Last updated: October 29, 2026
Quick answer: Give Lijiang 2–3 nights. Spend one day in the Old Town (Dayan), Shuhe and Baisha, and one full day at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The Old Town maintenance fee is ¥50 (about US$7) per person, valid 365 days. Mountain entry is about ¥100–120, and the Glacier Park cable car is about ¥140 return. From Dali, the fastest train takes roughly 1 hour 36 minutes and a second-class seat costs about ¥70–90 (US$10–13). Prices and rules change, so check them before you go.
Lijiang sits at about 2,400 metres on a high plateau in northwest Yunnan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage town of canals, cobbled lanes and Naxi timber houses, with the 5,596-metre Jade Dragon Snow Mountain behind it. It is also one of the most visited places in Yunnan, so a little planning goes a long way. This guide covers how to get there, what to pay, and how to spend two to three days.
Lijiang is easy to pair with Dali. If you are building a Yunnan route, read our guide to cycling Erhai Lake in Dali first.
Is Lijiang worth it?
Yes, if you like atmosphere, mountain scenery and slow walking. The Old Town is crowded and commercial in the main lanes, but the early mornings and the side streets are lovely. The snow mountain is the real highlight on a clear day.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| UNESCO-listed Old Town with canals and Naxi architecture | Main streets are busy and full of souvenir shops |
| Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a short trip away | Altitude can cause headaches at 4,500 m and above |
| Good rail link to Dali and Kunming | Few Dali–Lijiang trains, so they sell out in peak periods |
| Cool, sunny weather for much of the year | Winter mornings and evenings are cold |
How to get to Lijiang
By train from Dali or Kunming
The Dali–Lijiang line is the scenic, low-stress option. A sample day showed only about nine trains: seven fast C-series trains and two slower tourist trains, between about 7:00 and 18:18. The fastest took about 1 hour 36 minutes. Second class is roughly ¥70–90 (US$10–13). Kunming has far more trains, and the trip takes around three hours. Because Dali–Lijiang has so few departures, book as soon as your date is fixed. Our China train guide explains how to buy tickets with a foreign passport.
Lijiang Station is outside the Old Town. Take a taxi or DiDi to the gate or car park your guesthouse suggests, because cars cannot enter the lanes. Our DiDi guide shows how to set it up.
By air
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport is about 28 km from the Old Town and has domestic flights from big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. Plan 40–60 minutes by taxi or DiDi. For arrival-day basics, see the apps you need in China.
The Old Town maintenance fee
There is no ticket gate for the Old Town. Under rules that took effect on 1 August 2025, the maintenance fee (古城维护费) is ¥50 per person, valid for 365 days. That replaced the earlier ¥80 one-week fee. One payment covers Dayan Old Town including Black Dragon Pool, plus the Baisha and Shuhe heritage areas. Children under 12 or 1.2 m, and people aged 60 and over, are among those exempt. Some guides say the age exemption for foreign visitors is unclear, so carry your passport and ask at the checkpoint.
In practice it is checked mainly at Black Dragon Pool and at the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ticket counter. You can pay through a guesthouse, at a service booth, or online. Keep proof of payment on your phone. Our China payment guide covers how foreigners can pay by Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Costs at a glance
| Item | Approx. price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town maintenance fee | ¥50 (US$7) | 365 days, multiple entries |
| Jade Dragon Snow Mountain entry | ¥100–120 (US$14–17) | Sources differ; check the current price when booking |
| Glacier Park cable car (large) | ¥140 return (US$20) | Daily limit, book ahead in peak season |
| Spruce Meadow cable car (medium) | ¥60 return (US$8) | Lower altitude |
| Yak Meadow cable car (small) | ¥45 return (US$6) | Short ride |
| In-park shuttle | ¥20 (US$3) | Reaches Blue Moon Valley |
| Sightseeing train, Baisha visitor centre to mountain | ¥50 one way / ¥80 return | About 35 minutes |
| Dali to Lijiang, second class | ¥70–90 (US$10–13) | Fastest about 1 h 36 min |
US dollar figures are rounded at about ¥7 to US$1. Expect a glacier day to cost about ¥260–300 per person before food, rentals and transport. Our China trip cost guide has wider budgets.
