April in Lijiang: Beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Seek Out Flower-Filled Vistas for the Most Enchanting Scenery

Check in at Lijiang's brand-new villa hotel

Soak in a bathtub overlooking the snow mountain

Explore a different side of Lijiang's beauty

Lijiang is never short of stunning scenery; what it needs are eyes that discover beauty. If you're willing, you can enjoy all kinds of highland views here: the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the jewel-like Blue Moon Valley, an ancient town rich in ethnic culture, and the mysterious Dongba culture.

In the morning, admire the spectacular sunrise over the snow-capped mountains. In the late morning, enjoy the charm of a secret garden at the villa hotel. In the afternoon, explore Dongba culture and Yunnan coffee in Baisha Ancient Town. At night, head to the old town to listen to enchanting music and savor fine wine. In Lijiang, time is meant to be savored slowly.

On this trip to Lijiang with friends, I discovered a hidden gem: Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Jinlin Lijiang, an all-villa resort hotel. The hotel is located north of Lijiang Old Town, at the foot of Xiangshan Hill in Black Dragon Pool Park, and north of Qingxi Park. It faces Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the north and is adjacent to both Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Ancient Town, making it very convenient for getting around.

I took aerial photos of the resort at dawn and dusk. It covers 240,000 square meters and has 350 luxurious villas and guest rooms. As a garden hotel, it features 24 flower-lined paths that showcase different scenery in every season. I was lucky to catch cherry blossoms and crabapple flowers in full bloom like a riot of colors.

The hotel architecture and garden landscapes cleverly blend modern architectural elements with the characteristic essence of local Naxi traditional dwellings. With pavilions, terraces, small bridges over flowing streams, blue skies, and grey-tiled roofs, guests passing by can't resist taking extra photos. Strolling around, you feel a wonderful sense of being part of the scenery.

The guest rooms face south, tucked away in lush greenery, offering peace and quiet. Open the window and you'll see distinctive garden scenery and the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Being here is relaxing and pleasant, letting you experience Lijiang's innate natural beauty and deep cultural heritage up close.

Accommodation | Stay in Cozy Villa Rooms

This all-villa hotel perfectly met all my vacation needs. This time, my friend and I stayed in a garden-view two-bedroom villa, a three-story building that was utterly relaxing. The second floor has a spacious living room with a comfy sofa and a round worktable. Near the floor-to-ceiling windows, there's a comfortable armchair where you can work or have meetings. The living room also has a kitchen and a fridge, which is especially convenient for long-stay guests who might want to prepare simple meals.

The third floor holds two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and bathtub.

During my stay, I also visited a three-bedroom villa, whose spacious layout is perfect for a large family vacation.

If I had to recommend, the three-bedroom villa with garden views is excellent. On the first floor is a spacious and comfortable living room; the basement has a multi-functional space where you can cook or play cards. The second floor has a deluxe king-bed room with its own bathroom and a desk, catering to both business and leisure needs.

What I love most is the spacious balcony. You can sit on a rocking chair, gaze at the distant scenery, and sip a cup of coffee—utterly peaceful.

Dining | International Cuisine at Starlight Café

Located on the first floor of the main hotel building, the café is stylishly designed with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of light. Guests can enjoy a healthy buffet breakfast and sumptuous buffet dinner here.

Since the hotel opened, Starlight Café's dinner buffet has been very popular, often fully booked. The restaurant offers a rich variety of international and local Yunnan cuisines, blending Chinese and Western flavors. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs prepare delectable dishes right before your eyes.

Dining | Creative Fusion Cuisine at the Chinese Restaurant

The Chinese restaurant is on the second floor of the main building, with a design that blends modern touches with Naxi cultural elements to create a comfortable and elegant dining ambiance. The chef selects the finest ingredients. Beyond authentic Yunnan dishes, the restaurant also offers Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine to cater to different palates.

Dining | Food and Scenery in the Multi-Function Hall

The multi-function hall next to the Chinese restaurant on the second floor features large windows that not only bring in ample daylight but also frame the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. While dining, you can enjoy stunning mountain views. The space can also host small meetings or classic Western-style dinners.

This time, we savored creative dishes meticulously prepared by the hotel's culinary team. The comfortable setting and beautifully presented plates delighted both our taste buds and eyes.

