitor center).
(5) Recommended route:
Ticket purchase at the park — Mufu Welcome Show (first performance) — Snowy Mountain Flower Sea — Naxi Blessing Show (second performance) — Mirror of the Sky — Internet-famous glass bridge — Explore the gorge — Mu Zeng's scripture carving — Gold Mine Robbery live interaction (third performance) — Folk song interaction — Encounter a horse caravan on the Ancient Tea Horse Road — Love Sacrifice in the Flower Valley Show (fourth performance) — Mucun Flower Street (food street).
The Most Beautiful Time, the Most Beautiful Ancient Town of Lijiang
Coming back from the scenic area, I took a stroll around the ancient town of Lijiang.
Long renowned and celebrated far and wide, Lijiang Ancient Town has become a calling card for Yunnan tourism. It is a place that can embrace all your emotions; no matter what mood you come in, you can find your own peace and tranquility here.
This is an ancient town that has weathered eight centuries of wind, frost, rain, and snow—an old city that has witnessed the vicissitudes of time.
Also known as Dayan Town, Lijiang Ancient Town is a famous world cultural heritage site and an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. First built during the transition from the Song to the Yuan dynasty, it boasts a history of over 800 years. While countless ancient towns in China have vanished into history, Lijiang Ancient Town has been lucky to survive. Wooden ancient buildings stand everywhere throughout the town; bluestone flagstone roads, small bridges over flowing streams, and crowded deep alleys have captured the graceful silhouettes of countless travelers.
It is an artistically romantic town, and also an elegant old city blanketed in flowers.
Wandering through it, everything feels so simple and natural. Although the old town is large, you don’t need to worry about getting lost—here, streets border the water, and the water runs alongside the streets; simply follow the water to know where you are.
This is "A Slice of Sunshine," "Soft Time," and even more so, "an encounter worth anticipating." Blue bricks, black tiles, wooden doors, and wooden windows. Slowly strolling along the flagstone roads, you'll see well-arranged houses, ancient painted wooden shop fronts, and mottled bluestone alleys. Everything that meets your eyes is romantic and beautiful, and your thoughts gradually scatter along with the old town!
For many, Lijiang Ancient Town is the longed-for "dwelling place for body and soul." Within and around the old town, there are all kinds of charming guesthouses. When you come to Lijiang, I truly recommend staying a night in the ancient town. With the clip-clop of horse hooves and the tinkling of bells, when the dust of time settles, there still remains the distinctive lively spirit of Yunnan, south of the clouds.
And every encounter with Tinghuatang heralds the beginning of romance.
Staying at the ever-blooming Tinghuatang in the old town, every corner seems to exude a unique charm. In the courtyard filled with flowers, every detail has been carefully adorned with floral dolls, complemented by rocking horses and tables and chairs—it feels like a romantic, colorful, enchanting back garden within the ancient town.
Under white clouds and blue sky, every blade of grass, every tree, every drop of water, every flower, every brick, and every tile builds a fairy-tale world. Far from the noise and clamor of the city, with greenery interspersed, it is deeply quiet and serene. Inside, there are courtyards; outside, there are balconies. You can play chess at leisure, savor tea, chat about daily life, or when the mood strikes, pick up a brush and write a few lines of poetry, compose a ci verse, sing a song, or play a tune on the flute—all are the most romantic pleasures.
The inn not only creates a fairy-tale-like setting but also offers attentive butler-style service. Conveniently located with complete facilities, you can ask the young inn staff to help solve any problem—arranging a car, inquiring about nearby good food, helping with luggage, and so on—they are meticulous and super caring.
Walking further in from the inn lobby, you open the door to a spacious and bright guest room. Furnished with uniquely tasteful home design, antique yet exquisite, it makes you feel even more at ease. The elegant combination of white and natural wood gives a refreshing feeling, full of leisurely comfort.
The clean and tidy bathroom offers even more humanized touches. The warm white lighting makes the room cozier at night, and even the bed linens are the epitome of quality craftsmanship.
When you open the small compartment in the room door, it leads to a little balcony planted with all kinds of flowers~
Going upstairs from the other side, you'll find another super internet-famous large balcony. When the weather is good, many young ladies will take pictures here as a keepsake~
