Lijiang Ancient Town Travel Guide

### 🌄 **Lijiang 2025 In-Depth Guide: Snow Mountain & Ancient Town + Hidden Gems, Bookmark Now**

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**🚩 Must-Visit Attractions**
1. **Jade Dragon Snow Mountain**
- **Glacier Park**: Take the cable car to 4,506 meters, then hike the wooden plank trail to the summit at 4,680 meters to touch millennia-old glaciers (entrance fee ¥130 + cable car ¥180). Bring oxygen bottles to prevent altitude sickness. On sunny days, Blue Moon Valley’s lake mirrors the snow-capped peaks perfectly.
- **Seasonal Highlights**: In spring, Yak Meadow offers pastoral grasslands; in summer, hike through Ganheba; in autumn, Spruce Meadow dazzles with colorful foliage.

2. **Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan Old Town)**
- **Mu Residence**: Climb Wangu Tower for a panoramic view (¥50) and explore the Naxi "Forbidden City," Mu Residence (¥40), with free guides revealing Tusi history.
- **Local Vibes**: Watch Naxi dances at Sifang Square in the morning, explore bar streets at night, or avoid crowds by snapping photos under the oil-paper umbrellas in Xianwen Alley.

3. **Baisha Ancient Town**
- **Snow Mountain Cafés**: Frame Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from 7sea Café’s second floor. Visit Ming Dynasty Baisha Murals (¥30) and discover the birthplace of Naxi culture.
- **Handicraft Market**: Buy handmade tie-dye from local grannies or shop for intangible cultural heritage copperware at Sifang Street.

4. **Lugu Lake** (4-hour drive)
- **"Daughter Kingdom" Secrets**: Take a pig-trough boat to Liwubi Island (¥30), admire "water poppies" at Lover’s Beach, and watch the sunset paint the lake red at Goddess Bay.

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**✨ Hidden Gems**
- **Yuhu Village**: Trace explorer Joseph Rock’s footsteps at his former residence, horseback ride around Longnv Lake, and admire snow-capped peaks from stone houses.
- **Qingxi Reservoir**: A free hidden gem! Capture snow mountain reflections on the arched bridge, a favorite local stroll spot.
- **Wenhai**: A highland wetland bursting with wildflowers. From June to August, it transforms into a sea of purple irises—hike among grazing yaks.

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**🍜 Naxi Flavors**
- **Street Food**: Try grilled Erkuai with fried dough sticks (¥5) and chickpea jelly (¥8) at Zhongyi Market, or buy grandma’s candied fruits (¥10/jar).
- **Dining**:
- **Apo Cured Pork Ribs**: Clay-pot stewed highland ribs (¥50/person).
- **Fuxian Small Pot Rice** (Shuhe): Crispy potato rice with Naxi grilled fish (¥60/person).

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**🚌 Transport & Stay Tips**
- **Transport**:
- Airport→Old Town: Shuttle bus ¥20/person, taxi ¥80.
- Between towns: Bus No. 6 to Baisha, charter a car to Yuhu Village (~¥60).
- **Accommodation**:
- **Budget**: Shuhe Old Town guesthouses (from ¥150), quiet and food-packed.
- **Luxury**: Hylla Vintage Hotel (snow mountain view afternoon tea).

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**📅 3-Day Itinerary**
**Day1**: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Glacier Park + Blue Moon Valley) → Night stroll in Dayan Old Town.
**Day2**: Baisha Old Town (murals + café) → Yuhu Village (Rock’s former residence + Longnv Lake).
**Day3**: Morning photos at Qingxi Reservoir → Relax in Shuhe Old Town → Bring home fresh rose pastries (Panxiangji, ¥3/piece).

> **"Lijiang’s romance lies in snowmelt flowing over Sifang Street’s cobblestones, in the drifting clouds outside Baisha’s café windows, and in Mosuo grandmothers singing ancient songs from pig-trough boats."** Take home a Dongba scripture rubbing—let Naxi blessings travel with you.