Suggested 3-day itinerary
Day 1: Dayan Old Town and Black Dragon Pool
- Arrive, drop bags and pay the maintenance fee if your guesthouse has not collected it.
- Walk Old Town early, before the day-trippers. Follow the canals and the side lanes away from the main street.
- Climb Lion Hill for a rooftop view over the tiled roofs.
- Visit Black Dragon Pool in the afternoon for the classic view of the mountain across the water.
- Eat dinner in a Naxi restaurant. Try rice noodles, cured ham dishes and local mushrooms in season.
Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Start early, ideally by 7:30. The Old Town is about an hour away by car or shuttle. The shuttle bus starts near Zhongyi Market at the South Gate.
- Book the Glacier Park cable car in advance in July–August and during national holidays. Use the official channels or a major booking app.
- Ride to the upper station at about 4,500 m. Go slowly, drink water and turn back if you feel unwell.
- Come down and take the shuttle to Blue Moon Valley, the milky blue pools below the peaks.
- Optional evening: the open-air show Impression Lijiang, staged beneath the mountain.
Day 3: Shuhe and Baisha
- Visit Shuhe, a quieter old village about 4 km from the main town.
- Continue to Baisha for its older streets and the Baisha visitor centre, where the sightseeing train starts.
- Return for an afternoon train or flight.
If you only have two days, combine days 1 and 3 into one and keep the snow mountain day as is.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are comfortable. Winter days are sunny and cold, and sunrise views of the snow peaks are often best from November to March. July–August brings rain and crowds. Golden Week in early October is the busiest period of all. For national timing, see our best time to visit China guide.
Altitude and health tips
- Lijiang itself is at 2,400 m. Take it easy on the first day.
- The upper cable car station is above 4,500 m. Walk slowly and stop if you get a headache or feel dizzy.
- Bring a warm layer, even in summer, plus sun protection.
- Oxygen cans and warm coats are sold or rented near the mountain, but prices are higher there.
- If you have heart or lung conditions, ask your doctor before going.
Where to stay
Staying inside Dayan Old Town gives the best atmosphere but means luggage logistics, because taxis stop at the gates. Ask the guesthouse to meet you. A quieter alternative is Shuhe. If you want an easier base, look at hotels just outside the Old Town near a taxi road. Foreign guests must be registered at their accommodation; read our registration guide and our hotel booking guide.
Combining Lijiang with other trips
The classic Yunnan loop runs Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and sometimes Shangri-La. If you are coming from Sichuan, see Chengdu. Planning a longer trip? Our two-week China itinerary shows where Yunnan can fit.
FAQ
How many days do I need in Lijiang?
Two nights is the minimum. Three nights lets you see the Old Town, the snow mountain and Shuhe or Baisha without rushing.
Do I have to pay to enter Lijiang Old Town?
There is no gate, but a ¥50 maintenance fee (valid 365 days) applies to independent visitors, and it is checked at some sites. Pay it to avoid delays at the mountain counter.
Can I visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain without a tour?
Yes. Take the shuttle or a taxi, buy your entry and cable car ticket, and go early. Book the cable car ahead in peak season.
Is altitude sickness a problem?
It can be at the upper cable car station. Move slowly, stay hydrated and descend if symptoms start.
Can foreigners buy the Dali–Lijiang train ticket?
Yes, with a passport. See our train guide for the steps.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your nationality. Check our visa-free guide before booking.
Need help planning Yunnan?
If you would like help with train bookings, mountain tickets, payment setup or a custom Yunnan route, our Travel Concierge can prepare a plan around your dates and budget. Quotes are prepared on request. You can also message us on WhatsApp.
Prices and rules are based on public sources and may change. Confirm current details before you travel.