Drinks | Tea and Wine at the Lounge

Tea lovers should head to the lounge on the south side of the lobby on the first floor, where you can sample the hotel's specially selected fine teas. It's also a secluded spot for small gatherings with friends or business talks.

Dining | Exquisite Bites at the Starry Sky Bar

The Starry Sky Bar on the rooftop of the main building is another popular spot, with a camp-like atmosphere. It serves exquisite afternoon tea, and guests can admire the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain while enjoying delicious food and drinks.

Howard Johnson Lijiang Jinlin Hotel

During my stay, I also visited the adjacent Howard Johnson Lijiang Jinlin Hotel. As part of the dual-brand property, the hotel has 450 cozy and comfortable rooms with excellent facilities, offering a relaxed and pleasant stay. Its distinctive garden and snow mountain views make your journey even more comfortable. If you're on a budget or traveling for business, this hotel is a great choice.

Visit Lijiang's Must-See Attractions

A trip to Lijiang isn't complete without sightseeing, tasting local food, and diving into the local culture. If it's your first time, don't miss these popular spots.

From many corners of Lijiang, you can admire the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. I chose to get up early to catch the golden sunrise over the snow peaks, and also spent a leisurely afternoon at the hotel's Starry Sky Bar, sipping a drink while watching clouds drift over the distant mountains. That's the essence of vacation life in Lijiang.

As tourism grows, some unique towns have gradually gained fame. Baisha Ancient Town, once a hidden gem, now attracts wave after wave of young visitors coming for photos.

Baisha Ancient Town is an old, original Naxi village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Most houses are built with wood and rammed earth, featuring grey bricks and dark roof tiles along stone-paved streets, where Naxi elders mingle with stylish tourists from all over.

With a long history, it is the birthplace of Naxi Dongba culture and one of the important origins of the Dongba script, a UNESCO Memory of the World heritage. Rich in culture, it's hailed as the ancient capital of the Naxi Kingdom in southwestern China.

This time, we visited the Dongba Character Experience Hall in Baisha to learn to write Dongba pictographs from a Dongba master and feel the charm of this world heritage. In the town, there's also a special café where the second-floor balcony frames the town gateway and the distant Jade Dragon Snow Mountain—a spot many tourists come to for photos every day.

One afternoon during our stay, my friend and I strolled to Qingxi Park. Under the clear sky, the lake water was crystal clear, with willows lining the bridges and banks, their branches swaying. The lake shimmered in the afternoon sun. We stopped at a lakeside café, ordered a rich coffee, and sat back to savor this rare moment of leisure.

Without a doubt, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a must-visit in Lijiang. This snow-capped range with 13 peaks stretches out like a silver dragon coiling across the north of Lijiang.

If you visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, then Blue Moon Valley at its foot is a sight not to be missed. If heaven exists on earth, it must look like Blue Moon Valley. The water seems like teardrops from the sky, sometimes even bluer and more beautiful than Lijiang's skies, soothing the soul. The lakeside is always bustling with visitors.

Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, is one of China's few ancient towns rich in ethnic minority culture. With its maze of traditional dwellings, little bridges, and flowing streams, it exudes a strong ethnic charm. Numerous bars and cafés make it a favorite spot for many visitors.

Compared to the bustling Dayan Old Town, Shuhe Ancient Town is more of a rustic waterside retreat on the plateau. Its lively streets are lined with shops displaying an array of items, including ethnic clothing boutiques and artsy souvenir stores. Stroll slowly with a few friends, pick a café or restaurant, and enjoy authentic coffee and local cuisine.

Black Dragon Pool Park is a spot close to the hotel. As one of Lijiang's earliest iconic sights, its scenery still rivals newer attractions. Arrive before sunrise and wait by the pool to capture the golden light on the snow-capped mountains—perfect for your ideal photo.

Yuhu Village & Longnv Lake

Nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Village has become a hotspot for travel enthusiasts thanks to widespread social media.

We visited a local Naxi family's home, tasted their specialty hotpot and dishes, dressed in traditional Naxi clothing, and took photos against the backdrop of the snow mountain and ancient village.

Passing through Yuhu Village, we arrived at Longnv Lake to ride horses and take pictures. We saw couples having their wedding photos taken here. The white snow mountain, lush forests, and emerald lake water create a magnificent landscape painting.

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